Stories of Limbo

Collected works of art(?)

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INKTOBER 2025

Uh. I kinda hated how generic my people were looking so I drew this. It’s a Wanderer.

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INKTOBER 2025

Log 4: Wanderer Startrails

Wanderers, the order of traveling wardens who offer their light and paths to all travelers, are an enigmatic lot. Though the Archivists share an ancient lineage with them, the Wanderers have maintained a keen disinterest in the ways of recording and maintaining libraries. They live a transient existence, proven through their magickal missives.

The Wanderer’s Startrail is a magick projection cast from their blade that acts as a messaging system. The tail of the startrail forms esoteric shapes that dictate the positioning, route of travel, and length of excursion for the caster. Wanderers use these to signal their path of movement to one another in the evening, when it is more difficult to view the barren paths they leave in their wake. These messages fade with the dawn of a new day.

Log 5: A Wanderer’s Pledge

The following is believed to be the oath spoken by Wanderers before their first pilgrimage.

“To walk the wastes

To never yield

To light the way

For those afield

To write the route

In starry skies

To bring relief

To weary eyes

To wind a path

Through wood and loam

To keep them safe

To bring them home.”

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INKTOBER 2025

Log 3: The Stardust Girl

Using the magick sword Thespot, Archivists were able to pinpoint the location of Eudaemonia, the Stardust Sword. They wisely chose to send a battalion of Imperial troops to negotiate the sword’s bearer, which gave them the opportunity to document the sword’s might from afar.

Clothed in wraps of scarlet, Eudaemonia’s influence upon its wielder was evident in the streaks of starlight pouring from her skull. As she was approached, her blade glowed white hot and enveloped the surrounding area in a fiery haze. Archivists estimated a blast radius of at least a mile, wherein all natural life was turned to ash. As Eudaemonia was not retrieved from the hypocenter, it is believed that its wielder lives and continues her pilgrimage to the sword’s point of origin. Archivists are preparing for long-range intervention upon their next approach.

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INKTOBER 2025

Log 1: Wraiths

Archivists have attempted to ascertain the origin of Wraiths since their discovery in the First Age of the Wide Realms. Not to be confused with a Water Wraith, this tribe of bestial creatures hails from the Blasted Lands, and are capable of casting powerful elemental magick without the need of channeling tools. Though the Wraiths have occasionally maintained charitable discourse with humans, they have shared little of their culture, if one exists. Mostly solitary, they share one universal trait- a fascination and seeming kinship with the Bloodbeasts.

Log 2: Bloodbeasts

It is said that the Noble House of the Bloodweavers worships The Pit, a hole found in the Southern Continent from whence the Bloodbeasts originated. It is unknown if this is where they first emerged to roam the Continents, as it is believed that they have existed since before humankind and written history. The Bloodbeasts are mighty creatures that ooze blood at all times, forming great pools that seep into the earth and erupt into teeming springs of fertility. The Bloodbeasts of the Blasted Lands, however, rampage and sow desolation instead, their blood seemingly unable to bring life to this strange land. Though humanity has managed to drive the Bloodbeasts further to the coasts in the name of civilization and safety, their lands have lost some magick potency as a result. It is said that as humanity has further conquered the Wide Realms, the Bloodbeasts have dwindled in number. Vials of Bloodbeast essence are known to be hoarded as a result.

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Inktober Approacheth!

Plus, a message for you, who have been checking in.

Hello all. It’s officially the end of Swordtember, which means there will be no more sword-posting. However, I’m hoping all of you who have liked, reblogged, and come across my work so far have appreciated all aspects of my posts- the artwork and the lore connected to each artifact. I’ve found the most varied interactions and greatest exposure from this past month on Tumblr more than any other platform, and I’m very thankful for that.

The Tales of the Archivists won’t end here, but instead will integrate itself into this year’s Inktober challenge. Although, I am actually using the prompt list from Instagram user Sin.xline (if they have a tumblr, I haven’t connected with it yet!), which I’ve attached above. They are extremely talented and have created a very engaging prompt list, so please check their work out!

As a not-so-great artist and questionable storyteller, I’m humbled to have received interactions from you all over this past month. I thank you most sincerely for helping inspire and motivate me as I keep striving to improve my art. I hope you’re looking forward to more stories from the Wide Realms this month!

