Gifts of the Nychthemeron

Gifts of the Nychthemeron is a book discovered within the library of the Guild of the Lilac Vine.

## Description

Dedicated to the Sovereign of the Nychthemeron Divinus, Gifts of the Nychthemeron details the involvement of the Three-Eyed Light in the interests of mortals, and how to make the most of his signs and guidance.

## Research

### Completed by Bren

*Divinus, known to scholars ars the Sovereign of the Nychthemeron has always maintained a position as one of the most powerful and far-reaching members of the Principal Sixteen. All in Ahlus can see the influence that the Three-Eyed Light holds upon their lives, by definition each path chosen and step taken upon them is defined by the will of Divinus, for each and every choice they make it by their design and desire. Such a concept is sure to stir controversy and confusion no doubt, for those of mortal minds cannot comprehend the grand plan in place within the Celestial Citadels in the Heavens above. Just as light has no value in a world devoid of darkness, evil must exist, for without it good cannot be determined to be. A priest might renounce their beliefs, a sailor turn to preying on their neighbours through piracy, a previously zeal warrior might change for which they fight, but such an action is simply the medium through which fate flows - as deliberately and unchanged as before. As before, it is not for corporeal beings to know, but perhaps once we pass through the Shrouded Valley it will be for us to see. After all, one can surely not appreciate a work of art by scrutinising a singular brush stroke.*

*Less contentious is the other gift that Divinus granted the mortal races during Aita's Second Gift - the secrets of magic. Just as Aita transferred her warmth through embracing the stone, sand and other materials of the land and Tohmos granted his pureforged blue-blood to those worthy to rule, Divinus stirred innate talents in the Principal Races, and laid down the pieces for others to learn. With it, they would create, shape and manipulate the world around them, grouping the talents into eight rough-defined fields. The Ten Guilds were formed by those granted the innate talent to manipulate the Weave through which the raw magic potential of existance could be accessed, dedicating themselves to the study of these groups, later termed schools, and in doing so started their own, individual worship of the Three-Eyed Light. Every century on the anniversary of his initial teachings, it is said that Divinus appears to the Ten Guilds in unison, consulting with their greatest and most astute archmages to drive forwards innovations once more. There are isolated reports that Divinus sometimes simultaneously appears to unaffiliated individuals too, promising spellcasters or those destined to be so - although the Ten Guilds are quick to insist that such reports are folly, for all of magical majesty are surely linked directly to their organisations. Despite this dismissal, there is at least one commonly cited counter-argument, that of Cadyr Claxinns, the half-elf founder of the High College of Claxinns. Supporters point to Cadyr's seemingly unfettered skill with Divination magic, a talent far beyond expected of someone of his age and experience. Given the sanctity of the particular school of magic to the Sovereign of the Nychthemeron, many see this as further proof, but Archmage Cosior Everard, Guildmaster of the Seventh Lily from which Cadyr was expelled has been quoted as saying his talent was comparable to a mere initate at best, sowing further confusion. Nonetheless, the High College of Claxinns would grow to be more powerful than the Ten Guilds combined, so by destiny or otherwise, the breakaway has shaped the arcane landscape since.*

*While not immediately relevant, it seems prudent to use this tome to address a commonly-reproduced misconception that Divinus also taught the people of Ahlus two further schools of magic, far more dangerous and rare than those previously discussed. Due to their volatility, a curious statement when keeping in mind the nature of the School of Evocation, study of the fields of Chronurgy and Graviturgy is an infrequent matter. None of the Ten Guilds are dedicated to such Schools of Magic, and while training in matters of War Magic are popular despite of this shared fact, spellcasters of Chronurgy and Graviturgy are more often than not shunned. While both Kroai and Tohmos hold use of War Magic high, none of the Principal Sixteen seem to endorse the others. Knowing Divinus' place as the supposed creator of all magic, one can surely be forgiven for assuming that they are the Three-Eyed Light's creation also, but doing so begs further questions. Why create them, only to shun them? Why even grant the Principal Races comprehension of such things if the desire to use them is not present? This author therefore proposes an alternative theory, that neither were in fact created by Divinus, but instead rather to an other almighty being holding dominion in the domains of Arcana - the Keeper. It is believed that the Keeper was not always a deity, thus explaining their exclusion from both the Principal Sixteen and the Malign, but rather a powerful mage that ascended to godhood through sheer will and actions. When they were eventually slain, their spirit endured and maintained enough power to garner worshippers and followers seeking to learn from the boundless knowledge it maintained. In time, the mortal, now known as the Keeper achieved the status of divine. Perhaps instead the magics of Chronurgy and Graviturgy come from their vast understanding of the arcane, particularly so secrets unknown to others, gathered from the deep corners of the multiverse.*