Black stone

The **black stone**, also known as *Vitari*, is a talisman from Black London.

## Overview

The stone is deep black and glossy like an *Antari* mark. It is smooth on all sides except for one; one side is jagged because the stone was broken into two pieces in the past. Both pieces fit in a closed fist, and the smooth side of one half shows a glowing *Vitari* rune. The stone emits faint vibrations.

Although the golden rule of magic says that magic cannot be created, the black stone's magic is capable of creation, and interpretation. The black stone's owner has to voice a command, and the stone will comply in its own way. If a living being is created with the stone's magic, it gains consciousness and becomes volatile when the caster tries to dispel it. The talisman's magic is also strong enough to create a soul seal and resurrect someone.

The stone does not source its magic from nothing; it drains it from its owner. For that reason, the black stone "calls" to be used and attempts to take over its owner. The longer someone uses the talisman, the more difficult it becomes to let it go. Eventually, the stone holds onto skin with black threads, maybe it near-impossible to remove.

## History

At some point, while searching for artifacts and treasures, Athos Dane found the black stone wrapped in a piece of cloth and stored with a notebook and other "useless" things. He and his sister Astrid then schemed to use the stone pieces to take down the walls between White and Red London.

In October 1819, a woman in a blue cloak hands the stone to Kell Maresh, disguising it as payment for an interdimensional delivery. He unwittingly transports the black stone to Red London where he is attacked and wounded. He uses the stone's power to stop one of the cutthroats before escaping to Grey London. There, Lila Bard steals the stone from him. Kell then tracks her down and retrieves the stone.

Later, after getting into a fight with Holland Vosijk over the stone, Kell and Lila decide to send it back to Black London. They travel to Red London and then to White London. After Kell defeats Athos and takes his half of the stone, he combines the pieces with the blood command *As Hasari*.

The talisman almost takes over Kell, but he manages to fight it back and dispel its magic with the command *As Anasae*. Afterward, he sends the now-powerless stone to Black London with a dying Holland.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 *A Gathering of Shadows*, IV: Londons Calling, V
2. ↑ *A Darker Shade of Magic*, VI: Thieves Meet, II
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 *A Darker Shade of Magic*, V: Black Stone, IV
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 *A Darker Shade of Magic*, XI: Masquerade, IV
5. ↑ *A Darker Shade of Magic*, VI: Thieves Meet, III
6. ↑ *A Darker Shade of Magic*, XIII: The Waiting King, III
7. ↑ *A Darker Shade of Magic*, XII: Sanctuary & Sacrifice, I-II
8. ↑ *A Darker Shade of Magic*, XIII: The Waiting King, V
9. ↑ *A Darker Shade of Magic*, X: One White Rook, II
10. ↑ *A Darker Shade of Magic*, XII: Sanctuary & Sacrifice, II
11. ↑ *A Darker Shade of Magic*, IV: White Throne, V
12. ↑ *A Darker Shade of Magic*, V: Black Stone, II
13. ↑ *A Darker Shade of Magic*, V: Black Stone, IV-V
14. ↑ *A Darker Shade of Magic*, VI: Thieves Meet, II-III
15. ↑ *A Darker Shade of Magic*, VII: The Follower, I-III
16. ↑ *A Darker Shade of Magic*, VIII: An Arrangement, I-II
17. ↑ *A Darker Shade of Magic*, XII: Sanctuary & Sacrifice, III-VI
18. ↑ *A Darker Shade of Magic*, XIII: The Waiting King, IV
19. ↑ *A Darker Shade of Magic*, XIII: The Waiting King, V-VI
20. ↑ *A Darker Shade of Magic*, XIV: The Final Door, I