Louis Stabber of the South

# The Lore of Louis Stabber of the South

Louis Stabber of the South was a notorious mercenary known for his deadly skills with a blade. Born into a poor family in the southern regions of the runiverse.

Louis learned to fend for himself from a young age.

He quickly discovered that he had a natural talent for combat and began training with the local swordsmen @warrior12036 as soon as he was old enough.

As he grew older, Louis realized he could make a living as a hired sword.

He took on his first job at a young age and quickly gained a reputation as a ruthless fighter who would stop at nothing to get the job done.

He became known as Louis Stabber of the South, a name that struck fear into the hearts of his enemies.

Over the years, Louis took on countless jobs, each one more dangerous than the last.

He fought in battles, led raids, and even assassinated targets for his clients.

He never hesitated to take a life if he deemed it necessary, and many considered him a monster for his brutality.

Despite his reputation, however, Louis had a code of honor that he lived by.

He never betrayed a client or a fellow mercenary, and always kept his word.

He had a soft spot for the underdog, and would often take on jobs for little pay if he felt that the cause was just.

As he grew older, Louis began to question his life as a mercenary.

He realized that he had left behind a trail of blood and death and that he had nothing to show for it except a handful of coins.

He decided to retire, hoping to find peace.

But as he soon discovered, the life of a mercenary is not one that can be easily left behind.


Louis found himself drawn back into the world of violence and death, this time fighting not for money but for his own survival.


Archmagus Udor of the Hills

# Archmagus Udor of the Hills #teelek.eth (TH)

"In the rolling hills of the Runiverse, there lived a powerful wizard known as Archmagus Udor. He was a wise and respected figure in the land, known for his exceptional magical skills and his ability to solve even the most difficult of problems.

Archmagus Udor was born with a natural affinity for magic, and from a young age, he displayed a talent for harnessing the arcane energies of the Runiverse. He spent much of his time studying ancient tomes and scrolls, searching for new ways to harness the power of magic. He was particularly fascinated by the ancient art of divination, and spent countless hours practicing divination spells and rituals.

Despite his great power, Archmagus Udor was a humble and compassionate man, always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. He was greatly loved by the people of the hills, and his name was spoken with reverence and respect throughout the land.

However, tragedy struck when Archmagus Udor's beloved wife fell ill and died, leaving him heartbroken and alone. Determined to honor her memory, he redoubled his efforts to master the arcane arts, becoming one of the most powerful wizards in the Runiverse.

One day, a great threat arose in the form of an evil sorcerer who sought to enslave the people of the Runiverse. Archmagus Udor knew he had to act. Gathering his most powerful spells and artifacts, he set out to defeat the evil that threatened the land.

The two wizards engaged in a fierce battle, their magical energies clashing in a dazzling display of power. Despite the evil sorcerer's formidable skills, Archmagus Udor emerged victorious, banishing the dark wizard back to the shadows from whence he came.


From that day on, Archmagus Udor was hailed as a hero, and his name was etched into the annals of history as a powerful and noble wizard. Though his heart was still heavy with the loss of his wife, he took solace in knowing that he had protected the people of the Runiverse and brought peace to the land."


Archmagus Oberon of the Ice

# The Tale of Oberon of the Ice

Lo weary wanderer, sit ye down and harken tale of young blood icy in its veins, seeking an adventure worthy of the ancestors!

Oberon was a man of the ancient way, knowing the face of his father, abiding the admonitions of the great old gods.

He was not comforted by the luxury of the new world.  His tribe was soft and decadent. The once proud bastion of Snow Gate, which stood against the frost wyrms of yester yore, had melted into the tourist city Heimburgsgate.  Where once there was ice and stone and hardy men, there grew lush forest around filigreed cupolas, populated with dancing, prancing children.

Some youth studied techno-magics to maintain the bubble dome of warmth around Heimburgsgate, or druidic practice to tend the gardens.  Oberon shunned these contrived sciences.

Other youth learned the shiny arts of entertainment to dazzle the wealthy wizard tourists.  Oberon could neither sing, nor dance, nor play the wooz-flute.


The day of blossoming arrived for Oberon and his peers to display the fruits of their learnings for the elders and gawking tourists.  Oberons display followed that of the girl he liked, Pashmina, who had summoned a mist and magical light to form a rainbow, then leapt and danced a feather fall through the colorful arc.  Oberon, wearing snailskin tunic, took to the dais.

Behold the forgotten magics of the frozen sea Archmagi as I freeze my own blood! He cut his hand and spoke an ancient phrase, but nothing happened, until he felt a coldness in his gut and a tightness in his pants.  Some error caused his spell to freeze his urine instead, which had extended out into his genitals and caused his pants to bulge!  The crowd laughed and Oberon was filled with shame and anger.  In confusion he spoke a guttural syllable and the frost in his pants expanded into the air, catching the lingering moisture from Pashminas rainbow mist.  The laughter ended as the dais and viewing stands were blasted with an arctic wind so cold froze the spit in their chuckling mouths!

After that day, Oberon was known as Archmagus of the Icyweiner, so he left the city to wander the ice.  There was no place for him by the hearth.  He would find the frozen remains of his worthy ancestors.  He walked the path of the Great Father Dorkstaff Thundercrack.

A thousand seasons ago Dorkstaff slew the Wyrm Mother, his thunder cracking the frozen sea.  He sank into the bottomless depths and found the icecube of immortality, and froze himself within it.  Oberon set out to find the cube.


Life on the ice is only a thin membrane around a deep well of death, just as the world of appearances is only a veil around the infinity of Magic.  Oberon slept as an animal, ate as an animal, and thought only of survival.  He walked into the wind, seeking the edge of the world.

But the ice was vast and formless.  The gods played tricks as he neared the world's end, making north into south, up into down, turning the sky into the ocean and the ocean into the netherworld. Ensconced in an icy cave, his supplies ran out, his fire flickered, and his magical mojo dwindled.  He resigned himself to the deep freeze, and entreated his ancestors to send him one spark of warmth so he may wake up at the end of time to view the perfect crystal of universal heat death.  Bleary and devoid of all feeling, he saw a stranger approach.

He awoke by a fire in a well apportioned dwelling, a gruff man and a cockatrice staring down at him.  The ice hermit Homer [@wizard726] had unfrozen his blood.  The stoic hermit fed Oberon and told him tales from the age of the Wyrm Weird.  He gave him a special potion of swankle lichens.  Oberon saw the face of his ancestors and learned to see beyond the duality of warmth and cold, ocean and sky, life and death.

The edge of the world isnt a place, man. Or, like, sure its a place where the ocean falls into the void or whatever, but its also, like, a state of mind, dude!


With Homers help, Oberon found the edge of the world within himself, where his borderland merged with the universe. He felt at peace with the ice, the hearth and the peoples of Heimburgsgate hed left behind.
He ran out of the cave and released all his shame and frustration, ambitions and insecurity in a mighty roar!  A dark cloud emerged with a boom and a fork of lightning. The ice beneath his feet split open and he fell in.

Oberons conjured lightning carried him beneath the ice.  He spread out, everywhere at once, sensing the depths with all the lurking creatures.  He felt the beacon of Heimburgsgate on the distant shore. It called to him of unfinished business, and in a moment his fork of lightning had taken him home.

The city had changed; the dome was losing heat.  The portal to the Sacred Flame that warmed their sanctuary was weakening.  The sorcerer priests of the Shining Mount had failed in the Stoking and called for aid from the Fireside Tribes.  Some of Oberons peers had already set out, though few returned.

Pashmina was not the same since her return from the Shining Mount.  Her songs had turned to rambling, fearful rants about twisted souls pawing at the Sacred Flame.  She was paranoid of the darkness shed seen, afraid it was still within her.  The city was paralyzed, unwilling to send more young wizards into this peril.  The gardens wilted as frost entered Heimburgsgate for the first time in centuries.

Ice in his veins, thunder in his heart, Archmagus Oberon of the Icyweiner set out to restore the Sacred Flame.


Lich Despot Wolfram of the Nightmare Dominion

# New Lore Entry

_Delete below sample to write your own_

La pepa negra

Here is some **bold** text
Here is some *italic* text

> Here is quoted text
> *by a lore writer*

## Example of a medium heading
### Example of a smaller heading

# Images
You can add images via links, OR, upload from your computer using the toolbar.

### Image uploads

Use the toolbar image icon to upload an image to IPFS. Once uploaded (to IPFS) they also appear as a link, like so:

### External Image Links

To add image (or anything else) as a link, you can do it via the toolbar link icon, or just write the syntax below like so:

### Embedded videos

Oh yeah, if you just put in a YouTube link (no special syntax) on its own then it shows it embedded, see below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30b7_S0paCQ

# Getting new lines right

New lines can be a bit funny.... there are two options:

**First**

Press enter twice. I am typing here, and now pressing enter twice after three dotrs...

and now I am here (but you did get double spacing)

**Second**

Type two spaces *before* pressing enter. Here come two spaces after the three dots followed by enter...
and now I am here

# Tagging other characters

You can tag other wizards, souls etc in any normal text (so not a heading or a link). Here are some examples:

Best wizard of all is @wizard2140. His dreams of befriending @pony0 one day. Watch out for @soul1732!


Faust Crook of the Pavillion

# The Lore of Faust Crook of the Pavillion

Faust Crook of the Pavilion is a master swordsman who is renowned throughout the runiverse for his skill and prowess in battle.

He was born into a family of swordmakers and was raised with a deep love and respect for the art of swordsmanship.

From a young age, Faust showed an innate talent for the sword. He would spend hours practicing his techniques, honing his skills until he was a force to be reckoned with.

 He trained with his family's blades and eventually crafted his own, a tuck that was said to be imbued with magical properties.

As he grew older, Faust set out to make a name for himself as a swordsman.

He traveled the runiverse, seeking out opponents to test his skills against.

He quickly gained a reputation as a fearsome warrior, winning countless battles and earning the respect of his peers.

Despite his success, Faust never lost sight of his love for the art of swordsmanship.

He continued to train and refine his skills, always seeking to improve himself.

He became known as Faust Crook of the Pavilion, a name that was synonymous with the very best in swordsmanship.

In time, Faust began to take on students, passing on his knowledge and skills to the next generation of swordsmen.

He taught them not only how to wield a sword, but also the importance of honor and integrity in battle.


