Unsound Mages, Eyes of Oshoggdos

Please note: The following information is scarcely known. As such, you cannot assume to be aware of this information unless taught about it in-character.

Art by: Unknown Oshoggdos’chlubb, picturized"

Overview

History

One day whilst the realms of Arcas slept, turmoil began to stir within the void. Revenants by the name of Uxubor, Phothaina, and Ukrathis prepared to invade the realm via bursting through the thin membrane that separates our reality from the plane of nothingness known as the void, all for the sake of a voidal behemoth named Oshoggdos’chlubb. Alike all the eldritch, unexplainable cretins that lay within the dark abyss, Oshoggdos had a simplistic goal. They simply wished to break through free into the mortal plane, and witness what it was that the void did not offer. The creature unknowing of what stimulation could be, a gigantic congealed concentration of unworldly energy that’s minions ventured through into the living plane to subject themselves to emotion.

Bursting apart the grounds and subjecting the earth to severe taint, the Revenants all had their own specific goals, yet worked in tandem in an attempt to break apart the veil just large enough so that Oshoggdos could make it through. Everything was working in tandem before one of the revenants, Ukrathis, attempted to break apart from his greater. Using the piling corruption that was spilling into the mortal plane, the revenant betrayed his two cohorts, and sought out to completely bend the natural order and reality of Aos in order to attempt some form of greater Ascendance.

Unfortunately for Ukrathis, the descendants of Arcas did not intend to allow the natural laws of reality be broken so easily… and so with the combined help of lesser voidal horrors, and the help of divine patronic intervention, those whom fought managed to break apart supercharged entity of Ukrathis, and inform Oshoggdos of the revenants betrayal.

The behemoth unable to think, feel, or even feel a sense of mortality got this message. It heard the traitorous words of Ukrathis.. And simply thought that the being must be dragged back to learn its place. With one fell motion the creation rammed its hulking form straight into the veil, rippling a gigantic crack through the thin membrane of preservation before a gigantic tear broke apart just below Ukrathis.

This one singular tear, so large in magnitude managed to severely disrupt the reality of Arcas, as the concentrated energy flushed over the living realm for 2 minutes in what is called “Ahyog'nglui Syha'h” or “Empty Eternity”. A time within history were corrupted chaotic energy burst through the seams of the plane, and the void itself creeped upon our plane. This time felt like hours for those involved, the world hued between an array of colors as every known property of the living universe flipped around wildly as this moment which felt like forever ravaged at descendant-kind.

During this moment, the greater voidal entities of Oshoggdos grabbed the treacherous figure of Ukrathis, and damned him back into the void for the rest of his foreseeable infinity of existence. The descendants saved, but Oshoggdos having left his mark upon the world, later to only be expanded upon what may be happening to the viel once again…

However, as Oshoggdos ravaged the veil, the crack that went throughout effected many descendant’s connections to the voidal plane. Those whom were close to the eye of the voidal convergence site were affiliated with the terrible reality of their connections losing focus, and shaking onto the singular form of Oshoggdos, who recognized the sudden attention.

This sudden conglomeration of attention on the behemoth was a strange sensation… and so, along with Oshoggdos’ lessers. The behemoth began to stare back. Watching over the descendants through their voidal connection as those whom were afflicted began to feel something eat away at their normal lives...

Description

Unsound Magic is a [1] Slot Voidal Magic, given to Descendants by the Voidal Behemoth Oshoggdos’chlubb. It functions through a forged connection between the users of Unsound Magic and the Behemoth itself, allowing for various effects to be performed through the exercising of such. All of it comes at a great price, however.

To learn this magic is a similar process to any other void magic, with one simple change. That being, when forming your connection to Unsound Magic, you must reach out with your mind through the infinite expanse of chaos in search of the great Behemoth. Should they take note of your presence, they will form a connection with you. Oshoggdos will push through the teacher’s figure in the form of condensed and congealed mana. From there, the mana would flow into the student’s chest, where the aspiring Unsound Mage would begin feeling overwhelmed with a flurry of sensory overload whilst the first splotch of dark taint would appear on the center of one’s body, and the student's connection to the void would be distorted... now centered on the behemoth.

