[✗] [Invention / Discovery Lore] Void Crystals and The Aegis Seal

[Luxury 622]

 

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The Void Crystal
A handheld Focus crystal that has been embedded with the essence of both Void and Creation, and thus aptly named for its function. This anomalous stone is, in essence, a product of Voidal Alteration incited by the need to curb the devastation of magical disaster.

 

 

Creation:
Alterationists at the height of their craft may cast a greater imbuement spell upon a Focus Crystal, shifting it’s core function. Focus Crystals are known for their ability to allow casters to channel the Void with great tact; As such, these Alterationists have found that intricately applying their artform could create an inverse effect. Effectively, the layers of Mana are articulated in such a way that these Void Crystals act as a one way vacuum for Mana. The potency of the effects necessitates creation in the presence of an Obelisk.

 

Effects:
Focus crystals are commonly used as conductors of magical energy, and the advent of the Void Crystal introduces the inverse. These eldritch stones were found to be able to intake a large swathe of Mana and keep it within its crystalized bearing for transport and safekeeping. The Crystal’s effects ultimately may be used to contain smaller bouts of Mana or Aura that are present within the Material realm. The Active effect occurs gradually over one or two emotes where. Primarily colored by the Aura of the Alteration Mage who has imbued the spell, the contained Mana will sequentially darken as it imbibes Mana, and in the case of Aura it may even adopt new sequences of color. Passively, the Crystals will soak in Aura radiated from a handful of spell casts in a radius around them, functionally a 10x10 area surrounding the stone. The power dedicated to the metaphysical vacuum is what prevents the mass of energy from escaping prematurely and as such this energy cannot be reused, controlled, or manipulated while trapped in the crystalline form.

 

On Destruction
Should the Crystal suffer a direct blow from any sufficient blunt force or spell after absorbing Mana, the energy will release in a localized explosion and dispatch the contained Aura into the open air, making for a dazzling array of color and forms determined by the nature of the Aura therein. The force of the blast is insufficient to cause a major knockback effect, but the crystal shrapnel will embed in nearby soft tissue creating a non-threatening surface wound. The Aura array is a spectacle, but fleeting at best as it quickly reabsorbs into the environment.

 

Redlines:
-Primarily for player events and narrative functions, users must be in cooperation with ST to implement full use of this invention.
-Structurally identical to Focus Crystals
-May not be used to refuel one’s mana
-RO permission is required to spread Void taint from a broken Crystal, using void associated blocks.
-The Crystals are enchantable, but will surrender any of the above utilities rendering them as a simple aesthetic option.
-Requires a Tier 5 Transfigurer, Translocater or a Tier 3 Voidal Artificer to create, being the primary arts under the Alteration archetype.
-Requires Player Signing.

 

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The Aegis Seal
Beholden to its primal nature, it is found that Mortal greed is insurmountable by any Arcane theory. Thus at wits end in the wake of the colossal endeavor of answering the Hallow, a binding ritual was conceived; The final claim of a Voidal mage on the Material. Not one that would bring relief to the victims of errant Arcana, but perhaps one that would carry the light of hope forward for the coming generations of spellcasters. Voidal Tears, which have long been considered the pinnacle of arcane ingenuity will now have a lock. Those who take on the mantle of the keybearer must know the gravity of their cosmic responsibility.

 

 

Ritual:
A sum of magi equal to the number which produced the Tear must gather for this ritual; Among them must be a leading Alterationist, accompanied by equal parts Translocaters and Transfigurers. The Alterationist themself may supplant one of the aforementioned caster types. Armed with Void Crystals relative to the size of the Tear, the assembled magi begin. An Arcane circle is drawn upon the ground with powdered focus crystal, and each mage assumes a stance around its circumference. The antithetical stones are introduced onto the Tear, yet like other materials their forms are not immediately disseminated but instead destabilizes the rift and pulls the eldritch energy towards an epicenter. The Void Crystals by design alone cannot undertake the task of closing a rift, so requiring more applied measures. Hereafter, the Voidal Artificer and their throng of coupled magi must channel vast swathes of mana into the crystal. Inlaid with the spellweaving must be the intent of closure or sealing, in order for the Mana to actualize. With all of the elements at play, the flow of corrupting energy from Void to Material emanated by the Tear is effectively reversed.

