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theblackbookofarkera · 8 months

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Gynlin Taylor

unnamed Tanogeni warrior

Woodcut

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theblackbookofarkera · 21 days

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From the travelog Dreams of Distant Places Vol 12

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theblackbookofarkera · 4 months

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Arlhaven Abbey sketch by Adger Hale.

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theblackbookofarkera · 5 months

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Clay God, the

The Clay God is one of the nameless gods imprisoned in the Stir of Broken Gods beneath the city of Ucal-Magdeosh. Long ago was his name taken and memories stolen leaving the deity in a state of eternal despair. Unable to escape the Black King’s wicked prison he is forced to endure constant torment. A source of transmutational power, the essence of the Clay God is constantly being painfully harvested by the Black King and his dark mystics. Perhaps at one time the Clay God was a god of the earth or perhaps had dominion over artisanship but now he is a shell without memories or a name.

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theblackbookofarkera · 1 year

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“A young man who was fortunate enough to have survived an alleged encounter with the fabled Lanternhead allowed me to probe his memory (I assure you it was painless) to form a composite image of the spectral entity. While subject to the young man’s capacity to interpret the ethereal I believe this is close to what he may have witnesses…”

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theblackbookofarkera · 7 months

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Sorcerers’ cant

Sorcerers’ cant is not a spoken language but an informal written one of recognizable symbols used to mark safe havens and other locations. While sophisticated sorcerers look down on such things associating it with those involved in criminal enterprise knowing it can save your life. Sorcerers cant will commonly appear as graffiti or a legitimate sign which will nearly always be overlooked by the uninitiated. In cities where witch-hunters or other persecutors are heavily active a sorcerer may need to use his special sight to decode or find markings.

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theblackbookofarkera · 1 year

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Giovanna Magistarra. The Sphere of Altium (oil on canvas)

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theblackbookofarkera · 3 months

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Vagrants cant

In the grimy cities of Arkera the common person is used to seeing graffiti and other vandalism, it is part and parcel to urban existence. If one is well traveled, observant and brave one may notice symbols and other markings with little variation in every corner of the world. These markings are said to serve as warnings, indicators of a safe house or perhaps indicating a mote of magickal power. I do not encourage one to seek these symbols out, they are not for you.

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theblackbookofarkera · 7 months

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Illustration 74 “Stuffed scarecrow on display outside peasant cottage”

From Visions of a Bucolic Life: The Ways and Traditions of the Thelesian Peasantry

By Valaric Hunric

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theblackbookofarkera · 1 year

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Alistair Cornwall What Shadows Hide (oil on canvas)

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theblackbookofarkera · 2 months

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Illustration 645b from Urials’ Guide of the Discarnate.

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theblackbookofarkera · 3 months

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Spider stalk

With this spell an infernalist can contort his body into fiendish positions to crawl on walls and ceilings like a spider. To see an infernalist use this vulgar magick is indeed a disturbing sight to behold. When an infernalist uses this magick he opens up his soul to demonic spider beings that will corrupt both mind and body.

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theblackbookofarkera · 17 days

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Hermeneutics

Hermeneutics is the deep study and interpretation of books, generally those of a religious nature. For the sorcerer hermeneutics is a font of power as in the words of mystical texts are hidden spells of great power.

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theblackbookofarkera · 25 days

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Memory of the eyes

This grotesque but highly effective form of divination requires an eye of someone who just died. The ritual must be performed within two days of death if for it to be effective. The severed eye is placed within a brazier with special oils and salts that produce a pinkish white smoke. The diviner goes into a meditative state and if lucky can see things witnessed by the recently deceased in the wafting smoke.

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theblackbookofarkera · 1 month

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Ailuromancy

Airluomancy may be the most ridiculous but adorable form of divination in the world. With airluromancy the oracle attempts to prognosticate the future based on the movements and behaviors of cats…yes, cats. Truthfully, if focused enough any intense form of concentration on an outside catalyst can be used to scry the future. To be honest it would not surprise me if the cats purposely mislead the oracle just for laughs.

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theblackbookofarkera · 3 months

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Vagrant Courts

There are few secret societies more mysterious than the Vagrant Courts, if they exist at all. Across Arkera there are untold millions of wanderers who have no roots, no homes, no ties to a nation. Many of those folks are simply lost souls but there are whispers that some belong to a mysterious esoteric order widely known as ‘the Vagrant Courts’. From esoteric markings in the slums of ancient cities, strange cyphers and hidden temples there are many hints to point at the existence of a clandestine hidden society.

Rumors say to support themselves in the physical world they deal in secrets and transport illicit goods across the world. They do not shy away from violence to protect themselves and their secrets but do not seek conflict that would bring attention to their existence. Rumors that they worship forgotten gods, practice strange antediluvian sorcery and engage in blasphemous rites are rampant in the underworld of Arkera. In my travels I have encountered countless strange people but none more secretive than those that call no place home and never will.

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