General Studies (Tosima)

Below are the findings into various topics by many adventurers across Tosima, notably those of Freehearth via their studies at the library of Elderfall.

## Aes'ahn

*[...little is known of where the Aes'ahn had come. Some say they came upon ships upon the eastern shore from a far away land. Others tell tales of a great storm as they hailed from another world entirely, gods who made the journeys through the storms that enveloped the seas. Worshippers of the Aes'ahn speak only of the 'Otherworld', a land that is majestic, magical and blissful. It was there that these entities were born and granted their powers. These immortals whose powers rivalled the gods of our age. These titans that rose from waters upon ships, ships that bards would sing would become overgrown in vines and earth and form the lands we know now as Elysia...]*

*[...it is read in texts of ancient Firbolg clans that they were the first to clash with the Aes'ahn, who sought to rule the lands as Kings. Whilst some say they came to rule, they had not come to enslave. Yet still, steel would clash and blood would flow, only the Firbolg would rise again the next morn, resurrected by powerful magics. A seemingly endless war, in which thousands would fall, but none would die. Two months would pass before the Aes'ahn asked for their surrender, promising them their own lands within their great Kingdom. They would ask nothing of them, offering them their respect for the warriors that they were and their promising eternal protection against evil forces that might linger across their lands...]*

## The Alleged Avatar of Dagda

*Upon investigations to the nearby towns, including the capital, venturing the taverns, inns, markets and docks, probing enquires took place by Raisuboi. The following statements, rumours and information were discovered.*

* *"I heard he's as big a hill giant, a monster of a man! They say he pulls his own wagon across the lands without aid from creatures!"*
* *"The crops have grown wherever he has passed, he is said to be imbued with the magic of the Otherworld and entwined with the power nature!"*
* *"Rumour has it he has created miracles of birth in every village, leaving sons and daughters of the Father to act as vestiges of the blood of Aes'ahn"*
* *"Some have come to attack the village during his stay, and he's defended the people from these vagabonds and creature single handedly and without taking a single scratch!"*

## The Blight of Freehearth

After undergoing investigations into the blight afflicting the town of Freehearth, it becomes clear the not only the vegetation has being soiled with decay, but also the soil and earth itself, and the water supply in the surrounding areas. Recognising the growing blight, seeping outwards from the crypts below Kol's mound, it is discovered that this infection stems with the burials within the mound. With careful hands and tools, and solemn prayers for the desecration caused for the greater good, it is found that the decaying corpse of Rix is afflicted with a magical malady where everything they touch begins to decay in a contagious manner.

It is understood that whilst the body effectively serves as the source of the contamination, it cannot be fixed by the removal of the body alone or simply removing the intoxication of the corpse. Each blade of grass, grain of soil and person within the town are infected in their own way and now act as carriers of the disease. It is also understood, the signs of this disease have been noted in other villages in the Elderfall Kingdom.

The magic itself stems from a dark magic, that even Ludithas of Elderfall cannot comprehend, for it is not a magic found within spell-craft of the Demain, but rather outside of it. It is theorised that the magic used to create this abomination of a virus stemmed from whatever magic Azar had learnt from the book that they had found, and likely cast upon Rix before their demise.

With the expenditure of 200DT and 500gp, it is established that the disease can be removed from the town with the use of magics and manual labour to remove all infection from the earth and its peoples.

## Cold Iron

*[...forged in lower temperatures than traditional iron and steel, the delicate properties of the metallurgy are retained in a process that would otherwise destroy it. It is noted to be highly efficient material when fighting against fey and demons...]*

*[...whilst scholars have travelled to the lands of the Forgotten Realms in search of the secrets behind such metals, it has not been unravelled as to how or when it first created. During these travels, these very scholars were unable to find or investigate the very metals in question. Thus, it is the hypothesis that such steel that is crafted to gain an advantage over fey and demons is little more than myth. Those who do claim to wield such weapons are likely no more than enchanted weapons imbued with magics to harness such abilities, but not in the original forging of the metal...]*

