By continuing to show their devotion and service to their community, these faithful members are noticed by the Brother, and rewarded for their loyalty. While performing their deeds, these clerics of the Community find that the very spirit of their surroundings will (metaphorically) whisper its secrets to them, allowing them increased skills when reading people, searching for something, or even just maintaining their vigilance.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 8/10/24

In fostering a Community, and caring for not only the people within, but every part of it, clerics who walk this path deserve direct attention from the Brother. As a gift for his followers, he not only shields them from any infirmity while they dwell within their protected domains, but should it come from malicious action or intent, offers the opportunity to retaliate in kind; rebuking the attempt in backlash.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 9/10/24

While those who claim “Beastmaster” as their title focus solely on one companion, a Tamer has enough room in their heart for more. Utilising refined crystals worked from the ruins of Bul-Ji-Ma, a Tamer captures the essence of creatures to release at their command for a variety of tasks. And though this is a relationship that could be unfortunately one-sided, Tamers take care to respect and form honest partnerships with their companions.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 10/10/24

A Tamer’s companions grow and learn alongside their masters (though many choose another title, given the inaccurate connotations of enslavement). With training, a dedicated Tamer can manage the balanced care of three creatures at once, and hone their senses beyond those of their kin. Additionally, they can invoke a form of magic within, granting them the ability to literally carve a path through the landscape, cutting obstacles in front of them.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 11/10/24

Further attuning to each other, Tamers can manage four companions at once while simultaneously granting them strength past their natural limits, allowing them to tunnel and break through obstacles. Furthermore, with focus, a Tamer can redirect spells targeted at them to their companions, both for positive effect and negative. Though a Tamer of good nature will (hopefully) avoid too many negative transfers out of worry of abusing trust.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 12/10/24

Through dedicated training, a Tamer works the weave of magic of the natural world, binding them and their companions closer together. Not only does this increase a Tamer’s focus, allowing them to manage an additional creature, but grants their companions the ability to swim and dive. While many would say that conventional sailing is not only faster, but safer, a wise Tamer knows their companions’ limits, and how to ensure the journey is safe and enjoyable.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 13/10/24

Achieving the height of their focus, Tamers can duplicate the effects of spells between themselves and their six companions. While this has obvious benefits by itself, the creatures develop magical ability to gain the ability of flight. For those capable of flight already, this bolsters their stamina and strength. But for those normally unable to experience the joys of winged freedom, the magical effects grant them this boon in kind.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 14/10/24

To some, magic is something to be practiced and studied. To others, it is something to be given or taken from outside sources. But for some, it is inherent within. Such is the case for Sorcerers of the Mutable Soul. Channeling their powers, they can extract spirits of creatures they encounter and defeat, condensing it into a crystalline form. When wielding one of these crystals, they transform into a replica of the creature, but remaining magically empowered.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 15/10/24

By embodying their foes, those of the Mutable Soul experience a first-hand lesson in how their prey acts. In doing so, this grants them insight via comparison. Once they take the time to study their opponent, they learn a number of traits about them, and become better able to leverage their mental fortitude against the unsuspecting. Additionally, this bolsters a bond between them and their allies, granting boons simply by being in their company.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 16/10/24

With practice and focus, a Mutable Soul can handle the physiological stressors that come with becoming larger and stronger creatures. This increased ability also manifests with the potential to harness their innate magical essence in their altered forms, allowing them to channel positive and negative energies in interesting ways while transformed. Be it harnessing that energy to cause harm, to heal, or even simply to increase their presence.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 17/10/24

Once mastered, not only can a Mutable Soul handle even the gnarliest of beasts, but in spending time to focus their powers and sacrificing a number of their existing crystals, they can forge an entire separate humanoid identity, cobbled together from elements of those they have encountered instead of a direct copy of one individual. This form has no time or magical limitation, and can be of any ancestry as long as it is one they have spent some time with.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 18/10/24

