Sting of the Winter Court
Weapon (any ranged weapon or weapon with the thrown property), uncommon (requires attunement)
The metal used in this weapon is tinted dark, and it always feels cold to the touch. When you hit with an attack with this weapon while hidden, choose one of the following effects:
• Your attack deals an extra 1d4 cold damage.
• Your target must make a Wisdom (Perception) check contested by your Dexterity (Stealth) check. If you win, you remain hidden.

#Lore24 30/08/24 #Auvia

The Forefront Blade
Weapon (any slashing weapon), Magicked Legacy (requires attunement)
This weapon bears a symbol of a sword cleaving a shield in twain. You can only attune to it if you have intervened to take a blow that would have felled one of your allies.
When you first acquire the Forefront Blade, it is a +1 weapon of its type, but otherwise appears mundane.

The power of this Magicked Legacy will grow alongside your legend, reputation, and status as an adventurer.

#Lore24 31/08/24 #Auvia

Time to delve into details of people all across #Auvia: adventurers, organisations, and more besides.

On occasion, a town or city may host guests from the Lyrosaris, a rather enigmatic order headquartered deep in the Wild Untamed. These strangers, surprisingly well-informed, offer trades in knowledge to any who are willing to learn and grow - but they always deal in fair trades for all involved.

A Lyrosaris may also recruit adventuring parties to aid them, if only for a time.

#Lore24 01/09/24

Rienna the Wolf Who Walks By Herself is a wood-elven Lyrosaris. She collects details about the wildlands of #Auvia and trades mainly with the Khavan people. In exchange for the warning that a pack of veyahns was on approach to a Khavan camp, she learned the basics of druidic magicks from the camp's ranger.

Rienna despises slavers, but uses their greed to her advantage. She trades with them only to double-cross them later: her dire wolf form shows them how she got her title.

#Lore24 02/09/24

Valora is a tiefling born and raised in Espre. Xer family regularly travelled between Espren cities for work, and xe quickly took to life on the road, never really settling down anywhere for extended periods.

When xe's in town, Valora is an excellent source of gossip about the local happenings. Xe can usually be found in a local plaza, cart and all: xe sets up a portable kitchen operating out of the cart, selling fresh-cooked meals to all and sundry at fair prices.

#Lore24 03/09/24 #Auvia

Despite international relations across #Auvia, branches of the faith in the Seven Gods maintain chapters, temples, and meeting halls in every nation. The Order of the Empty Sheath is one such group, devoted to resolving conflicts with as little violence as possible. Its members are often identified by the scabbard they wear on one hip without a sword to match it.

Prominent members of the order might be clerics of the Peace domain, or paladins who swear the Oath of Redemption.

#Lore24 04/09/24

Kurupaera is a wandering sprite who came to #Auvia from the Summer Court to "take in the sights, go where the sun guides me, and weigh the hearts of mortals". He is unusual for a fey of the Summer Court in that he is especially curious about the ways of men, and will freely offer to make pacts with them outside of the authority of his Court.

Though he may be small of stature, Kurupaera is no stranger to combat, as more than a few have tried to capture him for study or ransom.

#Lore24 05/09/24

Ata-Dari is perhaps better known for her adventuring nickname of Dragonfist, earned after punching a dragonling out of the air. Her long career as an adept has led many to petition her for training. However, this battle-seasoned orclin has a keen eye for lack of discipline.

Dragonfist has no time for people who think they know it all. She prefers to work with inexperienced youths, helping to shape them into who they wish to be - just as she reshaped herself.

#Lore24 06/09/24 #Auvia

The name Black Cat is known in all corners of every nation. To some, they are a notorious criminal to be captured on sight. To others, they are a hero sticking it to those who deserve it. And to many, they are the stuff of faerie tales. Everyone has a story to tell, from emptying a Rhizeli vault without opening the door, to ransacking three Iohnite ports in one night, to outbargaining a fiend of Zhel. Nobody knows their true identity, and that lends more to their infamy.

#Lore24 07/09/24 #Auvia

Every Aeskellian ship worth her salt has a dedicated chanter among the crew. Brand the Belter is no exception. A lander from one of the snowbound isles, he earned his nickname quickly after singing loud enough for neighbouring ships in the fleet to hear.

When ashore, he can usually be found in any of the myriad taverns, singing traditional tunes such as the Saga of Captain Tief, The Bosun's Daughter, Lost Marauders, and a regular favourite, The Whalerman.

