Vastums
Status: Active
An item used for housing and channeling the magical power of an immortal. Once extracted, the lifeforce and raw energy would be encapsulated within the fragile confines of a crystallized dragon egg, and the power, a raw, unsullied, conduit to the purest form of magic, was unmatched. Immortals including Ilvastu, qualen, and the Ilianti avatars were hunted, captured, and bound to an unbreakable device called a grimhold. Here they endured the torturous extraction of their immortal essence and the first vastums, magical nodes of magic, were born.
Vastums had a number of highly sought-after abilities. As its own source of power, the nodes were able to offer full magical healing and the curing of any disease. The nodes could also be used to bond with dragons, subjugating them to the extent that wielders of a node could use them as a steed in the same manner as a knight riding a horse. One of its more potent abilities was the “breath of life.” This ability was only accessible if the node was been created by means of an Ilvastu’s lifeforce (other nodes forged with the blood of dragons, qualen, or other immortals would not carry this power). The breath of life was capable of bringing a victim back from death, as long as the death had just occurred, and assuming there was a body for the breath to be used upon. Time was of the essence, and after even a few minutes, resurrection in such a way would likely not be possible—at least not in the intended manner. There were stories of victims being brought back hours, and sometimes days later with terrifying consequences. Although the breath of life was perhaps one of the nodes greatest abilities, it was a finite power. Each node varied, but after only a handful of uses, the breath of life would be expended.
The nodes were used primarily as a catalyst for casting spells and conjurations. Due to the nature of their creation, magic wielded through the node would be extraordinarily powerful and spells would be cast at their maximum effect, if not beyond. A bearer of the node would touch the object while speaking the arcane verbal components. Although many spells typically required the additional use of material components, casting magic in this manner negated this need—the power of the node more than compensated for any physical component. It is important to note that most magic being channeled through the node had origins in arcane history and lore. In other words, this magic was derived from spell books and ancient scrolls and the magic followed a certain natural flow of energy, often referred to as a current or weave.
Others, known as natural casters who had the innate ability to summon magic without the use of spell books or components, could use the node to amplify their personal magic to great effect. Even natural casters, however, were able to manipulate magic through natural means as their consciousness tapped into the bandu patterns of fate, magic, and divine power, using the node as a nexus for their desires.
However, one without spell casting knowledge or innate magical power would tend to weaken the node’s integrity to dangerous levels. Using it in such a way forcefully, and sometimes violently, “willed” spell effects into existence rather than wielding the unseen magical energies of the world for a desired purpose. Overuse of the item in such a manner destabilized the fragile encasement of the node itself. With such continued abuse or reckless usage, the node would eventually shatter and the resulting explosion of raw magical energy would be catastrophic.
An item used for housing and channeling the magical power of an immortal. Once extracted, the lifeforce and raw energy would be encapsulated within the fragile confines of a crystallized dragon egg, and the power, a raw, unsullied, conduit to the purest form of magic, was unmatched. Immortals including Ilvastu, qualen, and the Ilianti avatars were hunted, captured, and bound to an unbreakable device called a grimhold. Here they endured the torturous extraction of their immortal essence and the first vastums, magical nodes of magic, were born.
Vastums had a number of highly sought-after abilities. As its own source of power, the nodes were able to offer full magical healing and the curing of any disease. The nodes could also be used to bond with dragons, subjugating them to the extent that wielders of a node could use them as a steed in the same manner as a knight riding a horse. One of its more potent abilities was the “breath of life.” This ability was only accessible if the node was been created by means of an Ilvastu’s lifeforce (other nodes forged with the blood of dragons, qualen, or other immortals would not carry this power). The breath of life was capable of bringing a victim back from death, as long as the death had just occurred, and assuming there was a body for the breath to be used upon. Time was of the essence, and after even a few minutes, resurrection in such a way would likely not be possible—at least not in the intended manner. There were stories of victims being brought back hours, and sometimes days later with terrifying consequences. Although the breath of life was perhaps one of the nodes greatest abilities, it was a finite power. Each node varied, but after only a handful of uses, the breath of life would be expended.
The nodes were used primarily as a catalyst for casting spells and conjurations. Due to the nature of their creation, magic wielded through the node would be extraordinarily powerful and spells would be cast at their maximum effect, if not beyond. A bearer of the node would touch the object while speaking the arcane verbal components. Although many spells typically required the additional use of material components, casting magic in this manner negated this need—the power of the node more than compensated for any physical component. It is important to note that most magic being channeled through the node had origins in arcane history and lore. In other words, this magic was derived from spell books and ancient scrolls and the magic followed a certain natural flow of energy, often referred to as a current or weave.
Others, known as natural casters who had the innate ability to summon magic without the use of spell books or components, could use the node to amplify their personal magic to great effect. Even natural casters, however, were able to manipulate magic through natural means as their consciousness tapped into the bandu patterns of fate, magic, and divine power, using the node as a nexus for their desires.
However, one without spell casting knowledge or innate magical power would tend to weaken the node’s integrity to dangerous levels. Using it in such a way forcefully, and sometimes violently, “willed” spell effects into existence rather than wielding the unseen magical energies of the world for a desired purpose. Overuse of the item in such a manner destabilized the fragile encasement of the node itself. With such continued abuse or reckless usage, the node would eventually shatter and the resulting explosion of raw magical energy would be catastrophic.
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