Treatise on the Uses of Alchemical Portal Gems: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 13:36, 9 August 2025

Introduced:

??

Related Quests:

Preface

I once served under Celcynd the Mage from whom I learned to twist space like wet cloth. He was kind. I think. He showed me how to fold a world in half and walk through the seam. I was young, he protected me from what slipped out. Now I do the same for you. What follows are my private notes and theories, not a manual, not a guide, not a guarantee. Alchemy speaks in whispers; you must learn to listen. But cover your ears when it screams

Chapter I: Words of Caution

Alchemical Portal Gems are volatile. That's a word for it. They don't like being rushed. Mistime the cibation and you'll birth an Unstable Portal Gem. It quivers like a dying heartbeat, tearing holes in reality. Their locations are not stable and things can happen to the space. What's inside is clear but the threshold quivers, reality splinters. Furthermore the locations can be unstabilizing to health, I have accidentally portalled into Ulgrim's bedroom. Some visions you simply can't unsee. I heard a scream. It was mine I think. These gems whisper secrets. Some are meant for you. Most are not.

Chapter II: Recipe

Crush the stone that once knew breath, Then cage its soul to stay its death. With Yarrow's grace and water's kiss, You'll brew the shard the portals miss. To this strange broth, a gem you thread from its sleep, a path may spread. But still it's dull! To make it sing, A final polish grants it wings.

Chapter III: Imbuing a Location

Every object carries the echo of a place, a pulse, a scent, a shadow. The Artifice Extraction Tool is nothing more than a warped Charged Stone Infuser. Hand this to me and I will tear out its heartbeat and refit it for your will. Each tool carries only one heartbeat. One echo. Use it thrice or if you're lucky a little more and it forgets. Or explodes. Sometimes both. If you wish to go many places, then make peace with carrying many hearts.

Chapter IV: Locations Found

I have set out on many a quest and have found those that are difficult and imbued with terror are the easiest to attune to. Should you have a heart you will find the location still beating inside it. A Tusker who leads shall take you someplace cold. A single wish not granted will find you shivering underneath the falls. Finally a Shadow Stone will find you a safe route through lands that no one wishes to travel. There are countless more: realms of wonder, realms of horror, beyond even my fractured mind. For now, trust only these.

Your learning starts with Nalicana, the Seer of the Yalain. She empowers students with the ability to gather Luminance and has many of the Auras to impart of students who have earned enough Luminance. She offers many boons to those who can build enough Luminance, and some say it can take years to learn all she has to offer. Other claim that the intrepid adventures of Dereth are too strong willed and some will wrest the secrets from her quickly. Who can say how long the path will take?

Epilogue

There is no further guidance here. The art demands ingenuity. It does not reward obedience. It craves mischief. Forge your first gem. Let it lead you or lie to you. Then return and tell me what it showed. Bring me stories. Bring me scares.

Madness and marvel await in equal measure.

-- Ignatz the Affected

Notes

Received from Nalicana after giving her Battle Lord Gregor's Mnemosyne.
This text incorrectly uses the word Falacot instead of Falatacot.

