Shari Whitpeth takes her role as one of Wichi’s guides and pathfinders very seriously. Her Dwarven heritage allows her to withstand some of the effects of the adverse weather conditions, though it does not grant her immunity. Her life’s goal is to one day travel past the northern limits, and draw her own map of what lies beyond. Failing that, she insists that a good mead will suffice for the interim.

#WorthKnowingAboutgust #Lore24 23/8/24

Cliffdive is a kenku artisan that plies her trade within the town of Nonjasseum. Originally planning to be a champion gladiator, it became swiftly apparent that her skills were lacking to say the least. However, she is talented with painting and other arts, and has taken inspiration from the noble fighters around to create a collectable card game, so she might fight vicariously. People gossip that her name comes from her signature cry of victory.

#WorthKnowingAboutgust #Lore24 24/8/24

Mirik, a blue scaled Dragonborn, operates one of the many printing presses within Umpton. Though his innate abilities don’t make much of an impact in his day-to-day life, he has had to use his imposing physique to safeguard the secrets of the printing press. Though blinded in an industrial accident, he manages with the aid of a tipped cane, sweeping and tapping as he goes, years of experience guiding his steps. Mirik prefers printing books to money.

#WorthKnowingAboutgust #Lore24 25/8/24

Steadfast is a warforged based out of Danis, where they claim to be the greatest detective in the world. Granted, their success rate seems to back up that claim. But from solving the all-too frequent murder cases in the city to finding lost (usually stolen) property, some are suspicious of their methods; even going as far as to declare that Steadfast themself is the perpetrator of the crimes only to then reap the rewards of “solving” them.

#WorthKnowingAboutgust #Lore24 26/8/24

Angelique Arata is a demure, diminutive, and delightful aasimar. On the outside. Past the surface, she is one of the more sadistic creatures to find residence in Agùe. Primarily working as an enforcer for one of the many gangs in the city, very few people know that she also serves the Commune of the Voices. In return for delivering pain and accomplishing their tasks, the Voices afford her a supernatural strength, allowing her to keep up with her peers.

#WorthKnowingAboutgust #Lore24 27/8/24

Subject #491 is a fascinating topic. Deep within the wards of Paana-Dûl, an indentified male Goliath sleeps. Counter to all belief, record logs and evidence says that 491 has been on the island since before the Day of Folly. Which means he has outlived the standard lifespan of his kin. Attempts to probe into his mind or wake him fail. Occasionally, 491 sleepwalks, performing some unknown activity in an unconscious state.

#WorthKnowingAboutgust #Lore24 28/8/24

Joy is a tiefling that ran afoul of one of the servants of The Absent King while exploring the world. Though she escaped with her life, she did not escape unscathed. Missing an eye, and one of her horns, she suffers a curse that compels her to help with any task she hears about. Under the King’s Authority of Nodoye, she carries a letter of forgiveness should she be compelled to commit crimes against her will, to be repaid by the crown.

#WorthKnowingAboutgust #Lore24 29/8/24

Paws For Consideration is one of the Tabaxi that make their homes within the Jungles of Wheng. She works primarily as a scout and enforcer for the clans hidden away in their tropical cities. Recently, Paws has made a habit of travelling between the settlements to try and broaden her knowledge, even if it remains amongst her own people. On one of her trips, she discovered a bird that seemingly dies every morning and revives every night.

#WorthKnowingAboutgust #Lore24 30/8/24

Kale Yewguard monitors trade across the Daylen river. It's not the busiest route in the world, but it sees enough that he rarely complains. Using his natural centaur endurance, he is able to keep up with people that try to flee from inspection and toll payment. Kale's reputation as an honourable sort and person who can't be bribed is unfortunately known amongst the crime families that would prefer to use the river.

#WorthKnowingAboutgust #Lore24 31/8/24

A gateway to the darker side of magic, Umbraturgy is a spell for beginners who want to dabble in such matters. On a command, a user can alter the size and shape of a person’s shadow to resemble another creature, or even a specific person if they are familiar enough with them. You can also blur the outline of a shadow to hide the identity of its owner. With enough practice, one could compel the shadow to take more of a corporeal form, and hide someone in plain sight.

