The Pits of Magic - Campaign Overview

[Bartooliinii]

The Pits of Magic
An overview of the threads related to The Pits of Magic and a small introduction.

Introduction:
The Pits of Magic Player Campaign revolves around chasing after an organisation known as The Scales, and preventing them from creating objects of great power that would tip the balance in the favor of either evil or good. It only makes sense that your character would join regardless of their alignment, as these people might craft weapons powerful enough to undo a God, if you believe the stories.

If you want to do research on anything related to this, send me a convo and I can reply accordingly.
Will be more relevant once people get a hold of items or books -> PM me if you have any loot you like more info on.

The Events:


[Finished] - The Pits of Magic - Act I

A recent earthquake has exposed an enormous sinkhole within the foul decaying lands of Nid Arach. Once, the lands were beautiful and full of bounty. These days saw the coming of carpenters, hunters, masons and miners. But the mines have since been abandoned and during the age of Darkness occupied for dark rituals. With the collapse of the ceiling, now it becomes clear just how big the scale is of these evil deeds. Rumors about cursed objects of power being taken from this pit to the far corners of this world. Has the light come in time to prevent this darkness its victory?



[Finished] The Pits of Magic - Act II

The first pit has been found and looted. Whatever clues the items, books, and sacrificial shapes hold is yet unknown, but surely the scholars of Altera will manage to find out some hidden knowledge within the terrible runes and symbols found in this first pit. With the existence of a cursed magical object proven, the existence of a magical anvil to forge such items doesn't seem so far fetched anymore. And the existence of an organization responsible for all this sounds more and more reasonable. The doubt is over, the chase has begun.



[Finished] The Pits of Magic - Act III

Arguments and discord within the ranks of the adventurers in the second pit have given cause to an unspoken split between the group. Those that seek knowledge, and those that have already made up their mind about The Scales. Áedán told of the impossibility to regard them as good and evil, for they are both and neither. But who is Áedán? Is he truly still aligned with Ignis, or has his time infiltrating The Scales changed the man?
May the third pit give answers to our questions!



[Finished] The Pits of Magic - Final Scene

The Cast Overseer mentioned a final warning "The Smith will take care of all of you". The pits became more sophisticated and dangerous with each step further into the scorching depths. What could we possibly expect for this final pit? What spawn of the Nether will come to best the brave heroes this time???



Backstory:

The Anvil of Despair and The Scales
A piece of parchment has made its way in the public domain and it does not bode well.
It tells of extremists who call themselves 'The Scales' and of the attempt to recreate an ancient legendary artifact.

A lesson about the Anvil Myth
A lesson was held in Frostwarts to attempt to find out more about the myth surrounding the Anvil of Despair.

The Clues
All the things people have found out through researching items or the site itself under my DM.

Join The Scales - Sign up!
An OOC thread to notify people that they can become part of The Scales and how to sign up for it.

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[Bartooliinii]

Artifact Log - The Pits of Magic

Azure Amulet of Desire
Owned by: Ardaric Tideborne - Tideborne


Explanation of name:
An amulet that makes you appear as what the beholder desires.

Appearance:
An azure blue amulet on a white string. It is a blue crystal encased in silver forge-work, on a horse-hair string, which is quite itchy. There is a very dark almost undetectable swirl of black in the heart of the crystal.

Special Powers:
Anyone wearing this item will appear desirable to those who regard him or her. A man who likes women with black hair will see the wearer with black hair, even if she really has blonde hair. A straight man looking at another man will regard him as someone with influence, and would like to be their friend.
Passive power: it's more of a nudge and affection that is created rather than that those who see the wearer being entirely enchanted by their appearance.

Curse:
Whoever wears the amulet will deform over time. The longer the amulet is worn, the more hideous this person will become. The amulet will however hide this, making it a vicious circle which is hard to step out of. It hides imperfections, but if worn for too long, someone may disfigure as much as growing uneven sized teeth, large warts, hanging skin and spots of infected looking skin.



Flaming Shortsword of Balance
Owned by: Podric Luam



Explanation of name:
Yet Unknown.

Appearance:
A rather regular short sword, perfectly balanced. The keen observer would see the part where the blade and the grip meet has a black line that is so dark that you cannot quite focus your sight on it.

Special Powers:
It is told to be able to come ablaze with flames, but how to trigger this ability is yet unknown.
Active power: the flames will light at the wielder's intend.
Curse:
Whether there is a curse upon this item is unknown.



Unidentified Helmet
Owned by: Theo Edouard2000


Explanation of name:
Yet Unknown.

Appearance:
A blackened helmet with T slit. The feathers on the top have all been burned to the very tips.