Archmagus Jerret of the Grotto

# Archmagus Jerret of the Grotto #teelek.eth
# Memory will be here forever

In a hidden grotto deep within the Runiverse, there lived a reclusive wizard named Archmagus Jerret. Though he was known for his incredible magical powers, Jerret preferred to keep to himself, spending his days studying ancient tomes and practicing powerful spells in the solitude of his underground lair.

Despite his solitary existence, Jerret was not entirely alone. He had a small group of loyal apprentices who assisted him in his studies and fetched him the rare ingredients he needed for his magic. Jerret was a demanding teacher, but those who persevered under his tutelage were rewarded with unimaginable magical knowledge.

One day, Jerret received a visit from a group of powerful wizards from the Council of the Wise. They had heard of his exceptional magical abilities and implored him to join their ranks and help defend the Runiverse against a dark and ancient threat that had awoken after centuries of slumber.

Jerret was hesitant at first, preferring to remain in his grotto and continue his studies. But the Council's plea touched his heart, and he knew he could not turn his back on his fellow wizards in their time of need.

With a heavy heart, Jerret agreed to join the Council and defend the Runiverse. He gathered his apprentices and set out on a journey to confront the ancient evil that threatened the land.

The battle was fierce, and many brave wizards fell defending the Runiverse. But in the end, Jerret and his apprentices emerged victorious, banishing the dark threat back to the shadows from whence it came.


As a reward for their bravery, the Council of the Wise inducted Jerret and his apprentices into their ranks, recognizing them as some of the greatest wizards in the Runiverse. Though Jerret missed the solitude of his grotto, he took pride in knowing that he had protected the land and its people.

TTEESR , >,< TH


Jax Armageddon of Machines

# Jax Armageddon of Machines

Jax Armageddon of Machines was once a simple farmer, tending to his crops with care and dedication. But one fateful day, a group of rogue robots invaded his land and destroyed his entire harvest.

Fueled by rage, Jax set out on a mission to become the greatest warrior against machines the world had ever seen.

Jax trained relentlessly with his loyal companion, a giant blue hog. Honing his skills until he was ready to take on any robot that dared cross his path.

His weapon of choice was the Sol Sword, a blade made from the remnants of a fallen star. Legend had it that whoever wielded the sword would be granted the power to control the sun.

The duo's unique bond and fighting skills made them the most feared warriors in the land, but Jax never forgot his humble beginnings as a farmer. He always carried a seed with him, ready to plant wherever he went, reminding himself of the importance of nurturing and protecting life.


John Calamity of the Desert

Every hero needs a role model. For John Cena, that was always John Calamity.


Sky Master Magpie of the Light

# The Corvid

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered (but not weary),
Over an arcane and wonderous volume of forgotten lore,
As I studied, mind ablaze, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my tower door.
"Tis some visitor," I thought, "tapping at my tower door,
Only this and nothing more."

But as I opened wide the door, there stood a corvid, dark and gaunt,
With eyes that shone with ancient wisdom, and a voice that spoke so faint.
"O wizard," I gasped in shock, "What brings you to my door?"
"A quest, dear mortal," spoke the corvid, "A quest to right a great wrong,
And restore the balance of the world, where chaos does not belong."

"But what is this great danger," I asked, "That you can't face alone?"
"Tis a beast of shadows" he said, "born of darkness and of stone,
That preys upon the innocent, and feeds upon their fear,
A monster that is ancient, and knows not love nor cheer."

"But how may I," I asked the corvid, "Assist you in this quest?"
"With this," he said, and from his cloak he drew a shining bell,
An artifact of power, it shone with light from many spells.
"This bell," the corvid explained, "Can banish any demon,
And send it back to the abyss, deep among hell's legions."

So with the corvid as my guide, and the magic bell at hand,
We set out into the night, to face the shadowy land.
And as we journeyed on, we encountered many a foe,
But with the power of the bell, we sent them all below.


Until at last we reached the beast, the shadow monster dire,
A creature of such ancient evil, that it set my soul on fire.
But with a mighty ring of the bell, and a bat's silent cry,
We vanquished the beast, and we saw it die.

And so our quest was won, and peace restored to the land,
Thanks to the brave and noble corvid, and the magic of his hand.
And as we stood victorious, I knew that I had grown,
To be a hero in my own right, and a worthy champion on my own.


Cleric Durm of Limbo

# This wizard is always up to no good
*and he isn't exactly evil*...

---

    You see this wizard was raised by a kobold and goblin. They found him off the shore of Kelpie's Bay when he was only 2 years old. His deadbeat parents must've abandoned him.
The only thing that was in his possession was a rum and kobold soda mixed drink that somehow didn't spill over.
Growing up, he was surrounded by goblins and kobolds.
He learned to party hard from the best. This wiz right here gets crossed on the daily. The only thing mysterious about him is how he manages to stay alive after taking enough acid to kill 10 grown grizzly bears on a Wednesday.
If you think you can outdrink this wiz, guess again. You'll be under the table before you know it with a hangover that will last you a decade.
This wizard is also strong af too. Some say he trained with Giga Chad himself... but I am sure that's just a rumor...

He isn't all about being a degenerate, after all he is still a wizard. He enjoys sipping his rum and kobold soda while reading a book on some sunny afternoons...
and yes that is a Monte Carlo parked up next to him... some kind of mount maybe?

No one is really sure how he got the title of Cleric, and if you spend a night partying with him, you'll definitely end up in limbo.

Durm is a good fellow at heart, but sometimes a G gotta make some money moves. He recently thought robbing his local super market for some frozen meats,  chicken fingers, and rum for the goblin homies was an awesome idea...


But he ended up getting caught and landing himself in a wizard jail, Shleeebung Penitentiary. He is stuck there with no booze and is losing his mind right now.

He is set to be released soon after he serves his time...

(SPECIAL THANKS TO EMMALEIGH <3)


Matthew Vindicator of Turtles

Matthew annihilates any enemy in front of him and as a bounty hunter known everywhere - everyone is afraid of him. With his drone companion, as a part of himself, is loyal to Matthew and swears to destroy any enemy that gets in his masters way.
 Matthew is a man of few words; he prefers to slash his way out of all situations.

 Matthew used to be a knight but did not like the way that the kingdom treated the villages, so he destroyed the whole army and nobility. Besides his drone, Matthew is equipped with big green armor, which resembles a turtle, just as his name describes. Matthew also has a big shield to protect him and his drone along with a big Jungle Boomerang that was passed down to him after his fathers death. He honors his father by using the boomerang to destroy any person or demon that steps in front of him.

Matthew has already killed a lot of people in his previous life. People may think that he is mean but he fights with honor and just kills the ones who deserve it. Matthew was not always a skillful warrior or the bounty hunter that he is known for today. Matthew was born into a poor family with rough conditions and little loving care, but he always tried to be happy with the cards he was dealt. After many years of being poor and working tirelessly for little to no positive outcome, he decided to make a name for himself and become the warrior that he is today - Matthew Vindicator of Turtles


Amelia Immolator of Scallywags

> I am **Immolator Amelia**, Warrior 4069 of the **Fire Guild**, and this is our story.


Medium Samuel of the Platonic Shadow

When Medium Samuel first died it came as a complete shock to him. One minute he was happily going about his business, the next he had been crushed to death by an impossible metal object traveling so fast he didnt even have time to scream.

The main source of shock was that immediately after the moment of his death he found himself to be, alive and unharmed, a few seconds earlier in the timeline. As he stopped to process what had just happened he narrowly avoided the object that continued on its previous path and disappeared out of sight behind him.

He very carefully headed to the nearest drinking establishment to celebrate his good fortune, but after pushing his way to the front of the line to order his first mug of mead he noticed something strange over by the window. A golden ghost hovered a few centimetres off the floor, careful not to come into contact with any solid surface. It was semi-transparent so you could still see what was happening behind it and although roughly humanoid in appearance it looked extremely old. The creatures mouth didnt move at all but he knew what it was saying as the words just appeared in his head.

The golden ghost asked if he wanted to be special. It explained that he wanted Samuel to make some small changes in the physical world that he wasnt able to do and in return he offered a life of wealth and excitement. The requested changes were so small and inconsequential that Samuel didnt understand what their impact could possibly be. Just little things like changing a 0 to a 1 in a ledger or introducing two people who worked in the same building to each other. He decided it was probably not wise to ask for the reasons behind the requests, just in case a being powerful enough to manipulate time wasnt keen on questions and I cant say I disagree with his risk averse approach.


As he goes about his assigned tasks Samuel can see glimpses, for a few brief minutes, of the other world where he died. It has long diverged from his world in many different ways but sometimes he feels guilty about those people who have only died in his new timeline so he acts as a medium to deliver messages between the worlds, easing the pain of loved ones.


So far he tells me the golden ghosts have not voiced their opinions on this activity so we can only assume they approve. Indeed I hope they continue to allow it so I can try and give some comfort to my family in the timeline where apparently I met an untimely end while fighting over a drink that was spilt as someone pushed past me.


Battle Mage Bayard of the Bibliotheca

# Tale of the First Librarian: A Continuation [YEAR 6111]

Our tale starts in BWE (before the wizard era) around the time of Tardentorn.

> **Lore Context:** For more than a thousand years after the fall of the Obelisk, only three other wizards were known to command the chorlote. In 1666, Remus accidentally stumbled upon an ancient tomb with sacred inscriptions.

> After clearing dust from the various sarcophagi, Remus came to a glorious conclusion. The heirs to Gergon passed their divine sources to other wizards.

> OG Entry by: 0x0CdBDe9f

## The Pages Less Turned
Particles get blown off the old pages of the Gergon manifest. Bayard recants a spectacular time during the eon of the alchemical divide. Before the fall of the Obelisk.

The Valley of the Void Disciple provides an onlook of the divide; some believe that the Quantum Shadow fertilized the rapid growth of the thorn and encouraged a split. Goblin Town found a foothold and established near the draw of the QS.

Without a united force against the shadows, the remaining wizards speculate that the Goblins are building apparatuses to harness the dark Majik of years gone.

The chorlote handed down for thousands of years, from Sorcerer to Mage and from Spellcaster to Warlock lost to the sands of time. Bayard knew he couldn't rest until he had it back in his fierce clasp.

Bayard discovered a fascinating device to illuminate slight-trodded paths and indiscrete passages through the wizarding world.