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SWORDTEMBER 2025:

Log 30: Arjuna (Purged)

After extensive study, Archivists managed to sate the demon living within Arjuna, though the result was somewhat unprecedented. In an attempt to “teach” the entity natural beauty, the sword was buried in the Blossomyr orchards atop the Vault of the False Idols. Upon unearthing after seven moons, Arjuna was wholly transformed, boasting thick green vines and a placid demeanor.

The obsessive tendencies of its wielder did not alter, however. Archivists soon realized that test subjects became compelled to topple modern civilization with regrowth, and would begin to exhale tufts of pollen that sprout into Blossomyr saplings. When Archivists needed to subdue a test subjects attempting to escape with Arjuna in tow, they resolved to seal the blade on the ninth layer of the Vault. There, the Voidsmith consumed what essence and intelligence the blade seemed to possess. Thus, the story of Arjuna passed into Archival record.

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SWORDTEMBER 2025:

Log 29: Wanderer’s Blade

Whether one finds themselves trapped in the frigid blizzards of the Southern Continent, the Dust storms of the Blasted Lands, the foggy marshes of the Imperial Continent, or upon the raging seas, the sight of a Wanderer’s Blade is always a source of security. The preferred weapon of the eponymous Wanderers, a group of devout monks whose goal is to offer safe passage to any intelligent being, the lantern hanging from the pommel burns eternally, offering a respite from extreme weather and a signal to those far afield. The exchange for this magick is not the stamina of its wielder but instead the natural energy of the surrounding environment. Archivists believe that the concept of the modern road hails from the barren paths that Wanderers leave in their wake.

As Wanderers must vary their routes in order to allow for regrowth, they are an ever-useful example of environmental balance, used often by scholars. However, the Empire has begun confiscating some of these blades as a means of limiting trade and strengthening the utility of their military escorts. The Archivists have no use for these blades, as they threaten to create imbalance among the various other magickal artifacts in their possession.

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SWORDTEMBER 2025

Log 28: Arjuna

The Shattered Archipelago is a favored destination for Spell Fencers looking to purchase specialized weaponry. The alchemists and smiths of this tropical network are masters of imbuing weapons with elemental magick- that is, spells designed to mimic the classic understanding of elemental composition. Arjuna, however, was a rare export sent to the Archivists, as its artisans quickly noticed the blade possessed an evil intelligence upon its completion.

After close study via willing test subjects, Archivists came to understand that the being within Arjuna had no intention of leaving the sword despite having roamed the Wide Realms for countless eons prior. Claiming to have become one with the dust, it now seeks to sling flame with reckless abandon. Any wielder will soon find themselves under the sword’s thrall, casting fire magick despite their mystical prowess. If left unchecked, they eventually succumb to the flame as self-proclaimed ifrits. Though they can be subdued by becoming submerged in liquid, they have a tendency to relapse and seek out arson in absence of the sword, which has been sealed on the eighth layer of the Vault of the False Idols.

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SWORDTEMBER 2025:

Log 27: Eudaemonia

Believed by Archivists to have similar origins to Seraphia either in kingdom or craft, this mysterious blade has been traced to a Northeastern village on the Imperial Continent some several hundred years before monarchies or cults. The oral tradition of the villagers is that a mage grew tired of the cycle between night and day and plucked a star from the heavens, thus creating the blade.

Certainly, Eudaemonia lives up to these tales. It is impossible not to notice, as it emits a bight light that will illuminate the surrounding 55 meters. With this light is also heat, and despite the warnings of the villagers, many have attempted to wield Eudaemonia and walked away with horrid burns on their hands. If there is a way to circumvent this, Archivists remain unaware.

Last, there remains the curious nature of the sword’s blade. A mysterious technicolor material, it appears to swirl about the central structure of the sword. There are various spherical objects that orbit in and out of this “cloud,” but due to the lack of a proper wielder, Archivists cannot ascertain their purpose. Through various magickal means, Eudaemonia was transported from its origin village to the Vault of the False Idols, and has been sealed on the sixth layer.

UPDATE: Since its sealing in the Vault, Archivists experienced increasing numbers of hostile incursions from members of its village of origin, both organized and otherwise. In their attempts, these villagers seem possessed by an unnatural rage and desire to return Eudaemonia to its home, though they are still able to perform acts of cunning. Although more than capable of repelling these attempts, Archivists were eventually thwarted by a young woman of about fourteen years of age, who was able to enter the Vault, navigate to the sixth layer, and retrieve the blade all on her own. When briefed, the stationed Archivists claimed to have fallen under a spell of serenity that only dissipated long after the young woman had left.

