Artifacts

Introductions

Over the past millennia, humanity has organized magic into schools and organized themselves to the point where casting bolts of flame isn't nearly as rare as it was in prior eras. Still, truly powerful magic is distant for most. Only a handful of prodigal mages are born every century, and even then, it is infrequent for them to realize their full potential. When they do, however, and when they become a legendary figure known to all across the world... It isn't uncommon for relics to be born from their influence. Either from their hands, or from the hands of one who wishes to oppose them.

This is a collection of all of the various relics humanity is "aware of"- that isn't to say they're well known, nor that they're in someone's possession. In fact, most won't be. It's only to say that these relics exist in rumor and myth, as circulating reminders of the power of magic.

Disclaimer: these aren't waiting for you in-game. Rather, they're intended to be special items you can quest for. No, not everyone will get one, and no, you probably won't get one in general. They're meant to be extremely rare and era-defining. After their bearer falls, they will likely find their way out of existence once more.

Table of Contents

i. Philosopher's Stone

Infamous in name and function, the Philosopher's Stone is rumored to have existed sometime during the 400's. When alchemy was in its infancy, transmutation- the practice of converting one resource into another- was discovered. However, passing a certain barrier proved unbearably difficult. While you could convert, say, coal to iron, converting iron to gold or silver was seemingly impossible. The Philosopher's Stone exists as a solution to that issue. Its origin is unknown, but it's frequently said that this relic was born in blood and of sacrifice.

ii. Veil of True Sight

To see the unseen is a common wish of mankind. Said to have been forged from the ethereal cloak of a wind Spirit, the Veil of True Sight is a useful garment indeed. It covers the eyes, yet, in doing so, allows the bearer to see the truth. While it isn't clear what exactly can be seen with it, one can assume that it exposes all secrets. That being said, it also bears a terrible curse: for every secret seen, the bearer's vision is permanently clouded, until they cannot see at all without the aid of the Veil.

iii. Bezoar

Born of the most toxic snake in the deepest of Silva's jungles, the Bezoar is said to be a cure-all for every ailment known to man. Whether this is true or whether the Bezoar merely fixes all toxins is unclear, and has been lost to time- despite that, the promise of a stone capable of even a portion of such a thing is a truly tantalizing one. It was last recorded in use hundreds of years ago, to remove poisons from a king's food. Ironically, it led to his demise, as he was killed for the promise of the relic.

iv. Ichor

Referred to as "blood of the gods", Ichor is a lesser-known (renewable) relic said to have been drained from the fae after they "trespassed". In function, it serves as an incredible resource for any craftsman. When poured on metal, it coats the surface in an iridescent sheen of gold. If given to a plant, the plant will grow to absurd degrees, even outliving the planter... and so on. A true miracle fluid. However, if used too often... One will incur the distaste of the Faewild.

v. Rift Mirror

The Rift Mirror is sometimes used as a fairy tale to dissuade children from becoming too self-absorbed. Surprisingly, that fairy tale isn't too far from the truth. The Rift Mirror is a miniaturized portal to a pocket dimension. One can place anything they like inside- including themselves- and it will be protected from all outside influence. However, should the Rift Mirror find a new bearer, its prior pocket dimension will be severed and left adrift in the distant expanse, leaving anything inside utterly stranded.

vi. Harp of Enthrallment

Crafted by one of the most skilled musicians to ever live, the Harp of Enthrallment is a sinister instrument said to capture the minds of any who so much as hear its tune. It must be continuously played to continue capturing their attention, but even so, it has performed as an extremely influential- and extremely recent- relic. Its creator utilized it to topple a kingdom merely two hundred years past, though they escaped with it soon after and haven't been seen since.

vii. Bag of Holding

Perhaps the most well-known of all of the relics, the Bag of Holding is a concept that dates back a thousand years or more. It is sometimes colloquially known as the "hero's relic", as it is very frequently wielded by heroes of all types. It, to put it simply, can hold an infinite number of items. It is quite literally bottomless, housing a pocket plane similarly to the Rift Mirror. In this case, however, it maintains its contents between owners.

viii. Ghost Lantern

Long since lost to time and operating exclusively as a spooky campfire tale ever since, the Ghost Lantern earned its name nearly a thousand years past when an entire town was rumored to have been lost to Limbo. Reportedly, every soul nearby, including that of the bearer, was sucked inside, utilizing the Lantern as an express trip to the depths of the death plane. It is unknown whether this transport was permanent.

ix. Hellgate

Unlike most relics, the Hellgate is not a physical thing, but rather a spell that enormously talented mages can learn. As hinted by its name, the Hellgate is also not a terribly safe spell to use, or so it is said. Rumor has it that summoning the Hellgate allows the user and companions to pass unhindered between Limbo and the real world, but doing so fates their souls to be obliterated upon death rather than being safely ferried over.

x. Tome of Babel

The Tome of Babel is said to be the king of all relics. Sought after since the beginning of recorded history, it remains infamous despite never having been used or even found once (as far as is known). Legend goes that the Tome of Babel may be asked a single question, to which it will respond with the absolute truth. Upon the answer being read, the book vanishes, and all record of its existence is banished from the minds of those who witnessed it in use. Only the user may recall the answer to their question.

Credit

Roomyrooms https://forum.verdict.dev/showthread.php?tid=153&highlight=artifacts