Those of a Druidic bent recognise the magic in the divine elements of the world, but focus inward, to the spirits of the land themselves, rather than a particular deity. Harnessing the elements of nature, some walk the path of the Elementalism Circle. While attuned to these forces, a practitioner can draw a particular element to weave into their spellcraft, making it more powerful, or supplementing an extant element with another.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 19/10/24

Gaining favour with the elemental spirits, a follower of Elementalism asks for and receives the gift of a secondary element to interlace into their spellcrafting. Such prowess draws the attention of the Council of the Planes, an alliance of the ruling lords and ladies of the Elemental Planes. Once able to prove their strength, the Council offers a boon allied with their element. But be warned: Favouring one can inadvertently spurn another.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 20/10/24

Bolstered by representation by the Council, one who follows the path of Elementalism learns the secrets to transferring spiritual magic into other forms, beyond those of mere spellcraft. One might choose to incorporate attributes of their magic into the animalistic shapeshifting that druids are known for, whereas another might aid their allies by weaving the elements into armour and armaments.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 21/10/24

Whether you like them or not, those who claim the title of Bard are typically of ostentatious presentation and personality. But perhaps none more so than those who belong to the College of Fashion. Always on the cutting edge, these paragons of taste and style inspire their allies through handicraft. They weave magic as easily as cloth. Clothing and accessories they craft can be imbued with their bardic talents, able to remain accessible until needed.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 22/10/24

Should a Fashionista establish a trend in their party, a further boost to empowering energy each enjoys. Altering clothing and other items on the fly becomes a trivial matter to those dedicated to their craft. Going above and beyond in the pursuit of style, even transferring enchantments and storing spells becomes a key element of their skill set, making a Bard of Fashion a sought after companion for the folk looking to seek adventure.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 23/10/24

Once these icons of a burgeoning industry reach the height of their fame, or in some cases, infamy, their magically enhanced work not only boost the spirits and skills of their companions, but confers a constant feed of positive energy. Additionally, while these enchantments linger, those lucky enough to own a piece of designer work can channel additional raw magical essence into their own skills and abilities.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 24/10/24

The magic flowing through the body of Midasian Mimics is a unique one; the ability to transmute objects into gold. Cursebearer fighters hold this magic at bay within them, even as it threatens to take hold completely. By coming into contact with this curse, either by accident or intent, any and all arms and armaments they intend to wield become worthless in their hands unless they will it to transmute, sacrificing normality for a perpetual golden shine.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 25/10/24

Though they can seemingly generate gold from mundane objects, it is of little use. Even before the Fall, #Matea converted to a paper note-based currency. And any merchant worth their job knows that Midasian coins still bear the curse. But that doesn’t mean that they are useless altogether. Cursebearers have the control to transmute the form of their tainted property. Wielding a golden axe and heavy plate one moment; a dagger and light shielding the next.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 26/10/24

Gaining more control over their condition, those who bear the Midasian curse without succumbing to its inevitability can learn to force the magic to coexist with others. While the physical form joins the ever-growing golden hoard, previous enchantments laid within can be transferred to their existing equipment. Be it an elemental focus to be utilised for either attack or defense, or something more general purpose, a Cursebearer can incorporate it.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 27/10/24

With enough practice and concentration, a Cursebearer can draw their inherited hoard within themselves, able to call it forth at a moment’s notice. The control over the mutability also improves, allowing the curse to spread to their will, potentially catching foes off-guard. If they should be unlucky enough to be surprised, or if their force of personality is not as strong as that of the curse, an unlucky foe might find themselves joining the hoard as fuel.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 28/10/24

Of frontline combatants, there are those who fuel their power by harnessing emotions. This is less so with those who follow the Path of Unbound Hour. These warriors channel the essence of time itself to aid them in their struggles; calling forth unexplored roads of possibility to guide their strikes through the flow of causality. When they first harness this power, they can freeze a single moment, allowing it to reverberate in duplicate.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 29/10/24

