Arcadian Glamour

By Dan Rose (azrael1998@aol.com)

Description

To the unenchanted eye, this book appears as nothing more than a collection of oddly fascinating faerie tales, told from several perspectives, loosely tied together by various characters. To the fae, however, the tome represents a treasure trove of lost information. Written anonymously long ago, before the Mists and Banality combined to steal the memories from changeling-kind, this treatise, set in skilled prose, contains information on several Arts lost in time. The locations of various old and powerful trods and treasures lay hidden in its leaves, masterfully woven into riddles and illustrations so complex it takes months, or even years to find all the necessary information. Rumours abound that even the secret of Sidhe reincarnation is written somewhere within its pages. Indeed, this book is, in some respects, a history primer for events before and after the Shattering. It catalogues events and kithain that would otherwise be forgotten.

The enchantments surrounding this tome are, by necessity, extremely powerful. Several exist for the sole purpose of dampening the field of Glamour that surrounds it. Others were placed on it as protection against time and the elements, and still others are designed to camouflage the book as an old, weather-beaten leather-bound book. There are one or two combat spells spread throughout its pages, though these are plainly marked for those with a keen eye and the patience to look. Skilled fae sorcerers should have no problems defusing these cantrips long enough to read the book, should they wish. The main enchantment, however, lies with what the book was written for, and that is to remember. Mortals who read this book find themselves dreaming vividly of the tales they have read, producing enough Glamour that any creature of the Dreaming within a mile of the Dreamer feels its touch, and is drawn to the Dreamer. This can, of course, lead to various difficulties for both fae and mortal. The power of the dreams has also, on occasion, been enough to produce rather powerful chimera based upon the material read. Kithain reading this book find their memories of past glories returned, at least temporarily. The Mists part for them briefly, and they are able to remember many things that are otherwise clouded. Wise readers should remember to record their own memories before the Mists reclaim them. Due to the capricious nature of Glamour, as well as the effects of Banality, the amount of time before the Mists return differs for individual changelings. As a side effect, fae who read this book find their personal Glamour replenished.

There are five copies of Arcadian Glamour in existence. The anonymous author was wise enough to realize that all the information contained would be irretrievably lost if a single copy were somehow destroyed, yet also smart enough to realize the danger inherent in mass production of such a tome. Thus, a handful of copies was privately published, and then distributed throughout the world. One copy was given to the protection of the Mer of Atlantis, with the oath that it would not be read save in the direst circumstances. A second was gifted to a kinain mage who dwelt in Horizon, again with an oath. This one was the promise that no awakened mage, nor their consors or the like, would be permitted to find, much less read the tome. In the centuries since, the book remains well hidden, unfound by even the Oracles. The third was placed in the library of the Arcanum, with a mystical lock placed upon it that the organization's best have yet to solve. The fourth was unfortunately lost and is now loose in the world. The few who know of its existence search diligently for it. The last is assumed lost to the ravages of time and Banality.

As stated, there are very few who know that this book truly exists. However, in keeping with the book's purpose of keeping dreams alive, rumours and stories of it are rampant. If found, the information it contains could do much to heal, or to hurt the very fabric of the Dreaming.

Storyteller's Note

The exact information, tales, and enchantments contained in and on the book, with the exception of the specific enchantments mentioned earlier, are left up to the individual Storyteller. The amount of time that the Mists part for each individual is determined by a Kenning roll, using the character's permanent Banality+4 as a difficulty. Each dot in Greymayre/Remembrance lowers the difficulty by one. If used, this book should not be found, nor used, easily. This book represents a great deal of knowledge and power, and should be accorded that attitude, and respect. The fifth book does exist, and is in the care of a member of House Scathach, a character of my own descended from the author. Any questions regarding the book, and/or the character can be sent to me via email at: azrael1998@aol.com.