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SWORDTEMBER 2025:

Log 26: Thespot

One of the most prized artifacts currently in Archivist possession, this blade is utterly useless in combat, as its free-floating segments make deflecting blows unlikely. However, if its wielder is aware of the name of their objective (be it a place, item, or individual), they may place the blade on the ground, at which point it will unfurl and create a proportional route of optimal travel to reach it. Expert cartographers and trained Archivists can work in tandem to find rare artifacts, persons of interest, and more using this blade, but due to its unique properties, it is only unsealed from the Vault of the False Idols in matters of extreme certainty and with heavy surveillance and security. Otherwise, it remains on the tenth layer of the Vault.

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SWORDTEMBER 2025:

Log 25: Blackriver

It is said that the first settlers of the first kingdom of what is now the Imperial Continent marked their capital with this blade, which leaks an unctuous, sticky substance that stains the earth and kills all life beneath it. As a melee weapon, Blackriver has little effectiveness in close combat, and was likely held exclusively by royalty or those in positions of esteem. A flick of the blade with send a spray of its black water lashing out, scalding the skin of its target. This was often used in a ritual of title bestowment, as many depictions of nobility and skeletal remains bear evidence of the black water having boiled their skin and bones. Some Archivists argue this could have also simply been a form of punishment, however. Due to its historical relevance and fairly tame attributes, Blackriver has been sealed on the second layer of the Vault of the False Idols.

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SWORDTEMBER 2025:

Log 24: Cryonis

Retrieved from one of the remote islets of the Shattered Archipelago, it is believed that this blade shares a smith with Laceratia. The swords are highly unlike one another in utility, however, as Cryonis possesses far more utilitarian characteristics.

Cool to the touch, when Cryonis is submerged in a body of water, it will freeze the liquid into roughly five to seven additional fractal blades, which will effortlessly break from the origin blade upon extraction. Each duplicate has a unique fractal pattern from the original, but does not possess the replication properties. These duplicates will melt if a they travel approximately 100 meters from the original, however, so it is best used to arm a band of soliders or warriors who will stay close. Strangely enough, it seems that its wielder was using it merely to cool their hovel at the time of recovery.

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SWORDTEMBER 2025:

Log 23: Raw Will

This ancient relic is comprised of nothing more than highly compressed particles of what appears to be soil from the Blasted Lands, though comparisons to other soil samples show similar qualities. Despite the hilt and grip being nothing more than tightly packed dirt, these elements seem to shift and angle themselves of their own accord. They will clasp shut if in a position to grapple with opponents, as well as flexing to block stray slashes.

The most striking feature, of course, is the raw energy that floats independently from the hilt. Archivists believe this is a manifestation of Will, a magick unlike the Essence used to manipulate natural energies, as esteemed mages have attempted to control this weapon using magick incantation and technique to no avail. It would seem the benefit of using this weapon would be access to one’s Will, as competency with this strange inner power is not easily gained. When holding the hilt, the user is able to direct the blade within a short range of themselves. Though seemingly made of Will, the blade can be deflected by refined metals and protective spells, but a wound from it will cause catastrophic damage to an individual, burning them from the inside out and leaving a soulless husk in their wake.

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SWORDTEMBER 2025:

Log 22: An Unassuming Sword

(The following is a rough estimation of a conversation between two thieves observed by a scrying Spiritshifter)

1: …I’m sorry, mate, what in Helnar’s name is that?

2: What? It’s my sword.

1: It looks like a gnome on a stick.

2: Oh, come on. I know I had to grab whatever I could find, but that’s a bit extreme, don’t you think?

1: Extreme? Are we seeing the same thing?

2: Sure, it’s a bit plain-looking, but…

1: Plain looking? That thing sticks out like a sore thumb!

2: I don’t know what you’re talking about. It looks like a sword to me.

1: Give me that, will you? You’re going to draw an audience, walking around with that thing.

2: …You know, on second thought, I see what you mean. It does look like a gnome on a stick.

1: …Really. Because I was about to apologize. Now that I’m holding it, I can see what you mean. It’s perfectly normal.

2: Wait, now that you’re holding it, it looks like a gnome to me. D’you reckon this is some sort of magick?

