Artifacts (list)

An artifact is a unique item, constructed through the intensive application of magic; this process has often been perverse, using black magic to achieve the aim – to produce an article of such phenomenal power that it enables it's possessor to achieve dominance over regions and thousands of followers. Artifacts are, however, more dangerously potent than intended; the natural magic that exists in the vicinity of an artifact may be warped, producing unexpected consequences and reactions when the item's chief powers are employed. These consequences are known as "malevolent effects." Occasionally, these can be so virulent that an artifact's possessor must seriously question if the chief powers are worth using, given the potentially unfortunate results.

Artifacts are immune to ordinary attempts to dispel magic; even a rod of cancellation cannot affect an artifact's magic. Artifacts must be melted down, dropped into, buried beneath, broken again or immersed under very unusual circumstances, most likely in places that do not exist upon the Prime Material Plane. Often, only one precise method of destruction will be effective.

The list shown indicates a partial list of artifacts that might potentially exist in the game world.

• Axe of the Dwarvish Lords: forged in the blood of Ymir, the axe is believed to be in the possession of the Altslok Royal Family.
• Baba Yaga's Hut: a small, circular, thatched portable structure, made reportedly during the height of the Kiyevan Empire, reportedly lost when Moskva was overrun by the Mongols. Varying reports put the possession of the hut in the hands of the Mongols, the Chinese, Moskva and Khorezm.
• Codex of the Infinite Planes: believed to have been written two centuries after the epic of Ramayana, the book is said to be in possession of the Moghul Emperor, though some believe it was surrendered to Tibet. The book's pages have the keys to instant physical transference to any plane or place of existence.
• Crown of Might: fabricated during the time of Charlemagne, the crown grants the adoration of a people to their leader; last publicly seen upon the head of Joan of Arc; now believed to be in the possession of the French King.
• Crystal of the Ebon Flame: an immense gemstone of phenomenal power, said to have been purchased from the Arabs by Mansa Musa in the 14th century. Most believe that it is still in the possession of the Malinese Empire.
• Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar: holy relics of the Islamic descendents of Fatima, forged in the time of Mohammed and believed to still be a set, despite having both been lost during the Crusades. Some disagreement exists as to whether they are located in Constantinople, Damascus, Alexandria or Baghdad. Some believe the Cup actually resides in Britain.
• Eye of Vecna: Vecna was a powerful wizard during the height of Kampuchea, who ultimately became a famous arch-lich. The death of the creature Vecna is certain; but the eye was irrevocably lost. Last seen in the 11th century, in the hands of a Toungoo king.
• Hand of Vecna: Chopped from the hand of the arch-lich Vecna while still alive by Wuxia adventurers in the 10th century, possessed by the Chinese Song chao court until smuggled away and hidden from the Mongol conquerors in 1279. Present whereabouts unknown.
• Heward's Mystical Organ: publicly visible at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Mary in Cologne; playing the organ is restricted to a solemn brotherhood.
• Horn of Change: of ancient origin prior to the Roman Empire, variously ascribed as a creation of Archimedes, Pythagoreas or Frontinus. Lost in Dacia in the 2nd century AD, reappeared in the time of the Khazars. Believed to be in possession of Caspian pirates.
• Invulnerable Coat of Arnd: resplendent armor made in the 13th century for the Nagus of the Zagwe empire of Ethiopia, Gebre Mesqel Lalibela. Rumoured to have been made a gift to the Portuguese Empire in 1508 in exchange for protection from the Ottomans.
• Iron Flask of Tuerny the Merciless: created during the golden age of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea, circa 1050, the flask came into possession of Kublai Khan, the artifact was lost when the Mongol invasion fleet of Japan was destroyed by a typhoon in 1281.
• Orb of Might: fabricated during the time of Charlemagne, the orb grants religious fealty and blessings. Lost to the Normans in the 13th century, recovered by Julian II. Rumoured to be in the hands of the Vatican.
• Sceptre of Might: fabricated during the time of Charlemagne, the sceptre grants the power to wage war. Carried in the Crusades, lost in Syria, recovered, lost in Armenia, recovered by the Byzantines, plundered by the Venetians, stolen by the Genoese, stolen again by the Venetians and given as tribute to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles the Great in 1524. Reportedly lost during the Thirty Years War.