Karameikos - Vaults of Pandius
Karameikos - Vaults of Pandius
Karameikos - Vaults of Pandius
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mortal magic to heal. This“percentage” also builds up,weighing on the wizard’s mindand sanity. So, a magic usercasting a 2nd level spell has a 2percent chance <strong>of</strong> becomingafflicted with the rotting disease,and adds 2 percent to his runningtotal <strong>of</strong> sanity loss. Spells <strong>of</strong> theRadiance carry double thepercentage chance. A wizardopening himself to demonicpossession is shielded from theeffects <strong>of</strong> the rot and insanity, butthat running total is still kept,applying instead to how muchcontrol the demon can exerciseover its host, as it gnaws away at itswarlock’s soul...Weavers: Sundsvall Initiates andCiprian WildersThose who follow the “new” or“untainted” method making use <strong>of</strong>cast-<strong>of</strong>f threads <strong>of</strong> Spheric Powerare known as weavers, as thegestures they use in manipulatingthe threads look much like thoseworked at a loom. They also referto their spells and spell-like effectsas ‘weaves.’ Weaves <strong>of</strong> similarproperties are grouped int<strong>of</strong>amilies called “Talents.”There are two schools <strong>of</strong> learning,based on the two ancientAlphatian cultures that have foundtheir way to Mystara. TheAlphatian method involves ahighly structured and disciplinedstudy <strong>of</strong> the forces and powersEvery Traladaran home contains at least oneimplement edged in silver, and even the youngest inthe family know better than to go out after sundownwithout it. If a stranger begs entry, it is best to bar thedoor. Never open the door in response to threeknocks. What seem strange habits to the Thyatianinvaders are what has kept the Traladaran peoplerelatively safe from the demons, werewolves, andvampires that haunt the land. None wish to repeat themistakes <strong>of</strong> the brothers Koriszegy.How have the slight changes to the historical canonchanged Thorn’s <strong>Karameikos</strong>?No Guild <strong>of</strong> Magic. The Grand Duke has allowed agray-robed sister from the Alphatian Tower <strong>of</strong> Lightsto remain at court, as both advisor and ambassador.Her retinue <strong>of</strong> red and blue-robed sisters are allowedwithin the borders <strong>of</strong> the Grand Duchy under strictsupervision, their rounds to the villages to seek outthose with an affinity for magic performed on a rigidschedule. All <strong>of</strong> those touched with the sparkenabling magical ability must receive the permission<strong>of</strong> their families, and that <strong>of</strong> the Grand Duke, to leavehis lands to study at the Tower in Alphatia. The Toweris also to compensate the families for each year <strong>of</strong> thenovice’s training.A Fourth Church. Besides the Churches <strong>of</strong> Traladaraand <strong>Karameikos</strong> (and, though not <strong>of</strong>ficiallyrecognized, the Cult <strong>of</strong> Halav), most towns contain atleast a small shrine to the Alphatian Silver Flame, astrange worship brought by the Wandering Exiles tothe East. The patriarchs <strong>of</strong> the Traladaran andKarameikan pantheons both recognize the superiorabilities <strong>of</strong> the Silver Flame in dealing with deceptiveand hidden foes, but neither have seen fit to includethe alien, anima-spirit into their respective pantheons.The Eyes <strong>of</strong> Traldar: Legendary magical stones, saidto have been infused with the last <strong>of</strong> the pure magic<strong>of</strong> the World That Was. They appear throughout many<strong>of</strong> the Old Traladaran legends, passed down throughthe Golden Age by the druids. Some stories claim78THRESHOLD: The Mystara Magazine Issue #1