#Spelltember #Lore24 1/9/24

Those in service to The One Below can call on their aid to hurt their foes. By smearing a small amount of glue on their hands and speaking the incantation, they can summon illusory tentacles to rise from the ground and cause bolts of pain to ripple through their target’s body. As a side effect, to all who see them, they appear to be corrupted and partially decayed by water for a period of time. The spell is named after its pioneer, Tudah Salwe.

#Spelltember #Lore24 2/9/24

While the chromatic effect of Cinera is isolated to the island and its immediate surroundings, with practice, magical practitioners have been able to copy some of its power. With a touch, concentrating on a particular colour, and with a bit of candle wax, they can press their hand on a willing participant, and leave a handprint on their skin. Over 24 hours, the print will fade, but while it lasts, the affected will become resistant to the associated element.

#Spelltember #Lore24 3/9/24

Inspired by the fearful nature of Lym, innovative magicians have managed to distill the effect into a simple incantation. Designating a target and invoking the name of Altreta the Small, First of the Silver, the target starts exuding an aura of intense fear. Should anyone get too close, they have to fight the rising fear within, or be forced to flee. If not performed properly, the target of the spell also takes on a ghastly visage for the duration of the magic.

#Spelltember #Lore24 4/9/24

The study of healing magic is one of many pursuits undertaken at institutes and institutions on Paana-Dûl. As such, enterprising premedicos looking to elevate their stations push against the safeguards of healing eastablished when the Divinities brokered the covenants of protection. By wilfully channeling healing energy and holding it, healers can ensure that a person will revive instead of perishing, unleashing the excess in a concussive blast.

#Spelltember #Lore24 6/9/24

Among the Druidic circles of the Nasè Grove, there is a belief of ancestor worship. Not that one’s ancestors become powerful, but that they can observe from wherever they end up. Using a six-sided die as a spell focus, magical practitioners can temporarily summon a spirit to their aid in the hopes of understanding the world better. While the spirit is present, it will translate anything in a specific language, but will abstain from other topics.

#Spelltember #Lore24 7/9/24

Charmingly referred to as “Condensation”, a spell was developed using the initial studies of the ruins of Bul-Ji-Ma and its effects on magic. Realising what had befallen the engines of the citadel on its descent, scholars practiced compressing and simultaneously inverting the flow of magic. The result is a spell that, using any liquid as a catalyst, will adhere to targets and allow the caster to focus on it, pushing it inwards to cause harm at will, until removed.

#Spelltember #Lore24 8/9/24

Saltburn - A spell devised by the scholars of Gomun from observing oceanic currents and underwater activity. Utilising knowledge of the components of seawater and the interaction of thermal vents, a caster can extract raw salt from the water and heat it to make it adhesive before launching it outwards. Those affected will find their muscles seizing up, causing them to slow down. The salt also weakens armour, though isn’t a permanent effect unless it’s metal.

#Spelltember #Lore24 9/9/24

For those brave, confident, or delusional enough to try, there are ways to channel the Voices without being one of their dominated souls. By calling forth a Maddening Whisper, users can push the Voices into the minds of their targets, dealing psychic pain. But if the target is mentally prepared or otherwise strong enough to resist, the spell backfires, and the Voices revel in a new mind to explore. The user takes damage and also is overwhelmed for a time.

#Spelltember #Lore24 10/9/24

Once, an unknown adventurer presented himself to the Repository of Nuvain, claiming to be the Head Custodian. Of course, no one had ever heard of him, even in the Authenticator’s Guild, and those he claimed as family. Despite his lack of identity, he exhibited skill in the arcane arts, demonstrating a spell he called the Mage Collar. A spectral collar would appear on a mage, with a matching ring in his hand, and would cause pain whenever they would use any magic.

