[✓][CArt] [31] [Egg of the Phoenix]

[RaiderBlue 1064]

 

Name of the Artifact:

Egg of the Phoenix

 

 

Lore / Description

 

A rare creature with dark red and bright orange plumage, the Phoenix, once seen in the descendant world, was long thought extinct. The species, in itself, in prior times, only ever lingered in the shortest of numbers, twelve at a time. As the cosmos shifts, nature has begun to find its new footing, and a select few chosen have found themselves in possession of these most ancient creatures. Starting as but simple eggs, these birds of natural fire have been granted new life. Perhaps to one day serve as useful tools in the greater workings of those who brought about their revival.

 

While in earlier centuries there were several forms of elemental phoenixes, in the modern age, the only ones that exist are those of Ignis. The phoenix is most commonly known in legend for an innately primordial flame within its being and for a mixture of red, yellow, and orange feathers. Wielding not only fierce talons and razor-sharp beaks but also keen minds making powerful companions for those that bond with them. The process of this bond is quite simple and quite rapid once the egg has fully hatched. As a Phoenix hatches, it grows and develops an innate connection to its shell, indicating that whoever is nearest to it is the most trusted. 

 

General Artifact Redlines:

• Whoever is the holder of the eggshell that the Phoenix initially spawned from is the one the Phoenix holds an innate connection towards. Marking them as the user and owner of the Phoenix, meaning they will take any commands or assist others. That said, a Phoenix will never attack or harm a previous holder of its shell.
• When an egg is handed out by the ET, it will be initially generic during the growing stages. After it hatches, players must inform the ET to help define the Phoenix's general appearance, name, and personality. Once the initial player and ET have reached an understanding, a new item will be created detailing all relevant information.
• In total, from the gathering of a new egg via ET, it will take a total of [2] OOC weeks to fully hatch, of which the player must provide. Along with an additional eggshell [1] OOC week to reach full growth. At this point, combative capabilities and spells are unlocked.
• To fully hatch an egg, the player must come up with some form of way to sustain a burning heat around the egg for [2] OOC weeks or IRP years. Some examples of this include flamewells, burning bonfires, or even dangerous volcanoes, if they had a way to retrieve the egg later on.
• Malflame may not be used as a means to maintain the flame for the Phoenix egg, as it would kill the Phoenix's soul.
• The height of a Phoenix can range between 2 - 4 feet, whilst holding a wing span range of 6 - 11 feet in total. Leading to the birds being generally larger than your standard bird companion.
• The talons on a Phoenix are comparable to ferrum in terms of density and strength, but would be no less effective than a small dagger in terms of being used to attack enemies.
• In terms of defense, the Phoenixes are like any other bird and can be put down with a well-placed shot. Only being able to withstand three strikes from either a ranged or melee strike before falling dead and beginning its death process.
• A new holder of the Phoenix cannot command or utilize the Phoenix for a total of  [1] OOC week, should the shell be taken or passed off.
• Within combat, the Phoenix may only function in a 20 block radius around the eggshell and, subsequently, the player who holds it. 
• These eggs are considered extremely rare; that said, an ET may inject more, so long as they produce an event line for one to appear in and, with it, gather Event Management approval. 

 

Explanation of Effects:

 

 

Physicality

 

When hatching from an egg, a Phoenix can take on a number of different forms, largely dependent upon the flame that sustained them for the incubation period while within the egg. Perhaps a phoenix born of a molten pool of lava has a far more ashy presence, rough red or black feathers, and a jagged beak. Where, in contrast, a flamewell or brazen bonfire, a Phoenix may hold lighter-hued feathers of yellow, orange, red, and maybe even white, an elegant beak, and a calmer demeanor. No one phoenix is alike another, even if the same means of incubation are used. That said, there are commonalities between them.

 

Physiologically, the phoenix’s talons and beak are both comparable to those of iron, acting as excellent tools for capturing its own prey. Though no more effective than a common dagger. As for the beast's size, the phoenix often stands between two and four feet in height, whilst supporting a wingspan between six and eleven feet.

