Nethir Fruits

**Nethir Fruits** also know as **Arcanoclasts** are mystical and mysterious magical fruits found throughout the spheres that, when consumed, grant the eater a special magical powers and abilities, but curses the consumer. It is unknown wether or not a person can eat more than one, but it is believed an individual can only acquire the powers of a single Arcanoclast and survive. An Arcanoclast can grant the user an immense variety of powers that can be used in many ways, from mundane utilities to powerful attacks. They are extremely valuable on the black markets.

The powers that the eater acquires depends on the type of Arcanoclast. All Arcanoclasts can be divided into three different categories; ***Transmutive, Mantling*** and ***Elemental.***

## Origins and Growth

Arcanists and Historians posit that the legendary Arcanoclasts originated in an ancient sphere long ago, crafted by a Magus refered to in ancient texts as Lucian Nefir. Legend states Nefir was displeased at how magic was so closely guarded hidden behind the gates of Idolatry, or Esoteric understanding while other creatures used magic as easy as breathing.

He acted upon this supposed slight and created the Arcanoclasts. It was his intention to use these magical Arcanoclasts to grant his kin the powers needed to defend themselves against the dangers of creation.

The Gods of Magic were greatly displeased by Nefir's actions, and as penance they smote the mortal and cast the seeds of his works adrift on the Winds of Magic. This fable has fed into the Legend that those that consume the Arcanoclasts of Nethir to be hated by the gods of Magic.

It is believed Arcanoclasts exist in a perpetual cycle of circulation; when a Arcanoclast user dies, their ability is reborn in a new fruit. Instead of growing from a plant, the ability simply regenerates inside the closet similar fruit.

When this happens, the empowered fruit changes appearance. Some characteristics of a fruit's transformation into a Arcanoclast include the stem becoming noticeably isometric than it was when the fruit was not endowed with magical energy. It also changes color and takes on the distinct patterns that Arcanoclasts are believed to have.

## Proficiency

After consuming an Arcanoclast, the user doesn’t automatically have mastery over their powers and must train themselves to properly use their new powers. The more the user understands their own capabilities, the greater the varieties of techniques the users can utilize, which eventually leads to the awakening itself. Those who cannot harness their Arcanoclast's power well will not be able to utilize their abilities to the fullest.

Proficiency also relates to the user's stamina. When ***exhausted***, one cannot use their powers properly and must rest to regain their strength.

## Strengths and Weaknesses

### Benefits of Consumption

The main attraction of eating a Arcanoclast is the power bestowed to the user upon ingestion. More often than not, the benefits and uses bestowed by a Arcanoclast far outweigh the side effects. Many of these powers are advantageous in combat; such as enhanced physical strength, a variety of unique attacks, and even controlling the forces of nature. There are also powers that are good for support; such as the ability to heal others, enhanced senses, and to create food out of nothing. Arcanoclast powers are so varied and mysterious, that the powers gained from eating one can serve purposes that may transcend normal limits.

Regardless of what power one receives, even ones that would normally be considered "weird" or "useless", can be utilized as a highly valuable asset both in and out of combat. What matters is the strength, skill, and creativity of the user. If nothing else, eating a Arcanoclast will not make its user any weaker.

Additionally, since each Arcanoclast user possesses a unique ability, they each require different countermeasures to deal with them, outside of the standard Arcanoclast weaknesses of Blightstone, magic weapons, and a vunerability to Anti-magic. As such, Arcanoclast users with odd or unfamiliar powers are very tricky to deal with in fight. The standard approach is to take a step back and experiment with different means of attack against the Arcanoclast user.

Arcanoclast powers are rare and highly coveted, with many people spending their entire lives seeking out just one specific Arcanoclast, with most of these seekers often ending up disappointed or dead.

### Consequences of Consumption

Arcanoclasts, despite all of their beneficial attributes, have a number of downsides. One such downside is that so little is really known about them. In some cases, an entire society can be completely unaware of the existence of Arcanoclasts. Due to this lack of information, and with many Arcanoclasts still being unknown, the average consumer is effectively gambling when consuming one, without knowing what powers the Arcanoclast will grant, potentially resulting in a power that is difficult for that particular person to work with.

Even if the power that Arcanoclast user gains is a useful one, a Arcanoclast user doesn’t automatically have control over their powers. All Arcanoclast users have to train to learn how to activate, control, and use their power. This process could potentially put the Arcanoclast user in a position that is painful and/or humiliating. Another downside is that, while many citizens can be fascinated by people with powers the rare items grant, others may consider a Arcanoclast user to be "a freak", "a monster", or even "a demon". With **no discernable way of removing the power**, an Arcanoclast user will end up leading a miserable life full of discrimination from those around them.

