Abraxus Stone
Description
The most common form for an Abraxus Stone is a silver or gold band set with a white oval stone, usually inscribed with a crimson or emerald Cavul rune. They are also crafted in the form of amulets, medallions and bracelets, but regardless of the form are usually composed of silver metal.
The use of these protective amulets dates back to the kingdom the Navarri call ancient Terunael. In the aftermath of that kingdom's fall, many of these rings were made to help the early Navarri fight against the Vallorn creatures. The rarest of these rings were bands of pure ilium set with pale gemstones and inscribed with runes; any one of these artefacts would be a gift beyond price to the Navarri.
In the wake of the disaster that destroyed the Terunael civilisation, the rings were discovered to have an additional vital power. They provided protection from the deleterious effects of exposure to the so-called vallorn miasma, up to and including preventing a dying person being infested with the plants that might cause it to rise as a vallornspawn husk. Indeed, the rings even appear to be effective at protecting their wearers from the effects of the sickness known as green lung that is linked to long-term exposure to the miasma - provided they are worn constantly of course. Even a few minutes without the protection of the talisman may result in the sickness being contracted.
Not all Abraxus Stones are rings. One of the first rings made by the Navarri was used as the basis for a beautiful amulet, given as a gift of friendship to the first of the Highborn navigators, Atuman: a single perfect white stone hung from an ilium chain, delicately crafted to suggest links of interlocking Imperial Roseweald flowers. As part of the negotiations surrounding the giving of this Tear of Peace, the Highborn agreed to allow the Navarri to travel through their lands. It disappeared following the assassination of Permion the Lawmaker, and while some stories suggest the First Empress wore the chain around her neck, as with the other rings its whereabouts today are unknown.
These rings are obviously of especial use to warriors who must fight magicians, assassins, eastern orcs or vallorn-beasts.
Rules
- Form: Talisman. Takes the form of a piece of jewellery. You must be wearing this item to use its magical properties.
- Requirement: Any character can bond to this item.
- Effect: When hits are restored to you by any means then you are also cured of the venom condition. This item will not work if the purify spell would fail to remove the VENOM for any reason. In addition, while wearing his talisman you are not subject to the venomous effects of the vallorn miasma. You will not contract green lung, nor will you become a vallornspawn husk if you die while wearing this talisman.
- Materials: Crafting an Abraxus Stone requires thirteen measures of beggar's lye, ten measures of weltsilver and seven ingots of tempest jade. It takes one month to make one of these items.
Further Information
To Siân Eternal the Advisor on the Vallorn,
First let me say thank you for the opportunity to study one of, in my opinion, the most interesting items that artisans are able to produce. The common use of Cavul and its obvious history with the peoples of Navarr and Highguard paint a fascinating picture of pre-Imperial life.
Origin of the Abraxus Stones
I was unable to gather much more on the origins of the Abraxus Stone, aside from what is relatively common knowledge. The records of ritual responses I was able to gain access to, from the reign of Empress Deanne, date the creation back to the period of Terunael. Their primary use was as a gift to foreign delegates, whilst they were being hosted in one of the cities of the Terun, as a demonstration of the city's intent to protect, the amulet being an active defence against poison.
Gambit of the Wulfhunter
'Gambit of the Wulfhunter' belonging to the warden, Mischa Koschinov Sennariv, who, in 112YE, managed to hound a Plaguewulf until it had led them back to it's lair. The story goes that upon arriving at the creature's den Mischa spent their time killing each husk that came at them, ensuring that when the time came the Plaguewulf would have no reinforcements to call upon. This done Mischa then invited their quarry out into the open. The tale ends with the Plaguewulf breathing out its pestilent breath on the warden who, with a smirk, drank a simple potion and charged the monster.
Halssnoer des Omstrengelend Vergif
From the Sarcophan Delves I was able to handle one of the talismans which are closely linked to the Abraxus Stone, the 'Halssnoer des Omstrengelend Vergif', it had much the same design as you would expect from an Imperial Stone. A bracelet, formed of a silver metal which had been studded throughout with pale opals, that had been engraved with the owner's family name. I was unable to uncover the exact material components involved in crafting one of these items, but I would expect them to be along the same lines as the beggar's lye, weltsilver and tempest jade numbers.
The Vate's Shelter
The 'Vate's Shelter' was worn by the navarri vate Roswen Doublestep during a purging of Liathaven during the reign of Empress Brannan. A fine silver band that was said to shine during the moonlight, allowing Roswen to be seen during her many night time skirmishes. Roswen, being the leader of her coven, would often volunteer to bear the enchantment of the spring ritual 'Fetid Breath of Teeming Plague'. Roswen would apparently rush into the miasma with a dozen doses of the mageblood philtre, and use of the talisman meant that she was able to get deep into the miasma, behind a large portion of vallornspawn husks, before unleashing the torrent of spring magics. Unfortunately, due in large part to a lack of support, she fell during the summer of 255YE and her body was never recovered.
The Swan's Chalice
The 'Swan's Chalice' belonging to a sentinel, Nikettas of the spire of the Green Shallows, who served briefly in the Citadel Guard during the reign of Emperor Hugh. Nikettas fought against the Druj for almost his entire adult life. The Swan's Chalice was a gift from the eternal Ylenrith, following his actions in rescuing the Archmage of Day, Gemma Steward. Nikettas fell in battle in 365YE and the talisman was never recovered.
Ylenrith and Cavul
The theoretical link between the Abraxus Stone, the eternal Ylenrith and the rune Cavul is an interesting one. The rune is often used as a mark on the talisman see most use, as you would expect, in Wintermark. Cavul being so closely linked to the Swan it, of course, makes perfect sense for people to link the three together. I have in the past observed magicians, who practice the goetic tradition, calling on Ylenrith's link to the Stone to purify the venom within the target.
The Prophet Abraxus
Regarding the “prophet” Abraxus Whitespire I believe that the merrow actually took the name Abraxus from the talisman, changing it before publishing his 'On the Teleology of Pure Liao ' in 47YE. There are records of a 'Xavier Whitespire' who submitted multiple statements of principle which are in keeping with the future teachings of Abraxus. There are no records of judgements from Xavier later than 45YE.
Further Research
I expect that you will have some thoughts on what direction to take future research; I believe that the more traditional scholarly approach would not turn up more than what I have already managed to uncover. I have some ideas on potential future avenues of research:
- The material components used in the creation of the Sarcophan variant. I would suggest the Ambassador to the Sarcophan Delves could try to negotiate for that information.
- Regarding the Swan's Chalice, I would suggest a discussion with Ylenrith could open up some possibilities, but it should be noted that the magic on the talisman was not permanent in nature.
- The Vate's Shelter was lost where it fell in Liath's Heart, Liathaven. A statement of principle in the Navarr national assembly, passing with greater majority, could result in someone coming forward with more information.
I hope what I have been able to uncover is of some use to you, Advisor on the Vallorn. I honestly think that, due to our nature in trying to protect ourselves, this might have been one of the first talismans to be 'developed', or at least seen widespread use.
Yours in service, Luca Friedlin von Holberg under the authority of Rosa Friedlin von Holberg