#hydris

[mhedusard]

Finaly posting their dorm uniform 👊

Wanted it to match the ghosts and keeping a fancy Vibe

[jarlshall]

(art by @permo2003)

[mhedusard]

The squad 💥💥

Based on the pic bellow

[jarlshall]

Character Dossier: Alric “Nawanuq” Lightsworn

(art by @thelastpilot)

From a young age Alric was a skilled brawler, which made it easy for him to join a jarl's band when he came of age. What might have been an easy life of fighting for gold and glory changed in an instant in his first real battle against the orcs. Reduced to fighting for his life with his fists, he found that they crackled with lightning.

Jarl Haakon, a skilled Spirit mage in his own right, immediately took Alric as an apprentice and taught him how to harness the power of the elements like any Hydrisian mystic. The war magic came easily to his aggressive personality and rumors abounded that he would be the old Haakon's successor.

Height: 6'4" Nationality: Hydrisian Magic Specialty: Expert of Spirit

[jarlshall]

Lessons From the Grand Sage: Object Counters

Celdos reveal, your grace.

We have discussed the core tenets of magic already, as well as each element in detail. Yet, it is known among the wise that magic does not exist solely as pure energy, but often settles into the world at large. All things are infused with magic to a greater or lesser extent, with many playing host to several elements at once.

Among the multitudes there are some objects so heavily infused with a single element that they become powerful channels of their element. These are known as the ‘Object Counters’, as their most frequent use is to foil the natural counter to their given element.

Five such Object Counters are well known across the continent and subsequently sought after for their unique properties.

(All art made by @ohsweetsweetie)

Green – Gloomwood Tree

The first sprout of the Gloomwood was said to have sprouted in the aftermath of the Grey Doom which nearly consumed the Elvish peoples in ages past. A remarkable tree, it is believed to be a gift from Dagma to heal lands ravaged by the Grey, consuming it from the land when all other life cannot abide it.

Yet this strange feeding has its effects upon the tree. Its bark is black as coal, and the wood is much the same but with a purplish gleam to it. Its fronds are much like a willows’ except that the leaves are bare skeletons of veins, white leaves that clatter like bones in the wind.

Being representative of Green’s adaptability, even in the face of its opposite, the Gloomwood thrums with Green power. Its lumber is often used to make strongboxes to hide its contents from seers and diviners. And into a forest of Gloomwoods, no magical vision can pierce.

Body – Unicorn Blood

Life force is carried by the vital essence of living things. For most creatures, this means their blood. Blood is a valuable tool against – and, for the less scrupulous, bartering currency with – the forces of the Grey.

Of all living creatures, there are none with so deep and powerful a well of life force than the mighty unicorn. The blood of a unicorn makes for an unmatched reagent when used as part of a summoning circle, banishing ritual, or exorcism. Even the worst Demon Lords and righteous Celestials would struggle to break a bond forged from unicorn’s blood.

Knowing this, and with their tremendous skill of healing, unicorns have been known to give of their blood freely in times of great need. Those that take the blood by force often find that unicorns are no easy prey and Body magic can as easily drain life as restore it.

Mind – Spidersilk

There exists in the lands spiders of unusual size and strength, infused by the Green. Their silk is of remarkable strength and holds a number of fantastic qualities, but the only people to have skill at weaving sufficient to the task of crafting it are the Green Elves of the Denosan Confederacy.

It is said that the Denosans learned the art of weaving at the foot of a spider god, one of Wose’s many Green spirit children. Regardless of the history, Denosan skill alone has produced this wondrous material.

Though it is made by those skilled in the Green and from monsters of the same, it is actually aligned with Mind. The weak fibers are woven together by unknown art into something tougher than even many metals, all while capturing the light with a golden hue.

The primary buyers of spidersilk are the Hydrisians. Being made of Mind, it is all but impervious to their Spirit magic and makes for sails of unmatched quality.

Grey – Meteorite Iron

In the cosmic dance of the heavens, it is known that occasionally stone may be cast from on high and crash upon the world. Having been so close to the Cosmic Infinity, these stones are deeply infused with the might of the Grey. Most numerous of these stones are lumps of what may have once been common iron.

Yet this iron takes to the forge with greater ease than its terrestrial kin, and its metal carries with it a sheen of blue, as though a shard of the skies had been folded by hammer and tongs.

Many unusual traits have been associated with tools forged of meteorite iron. It is known as the favored metal for dwarven Forge Sages, but no two objects are exactly alike in capabilities. The dwarves have more skill than most in imposing their will upon the unruly metal, but their arts are well guarded.

The universal trait of Meteorite Iron lays in its effectiveness against Green Spirits and most especially the Fae. Alone out of all the weapons on the world, Meteorite Iron can deal lasting injury to such creatures and thus they fear it terribly.

Spirit – Oughtn’t Glass

It is said that Boudicca, bitterly angry at continuing injustice in the world, vents her frustration by throwing bolts of lightning at unoccupied shores. One notable place is the Storm Wracked Isle east of Hydris, where only their most courageous sailors dare go.

This is one explanation offered for the material known as Oughtn’t Glass – also called Furyshards and Lightning Glass. What is known of it is that it is found on beaches after storms, most commonly on the Storm Wracked Isle. No process known is capable of replicating Oughtn’t Glass – only lightning striking sand can forge it.