## Curses

*[...curses are malign magical effects applied to unsuspecting persons, though the power of such curses can range from somewhat uncommon effects that can be reversed by a simple Remove Curse spell casting, all the way to a near unending effect to the harshest degree, that can be only overturned by means of a Wish spell by an expert and learned mage. In some cases, though rare, even a Wish spell may not be able to diminish the effects of a curse, with the only cure being an accord struck with the creator, or their demise...]*

*[...theorists of the arcane have suggested that where a Wish spell could be applied, but with the absence of high-ability mage, a coven can be formed to perform a ritual using the components of a Remove Curse spell over a period lasting an hour or longer. This coven-based ritual can reach the safe abjuration effect of a Wish spell when done correctly. Though this may not be possible for all curses, with some sages believing that coven-based rituals call upon the darker strands and strings of the Demain, though these rituals are more commonly practiced by the Draoi...]*

## Fiendish Families

*[...families within the realms of fire and hell seldom exist, for children born between devils are believed to be dangerously powerful within the hierarchy of fiends, for they may inherent powers from both father and mother, granting them powers beyond their years and potentially upset the hierarchy of the chain of power. Due to the conniving nature of devils, these offspring with inherited powers often seek to take their parent's place and position through their destruction at their hands. As such, devils are warned against such acts...]*

*[...in lieu of true children, the few worshippers of devils within Elysia have been known to talk of their patrons and fiendish benefactors are maternal or paternal figures, possibly owing to a brooding nature of fiends who seek such relationships without the threat of being betrayed and overthrown by their offspring. Fiendish patrons have been known to be overly protective of their servants, and dote upon them to the point of creating spoilt warlock who grow ever demanding of their patrons. Though this often ends in the demise of the these worshippers before another is found and the cycle continues...]*

## Gortbaun

*[...the village of Gortbaun and its citizens have undergone a series of of unfortunate events since the disappearance of their Elder, Sadanna al-Baahish, with many praying for his return and an end to their misery. Under the Elder, they had seen prosperous growth of their agriculture and a steady supply of marine life in their rivers and lakes. But all of their fortune has slipped away since...]*

*[...when fish began to disappear from their rivers, villagers began wandering to the stream and travelling the banks in search of any life. Though there was a blossoming of herbs and flora, there appeared to be no sign of fish...]*

*[...one peculiar note that had been discovered was glistening scales around the forest, and a new river that had emerged and led into the forest itself. When villagers entered the forest they found themselves met with groans, whispers, moving trees and vines that warded them away. Though none had returned harmed, they feared that if they were not to heed the warnings of Danu's garden then they would upset her...]*

## Hatred, the Wrathful Edge

*[...an axe called Hatred? The Wrathful Edge? Well... erm... that sounds... interesting I suppose. A little off-putting if anything. I don't think weapons tend to be named in such a way if it were not fitting for its power. Or the creator itself is largely self-indulgent and perhaps a little narcissistic. Sounds demonic, if not infernal. Sadly my knowledge of weaponry can't help you beyond that. Whatever it might be, I would steer clear if I were you!...]*

*[...I can't say it is a name I have come across, but based on your own experience with it, it does tend to point in a certain direction. For an infernal to take any interest in such a creation, it would undoubtedly possess powers beyond what they may deem reasonable for a mortal being to possess. This would be a number of things, but the at the top of list would some degree of sentiency of the blade. A rarity in itself, but a great powerful being stuck inside a weapon is a tale as old as time itself. You'd think they'd have come up with a way to counter such an occassion by now. Perhaps these devils aren't quite as smart as they make themselves out to be!...]*

*[...there was a tale once upon a time, long before the years of Eskarya. A tale perhaps saturated into a bedtime story that mothers would tell their children. The tale of a dark titan from the age of the Fomorians. The tale have a moral of the story, that if you were to let anger and hatred consume you then you would end up like Imeall-Gráin. The name which translates to Wrath and Hate, or close enough to it. In the tale he was a Fomorian of great and immense strength, whose hatred would blind him to the point of seeking the blood of enemy and friend alike. So much so that greater beings took note and saw him as a potential weapon in realms beyond the material plane... legend says they did just that. Snapped up in the midst of battle. And so the mother's tale went on for centuries, 'keep your calm, watch your temper, or devils will come and snatch you from your home'...]*

