Decks of playing cards can be found all across #Auvia, though the materials used to make them vary according to the needs of the people. Those with greater access to technological refinements and wealth use cards made of paper, while those without use vellum. Styles, card suits, and the number of cards in a deck vary by nation, as do the many games played for fun and in bars or dens.
Most playing cards don't last long at sea, so Aeskellians favour dice made from bone or stone.
#Lore24 12/11/24
Mysterious stone archways can be found in all manner of places across the nations, the Wild Untamed, and even Auvia's offshore isles. They are bedecked with runes in a language unknown to many, although scholars in some nations are attempting to decipher them. Many give the archways a wide berth on their travels, adding to the uncertainty that surrounds them.
They may hold the key to an ancient magick long forgotten... or they may simply translate to "Golraz wuz here."
The wood of the serilai tree has a variety of useful properties. It is a short, stout, and resilient specimen, especially after being treated in the same way as most lumber. As a result, it is highly valued for carpentry projects great and small.
Its thick bark also has its uses. When ground to powder and mixed into a potion, it grants serilai's natural resilience. Alternatively, it can be shaped into tough suits of armour for druids, Zesh-Murans, or Zesh-Muran druids.
The metalworker's trade lies not only in the creation of tools of war. Many talented smiths make their living through selling pots, kettles, frypans, and surprisingly, parasols. The principles of lacing scales into cloth or leather to produce a suit of armour apply to the commonly-used duck feather parasol. Each feather must be carefully secured, lest rainwater leak through to the fabric beneath. Owing to the reliability of smiths, they are the best suited to the task.
The Great Library of Ioh-Né is part repository of knowledge, and part temple to Yatherie, goddess of magic. Equal in size to any palace, it is the heart of the nation's capital and open to all free of charge. Iohnites and foreigners alike may browse almost all of the -many- tomes available, without fear of judgement or reprisal for their requests.
However, the Great Library has secrets of its own. Or, as an Iohnite might say, it has knowledge it doesn't want to share...
The use of spices in Auvian culinary arts originates in Espre. It was there that the first pepper vines were discovered, cultivated, and recognised as valuable trade goods. Other nations grow their own nowadays, but they have never quite been as flavourful as Espren pepper.
Other signature spices can be found all across Auvia's north, such as Khavan cumar, Dystan vanilla, and sey-samh, grown in the north of Zesh-Mura. But the humble Espren pepper is where it all began.
All manner of folks across #Auvia value the ability to carry as much of their possessions as possible without burdening themselves overmuch. However, in many cases, Cloaks of Concealment and Bags of Holding can be conspicuous, especially in environments where weapons are forbidden.
Rumours abound of a mysterious new magick, however, created by the Zesh-Murans. Apparently, their artificers can reach into a pocket and pull out anything that by rights should not fit in it...
#Lore24 18/11/24
According to those familiar with the scions of the night and their behaviours, vampires lurk in the dark all across #Auvia. They live among all manner of societies where they can prey upon the living unnoticed, instead of hiding away in gloomy castles or luxurious manors as stories might have you believe. Some dream of domination and leadership, but most are simply fighting for their own survival. A hunter taking up arms usually means a vampire's presence endangers innocents.
#Lore24 19/11/24
The curse of the werewolf and its peers, kararethropy, originates from the fey. The magicks of the Summer and Winter Courts bound the spirits of Auvian beasts to those who first tried to steal from the fey, and cast them back down to the earth below to live with their punishment.
Perhaps owing to their inherent capacity for destruction and carnage when a moon reaches its zenith, kararethropes are driven from cities and towns when discovered, if not killed outright.
Some Auvians afflicted with vampirism or kararethropy search for cures to their conditions, wishing to return to their normal lives free of secrecy and fear of reprisal. Whether a cure exists at all, they know not, but desperation leads to trying anything they can.
Some become adventurers as they quest for a cure, doing their best to stay in control of their around companions. A rare few realise they value the power they wield, and become at peace with their new lives.
Auvian mimics are believed to be creations of the god Atalex, that He might test the vigilance of wanderers. The presence of a mimicked chest is a reminder to the faithful: don't lose sight of your goals when treasures may lead you astray. Whether due to this divine mandate or some other quirk of evolution, mimics are possessed of surprising intellect and have the capacity to speak and reason. Some even claim ownership of entire domains and bargain with adventurers.
Bands of roaming centaurs keep to the Wild Untamed, familiar with many of its environs. They have a tendency to shun folk who disrupt the natural order, and keep druids among their number much as the Khavans do.
When a centaur corpse cannot be recovered for their tribe's funerary rites, the body is too good an opportunity for necromancers to pass up. They steal it away and transform it into a skeletaur. Centaurs hate the undead, their own kind used this way most of all.