Once formed, Oughtn’t Glass can be shaped with the careful application of flames conjured by Spirit – no mundane flame can manage it. Likewise, it is all but indestructible save by Spirit or contact with Gloomwood.

Many are the uses for an indestructible glass – but its use is heavily restricted. A weapon made of the stuff is phenomenally lethal. Not simply for having an unbreaking, sharp edge, but also because its inherent Spirit energy weakens any attempts to use Body magic to heal wounds caused by it.

[jarlshall]

(art by @la-horrorosa)

[jarlshall]

Lessons From the Grand Sage VIII: Cultural Studies (Hydris)

Celdos reveal, your grace.

Today we continue our studies of lands beyond our own. Last time, we examined one of the peoples of the far south – the Citalen Republic, young among the great powers yet no less mighty. Now our eyes turn to the north, to a land even more ancient than our own.

(art by Ilija on twitter)

I speak of the realm of Hydris. The northern most of any society that might well be called ‘civilized’ – though some are loathe to apply such a term to the wild and anarchic Hydrisians. Despite this apparent lawlessness, there are two important points to remember:

First, Hydris was at one point ruled by Boudicca herself while she was still a mortal woman. To date, she remains the only monarch to have ever ruled all of Hydris. Even to this day, her cult holds considerable political sway, enough to keep the myriad of jarls in line.

Second, Hydris is ancient beyond reckoning. It predates the fallen empire, assuredly. Some accounts hold that it was born when first mankind stepped onto this world in the dark mists of our distant past. Some may scoff, but Hydris outlasts all others.

If no king sits upon a throne, then who reigns?

In truth, the realm of Hydris naturally owes much to the city of Hydris. All across the land, jarls – chieftains elected by acclaim in rituals overseen by the Sisters of Boudicca – manage the day to day affairs of its people and the use of its warriors. The city itself is ruled by four such jarls, to whom all others pledge fealty.

The jarls are kept in check by three powers. The Sisters of Boudicca, before whom all are equal and all are held accountable to the laws of Hydris. The Mystics, a secretive order of Spirit mages who keep lore and enforce the Sisters’ edicts. And the Sages of Kwaycha, advisers and leaders to Hydris.

For no conversation of Hydris can be complete without mention of the Pact. As old as the city itself, it binds the humans of Hydris and the elves of Kwaycha in everlasting alliance. Over long centuries, their cultures have become intertwined. Elven Mind mages speak to human chieftains and their words are heard with rapt attention.

Two centuries ago, a third joined the Pact – the Dwarves of Maldrun Hall, who joined after Hydris aided them in reclaiming their lost homelands under the mountains. Their skill in craft has only strengthened the Pactlands, most notably in the city’s famous defenses, the Painted Walls.

It is likely that all you will see of Hydris are its warriors and traders, who are often one and the same. Hydrisian longships are a ubiquitous sight at any port across the continent, ours included. In the chaos of the fall, their boisterous and laughing sailors were the only lifeline between distant lands.

There is much more to say of the Hydrisians, but I will leave that to your own studies.

Celdos guide you.

- The Grand Sage

[jarlshall]

Lessons From the Grand Sage XI: On Magic (Spirit)

Celdos reveal, your grace.

Today we cover the last of the Five Elements of the Cycle: Spirit, the magic of force.

The Grey is power, in its most pure and raw form. It is iron as ore or ingot – full of as-yet untapped potential. Spirit is that iron, forged through the fire of will. It is blade and the armor, tempered and focused with purpose.

Spirit bridges the gap between the untethered Grey and the purposeful Green. The cosmic power of the Grey is focused into shards, which become the souls of living things. When this life passes from the world, the soul leaves behind much of its outer layers in the form of life force in the mortal realm. Thus does the power of the Cosmic Infinity rejoin and renew the World Bones.

As for the magic of Spirit, it is an element associated with war and battle.

Positive Spirit is known as the ‘Sword’. It deals with the conjuring of elemental energy like fire, ice, and lightning. Breath of ice, bolts of lightning, and blasts of flame – each culture brings with it new combinations and martial arts. But so too can it heat a meal or chill a drink.

Negative Spirit is, likewise, known as the ‘Shield’. Where the positive conjures and destroys, negative banishes and protects. A bonfire snuffed out. A ward that scatters elements. A slight force that can turn away a knife’s cut. These and more are the arts of negative Spirit.

The two counters of Spirit are Mind and Body .

As to Mind – “Mist Evades the Blade.” Spirit deals with physical elements – both conjured and blocked. Mind is too intangible to strike, and impossible to be repelled by ward alone. A blade is useless is against what cannot be cut.

As to Body – “Scythe parts the Wheat.” Body is calm and patient: easy prey against the swift fury of Spirit. Flame springs to life at a moment’s notice, while life force flows along its desire paths, loath to be shifted. A wound dealt by Spirit is not one that is quickly healed.

Warriors call shields of force before them to turn a blade. Cooks heat pots and pans with touch alone. Healers chill a fever with whispered words and an icy touch.

Spirit is known well by the more bellicose peoples of the continent. Hydrisians, renown sailors and warriors, ply the seas in ships warded in runes. The Omark, horse nomads of the Thundering Plains, shout war cries that thrum with force as they hunt dragons. And the Tereshi, the Tower Elves, build their invincible spires that saved them from the Grey Doom.

So ends our lesson for today. Meditate upon what you have learned here, and carry it with you.

Celdos guide you.

- The Grand Sage