Refining this power, those of the Unbound Hour can grant themselves the magic of celerity, or impair it in their foes. While this can make for a frantic, confusing scene of battle, they relish in it; turning themselves into a singularly powerful and dangerous force. But this ability is not purely for combat. Diffusing it among their allies, one who walks this Path can ease the travel time of their group by shifting them in and out of the Ethereal Plane.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 30/10/24

Though this Path has many unexpected benefits, there are downsides to wielding this power. If a traveler of the Path of the Unbound Hour should happen to die, their spirit will be lost to a time to the Ethereal Plane, accelerating the time limit to reviving them. But in a way, this also works in their favour, as it slows the decay of their spiritual energy, meaning they linger between life and death longer than most. This can be temporarily tapped into in life.

#SubclOctober #Lore24 31/10/24

“Ah, a tale is it? For a warm bed, a warm meal, and (with consent) warm companionship, I will gladly regale you with stories of my homeland, told by my liege. Or if you prefer something a more familiar flavour, I know several of this world of #Matea. And should some spare currency find solace in my storytelling, I shan’t turn it away.

Something closer to the heart, you say? Then we have an accord! Listen now, as I tell a legend of love, loss, and murder most foul…”

#Bardvember #Lore24 1/11/24

“It was a humid night in Muchen. Dominic DiPietro had just finished a short run role in one of the many plays that grace the city. After an argument with his sister, Maria, he tripped and fell down a flight of stairs. But on landing, he shattered into a thousand pieces. As it happens, Dominic had been replaced with an animated statue of porcelain. So how long had the victim been missing? Were they even dead? It was up to Viola Lembi to find the truth…”

#Bardvember #Lore24 2/11/24

“The obvious suspect was Maria. Turns out, she had recently come home after residing in Dun for the last couple of years, with little contact with the victim. As much as Viola pressed the issue, she refused to elaborate on her reasons for returning. Letting her guard down, Maria let slip that she had had a former lover, emphasis on the former, who she had argued with and who had suffered a different accident under questionable circumstances, though less fatal.”

#Bardvember #Lore24 3/11/24

“Maria giving Viola the cold shoulder meant that our intrepid investigator had to explore other options. While lamenting this fact at the local tavern, she learned that Song Muchen, local artisan, had taken up aiding playhouses in the city with casting issues by enchanting lifelike dolls with personalities and memories of consenting stars for a cut of the production’s earnings. Downing the bourbon in one fiery gulp, Viola paid her tab and was back on the beat.”

#Bardvember #Lore24 4/11/24

“Now, I’m sure that you all know that soulsplicing, like all Gnomish arts, is a closely guarded family secret, passed through generations. Song, being a merchant of the highest scruples, kept his lips tighter than… well, I shan’t say. Regardless, after some ‘gentle persuasion’ and an unfortunate ‘loss’ of some money, Viola learned that the victim had paid off a request for a replica, where usually a playhouse representative would handle that. The plot thickens…

#Bardvember #Lore24 5/11/24

“With that mysterious lead that sounded more like a dead end, Viola decided to return to Maria, and see what could be found by digging into the family financial ledgers. Suddenly, she had a brief shiver of warning, and she rolled to one side. Missing by a hair’s breadth, the fireball spell aimed at her head exploded against a rooftop instead, igniting it in arcane fury. By the light of the flame, Viola saw a cloaked figure turn and run. So, she gave chase.”

#Bardvember #Lore24 6/11/24

“They ran through streets of ancient cobblestone, worn smooth by ages of travellers past. The cloaked assailant jumped towards a balcony, using it to scramble up the side of a building to escape by rooftop. But they hadn’t figured on Viola’s physical condition, evident only as she leapt after them, barely touching the supporting trellis they had used. Our intrepid investigator closed the gap, and before both tumbled to certain injury, tackled the foe to the ground.”