## Hierarchy of Devils

*[...the Baatezu, or denizens of Baator, most commonly referred to as 'devils' have a strict social structure and hierarchy based upon strength and power. The lowest among them being creatures known as Nupperibo and Lemure. From them, they are outranked by Spinagon before being led by Abishai, Barbazu, Osyluth, Hamatula and Amnizu, each of which outranks the former. Following this chain of command, it is believed that the ranks follow as the Kocrachon, Erinyes, Cornugon, Gelugon and then Pit Fiends...]*

*[...these learnings and recorded theories are largely presented by travellers from outside the Realms of Elysia, as far as Eberron, Toril, Greyhawk and Ahlus. Whilst it is theorized that the structure of fiends within Elysia is likely the same, there are no known adventurers who have ventured to the plane of hells within the planes of Elysia. And due to the juvenile lifespan of the planes outside the material, it is unknown how close to outside sources the places of Elysia are to be compared. What is known is that the ruler of the hells is an entity known as Caoránach, rather than the commonly known entity, Asmodeus. Whether this Caoránach is merely an alias and moniker, or indeed an aspect of Asmodeus is presently unknown...]*

## Mortals Against Devils

*[...few would dare to cross blades with devil-kin, fiends who wander the planes of hell in service to the great mother of fiends. She who came Sojourn, she who made home upon this world to create a plane in the image of her own essence, to invoke fear upon mortals and command armies to rule as both mother and Queen...]*

*[...whilst devils are known for their vicious and vindictive nature, the greater fear held for fiends of their kind are their intelligence and charm when beguiling their foes and enemies, seeking truce and deals that further their own agendas and pull pawns into play and service to the mother. And few would reject a deal made by such a powerful entity, moreso when gifts and promises are made in return...]*

*[...those brave few who would call themselves protectors against the hells would be cause in their approach and attack, for fire and poison would grant no purchase in their strikes. Their thickened hides and physiology seemingly unscathed and unhindered by such weaponry. Cold is oft avoided too. Whilst a strike may land, the result may not be what a brave soldier may expect, as their infernal resistance and blood boiling flesh all but consumes cold energy. A devil might call it a tickle, but a scratch none the less. Just as weapons that have not been silvered and anointed by the church will find, their strikes brushed off and would need a thousand cuts to bring a devil to its end. Though other enchantments may serve the very same purpose above silver...]*

*[...whilst this research is based on true events, and offers aid to those who may come up against fiends within our world, this guidance should not be mistaken for instructions. This author holds no responsibility for any seeking to confront devils or fiends of any kind...]*

## Oneirology & Symbology

*[...visions and dreams are often perceived to be the imagery of one's subconscious, as emotions, ambitions and fear manifest themselves in a way that forms symbols and codes that the lucid host will seek to decipher during consciousness...]*

*[...some of a more experimental knowledge and study since the Lachla Shards have oft perceived that dreams can be a connection to the multiverse, with dreams being truth and reality of their other self, an echo of their very essence that exists upon another timeline and dimension...]*

##### Pickle's Dreams

The blazing fires and infernos, once scrawled upon parchment, shown to sages and researchers within the Elderfall library have been compared, analysed and presented texts and tomes that depict similar imagery. Of the five notable people who have been questioned, three have shared imagery of what researcher's believe the Nine Hells would appear, based upon reports and stories of those with similar visions and in their meetings of fiends. Whilst the remaining two fervently disagreed, believing the opposite to be true, with the imagery being more akin to the Abyss, ignoring the inferno flames and looking more to the topography.