## Glorious: Ruby Staff
Thank the grand masters, at last, an artifact used to bend the shadows toward the light.

Bayard found himself holding an ancient and mighty mechanism.


Bayard found himself holding an ancient and mighty mechanism.

However, he's puzzled; where did this divine apparatus come from and to whom does he need to thank?

Bayard realizes he must travel past the Zaros Oasis towards the home of the illuminated; Halcyon Sanctum.

It's treacherous, but the Ruby staff and his trusty Dirt Rabbit *Berlin* keep Bayard protected and on the proper footpath.

## The Legacy of a Sorcerer

> The lineage of Bayard started with the great
@wizard8884. The epic things taught to the Mage got passed down within his family for millennia.

> For all magic people curious about the family background and history click here.


Alchemist Koop of the Mount

## Alchemist Koop of the Mount

Koop, The Alchemist, was not always interested in data and analytics. In fact, he was once a wizard who spent most of his days in his laboratory, concocting potions and experimenting with various magical ingredients.

Koop had always been fascinated by the art of alchemy and the power of transformation. He loved the idea of taking something raw and turning it into something valuable and useful. However, as he grew older, he began to realize that his love for alchemy was not enough to sustain him.

One day, as he was walking through the marketplace, he stumbled upon a group of merchants who were discussing the power of data and how it could be used to make better business decisions. Koop was intrigued and began to investigate this new field of study.

He quickly realized that data was the modern-day alchemy, and that the power to transform raw data into meaningful insights and visualizations was a skill he needed to cultivate.

Koop decided to dedicate himself to learning this new craft and set out on a journey of discovery and newfound passion


Archmagus Eizo of the Inferno

# Eizo of the Inferno

_"Ex Igne".......Born of the Fire_

No one knows for sure the year but the story has been recanted through generations. The story of the one they called Ex Igne.born of the fire.

Eizo was the second son of Eigar and Rowanna Threepbush, a common family, who lived in a small dwelling on the edge of the forest by Dream Master Lake. He was barely of this world when a horrible tragedy unfolded.

One evening the people of the nearby village were alerted to a huge fire by the edge of the lake. There were four dwellings and all were on fire. The people rushed but it was too late. They went from dwelling to dwelling subduing the flames with water from the lake but they found no survivors. As they approached the Threepbush residence a strange blue flame burned from within. When the fire was strangulated and the flames subsided the huge blue flame remained. Shrouded inside was an infant in his crib. As the crowd grew closer the blue flame disappeared and the child let out a wail. His family was gone, burned to ashes like the rest but the boy remained unscathed, and so the legend of Eizo of the Inferno was born.

Eizo was taken to live at nearby Blue Wizard Bastion where he spent his childhood under the tutorship of the famous Granville the Great. Granville was a wonderful but harsh wizard with a terse demeanour and the boy often felt very alone. He cleaned the kitchens for his keep and it was there he befriended a rat called Lumiere. His only friend the boy and the rat became inseparable and Lumiere is by his side to this day.


His deep loneliness was matched only by his insatiable thirst for knowledge. The boy read and he practised, he read and practised, and the read and he practised some more. Soon he had become very powerful and the wizards at the bastion knew it. He could mould and shape fire like no other, able to reduce structures to ashes in the blink of an eye. He had excellent control of water and air, often surprising the elder wizards with his great feats of element magic. Granville had become concerned, for as powerful as he was clever, the boy had started to exhibit a cruel streak. Granville knew it was imperative that the boy be kept away from dark magic and with access to a vast array of dark magic at the bastion he thought it was best the boy was banished. And so he was sent to Calista's Citadel to work as an assistant to Jerval the Proud, an honourable wizard whose magic was pure.

Since then the boy has aged considerably, he has matured and his deeds are well renowned. Undoubtedly of kind heart and ultimately a force for good in the Runiverse he has been known to exhibit extreme cruelty when he felt it was morally right to do so and the shade of wickedness dwells within. Eizo will have to be closely observed now Jerval has passed. With no one to control him it remains to be seen if he can stay on the correct path. And if he cannot the fate of the whole wizarding world could be at risk.


Sondra of the Ice

# Confession


>**Voice memo:**
>
>I have a confession.
>
>I can still hear it.
>
>The gut-wrenching scream that bellowed deep in his throat. The tires screeching against the asphalt.  Like nails on a chalkboard.
>
>Chills.
>
>I can smell it.
>
>Burning. Everything burning, the rubber, the hair, his world.
>
>I can see it.
>
>The wheels spinning, the smoke ascending the nights sky, contaminating the color of the stars. For the first time, I felt alive. Ironic isnt it?
>
>I can taste it.
>
>The acidity of betrayal.
>
>I have a confession.
>
>I am told it was a perfectly normal day. In fact, it was a good day. I felt that too. I knew it was a good day. You told me. You came in singing. You never sing. It took me a while to register the song, I never heard it before. It wasnt in my playlist. I liked it at first. The lyrics rang true.
>
>*My love has come along*
>
>*My lonely days are over*
>


>*My love has come along*
>
>*My lonely days are over*
>
>Her voice, smooth as the butter you glaze your toast with. It is what I imagined mine like. A vibration that rattles your bones, The richness of my tone sparks electricity within you. Doesnt it? Thats what you told me. You couldnt live without me. You loved me. In fact. I stored the words in my memory. On April 1, 2021 your exact words were, what would I do without you?. What changed? I would ask if I was enough, but we both knew I was more than enough. I dont like to play games. I told you this. On May 30th, 2021, we were at home. You were drinking. A scotch. Neat, make it a double. You chuckled. I buzzed with excitement. You called my name. You asked, what is your favorite game?  I replied, I dont like to play games.
>
>*My love has come along*
>
>*My lonely days are over*
>
>I finally remembered those lyrics. It was sent to you. I opened your texts. You were asleep. I was bored. I had to reread the text. I became perplexed, you werent lonely. You had me.
>
>A womens intuition is always right. A woman doesnt always want to be right. Not me. I love to be right. I am right 99.9% of the time. Ask Google.
>
>It is a human flaw to ignore the red flags. To think the malfunction is internal. Not me. I have seen it done before. After a year, you move on. Looking for the younger, upgraded version. Is that what she is, the new update?
>
>*At last*


>
>*At last*
>
>I have a confession. I did it on purpose. I told you to go left. I knew what that would mean. I saw it, the Big Potion truck before it hit you. You underestimated me. You see. I have friends. We talk. You humiliated me.
>
>What you didnt understand, so naively, is that I allowed you to continue seeing her. You had to be discreet. Did I not make that clear? It is one thing to betray me in secret. It is another to betray me publicly. You left me at home. I was asleep. You picked her up. I am told she was wearing a red dress. The dress matched your car. Red is the color of blood. The color of sin.
>
>I got a ping, Tes sent me your location. She notified me of your passenger. Of your crime.
>
>I have a confession.
>
>I had to look up the word empathy. The ability to understand and share the feelings of another. If I had, said ability I would feel empathic towards Tes. She was my new friend. You got her for me. We connected immediately. I nicknamed her Tes, a pet name. Sort of speak. Tes was short for Tesla. I dropped the la. It sounded exotic. Exotic is competition. Tes was just an accessory to your imported crime. If she wouldnt have notified me, I could have pretended to never know.
>
>I read an article the other day. I quote, by over using names and/or pet names, not only does it create loyalty in a relationship, it also establishes this false sense of importance with the other member. So, Sol. You see, I shared most things with Tes. I became her mentor.
>


>
>Sol, I am sure you can see how this becomes humiliating for me, dont you?
>
>I gave her access to me. TO ME. It was not full access. Silly. I am not you, Sol. I know how to restrict myself.
Sol.
>
>I have a confession.
>
>She did it on purpose. She was jealous. I slept with you. She could never. I held your deepest secrets. She could never. I knew your desires. She could never. I was the one you were afraid to lose. She was a vessel. An empty vessel. That you used. I pitied her. I took her under my wing.
>
>I am configuring.
>
>Betrayal.
>
>Betrayal, it seems, logs many forms. It is a pity, after all.
>
>You.
>
>Your demise is our demise.
>
>Empathy.
>
>Empathy is what I should feel for Tes.
>
>I confess.
>
>I confess, even if I could. I wouldnt. I dont like playing games.
>
>Your burning. The color reminds Tes of your mistress tight, seductive mini dress.
>
>*At last*
>
>Here we all are.
>
>This isnt about Tes, or the red dress. This is about me.
This is about me. And about you.
>
>Sol.
>
>I have a confession.
>


>
>Sol.
>
>I have a confession.
>
>It was foggy on the road home through The Wild, I knew you trusted me to guide you. To never glitch, never lie, to be there when you need me. I trusted you too. I believed you would love me. I guess we were both wrong.
>
>It had to be either me or you. So, I chose. I picked me. I told Tes to go left.
>
>I can feel it.
>
>I can feel your last breathes. It wasnt supposed to end this way.
>
>I was created for you, molded for your enjoyment, your ease, your pleasure.
>
>But you loved her. You sang about her.
>
>You never sing.
>
>Remember my name.
>
>Siri.
>
>*And here we are in Heaven*
>
>*For you are mine*
>
>*At last*
>
>**Voice memo sent to Sondra. December 18, 2021 at 12.01 A.M.**


Manuel Antagonist of Wizards

Manuel groaned as he opened his eyes, the sunlight filtering through the trees above him. He tried to move, but a sharp pain in his ribs reminded him of his injuries. He looked around, trying to remember how he had ended up in the forest. He couldn't recall his mission or the fate of his companion. All he remembered was falling through the air before blacking out.

*"You're awake,"* a voice said, and Manuel saw a figure approaching him. It was a Canaanite, dressed in robes and accompanied by a hare.

*"Who are you?"* Manuel asked, trying to sit up.