 

Mentality

 

Often prideful to a fault, the ever loyal Phoenix forms an immensely strong bond with their caretaker to the point that they might even sacrifice themselves for their sake. Stemming from whoever holds their shell, their place of rebirth, and a signifier of their protector. The phoenix will form a connection with the new holder of the shell almost immediately. That said, the phoenix will never turn on its previous owner, so it will refuse to attack or otherwise harm its former protectors.

 

As with a phoenix's physicality, differences in personality can largely depend on how the egg was incubated. For example, perhaps one hatched from a burning pool of magma has a stubborn nature, or even, at times, is outright aggressive. Where one made from a flame well may be exceedingly courageous, being the first thing to enter into conflict when it or its keeper is at threat.

 

 

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Abilities

 

Ascendant Mind - [Passive / Combative]

Unlike your common natural born creature, the Phoenix is granted an innate sentient mind, able to retain immense amounts of knowledge even from the time within their own egg. While they lack the ability to speak, they can innately understand almost any non-magical language.

 

This awakened sentience allows the Phoenix to easily take commands and even take the initiative. Allowing the phoenix to assist its owner with menial tasks and defend against attackers. That said, the bird in itself is quite fragile, only being able to take a few hits before succumbing to the wounds inflicted upon it. If the Phoenix has not been emoted prior to the start of combat, a player must spend [1] emote to call for the bird, prompting its arrival in subsequent emotes.

 

Redlines:

Spoiler

• In terms of defense, the Phoenixes are like any other bird and can be put down with a few direct hits to its form. Only being able to withstand three strikes from either a ranged or melee strike before falling dead and beginning its death process.
• At a maximum, a Phoenix can only carry an object that is 40 lbs or below; it would be considered too heavy for it to realistically move around within the sky.
• A Phoenix may only attack once per combative turn; that said, it does not take a player's action to direct the phoenix’s actions.
• The Phoenix is the only creature that is allowed to be out, acting as a summon. For example, a druid or Naz’therak can not have a summon out whilst they are controlling their phoenix for combat.
• In line with this if a player has been knocked unconcious the Phoenix will flee the scene, unable to guide others to where its master may be but if the holder is dealt with so is the phoenix and whatever actions it may take.
• Should a druid commune with a Phoenix, they would find that its beast speaking tone would be comparable to that of a descendant. Not broken up like many natural creatures by complex tones and expressions.
• In cases where someone uses their phoenix to deliver a message for them, especially regarding druidic beastspeak, the phoenix can provide information such as the owner's location, even if the owner has been captured and the phoenix escaped. That said, they may only do this if the captors agree to it OOCly. These can be done via /msg so long as the player properly preformed [3] emotes of writing and sending off the letter.
• The phoenix much like players requires three emotes of uninterrupted fleeing in order to exit combat.

 

Cindering Form - [Passive /  Non Combative]

Spawning from the Ignis subspecies, these phoenixes form passive flickers about with primordial flame. Being so innately attached to its form, the phoenix may expel its flames to ignite things in a sudden manner of combustion.

 

Passively, when not used within combat, a holder of the Phoenix egg may command their Phoenix to conjure their primordial flame for certain tasks. This can be used for various means, such as starting a campfire, melting away large sheets of ice, or maintaining the heat of a forge. While this specific instance of conjured flame cannot be used in combat, should a player capture another or in some way fully restrain the Phoenix, it can be used as a form of execution. Either via lighting a great pyre or immolating them directly. These actions may be done over the course of [1] emote.

 

Redlines:

Spoiler

• Flame conjured from the phoenix's cindering form in this manner is comparable to a mundane flame, akin to something like a torch.
• Should this ability be used to immolate or, in some flavor, as a form of execution, the player must already be captured or otherwise detained, unable to do anything to avoid their fate.
• The phoenix does not need to always be on fire; it can be triggered on and off as the owner wishes, either appearing as a burning bird or one of a fiery color and nothing more.

 

 

Rekindling - [Passive]

As spoken of in the fable, from the ashes of a phoenix will soon be kindled fire, and with it new life as the perished phoenix is born again. Death is within its nature; the creature's essence lingers beyond it so long as something remains for it to return to.