## Ravenguard Heights

*[...the Ravenguard Heights have, for many centuries, proven to be a tenacious region that borders both Elderfall and Ravencourt. Largely due to its proximity to entrances to the Underdark, and Hill Giants who travel down from the Ravenguard Heights to pillage, enslave and feed. Whilst the latter have become less prominent since the fall of Tosima and rise of the Aes'ahn worship in the lands, the threat of the Underdark remain palpable within the region...]*

*[...In addition, due to the topography and proximity to the eastern seas, many settlements along the coast have, for many, many centuries, been vulnerable and prone to sea raids and acts of piracy. It has been noted that close to northern caverns within the heights, a settlement of pirates and raiders has been established as a near permanent fixture. Due to sitting very close to the border between both regions, and the distant relationship they share, neither have been able to effectively remove them from their territories...]*

## Titan Bone

Hard as steel, if not more dense, the bone does not react to elements like the common organic material in most. Being able to withstand with complete immunity to bludgeoning, piercing and slashing modes to deconstruction. Logic would dictate that empowered and magical weaponry would be able to bypass this immunity, and to some extent it does prove fruitful, though not to the degree one would expect. Testing its robustness against other forms of energy, the bone again proves itself to be highly dense and able to withstand the majority of damage inflicted by fire, acid, lighting, thunder and cold. Without sentiency, it is impossible to detect its affection for psychic. And without a living host, the mystery remains around necrotic. Interestingly, there appears to be some form of reaction to radiancy. The damage, clear and expected, but an energy seems to repulse upon contact of radiant damage that cannot be ascertained.

With knowledge of how to damage the bone, however painstaking a time it may take (in this case an hour to slowly carve through the bone), it does appear that a secondary exoskeleton exists beneath the bone. A material akin to an organic form of adamantine, as though a dark and sturdy stone exists within the core of the skeleton.

There also seems to be a supernatural energy to the portion of this cadaver, as it appears to simmer and dim lights within the rooms it is in, bringing a darkness where possible. And a warmth to the touch of the bone. This very supernatural energy seems to continue from afar, for when the assessor sleeps within a proximity near or less to 30ft, dark visions and apparitions related to the victim's darkest fears seep into the mind, causing a restlessness and incapability of rest and the desired effects of a rest. The condition caused by the bone appears to be guarded by a box crafted from led, though faint visions still tend to creep through from time to time, but no lasting effect to one's rest lingers.

## Tosima (Capital)

*[...the capital of Tosima has had many names during history of the land. When the continent was then ruled by celestials, commonly referred to as God Emperors for those who ruled upon the throne, the capital was named after the continent itself, Elysia. Following the overthrowing of the divine bloodline, it would be renamed but follow the same tradition, being bestowed the name of Tosima after the royal family that would claim it from the celestials. Following the eventual demise of the line, tradition would be broken and end the nepotistic and self-indulgent theme and instead be known as Valenguard, due to the proximity to the Valour Mountains and in light of the defence it would now stand before tyranny...]*

*[...the capital was built upon the edge of the Tosima lake in the centre of the continent, being believed to be a place of great worship and the eventual home to a renown dragon-kin with expansive knowledge of the land and magic...]*

*[...it is heavily suggested that within the capital, a great vault was built by the first God-Emperors, in which is held artifacts of great value and celestial power. Scholars have pondered whether the contents of the vault may offer insight into the origins of their bloodline, power and how they came to call themselves rulers of the land...]*

## Warlock Patrons

*[...Warlocks are seekers of the knowledge that lies hidden in the fabric of the multiverse, Through pacts made with mysterious beings of supernatural power, warlocks unlock magical effects both subtle and spectacular. Drawing on the ancient knowledge of beings such as fey nobles, demons, devils, hags, and alien entities of the Far Realm, warlocks piece together arcane secrets to bolster their own power...]*

*[...Warlocks are driven by an insatiable need for knowledge and power, which compels them into their pacts and shapes their lives, This thirst drives warlocks into their pacts and shapes their later careers as well. Stories of warlocks binding themselves to fiends are widely known, But many warlocks serve patrons that are not fiendish. Sometimes a traveler in the wilds comes to a strangely beautiful tower, meets its fey lord or lady, and stumbles into a pact without being fully aware of it. And sometimes, while poring over tomes of forbidden lore. a brilliant but crazed student's mind is opened to realities beyond the material world and to the alien beings that dwell in the outer void. Once a pact is made, a warlock's thirst for knowledge and power can't be slaked with mere study and research. No one makes a pact with such a mighty patron if he or she doesn't intend to use the power thus gained. Rather, the vast majority of warlocks spend their days in active pursuit of their goals. which typically means some kind of adventuring. Furthermore, the demands of their patrons drive warlocks toward adventure....]*