Physical Effects

Once one has become an Unsound Mage, they immediately will notice voidal taint beginning to spread upon their body. At first this is small and easily hidden, though eventually grows too large to hide beyond full-body coverings. The growth of taint throughout the tiers can be expressed with this simple table:

As the voidal taint grows, so to does the voidal weakness of the Unsound Mage. For the first three tiers of Unsound Magic, there is no noticeable difference in strength between an Unsound Mage and a normal Voidal Mage. Beginning at Tier 4 however, the voidal taint upon their body begins to eat away at their strength, causing them to grow as weak as a Tier 5 mage. Once they actually hit Tier 5 in Unsound Magic, the taint does not restrain itself at all, eating away at them constantly and bringing the Unsound Mage to a very frail state, hardly able to swing a sword. At this stage they’d be prone to internal bleeding and organ failure from heavy blows to the torso, easily capable of breaking their bones under heavy enough pressures.

The only “Upside” to this, though as well a negative in its own right, is their inability to feel fatigue. From the moment of becoming an Unsound Mage, they no longer notice fatigue’s toll upon their bodies. It is still present however, and they will begin to suffer from suddenly collapsing from a failure to take note of this. This can be from casting, or simply physical exertion(though mostly the former).

Mental Effects

From the moment that an Unsound Mage is connected, they will begin to suffer when they sleep. No longer bound to Lyes’ realm, and instead to Oshoggdos’ own mental-scape, they will find themselves viewing countless horrors when they rest. None of these are intended specifically to torture them, though the effect can still lead one to refuse sleep for days on end. Additionally, an Unsound Mage may understand and speak Moonspeech.

Passive Effects

Once the Unsound Mage is connected, they begin to give off a passive aura that drains mana from items around them. This never brings a harmful effect to another Spellcaster, but those the Unsound Mage makes friends with may begin to notice a faint tug on their mana-pool whenever the Unsound Mage is in close proximity. Beyond this, the effects of this passive drain are detailed under “Spells,” in the forms of Passive Mana Absorption I, II, and III. These effects may not progress past any line of Mage Gold however, such seeming to rend through the effects brought on by the Voidal Behemoth.

Lastly, should the Unsound Mage carry any enchanted items with Voidal-Effects on them, they would run out of mana within an hour, essentially negating their use for the Unsound Mage. This much cannot be stopped with even mage-gold, given that it is constantly in close proximity to the Unsound Mage, long enough for the effects to pass such.

Abilities

All emote requirements are established regarding that a connection emote has already been made.

Mana Absorption I - Non-Combative

Passive Mana Absorption I Non-Combative | T1 Emote Requirement: None Description: Beginning at this stage in their learning, the Unsound Mage produces a passive drain on sources of mana near them, causing items and other magical creations to begin to function strangely. Mechanics: Beginning at T1, an Unsound Mage gives off an ‘aura’ limited to a small area around them. Passively, any voidally-influenced item, from enchantments to mana gems, will begin to have their energy funneled away from themselves. At a base level, this will go unnoticeable in a single encounter. Should however, the Unsound Mage make repeated visits to a location, one might notice that the air around such a location begins to take upon a magic-draining properties. Voidal-focused items (but not mages themselves), will begin to malfunction at times. Items that remain in such begin to passively lose their mana over the course of an hour in-game, clearly growing a duller color over this period. At this stage in an Unsound Mage’s progression, the largest area this can effect is a small room of up to 5x5. This passive ability grows stronger as the Unsound Mage progresses in the magic, as detailed in Tier-Progression. Specific Red Lines: - The Unsound Mage must make repeated visits to this place every day for such to occur, for at least a week. - If you fail to visit this location during any day, the effect fades. - This only takes place in isolated rooms. If it is out in the open, the magic will simply disperse and fade. - You must have RO consent if this is in publicly accessible places. Homes/Buildings you own do not need consent. - A line of magegold stops this effect. - The Unsound Mage is NOT immune to this effect themselves. - This cannot be used to gain access past things such as arcane gates or effect mechanically built structures.