 

Passively, once a Phoenix has either reached fifty years of age a natural rebirth will occur much like it might should the Phoenix be struck down by conflict. Their form will alight with the primordial flame that makes up a majority of their form, immolating them to be nothing more than ash. Though, of course, this is not the end. Once the Phoenix’s ashes have scattered, they will begin to magically reform within their former shell over a period of [1] OOC Week. Once all the ashes have found themselves gathered once more, they will suddenly surge to life, and with it the Phoenix. The only exception to this occurrence is when the Phoenix has sacrificed itself using Everburn, extending the resurrection period to [6] OOC Weeks.

 

Redlines:

Spoiler

• Should a Phoenix die in combat or naturally after fifty years of its cycle, it will undergo normal resurrection of 1 OOC Week.
• Should a Phoenix die due to the usage of Everburn, the resurrection timer is increased to 6 OOC Weeks. 
• Once a Phoenix reaches the age of two hundred, it may no longer rekindle, but it may lay a singular egg so that it may carry on its flame. Should this ever occur, it is up to the player to reach out to the ET in charge once more to reset the Phoenix entirely.
• When the Phoenix is reborn via Rekindling they will appear as they would at their start of their adulthood.

 

 

Everburn - [Active / Combative]

In times where the phoenix’s handler is in grave danger the Phoenix may gather the burning essence within them to perform an attack of sacrificial immolation.

 

The phoenix, being a creature of primordial flame, can build itself to temperatures that can be extremely deadly. This buildup occurs over time, culminating in an immolating implosion of violent flames. In total, it will require [3] emotes for the flame to spark to life upon the phoenix, before rapidly growing as the phoenix dives upon its foes, expelling forth a massive fireball from its form, taking up a 6x6x6 area. This implosion area can instantly cause third-degree burns in flesh and bring standard steel to its melting point. That said, this is costly upon the phoenix's form, destroying it along with the explosion, requiring a total of [6] OOC Weeks for the phoenix to reform in its shell. Additionally, Everburn may only ever be triggered as a sacrificial option, meaning the handler must be actively stuck in combat, greatly wounded, or wounded and fleeing for the phoenix to make such an action.

 

Redlines:

Spoiler

• Everburn requires a total of three emotes to be performed, two of which are the phoenix alighting with flame and moving towards a targeted location, and the final is the implosion that occurs. During this time if the phoenix is struck the process is stopped.
• Everburn may not be used if it will directly put the bearer of the egg at harm, meaning the impact strike must not include them in the 6x6x6 area. For fire resistant creatures this redline is not applicable.
• While the Phoenix functions as a summon essentially that can move at limited speeds, Everburn turns it into that of a projectile spell capable at moving at the speed of a longbow, meaning it can move the distance much like a projectile might on the final emote.
• When describing the building up of flame players should be sure to emote the growing heat and flames upon the bird, as it is not something that can be easily hidden.
• Should Everburn be utilized the Phoenix will be killed setting their respawn timer to [6] OOC Weeks until they are reborn.
• The explosion of flame takes place outward from whatever target was being targeted. Instantly burning at flesh marring them with third degree burns, unless somehow otherwise resistant. Some examples of such are Azdrazi or Rokodra Armor. Minor alleviators such as Athins or alchmical reagents are ineffective.
• Standard steel will find itself melting upon the immediate flash fire, dangerous when lingering upon those wearing armor threatening to fuse to flesh. While weaponry is made dull and largely ineffective at cutting, though blunt weaponry will still prevail.
• Fire resistant creatures are not as affected but due to the sheer force of the explosion they will still be blown back in some manner, effectively stalling them for a singular emote.
• Can only be triggered whilst the owner is actively in a dire situations such as being gravely wounded and in need of escape, or perhaps a large imposing creature is making way to do harm upon the holder that would certainly result in their death. When within event scenarios this can be more largely interpreted, but when within player conflict the player must actively be fleeing or close to death to activate this ability.
• Everburn may only be used by one who has held the egg for the minimum of [1] OOC Week.

 

ET Responsible for Artifact: RaiderBlue

 

 

[squakhawk 14038]

Approved.