The savannah hawk is a feathered but flightless creature that makes its territory in the northwest of #Auvia, in the biome that gives it its name. Its forelimbs resemble small wings that end in a wicked claw, and similarly sharp talons are seen on its feet. Standing roughly half the height of an adult human or half-elven, they can be used by smaller peoples as mounts if hand-raised. In the wild, savannah hawks are omnivorous predators who shred their prey with powerful bites.
#Lore24 24/11/24
Few can claim to have visited the depths of Auvia's oceans and returned to tell the tale of the sharkfolk that live below the waters. Of course, this doesn't stop the stories running rampant in coastal cities and island settlements. Some sailors claim they use great jagged rams to punch holes in sailing ships below sea level, flooding them. Others believe they've seen sharks wearing rough stone armour, or hurling kelp boarding lines with hooks to pull a vessel down.
When an adult or ancient dragon dies in combat while they have unfinished business, they may refrain from departing for the next world. In the moments before their demise, they leave themselves open to a fatal blow, and their body is wholly consumed in the energy associated with their lineage. Some time later, the dragon's soul manifests without a body to inhabit. A dragon soul might be persuaded to pass its burdens to others, and depart the mortal realm.
A close cousin to the river- and lake-dwelling hydra, the vinedra is wholly composed of awakened plant life, similar to a treant. A vinedra is indistinguishable from a mass of tangled vines and leaves until it moves or attacks, making it a perfect ambusher off the beaten path of a forest.
When a vinedra attacks, it brings its many heads to bear much as a hydra does. Observers have yet to determine whether a vinedra is as vulnerable to fire as its lizardlike counterpart.
The long-tailed magmakin is a curious creature, both in its own nature and as a subject of study. Its habitat in the depths of Thau make it a rarity in other parts of the realm, but the Thaun people have made considerable strides in domesticating it. Magmakin are capable of swimming in molten rock without so much as singeing their fluffy fur, and retain none of the magma's warmth when they emerge, leading some to wonder whether their resistance to high heat is magickal.
Adventurers who happen upon a lone riverside fisherman, especially during the spawning season of certain fish, had best be careful not to disturb them as they go about their business. Provoked or otherwise, any such person could be a trickster bear in disguise, waiting to attack in its true ursine form.
Trickster bears are capable of blending into their surroundings by altering the colour of their fur, chameleon-like, or assuming a disguise with a little fey magick.
Little is known about the diminutive creatures dubbed 'moonswatchers', save for their nocturnal behaviour of gathering on cloudless nights to gaze up at the moons in the sky. A typical moonswatcher stands at about a foot tall, shrouded in layers of gossamer robes that change colour with the season.
Some theorise that the moonswatchers are descended from exiled fey, pining for their former homes. If this is true, perhaps their fate was more cruel than that of the dryads.
The book 'So You Want to Be an Adventurer', penned by an anonymous author, is widely regarded as the essential guide for anyone tempted to take on the trials and tribulations of the adventuring life. Its pages are stuffed full with common-sense advice, counsel, guides for specific languages, and more besides.
The author's anonymity has done naught to deter readers from taking up the book. Indeed, many from generations past have passed down copies to their protégés.
"First things first. If you're deadset on leaving home and getting out into the world, you need to be able to defend yourself. That means knowing what you're going to do if a fight breaks out.
"Do not just trust that your sword-arm will remain strong. If you want it to stay strong, train hard. Push yourself beyond what you think you can do. And yes, this applies to magicks as well. Many a sorcerer has thought themselves unassailable because they can throw fire around."
"Dear reader, only when you can truly say that you have trained not until you get your strikes right, but until you do not get them wrong, will you be as prepared to do battle as you can be when facing a training target. I tell you this not to deter you, but to ready you for the challenges to come. For there will be many.
"But you need not venture out into the wilds alone. The greatest heroes worked hand in hand alongside allies whom they trusted with their lives."
"Many adventurers value diverse skills among their comrades-in-arms. Rightfully so! To employ one martial strategy across your entire party exposes you all to its weaknesses. By wielding a wide range of fighting styles, you and yours will be able to adapt to any situation.
"Reader, I must discuss magicks and those who wield them. It is not my place to speak for or against their use in battle. We all are free to decide for ourselves. Listen to what your heart tells you."
"Among other skills, dear reader, it pays to be aware of the following in particular:
"Locks and the picking thereof. Many a valuable treasure or secret is hidden behind a door that would otherwise be barred to you.
"The capacity to read a map and determine your next destination. Reading the stars is a good alternative.
"Knowing which vegetation and game is safe to eat, and which intend to ward off predators. I documented here what I could learn in my earlier years."
"Address any issues among yourself and your comrades sooner rather than later, lest they grow into the veyahn in the room (see appendix H: Proverbs & Their Meanings). If you cannot reach a consensus immediately, don't be discouraged. A house isn't built in a day.