 

Requirements
-The Ritual leader must be a Tier 3 Voidal Artificer or a Tier 5 Transfigurer or Translocater aided by at least one Tier 5 Transfigurer/ Translocater scaling to be even with the number of Magi that participated in the initial creation of the Tear. Each further coupling of magi eases the strain that the Ritual imposes upon the Mana Pool.

-One 15cm Void Crystal per 5m of Rift size.

-One Arcane Circle crafted out of Focus Crystal dust.

 

Effects on the Group
Intentionally leaving one's soul adjacent to the Vast Infinite for any period of time is widely unheard of due to many anticipated dangers. Following the ritual, the Alterationist responsible as well as their cohorts must endure a mental barrage... The final throes of the Psionic forces lurking just beyond that breach.

 

Visions
At ritual end, debilitating visions permeate the minds of the mages, showing them potential realities wherein the fabric of reality was flippantly torn asunder by rogue magi. This grandiose invasion of the mindspace is enough to inspire fear and paranoia, long lasting indeed, such that discomfort in the presence of Voidal Tears and Voidally Afflicted spaces is commonplace; I.e. Obelisks, the presence of Voidstalkers, Horrors, etc.
-Each player character who participated in the Ritual must adhere to these effects for up to Three OOC weeks after which they may begin to rehabilitate.

-The players who participated may not participate in another Voidal ritual for one OOC day following the Seal creation.

 

Effects on the Tear
After the Ritual
Visually, the Voidal Crystals rapidly expand in mass and solidify across the entirety of the Tear. This process can be guided, such that the formation is built aesthetically- otherwise the Crystal takes on jagged and harsh formations. In any case this is the signal of a successful ritual; The Tear is ultimately stabilized by the Seal. Within the crystalline barrier, the inverted flow of Voidal energy is repurposed to stitch together the fabric of reality that was torn. The unnatural unease that once gripped the locale begins to release, and the eldritch hum that filled the air hushes. The boons that Mages found of use are no longer provided. A First Stage Tear may be effectively and immediately closed hereafter. For Tears in the Second or Third Stage, an addition of two and three OOC week(s) respectively will be required, scaling down in intensity over the duration. A Natured or Mature Tear may not be closed by this method.

 

While the Seal is actively closing the Tear, there exists the opportunity to interrupt the process. Provided that there is a frame to stabilize the Tear once it is freed from the crystal Seal, an equal measure of Magi to that which created the Seal may congregate to undo the ritual. However long the Seal was left active determines the power of the restored Tear. However, without the frame present, the Tear will detonate should the Seal be undone. Beyond ritualistic means, the structure is nigh impervious to any ordinary bout of Physical or Magical damage.

 

Mundane methods no less than siege-strength war machines, or a barrage of Tier 5 spells may likewise interrupt the Sealing process but with dire consequences.

Redlines
-Closing a Voidal Tear requires ST approval.
-Requires at least two Tier 5 magi to participate in the Ritual; One Transfigurer and one Translocater.
-Aiding Tier 3 Voidal Artificers may supplant one of the aforementioned Transfigurers or Translocators.
-Once a Player begins the Sealing process, they may not directly Open or Close any further Tears until the Sealing Ritual is successful or stopped.
-Destruction of a Tear is outlined in the Voidal Tearing lore piece, and should be abided by.

-Should a Stage Three Tear be Sealed for one week, it resumes as Stage Two; For two weeks, it resumes as Stage One. The entire passing of three weeks closes the Tear.

