[✓][CArt] [28] [Benediction]

[TomFunks 759]

 

CONSECRATOR OF THE EMBERREST

 

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As plague fed like glutton and prayer went unanswered, deliverance was sought through any means. Attuned to the accursed autumn, this mace heralds silence to its thralls and thrum of its ghastly poison.

 

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Name of the Artefact: Benediction

Effects of the Artefact:

As even the heroic succumbed to the darkness, malformed and tainted by the touch of the Emberrest, those that remained within its land sought a new path of liberation. In want of altering the curse, too would their morality be made malleable. Folk from the hamlet laid down their lives, bartering with the fates that their blood would fulfill purpose and bring sanctity to the isles of autumn.

 

“It is a wretched thing, this land; we must be alike to cleanse it…”

 

The offered vitality was utilized in every facet of its creation; whether it were the quench of reddened steel, the imbuement within the metal, or the occult ritual to empower the implement itself. Unorthodox as it was, the weapon’s head was formed from the skull of a captured and sacrificed vampyr, the feral-beast acting as both trophy and warning against those that lurked within the fog.

 

It was a last gasp for the living against the island’s thralls; an immolation to beseech everlasting peace. In wielding its boons, one would be vulnerable to the darkness which lurked at the edges of their mind. Each searing flame rendered forth threatened those who would invoke such a bemired weapon.

 

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Sanctity | Passive

From the polluted lands would accursed altars form, beckoning the weak and enfeebled to find succor from their wellsprings. If broken through mundane means, the earth would regenerate the structure and enwreathe them with its own wards and guardians. In retort, this morningstar was capable of holding the sunder of the structure for a longer period, settling the darkness in abeyance if it were used to destroy it.

 

Redlines:

• Self-teach Corcitură sites within the Emberrest that have the capacity to be destroyed and reform are unable to be restored for [5] OOC weeks if this Artefact is primarily utilized in its destruction.
• If used at event sites unrelated to the Emberrest, it is at the discretion of the related Event or Lore Team overseeing the site as to how significant an effect, if any, is imparted.

 

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Revelation | Passive, Active

Lurking throughout the expanse of the Emberrest would be a low fog, blanketing the ground in its obscuring form. In the night, one would become weary of this characteristic feature of the land, knowing that it would veil its thralls and herald their ambush when it billowed. To serve as beacon, the morningstar passively rebuffed at any naturally-formed mists lingering within [5] meters as the eyes between its skull flared with a dim crimson in such a presence.
 

If one believed themselves to be subject to ambush, the morningstar could be risen to extend such a range and rebuke those that would disguise themselves through illusory means. This act would require [3] emotes wherein the wielder would first raise the weapon, then mutter forth a plea of sanctuary, and then finally expel a flash of crimson light to a range of [10] blocks, revealing all within its proximity. This exposure would last until the Artefact is stowed, used to attack, begins to cast a different ability, or up to [5] emotes elapse (whichever comes first).

 

Redlines:

• The cleansing of nearby mists and fog would only affect that which was natural to the land. Effects created by magical or alchemical means such as Deadbreath or Smoke Whispers are not affected by this ability.
• When casting Revelation, the wielder cannot move or be mounted unless their concentration is broken or they willingly cease its casting.
• When casting Revelation, concentration could be broken by one being struck, losing consciousness, becoming incapacitated, or otherwise becoming stunned.
• When casting Revelation, the spell would render invisible entities (such as Ghosts, Corcitură, etc) visible to the naked eye. This said, its utilization to check for invisible creatures can only be done if there exists a reasonable explanation for one to be suspicious.
• After Revelation is cast, if the effect is decided to be held, the wielder may move though is unable to sprint or be mounted.
• After Revelation is cast, it cannot be cast again within the same combat scenario or until [1] OOC hour has elapsed if cast outside of combat.

 

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Penance | Passive

Upon being drawn, the morningstar shall set aflame with a red-black flame that sheathes the weapon’s skull-head in an unnaturally shifting blaze. The accursed inferno pulses as if a heart-beat, streaked with vein-like crimson patterns amidst its scorching pyre. In the presence of anti-magic, such fire would be snuffed instantaneously though would passively return if still wielded when the anti-magic was out of range or its effect had concluded. The true heat of these flames would require an emote of contact for every degree of burn intended. For example, whatever made contact with these flames for [1] emote would receive a first-degree burn, then second-degree burns at [2] emotes, and so on.