#Lore24 08/09/24 #Auvia

Xaralith aur Ferrox is the head of the Thaun family Ferrox, and one of the many elected representatives in the nation's Conclave. Re-elected thrice to his position, he has reliably shown that he is a charismatic individual with the wherewithal to make good on his promises - unlike some, who enjoy the benefits and prestige of being a Conclave representative for their own sake and couldn't give a whit about much else.

#Lore24 09/09/24 #Auvia

Ioh-Né's magickal research divisions are frustrated by many things. The exact details of what makes a warlock pact are one of them. The voidblade Callista is one such warlock, sworn to serve her nation and her patron both. She was saved from bandits by the Blademaster's intervention, and entered into a pact to repay her debt.

The Blademaster has yet to impart to Callista more than they care to. Though she isn't worried. She understands them. Or she thinks she does.

#Lore24 10/09/24 #Auvia

Khava has no dedicated temples to the Seven Gods, but they still revere Them as any other nation. The goblin Oduna the Reader is the head priest of the Echoed Cry clan. As such, he is looked to as a counsellor, confidant, and messenger between mankind and the gods.

Oduna takes his work seriously. Though he pays homage to all the Seven, he is a servant of Losastra first and foremost, guiding the clan on their nomadic path through fates divined from the stars in the sky.

#Lore24 11/09/24 #Auvia

As a region of #Auvia where mining efforts have yielded little metal of use, Zesh-Mura has very few dedicated mining operations. However, this makes the nation's Metalworkers' Union all the more prestigious a company to join. Works made primarily of metal are reserved for special occasions, commemorative works, and tributes to the nation's heroes. For all else that others make from metal that they take for granted, Zesh-Murans turn to the more populous Stoneworkers' Union.

#Lore24 12/09/24

The town of Forgeheart is situated on the edge of the Wild Untamed, near the Thaun border. It got its name from the forging and smithing company that makes its home there.

The leadership of the company is composed of a mixture of miners, smiths, armourers, leatherworkers, and tailors, each with unique specialties and clients. It's an 'open secret' of sorts that they're all romantically involved with at least one other among them, hence their nickname: the Polyarmoury.

#Lore24 13/09/24 #Auvia

The Cadre of Scarlet Swords is dedicated to learning the secrets of magicks fuelled by Blood. In the depths of their Dystan headquarters, they train, study, and experiment in attempts to wield this esoteric power safely.

Like many of the 'blood hunter' organisations, rumours swirl around the Scarlet Swords. There are tales of them wielding dark magicks, consorting with fiends, and even transforming into monsters to slay their foes. But they know better... do they?

#Lore24 14/09/24 #Auvia

Valtevran of Recolla used to be a decorated soldier - until he suddenly retired from active service, hung up his swords, and took up the life of an independent relic hunter. Some shrug it off, knowing the sun elves of Dysta do have a tendency towards the flightiness of the summer fey. Others wonder why he operates alone, searching the realm with no partner or backup. Valtevran pays little heed to what people say about him, however, for reasons all his own.

#Lore24 15/09/24 #Auvia

Lord Chauncey de Vryes-Aqari, He who Sailed from Eastern Seas - to use his full title as it presently stands - is one of the leaders of the Rhizeli kingdom of Zerin. His political acumen is considerable, establishing himself and his House by forming alliances with other noble houses.

Perhaps the most curious thing about House Vryes-Aqari, however, is that Chauncey is not Auvian by birth. He sailed from eastern lands, his entire House with him, not ten years hence.

#Lore24 16/09/24 #Auvia

Many sailors across #Auvia believe the Aeskellian song 'The Bosun's Daughter' is more than just a tale of a ghost ship, with the moral of not risking your life any more than you have to. Some claim to have seen the Bosun's Daughter for themselves, roaming the seas unbound by wind and tide, and with nary a soul to be seen aboard.

Whether there's any truth in the cautionary lyrics, nobody knows for certain. Nobody living, anyway.

(A sample of the lyrics is attached. Enjoy! ^_^)

#Lore24 17/09/24

The travelling healer Klaretta spends her time wandering all over the realm in search of those who need aid and succor. Those who she offers her services to are invited to step into her carriage. Its door leads to a Pocket Hideout that serves as her doctor's clinic, chirurgeon's supplies and all.