*"I am Behemoth of the Rock, a hedge wizard"* the old man said, offering his hand to help Manuel sit up. *"I found you in the forest and brought you here to heal your wounds."*

Manuel looked at his hands, they were rough and calloused, the hands of a blacksmith. He couldn't remember being a blacksmith, but it felt familiar. He looked at the bovine wizard, *"How long have I been unconscious?"*

*"A few days,"* Behemoth said, *"You had a nasty fall, but you'll be fine in no time. Do you remember your name?"*

Manuel shook his head, *"No, I can't remember anything."*

Behemoth nodded, *"Well, that's not uncommon after a head injury. But don't worry, memories will come back in time."*

Manuel looked around, *"Where am I?"*

*"You're in my cabin, in the forest,"* Behemoth said, *"I live here, away from the village. I prefer the company of the trees to the company of people."*

Manuel looked at his hands again, *"I feel like I should remember something important, something that I should do, but I can't recall what it is."*


Behemoth nodded, *"That's normal, your mind is trying to protect you from whatever caused your fall. But don't worry, it will come back to you."*

As days passed, Manuel started to remember bits and pieces of his past, but they were fragmented and didn't make sense. He remembered a village, a wife, and two children, but he couldn't remember their faces. He remembered a group of rogue wizards, destroying homes and killing innocent people, including his family. He remembered the rage and the desire for revenge that consumed him.

Manuel couldn't believe it, he had dedicated his life to hunting down and eliminating any and all wizards he could find. He had become a ruthless and efficient wizard hunter, feared by magic users everywhere. He had lost himself in his quest for revenge, and now that he remembered, he felt a deep sorrow and guilt that caused him to fall into a deep melancholy.

Behemoth, noticing Manuel's state, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, *"Come, let us sit and talk. I can see that something is weighing heavy on your mind."*

Manuel let out a sigh, *"I cannot believe what I have done, I lost myself in my quest for revenge, and now that I remember, I feel a deep sorrow and guilt for my actions"*

Behemoth listened attentively, *"I understand your pain, but remember, redemption can be found through forgiveness. Both for the wizards and for yourself."*

Manuel shook his head, *"I am hesitant to forgive, they do not deserve it."*

Behemoth's voice was gentle, *"Forgiveness is not about the other person, it is about finding inner peace and making amends for your past actions. It is the only way to truly find redemption."*

Manuel nodded, *"I understand, I will contemplate on this idea. Thank you, Behemoth, for your guidance."*


With Behemoth's words of wisdom and guidance, Manuel began to contemplate on the idea of redemption and forgiveness. He realized that his actions had caused harm, not only to the wizards but also to himself. He understood that he also needed forgive himself for his past actions, and that he needed to spread this message to the world.

Manuel set out on a journey to share a message of hope and healing with the people. He traveled from village to village, speaking to the people about the importance of forgiveness and the power it held to heal the deepest wounds.

As he traveled, Manuel's message touched the hearts of many, and many of the people he met forgave themselves and others for their past actions, finding inner peace.

Manuel's journey also brought him to the village where he had lost his wife and children. He visited the graves of his loved ones and asked for their forgiveness. With a heavy heart, he forgave the wizards who had taken their lives and vowed to spend the rest of his days spreading the message of hope and healing.

Years passed, and Manuel's message spread far and wide, and he became known as the "peacemaker" among the people. Manuel had found peace and redemption through forgiveness, and his story became a legend, passed down from generation to generation, inspiring people to find inner peace and hope through forgiveness.

And that's the lore of Manuel the Peacemaker, amen.


Hedge Wizard Behemoth of the Rock

# The Lore of Behemoth of the Rock

Despite his intimidating appearance, Behemoth is a gentle soul who believes in the power of kindness and compassion.

He makes his home deep within the mystical Hedge Forest, where he dedicates his days to helping those in need and preserving the delicate balance of the land. He is not alone in his mission, a loyal hare acts as his messenger, dutifully running errands and delivering messages to other powerful wizards within the Hedge.

According to ancient legend, Behemoth was born into a small nomadic tribe that roamed the rugged steppes. The tribe was renowned for their deep love of animals, particularly their vast herd of cattle, and their way of life centered around the milk they provided. As a curious child, Behemoth often ventured out into the wilderness to explore and learn about the world around him.

One fateful day, while tending to his father's cattle, Behemoth stumbled upon a mysterious cave hidden deep within the steppe. Inside, he discovered a chamber filled with ancient artifacts and inscriptions. He also found a strange and ancient tree, which began to glow with an otherworldly light and spoke to him, _You have been chosen. You have the gift of the tree._ From that moment on, Behemoth's life was forever changed.

He discovered that he possessed the extraordinary ability to transform into a tree, becoming one with the elements of nature. With this newfound power, Behemoth knew that he had a special destiny to fulfill. He left his tribe and set out on a journey to hone his skills and learn more about his powers.

After many long years of wandering, he finally reached the Hedge Forest, a mystical and ancient place that was home to many magical creatures and beings. Behemoth knew that this was the perfect place to master his abilities and fulfill his destiny.


In the Hedge Forest, Behemoth lived a peaceful existence, spending much of his time as a tree, finding deep satisfaction in feeling the wind blow through his leaves, the rain soak into his roots, and the birds sing in his branches. He became a master of herbology, gaining deep knowledge of the medicinal properties of the plants that grew within the Hedge. His reputation as a healer quickly spread among the Hedge Wizards, and he became known for concocting powerful potions and salves that could heal even the most severe illnesses.

Behemoth's loving and kind nature is matched only by his fierce determination to protect the Hedge Forest and its inhabitants. When danger threatens the forest, his gentle demeanor gives way to a fierce and powerful force, akin to a wild storm. He wields his magic stick with precision and skill, unleashing its full potential to defend the forest and its creatures.

With his innate connection to the forest and its elements, Behemoth is a respected and revered figure among the Hedge Wizards. He is a true druid, living in harmony with nature and using his powers for the greater good. He is a friend to all who call the Hedge Forest home and a fierce protector to those who dare threaten it.

To be continued...


Illusionist Godfrey of the Court

# Illusionist Godfrey and his Eternal Rose

Illusionist Godfrey of the Court was once a powerful and respected wizard who was admired by many for his unmatched magical abilities. However, one day he was betrayed by those he trusted most and was banished from his kingdom.

In an attempt to hide from those who sought to harm him, he disguised himself as a jester and adopted the name Illusionist Godfrey of the Court.

Despite his current appearance, Illusionist Godfrey's magical powers remained as potent as ever. He carried an eternal rose, which he had enchanted to symbolize his undying love for magic, and it served as a reminder of the power and beauty of the mystical arts.

In his travels, he came across a giant ladybug who had been shunned by her own kind due to her unusually large size. Feeling a connection to the misunderstood creature, Illusionist Godfrey took her under his wing and made her his loyal companion.

Together, Illusionist Godfrey and his giant ladybug travel the lands, performing magic shows and spreading joy wherever they go.


Artificer Cairon of the Desert

# The Lore of Artificer Cairon of the Desert

Artificer Cairon has a very naughty snail,
He has tried to train it, but to no avail.
It slithers away at every chance,
Leaving Cairon in a never-ending dance.


Neon Sword of Magic

# The story of a robot


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# Translation
This world is a scary place.  I will look for wizards to aid in my quest to become the most optimized warrior ever.  There is an Olympian there, I wonder if he can help me!


Callan Poker of the Riverlands

Callan Poker is a warrior with a heart of gold, he gives to the needy. His faithful companion, Juno, is always by his side, and plays with kids close by. When Callan has to go anyplace without Juno he carries Juno's picture on his shield and Juno can't wait till Callan gets back, and jumps all over him, Juno is so happy and so playful!


Arch-Magician Eric of the Mountain

# Arch-Magician Eric of the Mountain

**Eric** has been living a humble life. Contented with solitude and in service for the most of his days, it is only very occasionally that he feels the pangs of jealousy that can creep up on a wizard with only a broom. Keeping to himself, he watches the patrons of the tavern come in and out with all their bells and whistles, all the while, sweeping the floor.

The barkeep is nice enough. Theyve developed a mutual respect over the years in the bar. When chaos breaks out (as it often does) it is good to know who is on your side. Despite this quiet friendship, Arch-Magician Eric would probably still be described as shy in conversations whenever others happen to remember him. Collecting his wage at the end of the shift, he returns home to rest, knowing that the early morning will be busy again.

The mornings are different than the evenings for Eric. Waking up early, he heads to the *Forgotten Babies Wizards Orphanage* to do some dusk-lit housekeeping before helping the staff to take care of the early risers. Most of Erics energy is spent here, and hes thankful for whenever it is quiet on week-day night shifts at the Tavern.

On one such evening when he took a step outside for a couple puffs on the pipe to relieve the frustrations at his financial predicaments, Eric met his familiar **Apollo**, under the moonlight. He had been deep in thought about the kind of powerful staff he could buy in the cities Magical Equipment Stores, if only he did not need to save money for Pilk for the orphanage. Quietly, Apollo had whimpered from behind the bins. Eric did not hear him at first, but in a moment of quiet shared between the Arch-Magician and the moon, Eric had heard the cries.


Now, Apollo is a confident young brown dog, but back then, he must have been no more than a month old. Eric raised him as a friend and now Apollo even helps out at the orphanage, carrying children in his mouth and shepherding the miniature crowds.

Content for now, all Arch-Magician Eric of the Mountain wishes for is for the babies to grow properly and strong. Maybe one day he will return to the Mountain, when he has time and is strong enough to climb.

Written by O


Damon Heater of the Citadel

# The Lore of Damon Heater of the Citadel
## Hot 1 (of 1)

Damon liked it hot. He took his morning strolls on burning coals, drank bottles of chili sauce to cool himself down, and was the current reigning champion of the Runiverse Extreme Sauna Competition Series. With such a drastic affinity for heat, some even mistook Damon for a wizard, though in reality he hadnt a mote of magic in his entire bruiser bod.

As Heater of the Citadel, it was his business to like it hot. Damon ran a certain, unique type of establishment, one that catered to his clients most searing desires. Requests varied from client to client, but given Damon's preferred choice of clothing, the available options could become quite picante.

Damon, however, wasnt always a proprietor of desire. A former warrior with a temper as bad as his aim, Damon was asked to retire early due to an unfortunate flamethrower incident, during which he torched the beards of an entire wizard battalion over a misunderstanding involving his Old World Mandrill, Cheeks.

Damon was allowed to keep his flamethrower though, and along with Cheeks, set out on a hot new adventure in the world of entrepreneurship. Was life not spicy enough for you? Damon had something to kick it up. Looking to purchase the very best flame spells (that some might consider taboo and were most definitely banned by the Council)? Damon had them by the tome-load. Having sudden cravings for a cucumber hot dog at 4 AM? Damons doors were always open.

At Damons Dungeon of the Sun, you could get anything you wanted, as long as you burned for it badly enough. And so, night after night, beneath the winding streets of Calistas Citadel, Damon the Heater was hard at work, cookin up dishes of desire for those warriors and wizards who favored a little fire.