 

Redlines:

• The Artefact’s flame cannot be used to melt other weapons, whether of mundane make or otherwise.
• The Artefact’s flame may be used to light flammable inorganic objects like pyres, campfires, or corpses.
• The Artefact’s flame could not be concealed or discolored through other spells or abilities, though the otherwise non-aesthetic facets of such spells or abilities would still be maintained.
• The Artefact’s flame could inflict burns up to third-degree over up to [3] emotes of contact upon unarmored flesh.
• The Artefact’s flame cannot be quenched in water, only reduced through Anti-Magic.
• Anti-Magic would include effects like Thanhium, certain Kani spells, or other similar abilities.

 

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Malevolence | Passive, Active

In having the morningstar on one’s person, whether wielded or otherwise, an intense distaste for vampiric beings would be held. There would be no recourse for such beasts, even if one was capable of being cured. The rot must be expelled by force, and the wielder would find it impossible to stop themselves from harming one they know to be of vampiric origin, though was not mindless and could otherwise flee if outnumbered or too injured to battle. Too was the accepted burden of the weapon so great that they would find it impossible to ever depart with the Artefact willingly. Too, is the hatred for the accursed so great that one would succumbd to weakness if they shirked their responsibility in ridding the realms of it, the crippling debilitation taking form over the course of many years until they possessed merely the strength of a voidal-mage. This enfeeblement could be avoided by simply bringing death to the dark-thralls of the world with this weapon's use.
 

In simply wielding this relic, one becomes attuned to the blood-ritual of its creation. This said, there is an exacerbated effect caused by the slice of Azhl upon one’s unarmored flesh. If such was to occur, the wielder of the relic would fall into a state of frenzy, becoming what they serve to destroy over the course of [3] emotes as they begin to transform. Their fingernails would grow into elongated talons, the canines of their teeth growing into fangs, and they would otherwise similarly transform in the same fashion as a Corcitură might. In this state, one would be bereft of reason and viewed none except vampires to be their ally. The effect could only be concluded by being knocked unconscious or slain.

 

Redlines:

• The wielder of the Artefact would hold a heavy dislike towards Vampires which could be roleplayed either as disgust, hatred, or an otherwise negative outlook.
• The wielder of this Artefact may decide whether their dislike extends to those cured of Vampirism, too.
• The wielder of the Artefact was capable of acting strategically and with intelligence, the dislike towards Vampires not being so significant that they must act irrationally. Too, does this allow them to flee in the event that they are outnumbered or far too injured to battle.
• The wielder of the Artefact must slay at least [1] true-form Dark CA every [4] OOC weeks in order to avoid succumbing to voidal mage weakness. Event Creatures are not applicable to this ability. For purpose of parity, the permissible Dark CAs are the same as those capable of being affected by the [T4] Templar spell Trophy as well as Eidolas, Spectral Entities, and Corcitură.
• In order for the injury caused by Azhl to be sufficient enough to initiate a blood-frenzy, it must be of a puncture into their flesh. Due to the passive element of Malevolence ensuring a dislike of vampiric beings, they cannot willingly initiate this blood-frenzy by stabbing themselves with Azhl.
• In the case that the wielder falls into a blood-frenzy, they would consider no creature except those of vampiric nature to be their allies. For the duration of the blood-frenzy, they no longer hold a dislike towards Vampires.
• In the case that the wielder falls into a blood-frenzy, their transformation would include all of the regular tells of a Corcitură’s Transformation boon with the first and second emote relating to their talons and fangs.
• The wielder's blood-frenzy could be ended by being incapacitated or being disarmed, though they cannot do either willingly.
• The third emote of the blood-frenzy transformation is imparted so as to allow some creativity in the aesthetic of their blood-frenzied state, though must still settle within the confines of the Transformation boon’s redlines.
• The wielder of the Artefact does not garner any other abilities from the Corcitură feat upon Malevolence activating, only borrowing the transformative elements.
• Vampires would include all manner of bloodthirsty creatures such as Corcitură, Moroi, Ravyns, etc.

