Apheirons

Background

The strange constructs that were used to bind and imprison the four Eidolonic Dragons of Rhyst, the Apheirons are infernal devices that presently surpass any existing Rhystian technology. Even the material that makes up their outer shells and surface is something completely foreign and new to the artisans who have come to study them. Each one seems imbued with the very fundamental properties of the element that they held within them, for each Dragon was and continues to be their respective power. Never before have Eidolons been unharmed but kept locked within a physical mechanism, and over the course of three centuries, the essence of these divine beings permanently affected their prisons.

Given none can say precisely how the Apheirons work, there’s no telling what they could do in the near future. They appear to accept materials forged together as complex offerings that reveal their inner chambers to those who might step inside. Time and space bend within the Apheirons, and as their interior by no means matches what their exterior would imply. Though they accept crafted tools at the moment, those who use them find that their opening is becoming more difficult to accomplish with each use.

Mechanically

• Each time an Apheiron is used, the cost to activate it will go up and the cost to activate the others will go down.

• The Apheiron’s rewards and powers are likely to upgrade and change over time as they see use.

• To see if an Apheiron is on cooldown or if it's able to be activated, you can click on it and see the current status.

• Access Keys: Can only be crafted in the area around the Apheirons. They expire within 2 hours. Must be used to get inside of the Apheiron to see the Elemental Key recipe.

• Elemental Keys: Can only be crafted inside of each respective Apheiron. These are extremely expensive items and should be used right after they’re crafted. These keys can only be used within their specific Apheiron. Whoever uses this key will receive the effect.

The Apheiron of Fire

That which bound Zahhak, the Apheiron of Fire is almost scalding to the touch, and the metal swirling around it often steams underneath rainfall and colder temperatures. It was gifted to the Seraphim after the Fire Dragon was freed, and though he abhorred his time trapped within it, it now operates as a device capable of passing on the Seraphim’s Blessing to a mortal that reaches its inner chambers. It is believed that the Seraphim that descended from Sol hold some direct and innate influence over this Apheiron, though it is still a relic that can be stolen away…

Mechanically

• Effect: Transforms the user into a Seraphim. They will receive half of their lifetime EXP in racial EXP.
• Effect: An existing Seraphim that uses it receives their next tier unlocked without an application.
• Demons, High Faerlan, Undead, Fairies, Giants, and other harshly extraplanar-aligned entities (f.ex Shimmerbeasts) will not survive the transformation, and should not use it.

The Apheiron of Water

The contraption that imprisoned Melusine, the Apheiron of Water is opposite to that of flame in that it is incredibly cold to the touch. A light film of frost often coats its exterior, and some say that standing near it or by placing their ear near its surface, the ocean’s rush may be heard. Its nature is the strangest of the Apheirons given it is not embedded in the earth, but rather rests softly atop the ground. Like the seas, it is unlikely to know a definitive master save for the Dragon who rules it. The power that it holds within affects the physical appearance of those who venture inside, and some say that their very essence receives some sort of gift from Melusine herself.

Mechanically

• Effect: Lowers the user’s apparent age by 5. It does not affect age DR.
• Effect: Allows the user to choose a specific hex color and name for their soul color, and this soul color will be added to the roster of existing colors at high rarity.
• The Water Apheiron will occasionally move locations after it’s utilized.
• The surrounding area is always considered neutral ground.

The Apheiron of Earth

The device that captured Paludrex, the Apheiron of Earth causes its surroundings to shift and change, though it itself is immovable and firm in its foundation. To those who examine it, the Apheiron appears to be directly embedded within the isle of Sarea itself, and like the mountains in the north, it cannot be pushed, altered, or transported elsewhere. Its exterior always seems to have sandy dust upon it, and no matter what it is struck with, no mark can be made upon its surface. The Apheiron gifts those who step within its inner chambers with the very metal that it is made of within a usable state for forging. Some have taken to calling the metal Apheirite, an immutable and divine matter.

Mechanically

• Effect: Spawns 1x Apheirite. This can be applied to a weapon to enhance its damage.
• The Earth Apheiron does not move.
• The surrounding area is always considered neutral ground.

The Apheiron of Wind

That which shackled Fah'nadir within itself, the Apheiron of Wind howls with a hollowness that cannot be ignored. It fell into the possession of the Nephilim by way of Nevanerro’s designs and the Wind Dragon’s apathy regarding what happened to it, and now those cursed by its prisoner might find it a useful device. Imbued with Fah’nadir’s hate and rage, like the Emerald Moon before it, this Apheiron is capable of turning mortals into Nephilim. Those who undergo the process find the infernal influence of the Devil now within their souls, and they take on the appearance of one of the those judged guilty by Fah’nadir herself. It is believed the Nephilim that traveled to Sarea with the Apheiron hold some influence over it, though time will tell if they might manage to maintain control of the infernal relic…

Mechanically

• Effect: Transforms the user into a Nephilim. They will receive half of their lifetime EXP in racial EXP.
• Effect: An existing Nephilim that uses it receives their next tier unlocked without an application.
• Demons, High Faerlan, Undead, Fairies, Giants, and other harshly extraplanar-aligned entities (f.ex Shimmerbeasts) will not survive the transformation, and should not use it.

Credit

Roomy https://forum.verdict.dev/showthread.php?tid=3218&pid=20174#pid20174