*[...in the known universe, patrons of magic can take many forms, including but not limited to; Archfey, Celestials, Deep Sea Entities, Fiends, Genies, Otherwordly Entities, Sentient Weapons and the Undead. What these patrons may demand in exchange for such powers varies from patron to patron. For some, it might be their worship, others their souls. Some may come to a formal arrangement of exchanging powers for a specific mission or task. No two deals are alike, though most are made with ulterior motives and rarely to the benefit of the warlock...]*

## Whereabouts of Dagda

*[...oh I heard about him! He's been granting people three wishes, like a genie or something. I would wish for a thousand wishes, and then i'd use up nine-hundred and ninety-nine wishes, and then wish for a thousand more wishes. Or maybe two thousand, but I should stick with a number so I don't forget it, otherwise I'd use them all up. What would you wish for? He doesn't grant wishes? What do you mean? Oh, he answers prayers? Those are basically wishes though, right? I'd pray to be a King. Oh, I think I heard he was in Achlyne maybe?...]*

*[...that is blasphemy my good ser. Such a being does not walk amongst mortals. The man is nought for a con artist and a vagabond. You would do well not to spread these sinful lies across her Majesty's Kingdom. I would not dare tell a soul where he might be, for I will not see others fall to his trickery. By the gods, he's been committing adultery everywhere he goes. Is this truly the work of the father?! You should mind yourself and rethink your understanding of Dagda if you have truly been enthralled by that vagabond's ruse. Good day ser... I SAID GOOD DAY!...]*

*[...Dagda? Yeah, heard he's been making his way down the coast. Last heard he was in Achlyne, but started heading east, Thought he might turn up here in Elderfall, but nothing yet. People have started gathering here though, hearing he might be heading here. You hoping to get prayers answered yourself? Maybe he stops along the way? But he hear he tends to stick around a town for a few moons when he arrives...]*

## Withering Geas

The ritual itself is written in an archaic druidic language, though after some time and effort, an accurate translation is found for the verbal, somatic and material components.

*[...a ritual time of 6 hours, with no interruption, the components must be given and song chanted until its completion. Know that thee whom cast this spell shall give up their humanity to gain what they so desire. Churned and mortared into a dragon horn bowl, the bark of the yellow tree and essence of the fey. Broken and liquified, the pores of a myconid. A concoction mixed and stirred, left to rot over 7 days. To the darkness, where the blighted concentration must go, deep beneath the earth to feed upon faerzress to give it life once more...]*

*[...standing upon hexagram incursal, lines drawn of infused iccor, arms risen and wrapped in leaves and bark, sing the song upon the eve of a eclipse moon, ending only upon the lunar's bare with blade upon flesh, speaking the incantation of geas words before thrusting blade upon heart to bind the words...]*

*[...words spoken, a promise sung, a duty bidden until dawn's end. Until complete or destroyed, a watchful eye upon that which you seek to protect, no matter the cause, no matter the prey...]*

***Eirich o'n talamh, eirich o'n bhàs. (Rise from earth, rise from death.)***

***Thoir d' anam, thoir do chorp. (Give thy soul, give thy body.)***

***Gus an deireadh, mhallaich an soitheach so. (Until the end, this vessel cursed.)***

***Gus do thagradh a dheanamh, gun tàmh gus. (To do thy bidding, no rest until.)***

A powerful spell, one that cannot be deemed to be reversed or reversed engineered, though likely undone through means of a Wish spell, permitting that the souls remains willing, for it was willingly given at time of casting. Notably, it does not suggest through research that the spell requires any level of arcane prowess, suggesting that the magics and powers of the incantation are given by a higher power, rather than expended by a caster.