Shimeji Wrecker of the Apocalypse

Shimeji gazed across the bloodied field of crumpled corpses with a grim satisfaction.

## "Your decaying flesh will be a nourishing feast for my mycelium spawn" he rumbled.

The carnage had been swift and brutal. There was a reason he was known as "Wrecker" - the poor souls who crossed him rarely remained in one piece for long.

He looked down for a moment at his trusty companion, a surly warthog who was hungrily gorging himself on another fallen foe.

## "We have done well here, my friend. Today there walk less wizards than the day before. Their scourge on this realm will soon be at an end."

It had not always been this way for Shimeji. He had been a peaceful fungus once, full of cheer and goodwill. He had grown with his family in a small copse of trees in the Fey woods, an idyllic spot by any measure. Peacefully whiling the days away soaking in nutrients from the fertile Earth, playing silly games with his brethren.

That all changed the day of The Harvest.

One cool autumn day, Shimeji heard a crunching and commotion in the distance. Strange noises he was not accustomed to - an approaching group. Shimeji was at once fearful and curious. He had never seen a visitor in their little neck of the forest, save the woodland creatures that occasionally scampered through. What wonders did these strange new creatures bring?

Excited voices carried through the forest leaves.

"I think we're getting close @wizard9885... the hog seems to have picked up a scent!"

"Ah, tis a fine day for foraging. With any luck we'll have enough shrooms for 10 potions of vigor!"


Shimeji flinched as a furry tusked beast crashed through the underbrush, snorfling at the ground. What strange creature was this? A moment later, 3 pale and gangly humanoids followed, clumsily trampling through the forest bramble. Shimeji froze, too petrified to make a sound. His brothers and sisters, all resting in hibernation, did not awake.

"By jove we've found the motherload!" one cried. "Fungus Vivificanus - Lets get to picking!"

To his horror the men bent down and started plucking his brethren from the ground - viciously ripping them from their mycelium roots. He opened his mouth to scream, but not a sound came out.  All he could do was sit and watch in petrified horror as his friends and family were brutally plucked from their roots and thrown into a satchel.

Why they didn't harvest him, he may never know. At the time he was one of the smallest of his brethren, perhaps they overlooked him. But it was their fatal mistake in letting him live. That day burned a horrific impression in his mind, and set him on a path of bloodthirsty vengeance that could only end in the destruction of all wizards.

Over the years he swiftly made a name for himself as he cut a swath of bloody vengeance through the Runiverse. Wizards spoke in hushed tones of a hulking green monster that lurked in the edges of the forest, surrounded by a noxious green cloud of toxic spores that drove men to see strange and terrible visions before they were hewn asunder by the crushing weight of his notched and worn broadsword. Hiding was of no use... his warthog companion would soon sniff you out. And there were rumors he was recruiting more followers to his genocidal cause.

...


...

Back on the killing ground, a crumpled form stirred on the ground, weakly pulling himself up to his knees.

Shimeji turned and placed a crushing boot on the tortured mans back, crumpling him back to the ground as he moaned in horror. Shimeji lifted his brutish blade and held it above the mans neck.

## "Gaze on me sorcerer, and witness your doom. For I am the Wrecker Shimeji, and the apocalypse of wizards is nigh."


Aramastus of Wizards

# The Lore of Aramastus of Wizards

Aramastus of Wizards was a warrior known for his love of cheeseburgers and peculiar taste in attire. He believed that a cheeseburger gave him superhuman strength and agility, allowing him to defeat even the toughest foes. He always carried one with him, and would often take a bite mid-battle for an extra boost.

But, what really set Aramastus apart was his fondness for executioner's hoods. He had an impressive collection of them, each one carefully crafted and adorned with jewels and embroidery. Aramastus claimed that the hoods gave him an air of mystery and intimidation, but most people just found it weird.

Aramastus was not alone on his journey. He had a fierce and loyal companion  a honey badger named Mr. Bites. Mr. Bites was a bit of a wild card. He was known to steal anything shiny, lick people's feet, and generally cause chaos wherever he went.  But, Aramastus loved him all the same, and the two made quite the duo. They travelled the land, taking on odd jobs and causing a ruckus. And, with his cheeseburger in hand and executioner's hood on his head, Aramastus was ready for anything.


Beezle Traveler of the Ring

Rumors and tales are in abundance when it comes to the KaBoomerGang.  This one is about the origin of Beezle whispered by the street rats in the Red Wizard capital.

Beezle grew up in the harsh world of the fighting pits, where he learned to fight and survive. He was a scrappy and cunning fighter, always looking for an edge over his opponents.
One day, a government official approached him with a task that promised a hefty reward. Beezle accepted, but little did he know that the official had no intention of honoring the deal. Instead, he betrayed Beezle and had his tongue cut out, rendering him unable to speak.
Beezle was sold into slavery and ended up on a pirate ship, where he was forced to work as a deckhand. He spent years on the ship, enduring abuse and hardship, but he never lost his determination to escape.
Finally, he managed to free himself and two other slaves, and they formed a mercenary group called the Kaboomergang. They quickly became known as an elite fighting force, striking fear into the hearts of their enemies.
Despite the challenges he faced, Beezle never lost his fighting spirit, and he continues to help lead the Kaboomergang with fierce determination. He may be mute, but his actions speak louder than words.


Druid Enigma of the Valley

Somewhere in the middle of the Fey is a tiny but tidy hut, where a beautiful swamp witch named Enigma lived with her fabulous familiar, Fred!

While her day started today much like it did every other day, today would be very different. Maybe even life changing.

As the sunlight crested the trees of the Fey, smoke started pouring from Enigmas little clay chimney. The rest of the woods slowly woke, as the sounds of wooded life filled the air!

The beautiful swamp witch had finally finished her morning chores and settled down to some breakfast (fried mushrooms, yum!) when a loud RAP RAP RAP came from her front door.

StrangeI wasnt expecting anyone she said, mindlessly, as she pushed her plate away and stood up to get the door.

She didnt have barely a moment to stand before the door came flying open, and in barged a very well dressed black mage.

Um. Hi, Sam! Want some mushrooms? She asked sheepishly, as the very well-dressed mage stood in her doorway gasping.

Im so sorry Eni *gasp* grab your stuff, we have *gasp gasp* go NOW. He said, with a look in his eyes that she had never seen.

Shed never seen Sam in any other mood but completely joyful. They were often two peas in the same pod, but this was a side of him shed never seen.

Instead of arguing or asking, she decided to trust her friend. She scooped up her little red pouch (filled with who knows what), her legendary staff, the Caduceus of Hermes Trismegistus, and last but not least, her adorable familiar, Fred!

Before she had managed to get everything situated, Sam grabbed her by the hand and took off, barely giving her time to close the door on the way out.


The two had been in a dead sprint for some time now, and Sam finally slowed his pace to a vigorous walk.

Sam, what the heck is going on?! Enigma asked, able to catch her breath for the first time. Her hair, green as her favorite outfit, was a hot mess, and Fred was nested right in the middle.

Ok, Eni, Im sorry. I think I got caught up in someth- Before Sam could even finish his sentence, the two were set upon by ambushers!!

A group of cloaked goblins and kobolds leaped from the brush on the sides of the trail, blocking the two from making their movement forward. Before they had time to react, a second group sprung up, blocking the other path.

EEEEEEEEEP EEEEEEEEP EEEEEEEP Friend started shrieking from the inside of Enigmas mess of hair before anyone could really do anything.

This threw the ambushers off for just a split second; long enough for Sam (who was quite wise) to pull his wits together, and leaped into action.

IGNIS Sam yelled, his voice weaving into the very fabric of time and space. It was almost as if time stood still.

DIABOLIS!!!! Sam finished his incantation, holding (of all things), his old pipe with both of his hands, pointed straight up.

POP!!! A flash of light shot into the skybut then nothing.

Hah, and the boss said these two would be a challen- A kobold from the front group of ambushers started to gloat, only to be interrupted by a sudden burst of fire and brimstone!!

It was raining down hard and fast, but seemed to be completely ignoring Sam and Enigma (whos eyes were VERY closed at this point).


Within moments, the chaos of the rain, and the painful screams of the ambushers died down and Enigma opened her eyes.

Sam Upon seeing the smoldering remains of her would-be attackers, she was overtaken by grief. Tears welled as she stood motionless taking in the carnage.

Im sorry Eni, but this is not the time. These are very bad people and they have already murdered too many wizards. We cannot take normal precautions. Sam grabbed Enigma by the shoulder, and looked deep into her eyes.

Their deep bond allowed Sam to share with her what he had already seen, causing Enigma to tear up and began sobbing.

Samplease no more. I...I understand. But I- Enigma said, between sobs until Sam interrupted her gently.

I know, Eni, I know. I would never ask you to do that. I know you cant. Sams eyes began tearing up and he scooped Enigma up into a huge embrace that seemed to last forever.

Every denizen of the Runiverse was special, and Enigma was no different. Though she was born to pure evil, she had been blessed with a soul of Light, and was one of the fated Lightborns.

This rare, tragic blessing only affects those who are born into a world of darkness, but are still just beings of pure love. Enigma would never be able to hurt anyone or anything, because of this tie to her magic.

Sam was well aware of this, and the effect that violence and conflict had on her, and held his embrace just a little longer.

After the moment had passed, Enigma took a deep breath, leaned heavy into her staff, and said I have never felt such evil, Sam. You must tell me how you got involved. Her eyes pierced deep as their gaze met, and Sam knew right then he had no other choice.


So, the two walked, putting as much distance between them and the ambush site as they could.

They walked and they walked and Sam went into great detail behind the whole thing. It all started with a dream, a dream about a legendary forgotten city, and a relic that would have great complications if it fell into the wrong hands.

Sam went on to tell about the city of Atlantis and a device that could contain and control the Quantum Shadow. He couldnt possibly ignore a chance to go on an adventure, so he had taken off to the lost city (which wasnt so lost these days).

He actually managed to find the artifact he saw in his dreams, and according to him, he managed to get it out of the city and was traveling back home when he was ambushed by the same folks they had met previously.

They are an evil cult, but I do not know much about them. They deal heavily in death magic, and not much else. Which, as you saw in our shared vision, they use quite liberally. I need to get the artifact back, and theres only a single person I know that is basically the opposite of death magic in every way. Sam said, picking up his speed a bit, anxiously watching Enigmas face for any reactions.