"Should you go to battle alongside a comrade with whom you have disputes unresolved, dear reader, a grudge must not be your focus. Trust them as they trust you. You can address the matter another time."
"For your consideration, some equipment that you may find useful:
• A shovel to clear excess dirt, sand, or other loose material from your path. In a pinch, sharpen the blade's edge and wield it as an axe.
• Field medicines and bandaging. You might not think you need these if you have a healer among your number, but when you do need them, you'll be glad you bought them.
• Rope. Dear reader, this may be the most valuable tool in your arsenal for its wide variety of uses."
"When in need of equipment and you lack the coin to buy, there is always the option to negotiate the price, or trade for what you need. You may even be able to convince a merchant to part with wares in exchange for performing a task.
"But be advised, reader, that not everyone will accept anything. A merchant who caters to the magickally inclined may be unlikely to buy the bloodstained spear you retrieved, even if it has the power to drain vitality from its victims."
"Never assume you will find safe shelter every night with four walls, a roof, and a locked door. A simple waterproofed canvas tent, quick to set up and tear down, will serve for many a night on the road. But if you lack the space to strap one to your pack, fallen logs and rough coverings can do just as well.
"Even in the wilds of your homeland, let alone the Wild Untamed, danger could appear at any time. Set an order among your comrades for who keeps watch every night."
"Life on the road is not all fun and games, dear reader. Travel to your destination can take time and effort, especially when on foot. There are two options in particular that spring to mind to ease a long journey. The first is acquiring steeds for all. Whether horse, hound, crab, or any other, they will get you where you need to be - but they are costly to keep in good health, and need stabling.
"The simpler option is one among your number who can cook a decent meal."
"Whenever someone you have never met claims to have the answer to all of your problems, they are almost certainly lying. Even the many pages I have penned cannot solve every problem in the world. Common street fraud, however, is the least of your worries in this regard.
"Reader, I speak of the devils of Zhel. If such a fiend reveals themselves to you, I pray you decline their offers. Devils will promise all that you desire, but leave you without the means to savour it."
"When you visit a town or city for the first time, after you secure lodgings for the night, it never hurts to tour the local markets and merchants. Some may have goods for sale or trade that could prove useful elsewhere in the region.
"In particular, however, most leatherworkers and tailors will welcome requests to tend to your travelwear. Keeping your shoes or boots in good condition will make travelling on foot much more comfortable than walking with worn-out soles."
"Reader, many a trap can be found in occupied caverns, bandit hideouts, and underground ruins. Recognising the signs of a trapped path or corridor may very well save your life.
"Above ground, hunting traps are among the most common, closely followed by snares covered in leaves. In buildings, pressure plates and tripwires lead to more complex defenses.
"When in doubt, examine your environment carefully, but be aware of the time you take to properly search an area."
"Tempresa teaches that love may bloom on the battlefield just as often as in the ballroom. Dear reader, if you and a trusted comrade are in such a position, pray do what your heart tells you, not what your mind says.
"If another of your friends expresses jealousy or frustration with your budding romance, should you decide to pursue love, you need only remember: they too are a trusted ally. You might as well invite them to join you. What's the worst that could happen?"
"Gathering travelling companions from the many Auvian nations lends a wide variety of benefits and caveats to your group dynamic. A wide range of perspectives may lend itself to solutions you had not considered, but at the same time it can cause endless debate.
"Reader, I feel compelled to add: trading your travel rations with those of a foreign comrade can bolster camaraderie, but be aware that foreign foods may cause illness for a time, until you get used to them."
"When looking for work, there are many ways to find potential jobs. Wanted posters, bounty boards, and tavern keepers are the most common ways to discover something of interest. If even these provide nothing you think you can handle - or is worth your time - then you have other options. Seeking an audience with the local authority figure or a priest of the Seven can lead to new information and leads.
"By completing these tasks, dear reader, you prove yourself reliable."
"Battle is exhausting. Even a simple sparring match can tire you out more than you think. Thus do I urge you, reader, to take your rest wherever you can find it. When you have the time, take a seat, eat something to keep your energy levels high - not necessarily a full meal - and tend to any lingering injuries as best you can.
"Adventurers live busy lives, as you well know, and so rest is of great importance. Sleep when you can, and learn the art of the well-timed nap."
"During your journeys, you will undoubtedly have to make tough decisions. There will come many a time where you feel you stand at a crossroads, and none of your comrades are of any help. In this moment, you may think yourself powerless to choose a course of action.
"I cannot write the answers for you. But what I can tell you, dear reader, is this: it is always within your power to decide. And when you do, do not look back with regret for what could have been otherwise."
"The brewing of potions is a time-consuming process, but if done correctly, it can save lives in more ways than one. Mending injuries, revival from an unconscious state, becoming who you know you truly are: all these and more are possible with alchemy.