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
   |             Burden = 500
   |         Additional = 7 of 7 pages full.
-  |        Description = A large tome detailing the effects of Luminance and the Paths of the Empyrean.
+  |        Description = A large tome detailing the creation of Alchemical Portal Gems, which may be crafted to create portals to many locations.
   | Special Properties =
 }}
 {{Textbox
-  | Author = [[Nalicana]]
+  | Author = [[Ignatz the Affected]]
   |
-It is my hope that this text will bring clarity to your understanding of the Paths of the Empyrean, and allow you to make informed decisions in your growth along these Paths. The following pages will explain the details of your choices in greater detail, as written by one of the Arcanum, who assures me he can make the process more understandable to the varied peoples of Dereth.
+Preface
-<br /><br />
-Walk in the Light.<br />
-- Nalicana
-----
+I once served under Celcynd the Mage from whom I learned to twist space like wet cloth. He was kind. I think. He showed me how to fold a world in half and walk through the seam. I was young, he protected me from what slipped out. Now I do the same for you. What follows are my private notes and theories, not a manual, not a guide, not a guarantee. Alchemy speaks in whispers; you must learn to listen. But cover your ears when it screams<br />
-The first Seer to escape portal space is also the easiest to find. Nalicana, the Seer of the Yalain, will take on all those willing to learn of the Light as students. Speak with her and she will teach you how to focus your own Light to build an inner strength that the Oracles call Luminance. Once she teaches you to recognize and empower your own Luminance of the world around you then you may gain Luminance from the most powerful creatures and the most dangerous quests.
 ----
-Nalicana has many things to teach you. When you learn to use Luminance, you gain the ability to slowly build it through questing and hunting. You can gather up to 1,000,000 luminance points before you must spend some by training at the Oracles to earn Auras and gain in power. This limit is only the maximum number of points you can accumulate at any one time; once you spend Luminance you are free to gain more, in effect refilling your total as you quest and hunt in the most dangerous areas.
+Chapter I: Words of Caution
+Alchemical Portal Gems are volatile. That's a word for it. They don't like being rushed. Mistime the cibation and you'll birth an Unstable Portal Gem. It quivers like a dying heartbeat, tearing holes in reality. Their locations are not stable and things can happen to the space. What's inside is clear but the threshold quivers, reality splinters. Furthermore the locations can be unstabilizing to health, I have accidentally portalled into Ulgrim's bedroom. Some visions you simply can't unsee. I heard a scream. It was mine I think. These gems whisper secrets. Some are meant for you. Most are not.
 ----
-As for the others, each of the remaining four Oracles are bitter rivals. They do not relish teaching students who follow the guidance of another Seer. Though all the Seers accept (some begrudgingly) Nalicana's hand in things, they will teach no student who still carries the Aura of a rival Seer. Some say their teachings are opposed in nature. Whatever the reason, you cannot learn from more than one at a time. You may seek guidance and power from any Oracle at any time, but if you accept their teachings, you will lose any Auras you gained from the other, rival Seers. Although all of Nalicana's Auras and teachings will remain with you, students who chose to learn from the four remaining Seers may only learn from one.
+Chapter II: Recipe
+Crush the stone
+that once knew breath,
+Then cage its soul to stay its death.
+With Yarrow's grace and water's kiss,
+You'll brew the shard the portals miss.
+To this strange
+broth, a gem you thread
+from its sleep, a path may spread.
+But still it's dull!
+To make it sing,
+A final polish grants it wings.
 ----
-The remaining four Oracles have traveled to various areas in Dereth, and students will have to go forth and find them. The four rival Seers each represent an ancient Empyrean people.
+Chapter III: Imbuing a Location
-<br /><br />
-The Shade of Lady Adja is all the remains of the Seer of the Light Falacot.<br />
-Ka'hiri is the Seer of the Dark Falacot.<br />
-Liam of Gelid is the Seer of the Dericost.<br />
-Lord Tyragar is the Seer of the Habraen.
-----