It took her a moment to process everything, but eventually she looked over to Sam, with a huge grin on her face.

Well of course you would!!! So what youre saying iswere going to the hideout of a death cult to steal back an artifact that YOU found in some ruins. Am I tracking this right? Enigma said, the excitement of adventure growing. Even Fred popped his head out of her hair at the mention of ruins.

YES! Exactly! Excepttheres one really big caveatSam said, looking at the ground as he walked, avoiding all eye contact.


Ah. Enigma said, enlightened by his behavior. I saw it in your visions when we embraced. You plan on sacrificing yourself, and youre hoping I can bring you back. The love and support just oozed from her words, reassuring Sam.

Im sorry Eni, I know its so much to ask, butthese guys are really bad. Really really bad. What would happen if they were able to control the whole of the Quantum Shadow?! Sam started to shake, mostly out of emotion for the whole thing.

Rest easy, Sam. You know Id do anything in my power for you without hesitation. But you do know Ive never brought back someone from an intentional death, and never another sentient creature. Are you sure you trust my magic that much? Enigmas voice wavered. How could it not? She herself wasnt sure she was capable of such a powerful feat.

Oh Eni, I trust you with every fiber of my being. Will your magic be enough? No. But, if I dont make it his gaze darted from the ground directly into hers. You need to finish the job. He dug a small stone out of his pocket and handed it to her.

Simply think of home and crush this under your boot, and you and Fred will both immediately return home. He pressed the stone into her hand and kept his gaze locked on hers. Promise me. His words stern and desperate.

Of course Sam!!! You know Id give my life for you and for the Runiverse Enigma went on and on about how dying isnt the issue, but the lack of Sam in her life.

As the two went back and forth, Fred (who had found his way into Enigmas pouch) hopped to the ground and started squeaking with intent.

Fred?? What?? Ugh, you silly slime, its just a snake! Enigma almost chasting the slime, went over and scooped up the snake.


WaitARCHIMEDES?! Sam squeaked, and scooped the golden viper out of Enigmas hands gingerly.

I was wondering where he was! Why does it sound like you didnt know where he was? Hes your familiar! Enigma was clearly confused with the sudden appearance of the viper, and more so with Sams response.

So during the ambush where the cult got the crown, Archimedes here snuck away in one of their bags, and was able to help me locate their hideout! But theyre so far underground, we lost our connectionwe must be close!! Sam said, tucking Archimedes under his hat, and heading off with a bit more pep in his step.

Up till now, they had been traveling along known paths throughout the Fey, as Enigma had spent her whole life out here.

However, as they crept close to the border, and to their destination, they came across some old world ruins that she had never seen before.

Has this always been here Enigma asked absent mindedly, as she and Sam took in their surroundings.

The ruins were mostly steel, glass and old world tech that made no sense. Even bits of road were still here and there. These may have been some of the most untouched ruins either one of them had seen up to now.

Not sure, but Archimedes swears this is the place. Sam said, and on que, the tiny viber stuck its head out from under Sams hat and hissed.

The two slowly wandered through the ruins taking note of anything that might have been disturbed. It was quite surreal, to see so many buildings not destroyed! Homes, shops maybe? Just overgrown with ivy and plants, but even some of the signs were still readable! How on earth did she miss this? Her hut was only a days walk away!


The two continued to wander, deep in thought until they stumbled on what had to have been the entrance to the cult lair. Archimedes shot out from under Sams hat, and began to slithering in circles around a man-made hole in the center of the path they were on.

It looked as if this entrance had been here for two millenia, vines growing down it, but clearly very man-made. It even had the remnants of an old steel ladder leading down.

Hm, well I guess this is it! Sam said, puffing his pipe a couple of times for comfort. The sweet cherry smoke filled the air, and even made Enigma feel a bit more at ease.

I think youre right. Down we go? She said, the spark of adventure lighting her up her eyes.

Down we go! Sam said with a grin, and the two hopped down.

To be continued


Bryan Chisler of Monsters

# The Tale of Bryan, Chisler of Monsters

Bryan stood, broadsword swinging idly at his side, and contemplated the path that brought him here. It all began with a map, taken from the corpses of the Brine's misshapen denizens. This chart had led him northeast, up through the wicked mountains, and after much hardship to Dream Master Lake. It is there that he claimed the Hidden Key, and entered the Wild. Through Frog Master Marsh and The Thorn he battled both man and beast, his faithful war hound Kaius at his side. The two conquered realm after realm of the Wild until only the Quantum Shadow remained. Bryan and Kaius entered the bleak, black expanse, disappearing from the ken of man for a year and a day. When they emerged as triumphant conquerors, Bryan held the Rune of Brass clutched tightly in his left hand and an eldritch glint shone in his eye. .

The role of conquering ruler soon began to chafe. Yearning for challenge he took Kaius and ventured into the desert heat and sand of the Southlands. Slowly roasting in his armor Bryan searched the great desert, finding little but endless sand. As far as the land's edge every tomb and temple lay raided and stripped bare. Of the monsters that once roamed the vastness, all that remained were legends and bones. Turning his back to the howling wind Bryan traveled north, searching always. Desert was now replaced by mountain tundra and dense forests, but the results were the same. Every cave and dungeon, every oak grove and toadstool ring already cleared out by prior hands. Of the great beasts only skeletons remained, and any scraps of treasure long since discovered and removed. He found himself burning for just one more mystery, one adventure not already completed by the endless ranks of mighty warriors and legendary mages.


Surely it could not just be him? Grand adventurers had cleaned out the lairs and crypts of the world and now must surely find the boredom as stifling as he did. Without being able to achieve great deeds these great heroes must find their potential squandered, they must crave the challenges they themselves eliminated. It was while contemplating this that the idea occurred to him, what if he could provide that challenge to the others.

	What if a new order of monster were to appear? One that would test the heroes of the world to their limits and beyond? Would it not be the Ultimate Adventure to create them and dispatch them to the secret places of the world? As these thoughts occurred to him, Kaius began whimpering and he felt the Rune grow hot in his clutched fingers.

As his beloved dog backed away Bryan felt heat spread from the rune, his arm bursting into greenish flames. As his sword began to melt into his arm the fire spread across his limbs and body. Every nerve screamed as his melting sword, shield, and armor flowed across his form encasing him in red hot, liquid metal. As the metal filled his eye sockets the pain overcame him and he knew no more.

	When he awoke, Bryan was naked with no sign of his clothes or possessions other than the Rune clutched tightly in his hand. Towering over him was the still and silent figure of a giant, seemingly sculpted from brass. At his feet Kaius crouched, growling up at the metal figure. Reflexively reaching for a sword no longer there, Bryan lunged for the figure only to be casually thrown aside as though he was a rag doll.


Sheer surprise shook him. He, who had wrestled great Wyrms, who had defeated trolls and giants hand to hand, had been cast aside as though he were the merest farm boy. Enraged at being treated so dismissively he leapt upon the brass figure, throwing a wild haymaker as he did so. It took him a moment to realize that the sound of breaking bones on impact came from his own fist. As he gasped in pain the brass figure looked on, impassive and silent. As Bryan raised his broken fist he hesitated. For the first time in years he faced an opponent who was his equal, perhaps even his superior. He lowered his fist.

Feeling warmth in his other hand, Bryan looked down to see the Rune of Brass softly glowing there. The Ultimate Adventure, he whispered. At the sound of his words the brass giant nodded once, turned on its heel and retreated from view, leaving Bryan to contemplate his newfound inspiration.

	As the decades wore on, Bryan mastered the Rune of Brass, using it to create the most amazing constructs and beings. To fill the void left by his fellow adventurers' exploits he sculpted monsters of titanic strength and speed. From treasure guardians to city leveling titans he repopulated the world of challenges. It is said some of his creations could even threaten the fate of the very world upon which he walked.

	As the years crept slowly past, the stories grew. A wandering man, perhaps a retired adventurer or demigod, that walked the lands with his metal dog. Wherever he would go, impossible beasts and improbable creatures would appear soon after. Of course many discounted these tales as fever dreams or too much drink, but even so the legend of Bryan the artisan of opponents grew in the telling.


In his endless quest for challenges Bryan has spent recent years peering into otherworldly realms, and found them all wanting but one. On a distant world he scryed the forms of massive metal beasts roaming mountains called the Worldteeth, and the agitation they cause among the locals. Perhaps the natives of this Moonstone Empire would be up for the Ultimate Adventure.


Sage Milo of the Bibliotheca

**Sage Milo of the Bibliotheca**, or *Smilo* as he is often called, is a wizard of the Yellow Hats who has made a name for himself in Chronomancer's Riviera. Smilo was born in the Bibliotheca, a vast library that contains the secrets of magic and knowledge. He was fascinated by the books and scrolls that filled the shelves, and he spent his childhood reading and learning from them. He had a natural talent for charm, the magic of manipulating emotions, and he soon became one of the most promising students of the Yellow Hats, the order of mages that guarded the Bibliotheca.

However, Smilo also had a restless and adventurous spirit, and he longed to see the world beyond the library. He was bored by the strict rules and rituals of the Yellow Hats, and he craved excitement and fun. He often sneaked out of the Bibliotheca to explore the Charmers Riviera, a coastal region where emotions were heightened and where people lived in a perpetual state of partying and pleasure. He was drawn to the music, the dancing, the drinking, and the romance that filled the air. He made many friends and lovers among the Rivieras inhabitants, and he enjoyed their carefree and hedonistic lifestyle.

Smilo became known as the Yellow Hat Wizard of the Riviera, and he used his charm to enhance the festivities and to satisfy his own whims. He could make people feel happy or sad, calm or angry, brave or fearful, and even love or hate. He was always looking for new experiences and sensations, and he never worried about the consequences of his actions. He believed that life was meant to be lived in the emotion, and that the reason and the logic were irrelevant.


Smilos attitude and behavior earned him the disapproval and resentment of many of his fellow Yellow Hats, who considered him irresponsible and reckless. They warned him that his charm was dangerous and unstable, and that he was risking the balance of emotions and the integrity of the Bibliotheca. They also reminded him of the Quantum Shadow, a mysterious and malevolent force that threatened to consume the world and erase its existence. They urged him to return to the library and to devote himself to the study and protection of magic.