"Of course, reader, there are risks involved. Impure water or incorrect amounts of even one ingredient can lead to a potion becoming useless. Or worse, it can resemble a proper potion but have the exact opposite effect."
"In the event that you need to use disguises to get into an enemy base of operations, the best approach is to keep it simple. Do not reveal more about your cover identity than you need to during conversation, even among your allies. You never know who might be listening.
"Many an infiltration attempt has been foiled by attempts at disguising everyone in the party. In such situations, one silver tongue may be better than five of copper. The rest, I leave to you, reader."
"Keep a close eye on your equipment's condition. Blades inevitably lose their edge or are bedecked with rust spots. Armour gets bent out of shape, whether made with leathers or metals. Archers oft need to resupply arrows and restring their bows. Your arsenal deserves just as much care as you would give to yourself.
"Dear reader, many a fool has trusted that their arms and armour will be fine with cursory maintenance - and many a fool has died for their lack of care."
"There may come a time during your adventures where your dreams are troubled by visions of true clarity, rather than the half-remembered oddities of the mind. Remember these dreams, reader, but have care, for they are not always to your benefit.
"Some dreams may be prophetic, or appear as such but intend to lead you to ruin. Others may depict your adversaries, that you might prepare for what is to come. And some may simply send a message in the night, for weal or woe."
"In the possible-but-improbable event that you find yourself in a reality that appears to be very much unlike your own, I offer these words of counsel:
• Do not panic. Take a deep breath, perhaps two.
• Rather than wander aimlessly, wander with purpose. Look for a landmark that can tell you where you are.
• Once you know *where* you are, your next objective needs to be learning *why* you are where you are. With this knowledge, you may be able to find your way back to #Auvia."
#Lore24 23/12/24
"The keeping of secrets, dear reader, can be a dangerous thing. Sometimes knowledge is kept to oneself to spare others the pain of it, or for reasons of security. However, if something will endanger you or a comrade in arms if left unspoken, better to reveal it than let it fester in the dark.
"You need not bear your burdens alone, reader. It matters not how strong you think you are, physically, mentally, or spiritually. Allies help make you stronger. Confide in them."
"A tidy adventurer makes for a healthy crew. Leave each campsite in the same condition as you found it, save perhaps for an absence of local firewood, the signs of an extinguished fire, and buried jacks you dug the night before. (Change who deals with that each night.)
"Furthermore, reader, be sure not to mix up your weapons and your tools. Many a sickness has come about because a careless cook used the same knife to both pierce a foe and chop vegetables for a stew."
"You might wish to keep an animal companion during your travels. A war dog is the most widely chosen recommendation, for when trained from a young age they become adaptable and accustomed to life on the road. Some armourers even take commissions to outfit war dogs with their own mail armour and forepaw blades. A dog fitted with such equipment becomes a force to be reckoned with in their own right - but they often require more training and care than a typical companion."
"The Dystan people keep records of anything and everything. Though you may not be Dystan yourself, dear reader, I encourage you to keep notes on your adventures. A journal, quill, and bottle of ink adds very little weight to your pack. Note down whatever you think will be of use to you on your journeys.
"Of course, if you *do* hail from Dysta, you likely know all of this already one way or another, and you need no reminders from me. Save perhaps to restock on ink soon."
"In your travels, reader, you may come across weapons or pieces of useful equipment that bear magicks about them. I have previously stated that it is your decision whether to embrace magicks or to shun them. However, there are very few cases where a magicked item will bring calamitous ruin upon you and your peers. As such, I encourage you to collect any such equipment and distribute them among your party. Adventurers need every advantage they can get in some situations."
"There is no such thing as an adversary that cannot be defeated. When you face an opponent in combat and your usual techniques do naught, it is time to adapt. Find other means to throw them off-balance, disrupt their defenses, or create an opening for your allies.
"There may be other means to defeat your foe, found in your surroundings. I have seen with my own eyes how a thrown rock achieved what a magicked sword could not. Experiment, and the results may surprise you."
"There is great value in picking up a musical instrument and learning a few songs. And you need not dedicate yourself to the path of a bard to do so. Any amount of musical ability can open unexpected doors. Local musicians on the street or in tavern corners are also surprisingly good sources of information. Though I never fully understood how so many came to be so knowledgeable, dear reader, the fact remains that they provided solid leads on many of my adventures."
"Nobody is an adventurer forever, dear reader. The nature of our profession means many end their careers in battle. In the event that you find yourself with a small fortune as a result of your work, and your thirst for exploring the world we share has run its course, it may be time to settle down.
"Purchasing a home ought to be the first priority, whether in your own hometown or somewhere new that caught your eye. Afterwards, your life is yours to live as you see fit."
WriterRaven