Special Powers:
Unknown

Curse:
Unknown, though its previous owner was quite delirious



The Anvil of Despair
Owned by: Cast into the lava pit and lost

Explanation of name:
To the despair, horrible deaths, and unspeakable rituals of many, the anvil was forged as the creator of magical artifacts. This anvil was forged atop the faces of four living mages, adding to the air of despair around the thing.

Appearance:
The Anvil of Despair has been forged atop the skulls of the four most evil mages of the underworld, one mage of each magic discipline. Their skulls are embedded into the anvil. The anvil itself is pitch black and regular sized. There are four upside down horns coming out of the sides, on which it rests. It is lined with symbols of power which have little to no similarity to runes anymore. An entirely new alphabet.

Special Powers:
Any item forged on this anvil will be imbued with some kind of magical power. The smith who uses this anvil cannot determine the outcome of the smithing, because it is an ancient and dark kind of magic that cannot be controlled. (DC 15 to sustain power, maxed out at (3) artifacts. The Anvil can create a maximum of (3) artifacts, and a minimum of (1). After the first casting, roll a D20, and any result below the DC of 15 results in the power being lost. Artifacts created in this manner must be ran through lore the same as with any artifact creation. The user must communicate and receive clearance for their proposed artifact before casting).

Curse:
Every item forged on this anvil, the wielder will have to pay in some shape of curse. The curse often outweighs the power.

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[Bartooliinii]

Failed Experiment Log
OOC information

Deficient Scythe of Weathercast
Owned by Ardaric Tideborne Tideborne


Information:
The words of power inscribed upon this scythe with strange runic signs say "Harvest" "Blessed Rains" "Snowmelt" and "Sunshine".
The Scales intended to create a scythe with which to control the weather, but the ritual to grant it its powers has failed.
Now, it's nothing more than a farmer's scythe with intriguing symbols covering parts of the tool.



Weak Mace of Light
Owned by Branko Kostadim


Information:
The words of power inscribed upon this mace with strange runic signs say "Sunlight" "Flames" "Lantern" and "Light".
The Scales intended to create a mace which could radiate light and harnas its power, but the ritual to grant it its powers has failed.
Now, after Podric broke its handle, it's nothing more than a broken mace with intriguing symbols covering parts of this weapon.



Unyielding Club of Obedience
Owned by Jerr'co Tot



Information:
The words of power inscribed upon this club with strange runic signs say "Command" "Obedience" "Order" and "Servitude".
The Scales intended to create a club which could force others to do the will of its wielder, but the ritual to grant it its powers has failed.
Now, it's nothing more than a skull club with intriguing symbols covering parts of this weapon.



Jagged Crown of Ignorance
Owned by Podric Luam



Information:
The words of power inscribed upon this crown with strange runic signs say "Scholar" "Knowledge" and "Wisdom".
The Scales intended to create a crown which would make its wearer smarter and more learned, but the ritual to grant it its powers has failed.
Now, it's nothing more than an evil looking crown with intriguing symbols covering parts of this equipment.



Unstable Rootmoss Cloth Boots
Owned by James Tot



Information:
The words of power upon these boots with strange runic signs say "Stable" "Rooted" and "Grip".
The Scales intended to create boots which would make its wearer able to scale mountain with a certainty of not falling,
as well as remaining steadfast during combat, but the ritual to grant it its powers has failed.
Now, it's nothing more than a pair of old boots with intriguing symbols covering parts of them.



Cryptic Unsolved Map
Owned by James Tot



Information:
The map has been researched and at the third pit of magic its use was found:
It showed which room had which keystones and in which order they needed to be pressed to open the final door to access the final pit; the home of the Anvil of Despair. The map shows the shape of the third pit of magic with the four rooms and their locations. The rooms in the same shape as four stones that were found in the same chest as the map. The stones can be deciphered into saying "First, Second, Third, Fourth".



Skeletal Mask of The Mute
Owned by Thryss (Ellievator )


Information:
The words of power upon this mask with strange runic signs say "Hush" "Silence" "Quiet" and "Mute".
The Scales intended to create a mask which would force its wearer to be completely silent while they wear it,
but the ritual to grant these powers has failed.
Now, it's nothing more than a very ominous mask with intriguing symbols covering parts of it.



Weak Bone Plate Cuirass
Owned by Kopii (Omikuji)



Information:
The words of power upon this cuirass with strange runic signs say "Break" "Fragile" and "Weakness".
The Scales intended to create a cuirass which would force its wearer to become more complacent and weak while they wear it,
but the ritual to grant these powers has failed.
Now, it's nothing more than a very ominous cuirass with intriguing symbols covering parts of it.

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[Bartooliinii]

The crown and boots from the second pit of magic have been identified by their respective owners!

 

[Bartooliinii]

Some research on items is still being done, all other things are updated. As far as IC goes, this thread is entirely up to date and will soon conclude if the research stops.