#Spelltember #Lore24 11/9/24

There are many odd magical occurrences across #Matea to draw inspiration from when theorycrafting on the creation of magic. One clever soul, using the hand of a clock and a page of a calendar, wove a spell that, when cast, would allow a person to become intangible to the world while in motion, but solid while at rest. Unfortunately, it was deemed unfit for purpose, as it counted ANY motion, such as attempting to take unowned items from their rightful place.

#Spelltember #Lore24 12/9/24

The need for “creative problem solving” as it is called among the criminal elements, or “plans for robbery” by the law-abiding, has pushed innovation in many fields, including the arcane arts. One such technique is called the Hook Shot. The user focuses on a small mirrored surface and pushes their will towards it. A glowing blue dart bounces off the mirror and a number of other surfaces before finding its target, unlocking a door, or harming a person. Either/or.

#Spelltember #Lore24 13/9/24

A surprisingly versatile spell that has found its way into the commercial sector, Adjust has a very specific use case. With simply a handful of water, a focused caster can alter the size and cut of any piece of clothing in sight. Traditionally, this means it isn’t a polite thing to do to the unsuspecting. However, it does have some use in an antagonistic situation, as the shrinking of clothing can cause painful compression. Notably, it does not work on armour.

#Spelltember #Lore24 14/9/24

By sacrificing a bottle of grease, the Fleetfoot spell is not only useful for messengers and couriers, but has also found use in combat. During the 10 minutes the magic affects the person, they can focus their increased celerity into empowering their speed of travel, diverting it to their attacks, or into their senses to make time feel like it is slowing, giving them more opportunity to manoeuvre away from harm. This spell is banned in the Colosseum.

#Spelltember #Lore24 15/9/24

For as long as life has existed on #Matea, people have been enraptured by the twin, dancing suns. From their effects of daily eclipses, to the amount and quality of light they project. In studying the strength of nocturnal darkness, scholars have discovered a way to channel it to their will. The Shroud of Flaun causes a field of darkness to emerge from the caster, while allowing a small number of others to see through it, unhindered.

#Spelltember #Lore24 16/9/24

Just as positive energy can be channeled to restore health and vitality, its opposite number can be used in a number of ways that many consider harmful, though scholars note that to be a moralistic impression, and not how logical operates. Thus, the spell known as Vengeance Smokescreen is deemed appropriate for use. Causing smoke to rise around a target, it drains energy equal to the caster’s amount of positive energy. With enough taken, the spell sustains itself.

#Spelltember #Lore24 17/9/24

Those of the religious persuasion will say that the strongest power one can wield is their faith. Taking this to arguable leaps of logic, wielders of magic created the Wish of the Fateshifter spell. By sacrificing part of their own life in a devoted prayer to the Sister of Fate, one with enough belief can reverse time in a localised area for everyone and everything but themselves, and those outside the area.

#Spelltember #Lore24 18/9/24

Originally designed for minor illusory effects to supplement dramatic performances, the good intentions behind The Last Laugh were twisted by a former first chair bard as a revenge for his removal in favour of a more talented and younger performer. Now, while critically weakened, a caster can channel their pain into the minds of others, forming a temporary link between them. While remaining injured, the pain lingers within the affected people.

#Spelltember #Lore24 19/9/24

The banditry and general lawlessness of the twinned cities of Inssè and Aguè is well known. Because of this, the ruling gang leaders of Aguè leant more towards eldritch power over the more physical approach of their Inssè counterparts. Thus, they developed a powerful spell to hide themselves from farsight. Each casting requires the destruction of a focus worth 1000 dollars, but will not only hide their location, but feed a false image instead for one whole day.

#Spelltember #Lore24 20/9/24

From the ruins of Silwa’na, scavengers and scholars from Dun discovered an inherent magical essence lingering around reflective surfaces. Through rigorous study, those of the arcane persuasion found a way to utilise the energy within. Projecting an illusion of mirrors from directly in front of them, a caster can momentarily trap a number of people in an illusion that leaves them paralysed as their mind reconciles with reality once more.