In a single hour, patients with any kind of illness are diagnosed, treated, and cured with no payment asked. Though curiously, nobody has ever seen Klaretta during the day...

#Lore24 18/09/24 #Auvia

Mount Auu lies south of #Auvia, emerging from the Shiversea to reach the highest heights. It is one of the few places where folk of all nations, and even fey of the four moons, are seen beside one another, striving for their goals and those of their peers.

The mountain is synonymous with warfare, for folk who sail to Mount Auu all wish to learn to fight. Even those who brave the snowcapped mountainside to farm and harvest for the community are would-be warriors one and all.

#Lore24 19/09/24

Thaun engineers are known for their exceedingly inventive and definitively unique methods of solving problems. Many go an extra mile, but some go further.

One such inventor, Tagrani pall Stannha, has gone so far as to augment their slight gnomish form with a suit of plated armour thrice their size to aid in their work underground. Driven primarily by automated clockwork, the armour features integrated weapons and tools ranging from auto-crossbows to kinesis hammers.

#Lore24 20/09/24 #Auvia

Subtle Kiss, private investigator, takes jobs whenever she can get them. In the dark alleys of Espre's underground, she ferrets out hidden information to uncover the truth of whatever her clients need her to do. Some say she has the power to steal the truth from the minds of liars, while others claim she can fight without lifting a finger. Only a handful of trusted confidants know her true name, and the lengths she will go to in order to achieve her goals.

#Lore24 21/09/24 #Auvia

Jern and Joki Tallmast are a tiefling and water genasi couple who run Boil & Bubble, a potioneering business in western Aeskell. They provide a wide variety of potions, tonics, and medicines to their community, along with filling other herbal and alchemical needs. Remedies for seasickness are their most commonly made and sold product, but they're looking to improve their stock. If an adventurer trades them a potion recipe they haven't seen before, they offer a discount.

#Lore24 22/09/24 #Auvia

The Scrying Eye is Ioh-Né's premier news organisation. They print weekly newspaper scrolls and ship them all across the nation to keep the people informed of the latest goings-on. For special occasions, they do their best to get special editions printed as soon as possible.

The newspapers are one of Ioh-Né's older inventions through their use of magicks other Auvians shy away from. For a price, you can buy a scroll that magically updates itself to the newest edition.

#Lore24 23/09/24 #Auvia

It's an open secret in the city of Sundered Cliff, in the north of the Wild Untamed, that the local Woodworkers' Guild & Social Club is more of the latter than the former. While the guild does take jobs for lumber and woodworks, it's clear that the guildmaster delegates official duties to his second-in-command and goes off to "manage the club". Which of course means sitting around with the older guildmates, talking over drinks, and listening to one of the local bards.

#Lore24 24/09/24 #Auvia

Adventuring companies aren't restricted solely to going out into the world to solve *everyone's* problems. Many are trained to deal with specific threats to the realm.

One group who deals in paranormal oddities is best known as "the Gang", five young adults who all trained in different fields of expertise and banded together to hunt down undead. Some say the Gang's war dog companion provides them wise counsel, but none have heard him speak... quite the mystery.

#Lore24 25/09/24 #Auvia

Ioh-Né's pursuit of magickal mastery has led to several curiosities about the region. Untamed magicks that break free from their creators frequently escape cities and towns, and draw power from their surroundings. The result is invariably a storm, earthquake, or similar phenomenon composed of that magick's arcane element. It falls to the Weather-Watchers, devotees of Losastra, to determine the cause of such oddities and dispel them before they can cause too much damage.

#Lore24 26/09/24 #Auvia

An international dispute has persisted between the heads of two different chefs' guilds. Ser Iacori of the Rhizeli kingdom Nescha and Dioros pall Ryllha of Thau each claim that they were the first to design and develop the recipe for the humble cheesecake, popular throughout both nations despite their very different culinary cultures. Naturally, neither chef is willing to cede to the other, even going so far as to promote theirs as the original to any and all travellers.

#Lore24 27/09/24 #Auvia

Zhia-Diio the Realmwalker earned their title by crossing the Wild Untamed from west to east and back again. At the halfway point of their journey, they introduced the secrets of alchemy to the Khavan clan known as the Burning River. Their return trip to Zesh-Mura was not entirely fruitless, as from the Khavans they learned that alchemical treatments for stone could be used for so much more. Nowadays, Zhia-Diio seeks to shape armours from wood using Zesh-Muran alchemy.

