Celestis Maledictum

The Celestis Maledictum, a legendary artifact of enigmatic power and dark allure, has a storied history woven through the ages, marked by its passage through the hands of various owners, each adding to its legacy.

Mechanics & Inner Workings

The Celestis Maledictum operates through an intricate alchemy of volatile organic compounds derived from rare, magically potent plants, combined with essences captured from spirits and the ethereal residue of dreams and divination. Its core, a crystalline lattice infused with these compounds, acts as a reservoir for magical energies. The surrounding celestial charts and gears, etched with alchemical symbols and treated with dream essence, align and react to the astral energies and patterns of the universe.
This alchemical and spiritual concoction harnesses the world's inherent magical forces, allowing the Celestis Maledictum to access and manipulate the threads of fate, celestial navigation, and the veil between realms. Its ability to function as intended depends on the precise combination and balance of these volatile organic compounds and the spiritual energies they are imbued with, making its operation a delicate art of alchemy and ancient wisdom.

History

The Celestis Maledictum was forged in an era lost to history, created by a cabal of astrologer-mages who sought to bridge the mortal realm with the cosmos. Their ambition led to their downfall, as the artifact's first use drove them to madness, resulting in their mutual destruction and the astrolabe's loss. Centuries later, it was unearthed by a sultan known as the Sultan of Shadows, who used its power to extend his reign and consult the stars. However, his overreliance on the astrolabe led to paranoia and the eventual collapse of his empire, after which the astrolabe vanished again.
Over the ages, the Celestis Maledictum passed through various hands, including a benevolent wandering alchemist and the sinister Brotherhood of the Starless Night, who sought to use it to herald a dark age. The last known owner, a reclusive historian, recognized its potential for enlightenment and destruction, hiding it where only the worthy—or cursed—might find it, making its history a cautionary tale of ambition, wisdom, and the eternal search for power.

Significance

The Celestis Maledictum's significance lies in its profound impact on the arc of history within the world, serving as a nexus where ambition, power, and fate converge. It symbolizes the eternal human quest for knowledge and dominion over the unknown, embodying the dual nature of discovery—wherein lies the potential for great enlightenment or devastating downfall.

Item type

Unique Artifact

Weight

Approximately 3 to 5 kilograms (about 6.6 to 11 pounds)

Dimensions

30 cm diameter, 5 cm thickness

Raw materials & Components

Star-Metal Frame: an alloy forged from meteoric iron.
Crystalline Core: a central orb crafted from Zeolites. Zeolites are microporous, aluminosilicate minerals known for their ability to act as molecular sieves. They can adsorb a variety of gases and liquids, including VOCs, due to their unique structure.
Spirit glass: thin, translucent sheets derived from quartz, anointed with oils of Artemisia cina and consecreated ritually with souls of a recently deceased.
Alchemical Gears: Small, intricately designed gears made from a combination of gold and silver, engraved with alchemical symbols that regulate the flow of energies and ensure the astrolabe's precise operation.
Plant Essence Inlays: The frame and gears are inlaid with resins and oils extracted from potent plants, known for to enhance divination and harnessing dreams.