+Every object carries the echo of a place, a pulse, a scent, a shadow. The Artifice Extraction Tool is nothing more than a warped Charged Stone Infuser. Hand this to me and I will tear out its heartbeat and refit it for your will. Each tool carries only one heartbeat. One echo. Use it thrice or if you're lucky a little more and it forgets. Or explodes. Sometimes both. If you wish to go many places, then make peace with carrying many hearts.
-Your learning starts with Nalicana, the Seer of the Yalain. She empowers students with the ability to gather Luminance and has many of the Auras to impart of students who have earned enough Luminance. She offers many boons to those who can build enough Luminance, and some say it can take years to learn all she has to offer. Other claim that the intrepid adventures of Dereth are too strong willed and some will wrest the secrets from her quickly. Who can say how long the path will take?
 ----
-The Seer of the Yalain has many boons to offer students.
+Chapter IV: Locations Found
-<br /><br />
-Once you start earning Luminance you may speak with her to learn how to focus that Luminance into Auras to empower you, and to craft items of power from the very Light of the world.
-----
+I have set out on many a quest and have found those that are difficult and imbued with terror are the easiest to attune to. Should you have a heart you will find the location still beating inside it. A Tusker who leads shall take you someplace cold. A single wish not granted will find you shivering underneath the falls. Finally a Shadow Stone will find you a safe route through lands that no one wishes to travel. There are countless more: realms of wonder, realms of horror, beyond even my fractured mind. For now, trust only these.
-Aura of the Craftsman<br />
-Cost: 100,000 -> 150,000 -> 200,000 -> 250,000 -> 300,000
-<br /><br />
-This aura increases the effective skill for all of your Tinkering skills by 1 for each purchase of this Aura. You may purchase this Aura up to 5 times for a total of 5 skill points to your effective skill when crafting.
 ----
-Aura of Aetheric Vision<br />
+Your learning starts with Nalicana, the Seer of the Yalain. She empowers students with the ability to gather Luminance and has many of the Auras to impart of students who have earned enough Luminance. She offers many boons to those who can build enough Luminance, and some say it can take years to learn all she has to offer. Other claim that the intrepid adventures of Dereth are too strong willed and some will wrest the secrets from her quickly. Who can say how long the path will take?
-Cost: 100,000 -> 150,000 -> 200,000 -> 250,000 -> 300,000
-<br /><br />
-This aura slightly increases the chance for the Aetheria you have equipped to surge. The Aetheria chance to surge will be slightly increase each time you purchase this Aura. You may purchase this Aura up to 5 times.
-----
-Aura of Glory<br />
-Cost: 100,000 -> 150,000 -> 200,000 -> 250,000 -> 300,000
-<br /><br />
-This aura increases your critical damage rating by 1 for each level. You may purchase this Aura up to 5 times for a total of 5 damage rating to your critical attacks.
-----
-Aura of Mana Flow<br />
-Cost: 100,000 -> 150,000 -> 200,000 -> 250,000 -> 300,000
-<br /><br />
-This aura decreases the mana usage of your magical items, decreasing the cost by a rating of 5 for each level. You may purchase this Aura up to 5 times for a total of 25 rating of decrease to your mana usage for items.
-----
-Aura of Mana Infusion<br />
-Cost: 100,000 -> 150,000 -> 200,000 -> 250,000 -> 300,000
-<br /><br />
-This aura increases the mana your Mana Stones give to your items, increasing the rating of those uses by 5 for each level. You may purchase this Aura up to 5 times for a total of 25 mana rating to your mana stone uses.
 ----
-Aura of Protection<br />
+Epilogue
-Cost: 100,000 -> 150,000 -> 200,000 -> 250,000 -> 300,000
-<br /><br />
-This aura reduces the damage of any attack by 1 damage reduction rating for each level.  You may purchase this Aura up to 5 times for a total of 5 damage reduction rating against all attacks.
-----
-Aura of Purity<br />
+There is no further guidance here. The art demands ingenuity. It does not reward obedience. It craves mischief. Forge your first gem. Let it lead you or lie to you. Then return and tell me what it showed. Bring me stories. Bring me scares.
-Cost: 100,000 -> 150,000 -> 200,000 -> 250,000 -> 300,000
-<br /><br />
-This aura increases the effect of any healing upon you by 1 healing rating for each level.  You may purchase this Aura up to 5 times for a total of 5 healing rating which increases all sorts of healing effects upon you.
-----