• A character finally surmounts one of their greatest fears, bravely facing an otherwise crippling phobia to save a party member.
• A character is beaten within an inch of their life by a long-hated foe, and in the face of such defeat, they feel a deep, dormant strength grow from within.
• A character overcomes a great obstacle in thier path, whether it is a mighty foe or insurmountable odds.
• A character loses a close ally in battle, and the anguish and fury stirs the power within their Arcanoclast.
• A character gains vengeance against a rival who has tormented them for ages.
• A character known for restraint gives in to the amoral, violent urges that the artifact was forged in.
***Generally, as a basic rule of thumb narratively an Arcanoclast will achieve Level 2 between levels 1-8, level 3 between levels 9-15, and Level 4 between levels 16-20. However, the moment of advancement ultimately lies within the preference of a DM, and when the appropriate moment presents itself.***

***Anti-magic Susceptibility***

While each arcanoclast can have unique weaknesses, the most prominent consequence of eating a Arcanoclast is a weakness to Antimagic. Antimagic Spheres and similar areas render the consumer incapacitated with a movement speed of 0, theologians posit this is the result of the Gods of Magic punishing those that sought the power arcanoclasts grant.

Additionally the spell Dispel magic has a stunning effect on Arcanoclast Consumers.

***Blightstone and Residium Crystal***

Blightstone has a nauseating effect on Arcanoclast users much in the same way as casters, and Residium Crystal upon contact with a Arcanoclast user, will drain the Consumer of their stamina and nullify their powers. Coming into contact with Residium has the same effect on a Arcanoclast users as if they were in a Antimagic field. This weakening effect only works upon direct and constant physical contact with the Acanorclast user in question, the effect stops immediately once the consumer is no longer in contact with the substance.

## Growth and Acquisition

Arcanoclasts exist in a cycle of perpetual reincarnation; when a consumer dies, their ability is reborn into a new fruit at some random location on the Material plane instead of growing from a plant, the ability simply regenerates inside another similar fruit which then transforms into the Arcanoclast in question.

When this happens, the empowered fruit changes appearance. Some standard characteristics of a fruit's transformation into a Arcanoclast include geometric markings and vibrant coloring Arcanoclasts are rumored to have.

It has been rumored that some consumer have tried to magically rid themselves of the fruit and its curse but such attempts have been ***ineffectual and fatal*** to the consumer. However those who eat an Arcanoclast tend to view them in a favorable light despite their drawbacks.

## Types Of Arcanoclasts

### Transmutive

The most common of the three Arcanoclast types Transmutive-type Arcanoclasts grant their users extranormal powers other than creature transformation or elemental transformation; such powers as shock wave generation and locking onto targets. Transmutive-types can alter features of the user's body such as a rubber physique or a body of blades. Some Transmutive-type Arcanoclasts allow the user to modify the people, objects, and environment around them, like by making things levitate or turning people into toys. Finally, there are some users that can generate and manipulate substances, such as wax and poison.

### Elemental

The rarest and most powerful of the three Arcanoclast types, Elemental-type Arcanoclasts allow their users to create, control, and transform their body into a natural element, such as ice, mud, smoke, fire, or darkness. The elemental transformation effectively makes the user intangible, as well as allowing the user to remain in control of their body, even when it is broken into pieces. They also gain every ability related to that element, such as sand being able to absorb moisture or lightning being able to travel through conductive objects.

### Mantling

The users of Mantling-type Arcanoclasts gain the ability to transform into an animal, as well as transform into a hybrid form of their own species and the species the Arcanoclast allows them to transform into. A recently discovered science allows Mantling-type Arcanoclasts to be integrated into objects, bringing the object to life and granting it the standard Mantling-type transformations. Carnivorous animal Mantling-type's are better suited for combat as they have more inherent bloodlust. Mantling-type Arcanoclasts have a number of sub-classifications, including:

#### **Mythical Mantling-type**

Mantling-type Arcanoclasts that allow the user to transform into Powerful Magical creatures, such as a nine tailed fox or a phoenix. Mythical Mantling-type creatures tend to have special powers, like a phoenix Mantling-type being able to generate flames that have healing powers. Mythical Mantling-types are the rarest type of Arcanoclast, even more so than Elemental-types.

#### **Ancient Mantling-type**

Mantling-type Arcanoclasts that allow the user to transform into an seemingly extinct species, such as dinosaurs. Ancient Mantling-type's are rare and they appear to be stronger than regular Mantling-types. They also increase the base strength and stamina of the user, even when they're not in a hybrid or full animal form.