Active Mana Absorption I - Non-Combative

Active Mana Absorption I Non-Combative | T1 Emote Requirement: 3 Emotes, Continuous Duration Description: This spell forms the foundation of the magic - The manipulation of mana in other items. The Unsound Mage may focus their Passive Mana Absorption now onto a single subject of interest, and cause the item to lose its mana beginning after 3 emotes as their mana-consuming connection to Oshoggdos grows larger and more pinpointed. Mechanics: After forming a connection, and spending three emotes conjuring their aura onto an object, the Unsound Mage may begin to more actively pull mana from the item. It should be noted that this mana is pulled into the void, not into the Unsound Mage themselves. This effect, though a much more amplified version of its passive variant, is slow. The Unsound Mage must spend 6 emotes(or 1 minute if emote counts do not matter) focusing on their object of interest in order to drain what equals the equivalent mana pool of their given tier. For example, a T2 Unsound Mage can use this spell to drain mana equal to a T2 mage from an object. This much can be done without exhausting themselves any more. Once this amount has been absorbed in the span of one day, however, they must as well expend their own energy in equivalent amounts to that they drain. For example, if the Unsound Mage is T3, they can drain the energy equal to a T3 Mage from any voidal-related item(s) of their chosing. Once they’ve drained this much, they may continue on if they would like - But they’ll drain themselves as well, and be completely exhausted once the process is complete. Specific Red Lines: - This is NOT to be used in combat or on actively cast spells. - May only target voidal-related items or subjects. - This spell may potentially target voidal-tears and close them, but only beginning at T5 or higher. It is up to the ET in charge of the tear as to if the spell is effective or not. - You may remove mana equal to your tier or lower. You may double that by also removing your own. - YOU DO NOT GAIN THE MANA THAT IS DRAINED.

Confusion - Combative

Confusion Combative | T2 Emote Requirement: 2 Description: The Unsound Mage may now open up their connection to Oshoggdos, and focus it onto a specific individual to lightly disrupt the manapool of a target. The first step in an Unsound Mage’s small combative arsenal. Mechanics: Over the course of two emotes, an Unsound Mage directs their focus onto an individual. At the second of the two emotes, they must be within 5 blocks(meters) of the Unsound Mage. Should this go uninterrupted, the target of this spell would suddenly have their mind overcome with the presence of disrupted mana, distorting their hearing and filling it with loud white noise and warping their sight in a pattern of swirls, as if severe heat distortion had overcome the area. This would serve only to deafen and briefly uncoordinated the target, leaving them slightly disoriented. This lasts for two of the target’s emotes, disappearing at the end of the second. Specific Red Lines: - Requires close physical proximity to the target. - Does not incapacitate! It’s disorienting and LOUD to them, but they may still function. - You are required to emote noticeable tells whilst casting towards someone, you are not able to cover up your casting emotes.

Passive Mana Absorption II - Non-Combative

Passive Mana Absorption II Non-Combative | T2 Emote Requirement: None Description: The general area in which an Unsound Mage produces their passive aura has increased and as well grown in effectiveness, requiring less visits to uphold once an area draining of magic has been created. Mechanics: After visiting a location at least once a day for a full IRL week, the space gains a passive draining effect on voidal-related items. Enchantments and mana gems within this area will begin to malfunction and lose their mana at a heightened pace. The extent of this space could be a large room or an open area, such as a town square. For any place not owned by the Unsound Mage however, RO permission must be acquired to make such a space. Additionally, should the Unsound Mage not visit a location at least once every three day period, the effect will fade. While within the area, voidal-based enchantments will begin to lose their mana rather quickly, only lasting an hour within before becoming empty. Additionally, voidal mages will find that their magic is weakened down to that of a T4 caster - Including the Unsound Mage themselves. Specific Red Lines: - The Unsound Mage must make repeated visits to this place every day for such to occur, for at least a week. - The Unsound Mage must pay a visit before the end of a three day period, or this effect will face. - You must have RO consent if this is in publicly accessible places. Homes/Buildings you own do not need consent. - A line of magegold stops this effect. - The Unsound Mage is NOT immune to this effect themselves. - This cannot be used to gain access past things such as arcane gates or effect mechanically built structures.

Subversion - Non-Combative

Subversion Non-Combative | T3 Emote Requirement: 2 Description: This spell allows the Unsound Mage to cast forth their aura, and fling it out at an object in order to distort and scar an inorganic object’s color and texture. An exercise of disruptive mana’s control over space, a useful tool for marking its presence. Mechanics: The Unsound Mage may, over the course of one emote, conjure forth their aura - and in the second send it flinging out towards any target within ten meters of them. Living matter would go unharmed. Any inanimate object however, should it not be enchanted or magic-based, would find its mana signature disrupted and hijacked. The result of this is the distortion and warping of an object’s appearance, leaving it scarred in a rainbow of conflicting colors and changing parts of the object’s texture, such as making it rough or smooth. After the casting of the spell, the object’s integrity and base material remains unchanged. At a base level, this spell covers 2 square meters of space or less, and takes a quarter of the Unsound Mage’s given mana to produce. Specific Red Lines: - Requires RO permission when used in an area not owned by the Unsound Mage OOCly. - Does NOT harm anything living. - Takes a quarter of an Unsound Mage’s mana. - Does not change an object’s integrity or base material.