-Aura of Temperance<br />
-Cost: 100,000 -> 150,000 -> 200,000 -> 250,000 -> 300,000
-<br /><br />
-This aura increases your critical damage reduction rating by 1 for each level.  You may purchase this Aura up to 5 times for a total of 5 damage reduction rating against critical attacks.
-----
-Aura of Valor<br />
-Cost: 100,000 -> 150,000 -> 200,000 -> 250,000 -> 300,000
-<br /><br />
-This aura increases your damage rating by 1 for each level. You may purchase this Aura up to 5 times for a total of 5 damage rating to all of your attacks.
-----
-Skill Credits<br />
-Cost: 1,000,000 -> 1,000,000
-<br /><br />
-The inner understanding of the Light and Shadow of the world lets you purchase up to 2 additional skill credits. Each skill credit costs the full 1,000,000 Luminance. You may purchase up to 2 additional skill credits in this fashion.
-----
-In addition, Nalicana is a superb craftswoman and specializing in weaving the light around her into small items of power. For those Empyreans who have gained many Auras yet still seek Luminance, this seer offers small consumable items, crafted from light, to purchase.
-----
-The Shade of Lady Adja is all that remains of the Seer of the Light Falacot.<br />
-She offers her students two additional Auras.
-----
-Aura of Invulnerability<br />
-Cost: 350,000 -> 400,000 -> 450,000 -> 500,000 -> 550,000
-<br /><br />
-You must have 5 levels in your Aura of Protection to purchase this Aura.<br />
-This aura increases your critical damage reduction rating by 1 for each level. You may purchase this Aura up to 5 times for a total of 5 critical damage reduction rating. This stacks on top of Aura of Protection.
-----
-Aura of the Specialist<br />
-Cost: 350,000 -> 400,000 -> 450,000 -> 500,000 -> 550,000
-<br /><br />
-This aura increases the effective skill level of all your Specialized skills by 2 for each level. You may purchase this Aura up to 5 times for a total of +10 to the effective skill level of any Specialized skill you possess.
-----
-Ka'hiri is the Seer of the Dark Falacot.<br />
-She offers her students two additional Auras.
-----
-Aura of Destruction<br />
-Cost: 350,000 -> 400,000 -> 450,000 -> 500,000 -> 550,000
-<br /><br />
-You must have 5 levels in your Aura of Valor to purchase this Aura.<br />
-This aura increases your damage rating by 1 for each level. You may purchase this Aura up to 5 times for a total of 5 damage rating to all of your attacks. This stacks on top of Aura of Valor.
-----
-Aura of the Specialist<br />
-Cost: 350,000 -> 400,000 -> 450,000 -> 500,000 -> 550,000
-<br /><br />
-This aura increases the effective skill level of all your Specialized skills by 2 for each level. You may purchase this Aura up to 5 times for a total of +10 to the effective skill level of any Specialized skill you possess.
-----
-Liam of Gelid is the Seer of the Dericost.<br />
-He offers to his students two additional Auras.
-----
-Aura of Destruction<br />
-Cost: 350,000 -> 400,000 -> 450,000 -> 500,000 -> 550,000
-<br /><br />
-You must have 5 levels in your Aura of Valor to purchase this Aura.<br />
-This aura increases your damage rating by 1 for each level. You may purchase this Aura up to 5 times for a total of 5 damage rating to all of your attacks. This stacks on top of Aura of Valor.
-----
-Aura of Retribution<br />
-Cost: 350,000 -> 400,000 -> 450,000 -> 500,000 -> 550,000
-<br /><br />
-You must have 5 levels in your Aura of Glory to purchase this Aura.<br />
-This aura increases your critical damage rating by 1 for each level. You may purchase this Aura up to 5 times for a total of 5 critical damage rating to all of your attacks. This stacks on top of Aura of Glory.
-----
-Lord Tyragar is the Seer of the Habraen.<br />
-He offers to his students two additional Auras.
-----
-Aura of Hardening<br />
-Cost: 350,000 -> 400,000 -> 450,000 -> 500,000 -> 550,000
-<br /><br />
-You must have 5 levels in your Aura of Temperance to purchase this Aura.<br />
-This aura increases your damage reduction rating by 1 for each level. You may purchase this Aura up to 5 times for a total of 5 damage reduction rating. This stacks on top of Aura of Temperance.
-----
-Aura of Invulnerability<br />
+Madness and marvel await in equal measure.
-Cost: 350,000 -> 400,000 -> 450,000 -> 500,000 -> 550,000
-<br /><br />
-You must have 5 levels in your Aura of Protection to purchase this Aura.<br />
-This aura increases your critical damage reduction rating by 1 for each level. You may purchase this Aura up to 5 times for a total of 5 critical damage reduction rating. This stacks on top of Aura of Protection.
 }}