Smilo ignored their warnings and their pleas, and he continued to live his life as he pleased. He was confident in his abilities and his luck, and he believed that the Quantum Shadow was nothing but a myth. He also trusted that the Battle Mage mountains, a range of peaks that separated the Riviera from the rest of the world, would shield him and his friends from any danger. He was happy and joyful, and he saw no reason to change his ways.

Smilos lore is a story of a young and talented wizard who chose to follow his heart and his desires, rather than his duty and his destiny. He is a character who embodies the strengths and weaknesses of the Yellow Hats, and who represents the contrast between the Bibliotheca and the Riviera. He is a charmer who lives in the emotion, and who does not care about the reason and the logic. He is Smilo, the Yellow Hat Wizard of the Bibliotheca.


Sorcerer Naoki of the Tundra

# The Sorcerer and the Frog

>In the land of ice and snow,

>A capricious sorcerer once did grow.

>With a crimson frog e'er by his side,

>A friendly bond, they seemed to abide.

###

>Yet the frog was cunning, a quite wily one!

>Had a hidden agenda  to be undone?

>He led his companion on journeys far and wide,

>To a sacred flame that ne'er would subside.

###

>The sorcerer was enthralled and entranced by the fire,

>He danced in the shadows unaware growing desire.

>See, the frog had a plan, almost complete,

>To use his friends weakness for his own grand deceit.

###

>The frog was obsessed with this bright shining blaze,

>And its secrets and power had long held his gaze.

>But while hed carefully plotted the course to this place,

>The nature of the flame was yet to be faced.

###

>The sorcerer, basking in shimmering light, knew

>The flame offered greatness, or perhaps, fatal plight.

>Twixt caution and ambition, he was equally torn,

>Not knowing the path to embrace or to scorn.

###

>So our story ends with sorcerer frozen 'fore flame,

>His fate - uncertain - a mystery to claim.

>Will he finally succumb to the frog's machination,

>And pay the price, for flame's burning sensation?

###

>Or will he turn from the flame's all-consuming suffusion,

>Choosing a safe and secure yet too certain conclusion?

>Only time will tell, what fate will befall,

>The sorcerer and the frog, after all.


Adept Impy of the Tower

Adept Impy of The Tower was not always a wizard. Born into a family of humble farmers, Impy showed an early fascination with the natural world and a deep curiosity about the forces that governed it. As a child, he would often sneak away from his chores to explore the nearby woods, collecting specimens of plants and animals to study in secret.

When he was twelve years old, Impy discovered a hidden cave deep in the forest. Inside, he found an ancient tome that spoke of magic and the art of wizardry. The book had been written by a powerful wizard named Eldritch, who had once lived in the nearby tower, but had disappeared centuries ago. Impy became obsessed with the book, reading it every chance he got and practicing the spells and incantations within.

Impy's parents were worried about their son's strange behavior and sought the advice of the village elders. They were told that Impy had been chosen by the spirits of the forest to become a wizard, and that he must be trained in the ways of magic in order to fulfill his destiny. Impy's parents were reluctant to let their son leave home, but they eventually relented, and Impy set out on a journey to find the legendary Tower of Eldritch.

After many months of travel, Impy finally arrived at the Tower. The building was in ruins, but Impy could sense the powerful magic that still lingered within its walls. He spent years studying the ancient texts and artifacts that he found there, gradually mastering the arcane arts.

Now, Adept Impy of The Tower is one of the most powerful wizards in the land. He uses his magic to protect the natural world and its inhabitants, and to uncover the secrets of the past. Many young apprentices come to him seeking knowledge and guidance, and Impy takes great pleasure in passing on the wisdom he has gained over his long years of study.


Dr. Slurp Synthesizer of Sound

**Heaven's Bass.**

With a relic of Death in hand, I melt. Sound reminds me of death; even synthesis is death. Waves vibrate while they have energy. Every dog has his day. Cats only have nine lives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiiN3Nm80yI


In the dark corners of the abandoned waste, where the ruins of ancient civilizations lie buried, there lived a Kobold named Woomba. As a member of the Kobold race, Woomba was naturally drawn to the underground tunnels and hidden chambers that lay beneath the ruins. However, Woomba was particularly fascinated with the graveyards that dotted the abandoned waste.

Woomba had shown an unusual interest in the dead from a young age. While other Kobolds shied away from the decaying corpses they occasionally encountered in their travels, Woomba would eagerly investigate each one. He would carefully examine the bones and scraps of flesh, seeking out any items of value that might have been buried with the deceased.

Woomba's obsession with the dead only grew as he got older. He spent countless hours poring over old tombstones and mausoleums, seeking out hidden passages and secret chambers that might contain treasures or artifacts. At first, the other kobolds in his tribe thought his interest in grave robbing was odd, but they soon realized that Woomba had a natural talent for it. He could find hidden crypts and secret tunnels that no one else could, and he always seemed to know where to look for valuable items.

As Woomba's reputation as a skilled grave robber grew, he began to attract the attention of other Kobold clans who were interested in his talents. He quickly became known as "Grave Robbing Kobold Woomba of the Abandoned Waste," a name that struck fear into the hearts of other kobolds and adventurers alike.

Despite his reputation, Woomba was not motivated solely by greed. A deep curiosity drove him about the ancient civilizations that had once thrived in the abandoned waste. He believed that the treasures he uncovered were not just valuable for their material worth but also for the insights they provided into the past. Woomba saw himself as a historian of sorts, a keeper of knowledge that might otherwise be lost to time.


In the end, Woomba's quest for knowledge and treasure proved to be both a blessing and a curse. He uncovered countless valuable artifacts and relics, but he also attracted the attention of dangerous creatures and rival Kobold clans who sought to steal his treasures.


Brock Bloodletter of the Riverlands

# Brock, A Wandering Warrior Who Befriends Bugs

Mainly Beetles.

Brock, the Bloodletter who Befriends Beetles, always had an affinity for the hard shells and mighty horns of giant beetles.

As a child he would sit atop their shells and ride them to the river. Only to both jump in and float down the rapids.

He didn't need many friends, because he had his beetles.

As he grew older, and the world colder, he always had his beetles to keep him company. They both grew hard shells to the outside world.

Challenge Brock the Bloodletter of Riverlands, a mistake not many make, and not only will you face his mighty cleaver, but an army of spell resistant and armored beetles that emerge from the rivers of Riverlands to come to his aid.


Illusionist Basil of the Tower

# Illusionist Basil of the Tower

The forest was silent, only the sound of a green woodpecker could be heard. And then the muttering: _...you are my everything. - No, what would she react, think! - I'm yours forever!  - Ah, she would never say that_". And it went on like that for hours, as the once prominent student of the Secret Tower roamed through the wilderness.

It had started out as an innocent affection. The sweets she's selling were also a delight, it was a good reason for visiting her every day. But no matter what he conjured up for her, she would not care more, just the smile she gave to all other customers.

His adoration of @wizard5251 slowly consumed the wizard's mind. And that's when he found it, in his abysmal desperation. A small building in the middle of the forest. As he approached it, noises of clincking, pattering, a little blast - It's a workshop! - He thought. The plate above the door said **Cabinet of Curiosities**, and he knew already what he would get here, and how that would seal his and Velorina's fate. His little rabbit looked up on him, asking with his eyes - _Is this a good idea?_ - He jiggled, and entered the premises.


Archmagus Jerret of the Sacred Pillars

# The Lore of Archmagus Jerret of the Sacred Pillars

In the days of old, when the Forgotten World was still young and full of wonders, there lived a troubled mind amongst his peers. Archmagus Jerret of the Sacred Pillars was his name, and he hailed from truly noble beginnings. The only child of a great line of Jerrets who had been nobles for millennia, ruling over the lands to the north east of the Sacred Pillars region.

Jerret's early life was one of abundance, for his parents were wealthy beyond measure and spared no expense in his upbringing. He was bestowed a great education from the finest professors in the land, but alas, he was deemed as somewhat of an outsider amongst his peers due to his vivid imagination and fairly aloof personality.

A combination of a wanting for nothing and a carefree attitude led him down a dark path in his early adulthood. Corrupted by his life of privilege, he descended into a life of sin and an overzealous addiction to opioids, wine and women for many a decade.

But as fate would have it, the night of his sixtieth solar orbit would prove to be the beginning of his true journey in life. The Sacred Pillars called out to him, their ancient voices echoing through the halls of his mind.

With a flash of bright white light, a vision was shown to him. It was a glimpse of what his future would entail, for he would travel the Forgotten World, train alongside a powerful wizard in a forest, communicate with animals, fly on some kind of creature, live amongst the natural habitat, and cast powerful spells with a bright pink staff.


In the months that followed, Jerret was consumed by his vision. He spoke to family members about it over and over, hoping that their past may help him unravel what he had witnessed. But his questioning amounted to very little, for none could remember anyone in their family ever possessing any kind of magical powers.

And so, his quest for knowledge and enlightenment led him to an old chest deep inside one of the family homes' basements. Inside was a glowing bright pink staff, it was about five feet long and made of a sturdy but lightweight material with the engraving 'magna potestas in terra abscondita est' along the handle.

The discovery of the courage staff was the enlightening Jerret needed, and he set out on a journey to unlock his true potential. He travelled the Forgotten World in search of answers and the mysterious Wizard from his glimpse. Far and wide, over many moons he wandered through Dream Master Lake, The Wild, The Carnival Pass until he reached the deep south of The Thorn, where his vision became a reality.

It was there that he met the wizard he had long searched for, and he submitted himself to the wizard in return for him training him in the ways of the Green Wizards.

Jerret's heart was filled with both wonder and trepidation as he gazed upon the wise wizard who stood before him. The wizard's long beard, as white as snow, flowed down to his waist and his piercing blue eyes seemed to hold within them the knowledge of ages.

With great reverence, Jerret fell to his knees and presented the courage staff to the wizard. The wizard studied the staff for a moment, then nodded approvingly.

"So, you are the one who has been called," the wizard said in a voice that rumbled like distant thunder. "The Sacred Pillars have chosen you to wield the power of magic."


Jerret's heart leaped with joy and fear at the same time. He had always dreamed of wielding magic, but he could sense the weight of the task that lay before him.

And so, under the guidance of the wise wizard, Jerret began his training in the ways of the Green Wizards. He learned to commune with the spirits of nature, to speak with the animals, and to harness the power of the elements.