Sunder - Combative

Sunder Combative | T4 Emote Requirements: 4 Description: Focusing onto the mana signature of another voidal mage, the Unsound Mage launches a bolt of aura to disrupt the opposing mage’s mana pool, sending a surge of sharp pain throughout their body, breaking their connection and returning all spells to the void. Mechanics: Focusing on another voidal mage, the Unsound Mage telegraphs a channel of disruptive mana into the mage’s mana pool within eight meters of them, sending a surge of pain, as if they were being jabbed by a thousand needles from all directions, throughout their body. This will make the opposing mage unable to cast for three emotes. This effect also goes for the Unsound Mage, leaving them unable to cast for three emotes. Sunder requires immense focus on the Unsound Mage’s end with obvious tells. The slightest disruption will cause this spell to fail. Specific Red Lines: - This spell may not be used on more than one target. - This spell may not be used beyond a radius of eight meters around the Unsound Mage. - The Unsound Mage may not cast for three emotes after using Sunder. - Sunder takes up a third of the Unsound Mage’s mana.

Passive Mana Absorption III - Non-Combative

Passive Mana Absorption III Non-Combative | T5 Emote Requirement: None Description: The passive draining of mana has reached its peak to the Unsound Mage and their surroundings. Magic is noticeably lessened in the areas these mages frequent, as Oshoggdos’ hunger for mana represents itself more harshly. Mechanics: Should the Unsound Mage frequent a location every day for an IRL week, it will gain a mana-draining effect. Voidal-based items will have their mana drained over the course of an IRL hour as per normal, and Voidal mage’s present within such will have their magic lowered down to T3(The Unsound Mage included). This may effect an entire building. If any of the space being affected is not owned by the Unsound Mage OOCly, RO permission must be granted; You cannot simply create these on a whim. Additionally, the Unsound Mage must visit at least once a week to maintain these properties or else they will fade. At this stage, the Unsound Mage may as well progress this further within a single area - able to strain their minds and bodies in order to bolster the effects tenfold. In short, they may create an area of Mana Absorption where no active voidal magic may function. No spells may pass through, or be cast from within. Doing this places a constant strain on the Unsound Mage, and in return causes them to be unable to cast magic beyond the level of a T3 Mage even when outside of this area. Specific Red Lines: - The Unsound Mage must visit every day in a week for this to take effect. - The Unsound Mage must visit once a week for this to remain in effect. - Need RO permission to effect anything that doesn’t belong to the Unsound Mage OOCly. - The Unsound Mage is not immune to any of these effects themselves. - Bolstered Areas of Mana-Absorption have the normal effects of the Passive Mana Absorption, though additionally stop any form of active spellcasting within, should it be voidal-based. - The Unsound Mage is bound to the level of a T3 mage so long as a Bolstered version of this exists. - One Unsound Mage can produce only one of these Bolstered areas at a time.

Negate-Mana - Combative

Negate-Mana Combative | T5 Emote Requirement: 4 Description: An Unsound Mage taps into their connection with Oshoggdos, allowing it to tear through them and to those around with a devastating effect on both the spells present, as well as the Unsound Mage themselves. Mechanics: Over the course of four emotes, the Unsound Mage gathers up all of their mana and aura and expels such around them, ten-meters in all directions(21 meter diameter, counting the block the Unsound Mage occupies). The effect of this is the cancelling out of any active voidal-based spells around them, immediately shunting the mana from them into the void. This has no effect on the rest of the mana pools for these other spellcasters, only cancelling out their current spell. The Unsound Mage themselves will be entirely out of mana however, collapsed on the ground and exhausted after such a spell. Specific Red Lines: - 21 Meter Diameter, 10.5 Meter Radius, centered on the Unsound Mage. - This immediately cancels any active voidal magics in the radius, causing their casters to have to begin again from the emote after connection. This wastes the mana they had expended for their lost spells, but there is nothing stopping them from beginning again should they have the mana. - The Unsound Mage is completely exhausted and incapacitated after the fact. - This spell takes the entirety of an Unsound Mage’s mana pool, though may be accomplished so long as they have half of it present; any less will result in their death. The less they have from full, the longer their incapacitated state will go on for; Anywhere from 1 day to a week.

For more information, please see the forum page for this lore, found here: https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/187962-%E2%9C%93-magic-lore-unsound-mages-eyes-of-oshoggdos/