1: Who would put a spell on an unassuming sword like this?

2: But it’s not unassuming. It’s a gnome on a stick!

1: Listen, there’s no need to get so indignant. It’s clearly a sword, I bet you it would draw blood if I ran my finger across it.

2: Why don’t you, then? Prove it. Prove it’s a sword!

1: I’m not going to cut myself! Why don’t I use it on you, instead?!

(At this point, the two had caused such a disturbance that they were arrested by local officials. Their belongings were confiscated, but the sword was nowhere to be found, nor was a gnome on a stick.)

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SWORDTEMBER 2025:

Log 21: Nedoftabria

Famed escapist Quincy Barchem has been a person of interest for some time in the eyes of the Archivists, as his self-proclaimed exploits fail to align with Archival records. Case in point: Barchem claims to have stolen the blade Nedoftabria from the temple of a slumbering Bloodbeast resting in the Blasted Lands, but careful documentation and conservation efforts have not yielded evidence of any such specimen.

Barchem was more than happy to sell the artifact to the highest bidder, who soon submitted it to the Archivists without want of reimbursement. Through various tests and the expiration of several test subjects, the true nature of the blade was revealed: when wielding it, the user is filled with unbridled confidence paired with righteous indignation, and will ignore all painful stimuli in pursuit of their present objective.

The blade’s traits resulted in a scheduled sealing on the third layer of the Vault of the False Idols, but upon reaching the destination, the strange winglike blade unfurled and revealed the Wraith that hid within the blade. After slaughtering the Archivists in attendance, the Wraith departed the layer with a number of artifacts, though due to the labyrinthine nature of the Vault and careful observations of more capable Archivists, it seems that it has not attempted to leave. Until this Wraith is found and eliminated, all Sealing Archivists must travel with a squad of at least four warmages or an archseer. Despite these increased security measures, the Wraith has yet to reveal itself once more. Quincy Barchem remains unreachable for comment.

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SWORDTEMBER 2025:

Log 20: Blossomyr

A sturdy plant found in the forests across the Grand Continents, Archivists have long pondered its nature. Though they possess diminished magick channeling in comparison with wands, the benefits of carrying a Blossomyr have long made it the preferred weapon for druids, hermits, and those who make their homes in the wilderness. The longer an individual wields a Blossomyr, the hardier the plant becomes, being able to withstand highly refined metal blades and deflect or eventually reflect magical attacks entirely. In addition, Blossomyr grant their wielder heightened senses, aiding in travel and foraging. Should they see enough use, the blade may grow longer while retaining its usual weight. The caveat, of course, is that Blossomyr lack the sharpness of smithed swords, though this can be mitigated through enchantment or cultivation of the thorny subspecies. Much like wands, however, a Blossomyr will only thrive under the hand that uprooted it. Because of this, Archivists have little need to seal Blossomyr, despite many impressive specimens. Rather, they replant them, as their seeds will produce new, viable saplings.

Some cultures across the Grand Continents believe these plants are the remnants of wands from slain wizards, but there is little evidence to support this, seeing as the plant has seen use since before the days of magick studies. There are legends of individuals who have wielded Blossomyr since youth that have become one with the blade, extending their lives substantially and leaving civilization behind. Archivists have attempted to confirm such stories by holding court with the Green Peoples, though this elusive intelligent race is ever-reluctant to engage with humankind.

The Archivists have long cultivated fields of Blossomyr close to their grand libraries, with the crop by the Vault of the False Idols being a particularly fertile and diverse selection.

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SWORDTEMBER 2025:

Log 19: Laceratia

Recovered from the ruined Spire of the Blind King, this weapon appears incredibly brittle but is forged from highly resilient material. Prolonged exposure to this blade will elicit sadistic tendencies in the bearer, as well as overwhelming hopelessness and fear from those within range. Because of this, it was used near exclusively as a weapon of interrogation and torture. Archivists pondered why the Noble House of the Sight Enders- renowned telekinetics- would require such a cruel weapon, but further research yielded a strange secondary function: the wielder is able to project their sight into that of the Bent, those whose mind has been broken by the Sight Enders through overuse or trauma. Similarly, rehabilitated Bent will often draw or describe the presence of Laceratia in their dreams. Because of its dangerous effects and abilities, the sword has been sealed on the eighth layer of the Vault of the False Idols.