 

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Offering | Active

In parallel to the creation of this relic, so too can the act of sacrifice destroy it; a final act to fulfill the purpose of cleansing the accursed. Over the course of [3] emotes, the wielder of this morningstar may forfeit their soul to the Blood Crystal to wield a modicum of its power, first kneeling and making to face the skull of the vampire set upon the haft’s apex. Thereafter, one would seal their fate away and declare loudly the forfeiture of their being as blood would stream forth from their mouth, eyes, and nose. In their final act, the owner of the Artefact would stand and bring the weapon to rise, its red-black flames erupting in a pyre as their life was given in service of its hallowed calling.
 

In the same instant as the morningstar was risen, the flames would burst forth and immolate its wielder, unmaking them into cinders and ash. Too, would the relic face its own ire, shunted into darkness and fog with this concluding, calamitous act. All those within [12] meters of the wielder would be ruptured by a maelstrom of blood-red flames, a conflagration that would sear against plate and through its crevices to mark flesh with its vicious intensity. The intensity of this blast would be more forceful the closer one was to the caster.

 

Redlines:

• When casting Offering, the wielder may only cease their concentration willingly prior to the second emote, otherwise locked into the spell if that emote had already been reached.
• When casting Offering, the wielder may not move or be mounted and remains stationary.
• When casting Offering, concentration could be broken by one being struck, losing consciousness, becoming incapacitated, or otherwise becoming stunned.
• When casting Offering, one’s declaration during the second emote must be done in #rp or #s and cannot be vague, stating plainly that they are surrendering their life.
• Once Offering has been cast, those within [12] meters of the caster receive first-degree burns and are roughly shoved back [2] meters.
• Once Offering has been cast, those within [10] meters of the caster receive second-degree burns, suffering a moderate wound, and are violently shoved back [4] meters.
• Once Offering has been cast, those within [6] meters of the caster receive third-degree burns, suffering a major wound, and fly back [6] meters, then falling against the ground.
• Once Offering has been cast, those within [3] meters of the caster are burned alive in the maelstrom of flame and force, grievously injured and assuredly to die if they do not receive immediate and appropriate medical assistance.
• Armored targets and shields do not possess immunity to this fire, unless stated by the material’s redlines for cases such as Rokodra or Dracanium. They will still take damage and feel pain from being directly struck by fire, as the flames are more than capable of inflicting searing damage through gaps in their armaments.
• The casting of Offering is treated in the same fashion as a suicide, meaning that it is an irreversible PK. This said, there is no afterlife for those who utilize this ability, their soul siphoned into the Blood Crystal.
• The casting of Offering destroys the Artefact.
   

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Redlines of the Artefact:

• The Artefact, though imbued with additional properties listed above, would otherwise act as a mace wrought of mundane steel for the purpose of regular attacks in combat.
• The Artefact's flames are considered magical and, for the purposes of abilities like Penance and Offering, only affect creatures that possess genus. Creatures that do not have genus are not burned by the flames, though may still be bludgeoned by the mace itself. Otherwise, this circumvents general immunity to fire when making direct contact with unarmored flesh.

 

Explanation of the Artefact:

This Artefact’s purpose is to serve as the mirror against The Sanguine Touch which would be primarily utilized by the darker forces that have claimed their reward from The Emberrest. Unlike the aforementioned Artefact, this morningstar is a weapon with a calling for those seeking to dispense calamity unto the many thralls of the autumnal lands.

It is a weapon of conflicting morality, that of sacrifice and darkness though with intent to be used for salvation. Moreover, it acts to elaborate upon the lore of those who inhabited the Emberrest prior to the settling within Azuras and displays the gruesome desperation held by those attempting to fend off the blood-plague.

Though most of its abilities are likely to only be useful within The Emberrest (such as Sanctity, Revelation, or Offering), it still maintains some applications in other environments, in such cases acting mostly as a mighty weapon to exert its purifying flame against all foes of its wielder.

 

ET Responsible for the Artefact: TomFunks

[squakhawk 14043]

Approved.