ARTIFACT 010 : THE GOLDEN TABLET OF ANTAGVLCH
[Artifact recovered from the Fæon Antagvlch ruins, carbon-dating suggests it to be over two epochs old.
Due to the nature of its contents, Ishrean meddling is strongly suspected.]
Artifact 010 is a golden tablet, containing an ancient font of Thesseric runes and pictographs.
The penmanship of the writing is in line with the tools available at the time.
However, the bas relief on the center is too advanced for modern technology, let alone for the technology of its time.
This disparity in detail as well as its written contents continue to baffle researchers and occult scholars today.
A written transcript and translation has been provided below.
THE FIRST TABLET : TRANSCRIPT
" ⚪ = 🌑 = 🔴 "
( Glyph denoting the astronomical time for Heckalian moonset )
" ▽ == Vavvukule "
( A WATERY SPRIT : Thank You. )
" [⚕𓂧] "
( Glyph denoting an offering and its reception )
" 🜂 == Atoa kanPlase • Essesire • Tu Beles Tu Beles • Kwattatari Mortis "
( A FIERY SPIRIT : I Know this Plase. Reseived a Message. To Be, is To Be is. This is as True as the Passage ov Time. )
“ ▽ == Vavvussesire “
( ▽ : Thank you vor your Message. )
“ 🜂 == Ettetre • Olam shoat Sallot • Aut Toil “
( 🜂 : There is another. Read it and Hear it. In your Mind’s Ear. )
“ ▽ == Ettetre “
( ▽ : Go On. )
“ 🜂 == (An advanced image is tooled into the tablet by an unknown means: a bas relief perfectly machine engraved) “
- END OF TRANSCRIPT -
ARTIFACT 011 : STAINED GLASS ROSE
[Artifact procured from the burial chamber of ██████ ██████, buried with her in ████.
The artifact is contained in a state of suspended animation.]
Artifact 011 appears to be an abnormally large red rose. Superficially, it resembles a prehistoric megaflora,
a bygone relic of low-gravity proto-solar life. However, closer analysis has determined that it is not a
mundane species by any capacity— in that it is completely crystalline, and that it expands rapidly as soon as it
is removed from suspension. As it stands, no further experimentation has been done on account of its current
preservation. Fine inscriptions are barely visible on the petals, written in modern Thesseric script. As the text
continues towards the center of the flower bud, the print becomes smaller until it is no longer legible.
More of it may be readable if it's allowed to grow further.
ROSE PETAL RUNES : TRANSCRIPT
“ Though you are gone, may your soul live on.
You konfided in me that you wished to stain the world.
I kan say now with konfidence, that you have stained ours, and we bleed in the spot where you touxed our hearts.
This givt to you is yours to keep, vor when it leaves you it shall grant your one wish.
Varewell, sister and mother.
██████ ██████
████ – ████ “
[The following text repeats across the petals:]
“ THETSARAE AVARRE • ET TAU ELET • UTUK ALUT • SALAT SHAVAN •
ITSU KUNDAYU • ALKAM KATSIOUX • ALTAYAT MORTI THENSULE • AVET ROSA “
ARTIFACT 012 : TO THE FAIREST
[Artifact from the Banquet of Aldenkoch, an antedemioric feast of legend held by the gods.
Previously thought to be lost, Artifact 012 was recovered from a collapsed Sowtoannic cave by the site.]
Artifact 012 is an apple made of solid gold, inscribed with the anthropian word “ΚΑΛΛΙΣΤΗΙ” meaning “To the Fairest”.
It was brought to the legendary banquet on the hill of Aldenkoch as a prize for a pageant, and caused so much drama
and discord that the feast erupted in mayhem. Previously, it had been thought that the prize apple had been taken
back by its anonymous provider– however it was recently discovered to have fallen off of the table,
where it sank deep into the caves of Sowtoanna. Though it possesses no anomalous qualities per se, the apple
has a reputation of creating dangerous levels of envy. Testing of this phenomenon has proved inconclusive–
though it holds true to its reputation it does not appear to do so by any supernatural means.
ARTIFACT 013 : SYLLIF’S FÆTHER ROD
[Artifact belonging to the famous folk hero of legend, Syllif the High. Initially stolen from his memorial
site two turns ago, it has since passed the hands of many black market merchants and esoteric collectors,
until it was procured at an auction for an exorbitant sum.]