#Spelltember #Lore24 21/9/24

One of the many patients within the healing halls of Paana-Dûl, Hambry Ember-eyed, a halfling journalist, seeks treatment to ensure he never dreams. He claims it is because he has travelled to, and escaped from, Ta’terra. Through bouts of terror, he describes how residents expertly use pain for their pleasure; even detailing a spell that can inflict a growing pain on themselves or others to strengthen their physical capabilities, pushing to new limits.

#Spelltember #Lore24 22/9/24

The Tabaxi are renowned storytellers. One tale they are fond of in adventuring circles is of Mee-koko, a halfling warrior clad in red, faster than the wind. By enchanting her blade in a crimson energy, she dashes around her opponents faster than the eye can see, attacking each, and leaving them vulnerable. The energy bolsters her defence in response to how many she faces, as she defies fate.

Sightings of this fictional individual have been heard, but unconfirmed.

#Spelltember #Lore24 23/9/24

As not all uses of positive energy are helpful, not all uses of negative energy are harmful. Such is the case with the spell known as Indignation. By unleashing a field of negative energy, a caster can grant themselves and a number of allies around them an aura of undeath. Should any of them fall while under this aura, there is a chance they will simply continue to live instead. But in payment, the caster suffers harsh muscle cramps as the energy fades.

#Spelltember #Lore24 24/9/24

Lym’s Obelisk - By using the blood of a slain creature, no more than 24 hours before, one can summon a singular obsidian pillar to temporarily rise in any location of their choice. For the duration of its physical existence, those within its radius become sickened, assailed by psychic visions that cause them gradual harm. Once the pillar vanishes, the ground beneath is scarred; unable to sustain any life for a full year, and poisonous to consume.

#Spelltember #Lore24 25/9/24

There are druidic circles that specialise in the growth and cultivation of funguses and mushrooms, outside of the larger Nasè Grove. In their studies, they developed a spell uncreatively named “Conjure Memoryshroom”. By spending an hour focusing, a caster can create a mushroom that can be used to record sound in memories. Casting this spell again creates portable, smaller copies of a single memory. Some refer to this process as “fungal pod-casting”.

#Spelltember #Lore24 26/9/24

Used in the Family War, the Thirsting Blade spell saw terrifyingly effective use by the Sister’s allied forces. By coating a weapon or hand of ammunition in one’s own blood, it will carry an enchantment to draw the vitality from one’s foes, transferring it to the caster, whether they made the strike or not. This kept previously assumed weak targets up and fighting for longer than any had anticipated, based on their physicality.

#Spelltember #Lore24 27/9/24

Though most magic comes from mortal kind, it occasionally occurs among the creatures of #Matea. Rarely, in a nest of Saylen, one might appear with a stronger ability in magic. Empowering their natural talents, they can steal the voice of their target, rendering them mute while their voice is no longer with them. Others have tried to replicate this effect, but found that without the natural saylen physiology, there is an elemental magical backlash to the user.

#Spelltember #Lore24 28/9/24

Searching for a way to cheat death, the archmage Lyndon Panitori researched all the ways that magic could be used to harm people, but specifically, him. Though unsuccessful in the pursuit of immortality, he leaves behind a legacy in the arcane ritual of Flesh Mutability. After performing the steps of the ritual, the user is rendered invulnerable to blunt force for 24 hours. This also confers the ability to stretch their limbs, and be squashed flat.

#Spelltember #Lore24 29/9/24

Glance Of The Rested - A spell imported to the Material Plane by visiting fey; in stronger applications, it can influence people to fall asleep for great lengths of time. But in most cases, it induces a temporary narcolepsy, causing afflicted creatures to suffer intermittent microsleeps. No one has been able to work out exactly what benefit being asleep has to those of the Brightfields, and at this point, are afraid to get a definitive answer.

#Spelltember #Lore24 30/9/24

With the unmaking of manasteel, the weakening of magic, and the overall calamity of The Fall, many people had to learn new methods to continue their lifestyle. Some, even turning to practices considered archaic or no longer necessary in the modern magitechnological societies of #Matea. Individuals who paved the way for new ideas and ways to survive in a new, uncertain world. Those who salvaged from the wreckage of the past to find a forward path.

This is #SubclOctober.

#Lore24 1/10/24