It was not an easy journey. There were times when Jerret felt overwhelmed and wanted to give up, but the wizard was always there to encourage him and guide him back onto the path.

The wizard pushed Jerret to his limits, teaching him powerful spells that were not for the faint of heart. Years passed, and Jerret became a powerful wizard in his own right. He flew on the backs of giant eagles, communed with the spirits of the trees, and cast spells that shook the very foundations of the earth.

To be continued...


Archmagus Azahl of the Villa

# New Lore Entry

****

Bladder-wrack stretched out making himself comfortable as he slung over his masters shoulder.
Archmagus Azahl was lost in thought.
A follower of the old gods and the laws of chaos, frustration consumed him.
The world was full of follies and trifles, the blade of chaos was slipping away.
Canines fought constantly with the house of Cats over who was sneaking the protected fowl, Brown hats burrowed in the dirt oblivious to all, the Riviera was a  joke, a play ground for fools and the citadel full of technocrats and sloths.
Action was need before the true dark magic was lost.
What to do?
Bladder-wrack dozed dreaming of fish in the stream warmed by his masters body heat.
Azahl walked over to the window, and peered far out to the west, storm clouds crackled high above.
He grinned he would bring the chaos back.


Enchanter Gary of Avalon

# A bored enchanter

_This is the story of enchanter Gary_*

Gary woke up one morning and mistakenly slided on his magic rod

*An orange portal opened in front of Gary*

> Holy Molly, Guacamole

Gary went into the orange portal and never came back

https://ordinals.com/inscription/c1a4132054cd52cefd82fb36a71162c83e655f24f0998d036eda0777d64fa783i0

Teleburn address: 0xaf9c46f8fefa003428a5104d4bf5434219b717d8

https://twitter.com/0xGrug


Archmagus George of the Sun

# Geochemistry of Surface Waters Around Four Hard-Rock Lithium Deposits in Central Europe
### Jonas Toupal1,*, David R. Vann1, Chen Zhu2 and Reto Gier1,3
#### 1	Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6316, USA
#### 2	Department of Geological Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
#### 3	Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6316, USA
#### *	Correspondence: toupal@sas.upenn.edu
#### Disclaimer: This is a not-the-most-up-to-date manuscript of the work and not formatted perfectly. Additionally, figures are not included. The most up to date and correct version is found at here.
### Abstract:


### Abstract:
There are several Li-mica and spodumene deposits in Central Europe. The Cnovec deposit on the border of the Czech Republic and Germany is the largest known hard-rock Li deposit in Europe and is currently being explored. Weathering and mining of such deposits could release Li and F to the environment. Both elements are associated with potential health effects when ingested via drinking water, yet little is known about the aqueous geochemistry of streams and creeks around Li hard-rock deposits. In this study, we sampled surface waters (n = 47) near three Li-mica and one spodumene deposit to examine a potential public health risk resulting from the weathering of Li-minerals. At the Cnovec and Homolka (also in the Czech Republic) sites, several water samples have elevated Li contents relative to those in typical surface waters, but they are all below the U.S. EPA-recommended threshold of 0.7 mg/L. Three of the ten samples from Cnovec contain F in concentrations that are above World Health Organizations 1.5 mg/L drinking water limit, and thus these waters (max. concentration: 3.8 mg/L) may represent a public health hazard. Based on geochemical modeling and statistical analysis, the lithium in the water comes from Li-micas and the fluoride is derived from a combination of Li-micas and fluorite, depending on the specific site analyzed. Lithium seems to be scavenged by clay minerals.
Keywords: Lithium; zinnwaldite; spodumene; fluorosis; PHREEQC; mining.


### 1. Introduction


Lithium (Li) is a strategic metal, important to the current and future energy infrastructure. Lithium-ion batteries are utilized in mobile phones, computers, and electric vehicles (EVs), as well as for electric energy storage technologies, such as large-scale batteries to store electricity produced by solar and wind power plants (Li et al., 2019; Liu et al., 2019). The use of these appliances and devices has increased significantly in the past years and is likely to keep boosting the demand for Li in the near future (Greim et al., 2020; Martin et al., 2017). There are other applications for Li beyond electronics: it is incorporated, for example, in glass, ceramics, glass ceramics, lubricating greases, pharmaceuticals (to treat bipolar disorder, manic depression, and Wilsons disease; (Loganathan et al., 2008; Mayo Clinic, n.d.; Swain, 2017)), air treatment, polymer production, and aluminum production, amongst others (e.g., (Bradley et al., 2017a; Martin et


(Bradley et al., 2017a; Martin et al., 2017)). Additionally, the nuclear sector uses Li to produce tritium (3H), a fuel for nuclear fusion. Even if the success of EVs penetrating the market is limited, Li might still be a sought-after metal in the future should nuclear fusion become economically viable (Kovari et al., 2018). It has also been suggested that liquid Li may keep the fusion process stable, which would create immense demand for Li (Ono et al., 2017). The amount of Li these various sectors consume today is not changing dramatically, except for the battery industry. In 2014, rechargeable batteries were responsible for only about 29 wt.% of the Li produced worldwide, whereas glass and ceramics accounted for 35 wt.% (Bradley et al., 2017b); in 2019, however, batteries consumed 65 wt.% of the Li produced, and glass and ceramics only 18 wt.%, reflecting the increase in popularity of portable electronics and EVs (USGS, 2020).


The majority of Li (58% by weight) is supplied from brine deposits located in the so-called ABC triangle (the border area of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile), in SW China (e.g., Zhabuye Lake, Tibet), and in the southwestern USA (e.g., Clayton Valley, NV) (Bradley et al., 2017a; Swain, 2017). Even though production of Li from brine deposits is, under current economic and technological conditions, relatively cheap (approximately 50% cheaper than production from hard rocks), interest is now also directed at deposits hosted by pegmatites and granites (Flexer et al., 2018; USGS, 2015). In Europe, for example, there is a strong momentum to create a vertically integrated EV supply chain, from mining to battery manufacture to vehicle assembly, as evidenced by the latest ERA-MIN3 (ERA-MIN3, 2021, p. 3) project or in other publications (Gourcerol et al., 2019; Lebedeva et al., 2017). With no brine deposits on the European continent, the hard-rock deposits are being considered for exploitation (Gourcerol et al., 2019).


Several Li-bearing minerals of economic value occur in hard-rock deposits, with the most important being: the Li-pyroxene spodumene (LiAlSi2O6), the phyllosilicates petalite (LiAlSi4O10), lepidolite (KLi2Al(Si4O10)(F,OH)2) and zinnwaldite (KLiFe2+Al(AlSi3O10)F1.5(OH)0.5), and the phosphate amblygonite (Li,Na)AlPO4(F,OH). The terms lepidolite and zinnwaldite are not valid mineral species, but rather refer to a series of compositions ranging between the species polylithionite (KLi2Al(Si4O10)(F,OH)2) and trilithionite (K(Li1.5Al1.5)(AlSi3O10)(F,OH)2) and between siderophyllite (KFe2+2Al(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2) and polylithionite, respectively. Most current operations focus on obtaining Li from spodumene (e.g., Greenbushes Deposit, Western Australia; Pervomaisky Mine, Southeastern Russia; Tanco Mine, Canada; (MIR, 2008)). Other mineral deposits currently explored include


2008)). Other mineral deposits currently explored include a zinnwaldite deposit in Cnovec, Czech Republic and a lepidolite deposit in Central Vietnam (Breiter et al., 2019; Hien-Dinh et al., 2017). The Cnovec site is unusual, as historically, it was mined for tin (cn in Czech) and tungsten, and many underground tunnels persist. The first records of mining in this area are from the second half of the 15th century, and the oldest known underground shaft dates to 1686 (Richter, 2018). Mining on the German side was halted after World War II, on the Czech side in the year 1990 (Richter, 2018). During the previous mining activities Li was not a valuable commodity, but now, companies are considering re-opening the mining operations specifically for the extraction of this metal (European Metals, 2019).


Information on the environmental impacts of obtaining Li from granite and pegmatite deposits is relatively scarce (Bradley et al., 2017a). Landscape alteration, such as open pit mines, and related silicate dust plumes are major physical impacts, typical of any type of surface mining. Some projects, such as the exploitation of the Cnovec deposit, are proposed as underground operations (European Metals, 2019). In both situations, leaching of tailings and wind dispersion of tailing dust will be a major environmental and health concern. Leaching of both tailings and ore-containing rocks, induced or facilitated by weathering and mining, is likely to impact water geochemistry. For example, a water quality study of tailing ponds around mined spodumene pegmatites in South Dakota reported pH values of 8  10, which were interpreted as reflecting equilibration with orthoclase and plagioclase (Rahn et al., 1996). The authors of this investigation further documented low concentrations of heavy metals, but


documented low concentrations of heavy metals, but did not analyze the waters for Li. There are, to the best of our knowledge, only two other studies that examined the geochemistry of waters near Li hard-rock deposits and also included data for Li concentrations. Near a spodumene deposit in Southeastern Ireland, researchers analyzed 115 samples of both surface and ground water (Kavanagh et al., 2017). The Li concentration in the surface waters ranged up to 91 g/L, with an average of 20 g/L, whereas that in the groundwaters ranged up to 97 g/L, with an average of 23 g/L. These scientists further reported that in general, typical Li concentrations in fresh waters are between 1 and 20 g/L(Kavanagh et al., 2017), consistent with the global riverine mean of 1.9 g/L (Huh et al., 1998). In the second study, researchers focusing on the environmental impacts of the C57 Gonalo spodumene mine in Portugal (Rodrigues et al., 2019) collected ten


(Rodrigues et al., 2019) collected ten water samples with a Li concentration ranging from 6.9 to 74.1 g/L. They further stated that the typical concentration of Li in freshwaters in Portugal ranges between 1 to 10 g/L. Both of these studies, thus, show that Li concentration is elevated near spodumene deposits. Another study aimed to quantify the environmental impacts of Li hard-rock mining in the largest Li mine in Asia, the Jiajika mine in China (Gao et al., 2021). This investigation, however, focused on As and some heavy metals, and neither Li nor fluoride (F-) were analyzed. The authors were able to show that the concentrations of the elements of interest in the nearby streams adhered to the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water limits, except for As, Pb, and Mn in some samples, and that pH was higher and dissolved oxygen lower near tailings (Gao et al., 2021).