 

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Purpose
This is a restructuring of an original concept. I’ve chipped away at some unnecessary bits and added some flavor where possible. I anticipate this piece to bring an entirely new level to Tear-adjacent roleplay. Enjoy. 

 

Credits:
FadedQuartz- Ideas, Conception
E__V__O- Ideas, Conception
Squak- Ideas, Feedback, Review

 

Citations:
Focus Crystal Lore
https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/191688-✓-world-lore-focus-crystals/
Mana Obelisk Lore
https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/197307-✓-mana-obelisks/
Voidal Tearing Lore
https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/196066-✓-voidal-tearing/#comments

 

::Changelog::

-Removed unnecessary restrictions on the amount of Closing rituals a player can perform.

-Added a line that would prevent one player from having multiple Seals.

-Clarified some Words for easier reading.

-Added a Week requirement for closing of Stage Two and Three Tears

[Werew0lf 12147]

1 hour ago, Luxury said:

Beholden to its primal nature, it is found that Mortal greed is insurmountable by any Arcane theory. Thus at wits end in the wake of the colossal endeavor of answering the Hallow, a binding ritual was conceived

sorry for flaming but you don’t even know what ur writing, ur just mashing words and hoping for the best 

 

[Dj_McMuffin 112]

Very cool read, and hopefully something that will be included in some form to add another dimension to Voidal RP. Can't wait to sacrifice my sanity to keep the material realm stitched together!

[Luxury 622]

3 hours ago, Werew0lf said:

sorry for flaming but you don’t even know what ur writing, ur just mashing words and hoping for the best 

 

 

I hope you don't mean that lol.

 

I'll translate anyway but I'll keep it flowery as it's meant to be the thoughts of a since-passed character I played! Keep in mind this entire lore piece was conceived of in game before it was written oocly.

Roughly, it reads that the primal nature of 'Greed' as a mortal concept can carry consequences that can't so easily be 'wished away' by magic. It plays to the tune self-sacrifice, highlighting that the necessity of having a ritual like this forgoes the dangers incurred by the very attempt. Devising an experimental Ritual to close tears should be approached with extreme caution and not be taken lightly.

[sam33497 2929]

I like the concept a lot and I think its definitely something that should exist, however I do think this submission in particular makes it far too cheap and easy to close Voidal tears, I feel like that type of thing should not be easily reversible without much consequence or cost.

[Luxury 622]

2 hours ago, sam33497 said:

I like the concept a lot and I think its definitely something that should exist, however I do think this submission in particular makes it far too cheap and easy to close Voidal tears, I feel like that type of thing should not be easily reversible without much consequence or cost.

 

Good take here, and I’ve touched on it only slightly on a previous submission.

 

All of the potential consequences are written very well into the Tearing lore, and this piece doesn’t refute that. Its meant to work in conjunction with that piece, not counter it. It is relatively simple to open a Tear. It is relatively simple to create the equivalent to realm-wide nuclear fallout which tends to result in several deaths - You're not even required to post a Veil Watching post, if I recall. A character with evil intent currently has a disproportionate amount of narrative power over a character with good/gray intent. There needs to be a balance within Void Magic.

 

I don’t personally see the need to make a closing ritual any more complex than what we’ve observed with existing lore. What this piece can do is provide far more nuance to Tearing. It potentially introduces maintenance and upkeep, allowing further use for Tears provided care is taken to prevent them from rooting to the realm. With a reliable mechanism like this, more mages might even buy into the possibility of Tearing as well. You'll still see characters on the 'lawful good' side of the Voidal spectrum adamantly against it, though I think this might make those True Neutral folks more inclined to partake in the Lore.

 

Tears are already ingrained into our community and even with this there will always be rp social stigma around Magi who tempt greater powers. None of that is going anywhere, any time soon.

 

Keep in mind there is still a point of no return with the max level Tear.
——
All that said, there is possibly room to tweak the numbers; specify who can / cant use the ritual. Create a more robust timeframe between opening and closing etc.

[Songwitch 1442]

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