#Lore24 28/09/24 #Auvia

The Black Eagle Trading Company originated in Rhizel as a means to cater to the constantly changing whims of the nobility. Nowadays, it has considerable independence and freely deals with folk of other nations, all the while accruing considerable cash assets.

The company's owner, Rhouann d'Erylde, is a curious one to those who know him. They say she has the ear of every noble worth their royals. However, zey have been thoroughly rebuffed by House Vryes-Aqari...

#Lore24 29/09/24 #Auvia

Emmeline Shiversworde's Travelling Tales is a roaming company of musicians, librarians, and stage performers. Wherever they go, they set up a portable stage on which to perform stories and songs from all across #Auvia, to entertain and educate in equal measure. Ms. Shiversworde is always on the lookout for new talent, so she takes in volunteers, orphans, and adventurers to aid the production of her company's shows. In exchange, she helps them find their own way in life.

#Lore24 30/09/24

Anyone from any nation, who previously walked nigh any path of life, could take up a life of adventure. Whether on the road to saving the world, or just saving one part of it, adventurers great and small each find reasons to use a silver tongue, have a calling towards certain combat disciplines, were simply born into power, or have chosen or been chosen to champion a cause.

These decisions, happenstances, and affinities shall be detailed in: #Subcloctober. (ty @Shards)

#Lore24 01/10/24 #Auvia

The waxing and waning of the four moons affects more than just the turning of the seasons. They reflect the power of the Courts of the Fey. On the sacred nights when the seasons change, a newborn Auvian might be suffused with the shifting magicks of the moons. Their soul becomes forever marked by strange affinities for the fey and the night sky alike. To be Moonstouched is to wield the magicks of the fey, allowing this new sorcerer to alter their very form.

#Lore24 02/10/24 #Auvia #Subcloctober

A sorcerer born with the Moonstouched gift is able to take on the form of a magickal fey beast. Initially, their fey form can only support traits from one creature hailing from the four Courts, such as the horns of an Elk of Spring. As they grow in power, a Moonstouched learns to fold together the traits of different creatures. They become an elegant oddity in appearance, mixing spells with trusting in their bestial abilities to fell foes and defend allies.

#Lore24 03/10/24 #Auvia #Subcloctober

It is widely accepted in #Auvia that belief holds power. Sometimes, that belief bestows power upon the believer themselves. Those who hold fast to the idea that they will do great things with their lives often wind up in that exact position.

When such a believer studies and trains to improve their aptitude for magicks, they soon come to a realisation. If they believe they can change a spell, that change is made manifest. This is the power of a Pistimancer Wizard.

#Lore24 04/10/24 #Subcloctober

The world is full of magickal oddities. Pistimancers add more on top of it. Whenever a Pistimancer casts a spell, they can imagine it in a wide variety of ways, like changing its damage type, reducing one part of the spell to increase another, or altering one word in the spell's name to change its effect. These imaginative changes start small and grow in power and variability as a Pistimancer learns new spells and imagines what they could do with them.

#Lore24 05/10/24 #Auvia #Subcloctober

#Auvia is a world of uncertainty in some places, where a city's social landscape is akin to the changing conditions of a battlefield. Favours are traded behind closed doors, laws benefit the few instead of the many, and folk struggle to find purpose in life.

But some hold fast to the belief that life can change, if the people lead the way to remedy injustice. With a silver tongue and a symbol to rally around, change follows at the heels of a Revolutionary Rogue.

#Lore24 06/10/24 #Subcloctober

A Revolutionary's actions can demoralise their foes or send them into a mindless rage, and inspire their allies to push their limits or fight on through adversity. They're at home among crowds who can be rallied to their literal or metaphorical banner.

In many cases, a Revolutionary's cause is paired with a symbol, to remind the commonfolk of what it is they fight for. With enough reputation and faith in the cause, the symbol takes on magickal properties.

#Lore24 07/10/24 #Auvia #Subcloctober

The study of psychic power and its practical applications, such as telepathy and telekinetics, is routinely practiced among Espre's people. Many train in the use of their mind to wield psychic power as an extra hand, and some even prefer to communicate through telepathy alone.

Those who train to push their physical limitations as well as their capacity for psionics become Adepts of Body and Mind, wielding both in their pursuit of the meaning of strength.

#Lore24 08/10/24 #Auvia #Subcloctober