There is a saying, the danger that gets you is the one you never saw coming. During The Banishment, many lives were lost. The followers of The Great Mystic, Hester grew tired of their kin falling to assassins sent by the agents of The Malevolent Chorus. They created a tool to aid their brethren in the fight for survival. Books were the form of their enlightenment and so they took the form of their salvation, as well. The followers of Hester gathered paper and leather. Needle and thread. They placed the leather and paper upon each other and with the needle and thread, carefully stitched the necessary arcane elements into the fabric of the book’s existence.

When startled or warry, Hester’s acolytes were often seen gazing into the pages of a rather simple, leather bound tome. Changing course and reacting as if they knew something others did not.

During the Great Dissention, The Shadow Mystic, Tsubet’Anis, took it upon themselves to bring about the end of Hester. Again and again they sent their shadowy minions to infiltrate The Sanctum of The Master of Magics and assassinate them. Again and again they were revealed and expelled from the sanctum and recalled back to their origins. The Lord of the Arcane would prove a difficult adversary. Although The Great Hester was not known for their prowess in battle, their Battle Mages proved formidable foes to any and all who sought to harm their master. It is said that Hester’s Battle Mages were draped in the same deep purple celestial robes worn by all of his followers. Upon their hands, however, The mages were bestowed silver gauntlets with intricate filigree and magical runes. As the forces of darkness crept upon the Temple of the Arcane, The Mages seemed aware of their presence. Striking out with their shining gauntlets and exposing their adversaries for all to see. As long as Hester was flanked by his mages, no invisible forces could penetrate the Master of Magic’s shield of protectors.

On the day of The Banishment, Hester’s Battle Mages were separated from their wondrous patron. Over the centuries, The Mages and their descendants tried to keep the faith, holding vigil over the Great Sanctum, awaiting for their master’s return. Time moves on, however, and Hester’s followers would slowly do the same. Casting off their robes and gauntlets and placing them entombed in The Sanctum and sealed away. A shrine to their loss of faith. Although the great temple is sealed shut in a final act of protection by The Battle Mages, nothing is buried forever.

In the Age of Proliferation, a humble, young street performer by the name of Emory Balgotzzi went from almost complete obscurity to critical acclaim and prominence as The Ember Walker. His specialty? Pyromancy. When he took to the stage, festooned in colorful silks, he wore a bejeweled crown woven amongst his long, luxurious hair. During his performance, Emory was known to dance amongst the flames that burst forth from all directions. Although the fire’s creation seemed quite obvious, it was the paths the flames took that caused the most amazement and scrutiny. As the blazes looked to encapsulate and ensnare The Ember Walker, He would move and shape the fire into almost impossible patterns and configurations. Although he spent the entirety of the show amongst the flames, never once was his body burned.

Many fans were known to collect memorabilia of The Ember Walker throughout his career. Upon his inevitable passing, however, the secondary market for items and costumes from his show became coveted the world over. Only one item never seemed to find its way onto the auction table. The Ember Walker’s bejeweled crown.

During their appointment as High Protector of The Order of Devine Light, Eddard Zahn, became withdrawn from the daily activities of the order. Services, if attended at all, held no interest for them. They refrained from meditation on the Cliffs of Dawn. Even those closest to them were treated as if strangers. It is said that during a mission into The Dark Planes of Heviah, his divine mace “The Spark of Dawn”, became corrupted from the blood of a demon. Slowly, High Protector Eddard was driven mad from a curse caused by this corruption. Eventually Eddard Zahn abandoned his post as high protector and drifted out into the world, his mace in hand.

This weapon’s effects change based on the presence, or absence of the sun. Radiant during daylight hours. Cursed in darkness.

During The Age of Proliferation, an avatar of Amati was gifted a sword imbued with temporal energy. The intention of this sword was to aid in guarding the sanctity of time. Over time, however, the avatar utilized the sword to not guard the sanctity of time, but to exploit it. Twisting time to fit their whims and needs. Upon discovering these abominable acts Amati banished their protégé on to The Next Realm. The sword itself fell into obscurity. Waiting for its next master.

When attuned, once per day, the wielder may Discharge the energies held with a gem on the swords Pommel. This will set back all actions taken at time of casting 1 round. This effects all things within a 100ft Radius of the wielder. Any spells or energies spent during that round are restored to their wielders.

The Expedient Repeater, or “Annie” as it is affectionately referred to by it’s current wielder, is an extremely rare weapon. It is imbued with a variant of the spell “Haste”.

When attuned, the wielder may activate the runes on the stock to cast the inscribed spell once per short rest.

Art by: Greg Archer

Everyone knows that the finding of a magical item can make the day of any adventurer. The Arti-factory will release content created for and used in gaming sessions and featuring illustrations provided by fantastic local artists.