Artifact 013 is a long, thin rod made from dried hemp reed and bound with twine. Affixed to the top is a cord
that terminates in a silver bell, and is bundled with hemp leaves and the feathers of a bird of Kototha.
The grip is wrapped with magical knots, and three beaded tassels hang from its pommel– one of which has been
severed by a previous owner and is missing. According to historical accounts, Syllif the High received this
instrument from an unknown werecat witch, who in some retellings is said to have been an avatar of Heckali in disguise.
When shaken, the bell produces a pleasant chime, which has a gentle psychomemetic effect on animals.
Legends document Syllif the High using this tool to pacify a number of ferocious beasts, and even gaining
their obedience. However, since the loss of the third tassel, the effects of the artifact are greatly reduced,
causing the artifact to merely entertain most animals. Rumor has it that the previous owner who severed the third
cord was eaten alive by his own exotic pets not much later. Regardless, even in its weakened state it still exudes
a notable influence on animals, particularly felines, giving them a profound calm and joy, even if they are in
an agitated or hostile temperament.
ARTIFACT 014 : SACHET OF CRYPTOSPINTRIAE
[Artifact from Antedemiouric Ishra, procured in secret from the GREZ.zo cyber-crypts by an inside agent.
Archeological speculation has determined these were likely used as illicit currency for a cryptoid-themed brothel.]
Artifact 014 constitutes a vellum pouch filled with nine (9) pseudocorporeal coins, eight of which are connected by
chain in sets of four. The coins and pouch both possess an anomalous aroma of lavender that cannot be removed by
washing it off or masking its scent with another. The coins appear like silver and make a similar chime when struck
together, but have an abstract and fuzzy texture when held, and are impervious to tarnish or bending. The two sets
of four coins are connected by a small chain, which terminates in a pendant of a small heart icon. On the individual
coins various sexual acts are depicted on the heads, and various sigils are sealed on the tails. When they are thrown,
they can be used for geomantic divination, producing a 4-bit binary value between 1 and 16. The ninth coin is unique,
in that it is separate from the rest and has a golden finish. It depicts a hand holding a sword and a bouquet of
flowers on the heads side, and an Ishrean spiral on the tails side.
Further testing is required to determine its anomalous properties beyond smell and material, research so far has
uncovered neither a positive nor a negative trend in the accuracy of its geomantic readings.
ARTIFACT 015 : TYRANTITE PIPE
[Artifact procured at a Tyranntosian bazaar, allegedly found at a tyrantite deposit on the summit of Mt. Olek.]
Artifact 015 is a chunk of tyrantite shaped like a peace pipe of immaculate craftsmanship. As no known technology
is capable of shaping or even cutting tyrantite, it is unknown if this artifact is a naturally-occurring coincidence
or if it is a design of Tyranntos’ own handiwork. Besides its impressive design and impervious material, there is
nothing else anomalous about this piece.
ARTIFACT 016 : HECK'S EYE ORRERY
[Artifact procured on the continental wastes of Fæo, after it was observed falling from Heckali by stationed astrologers.
Its make is unidentified, and its craftsmanship is exquisite.]
Artifact 016 is a clockwork contraption containing an unknown sphere-cut gemstone in its geometric center. No internal
or external source of power has been identified. When it is set flat on a surface its components will begin to animate
and spin, weaving intricate cycles of wire and clockwork. These motions are somehow attuned to the motions of Heckali,
and can be used to divine meteorological activity going on inside Heckali’s mantle with a very close degree of accuracy.
Furthermore, the opalescent gemstone in the center will flush different hues of orange or red depending on the lunar
phase. At times of peak Heckalian activity, the stone will bleed opaque red, and may be used for scrying– allowing the user
to remote view into seemingly random locales within Heckali's mantle. Inscribed on the bronze plate fixed to the bottom
of the device, a single sentence is written in Thesseric along with a Heckalian insignia.
ORRERY PLATE : TRANSCRIPT
“ Vor whoever vinds this, May you keep watxing the skies, Always. – MM “
ARTIFACT 017 : A PAINTING
[Artifact procured in an exchange with the H.o.S.W, a gallery for degenerate Ishrean art,
after receiving a tip from an agent on rumors of the object’s paranormal properties.]
Artifact 017 is an unnamed acrylic painting on canvas made by a since-deceased artist. The colors are in warm hues–
red, pinks, golds, and the composition is balanced towards the top. It depicts a cubist and oversexualized nude woman
with flowing blonde hair, reminiscent of a blow-up doll. Three red hands are grabbing at her, coming from the borders
of the piece. In the background, what looks like an impressionist rendering of an airport in view of Heckali is
positioned on the bottom left, and an abstract network of lines is in the top right.