#Bardvember #Lore24 7/11/24

“Pinning the figure to the ground, Viola threw back the hood to see their face, and was shocked. The assailant was none other than… the victim, Dominic DiPietro himself! I know; shocking, isn’t it? Well, Viola was just as shocked. Dominic confessed that he had privately comissioned a pair of the animated statues in order to replace him so he could retire in peace. He would fake his death and fade into obscurity. But, you might ask, what of the second statue?”

#Bardvember #Lore24 8/11/24

“Dominic, facing discovery confessed his full plan, leaving Viola’s blood running cold. As soon as she could yell for a guard to handle Dominic, she was off. No sooner had she arrived though, it was too late; the animated copy of Dominic was pulling the knife from the heart of Maria as she slumped to the ground.
Viola pulled the statue away, who offered no resistance. She handed it off to a backup guard and went to Maria’s side, hoping to stem the wound.”

#Bardvember #Lore24 9/11/24

“But when Viola checked for a pulse, there was none. Strangely though, no blood. She examined the wound carefully, only to find that this was ALSO an animated duplicate! Had Maria anticipated this scenario and taken steps to avoid her own death? Or was this case getting more complicated? One thing’s for sure, Dominic TECHNICALLY wasn’t guilty, as no murder had taken place, so he was released to close watch. Viola returned to her office, paid but unsatisfied.”

#Bardvember #Lore24 10/11/24

“Now, I agree that while this might be an unsatisfactory story, it remains the most famous of Viola Lembi’s career. I prefer to tell it as a reminder that one needn’t accomplish epic deeds to be remembered. But, perhaps a tale more attention grabbing then? Of backstabbing adventurers, driven by greed to their own doom. This, friends, is a tale of the Fingers In Ice; a known, yet unknown collective of cutthroat treasure hunters. And one unlucky innocent.”

#Bardvember #Lore24 11/11/24

“Jiang Dun was a humble baker; a gnome who never got up to much of note. She was satisfied to operate and manage the ancestral bakery as her family had done for generations before, training her apprentice, and believing that the bloodline ended with her and her lack of desire to find a partner. One day, in her second year, she received a letter. All gilded and ostentatious, with no details other than a time and place: 27 Rosette Way, Diadem, Nuvain. One month. 5pm.”

#Bardvember #Lore24 12/11/24

“Now, like a lot of the Gnomish folk, Jiang possessed a curiosity beyond most others. So given the mysterious missive, she handed the bakery over earlier than planned, and took her savings on a ship bound to cross the Yanade Ocean, with the continent of Sou’je as its destination. With luck at her side, she managed the trip through to Nuvain with a day to spare. It seems that the letter writer had anticipated the journey’s length. Now to find the meeting place.”

#Bardvember #Lore24 13/11/24

“Locals will know that the Diadem district are where the richest and most self-important live, and the address listed lived up to that expectation. A far cry from the usual places known to a humble baker. Inside, an eclectic gathering of folks from all over, of all races and creeds, all worn in the open. When Jiang entered, presenting the invitation, all discussion stopped as the guests noticed the stranger among them. Suddenly, a bell rang from within.”

#Bardvember #Lore24 14/11/24

“The gathered attendees moved further in, ignoring Jiang. Who of course, followed. Before them was a lavish banquet table, and an impeccably dressed Tiefling man. He gestured widely to the table, and spoke.
‘Friends, it is my honour to present the first EVER retirement dinner of the illustrious Fingers In Ice.’
The crowd murmured and gasped in shock. The man went to continue, but faltered, noticing Jiang.
‘Ah, but it appears not all of us are well acquainted, no?’”

#Bardvember #Lore24 15/11/24

“The man gave an elaborate bow.
‘I am Sirmeros Albez, Director of the Adventuring Troupe known as the Fingers In Ice.’
A few people chuckled at the obvious joke.
‘And you, my dear?’
Jiang hesitated briefly before replying nervously.
‘Well Jiang,’ the man continued ‘your good fortune brings you here with us today for my retirement. Normally, the way one becomes Director is to kill the previous one. But you all, not one, could ever get me.’
The smug grin was obvious.”

#Bardvember #Lore24 16/11/24