The artifact has been discovered to possess a consistent and reproducable psychic effect: those who sleep in view of
the painting will become more prone to 'old hag' experiences, or sleep paralysis, ending in nocturnal emissions.
Testing has produced these dreams in roughly 8 out of 10 men and 6 out of 10 women who slept with the painting for
one night. These experiences have been described as highly pleasurable by 60% of participants and extremely
terrifying or disturbing to 10%, whereas the remaining 30% had either mixed or no experiences. Generally, those
who have positive experiences will have a noticeable increase in energy the following day, while those in the 10%
wake up feeling drained and fatigue. A smaller 5% that have very negative experiences suffer from bouts of insomnia
and the inability to dream at all for a few days, before they return to normal.
ARTIFACT 018 : JASPER IDOL
[Artifact was procured from a Tyranntosian monastery, where it had been originally
crafted by the late Zouz-Balak, a senior monk from the temple.]
Artifact 018 is a statuette carved from red jasper. The statue appears to depict a globinoid male with the
face of a Typhonic beast. He is sitting cross-legged, sprouting an erect phallus, and carrying a javelin in
his left arm, fashioned from a shard of tyrantite. Curiously, the arm holding the spear is completely separate
from the main mass of the figure, and is cleverly fashioned to the statuette where the tyrantite spear is held
in place. The craftsmanship strongly suggests the chunk of jasper formed around the tyrantite rod, therefore
the figurine must have been carved precisely and with impressive foresight to avoid damaging the integrity
of the stone.
Not much is recorded about the deceased artist Zouz-Balak, though other members of his community described
him as “withdrawn” and “eccentric”. It is said that Zouz-Balak had crafted artifact 018 after undergoing a
sudden personality change, where he had burned his belongings and left his home, living off the land in the
mountains. Those who knew him after this change said that he no longer spoke in any coherent tongue, vocalizing
exclusively in shrill barks, chitters and whistles. He left the statuette in the possession of the temple, and
soon after passed on without any explanation for the curious artifact. Rumors later began that the item was
possessed by its creator, and that the same animalistic sounds he was known for could be heard on some nights.
It has since been determined by our own occult department that the statuette does not house the deceased soul
of Zouz-Balak, but instead it holds a daemon that possessed Zouz-Balak to create the statuette. This daemon
within has exhibited the ability to teach its unique tongue and has proven rather conversational after doing so,
identifying itself as “KORATULE”. Working with Koratule has revealed a few things–
revealed in the following transcript.
INTERVIEW WITH THE JASPER IDOL : TRANSLATED TRANSCRIPT
MEDIUM: Spirit, is there a name you go by?
“ KORATULE. “
M : Koratule, what can you tell me about this idol?
K : “ THIS IDOL IS KORATULE. “
M : …And who is Koratule?
K : ” KORATULE IS. KORATULE IS KORATULE. “
M : You speak a unique tongue, Koratule. Can you tell me more about how you teach it?
K : “ I DO NOT TEAX. YOU KNEW. ZOUZ-BALAK KNEW. YOU REMEMBERED. “
M : While you were at the temple, did any of the members of the monastery speak to you?
K : “ THEY SPOKE AT ME. WHEN I WAS IN FLESH. BUT THEY WERE NOT SPEAKING TO ME.
THE PERSON THEY SPOKE TO. WAS GONE. AFTER I TOOK (THIS FORM) THEY SPOKE AT ME NO MORE. “
M : Who was Zouz-Balak to you?
K : “ A DEAD MAN. A MEANS TO AN END. “
M : Did you kill Zouz-Balak?
K : “ HE KILLED HIMSELF. I DO NOT KNOW WHY. I NEEDED HIS FORM. AND SO I TOOK IT. AND KRAFTED MYSELF ANOTHER. “
M : So it was you who made the statue you’re in now?
K : KORREKT. I FREED MYSELF. USING HIS HANDS.
M : Do you plan on moving to another form after this one, Koratule?
K : NO. I HAVE BEEN FREED ALREADY.
M : Thank you for your insight, Koratule.
- END OF TRANSCRIPT -
[ ARTIFACT 019 IS UNAVALIABLE, IT HAS BEEN DONATED TO PRINCE ██████ AND ████████████, IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS COIN ]
