Arcane Law ~ Chapter the Fourth
Natural Artefacts
There are instances, occasions in nature, when a magical artefact is created through natural forces and not the hand of a rational creature. Though it may be that it is the hand of perfection and chaos that works unseen.
Such an artefact can take any form, although it mostly the form of rock or crystal squeezed into perfection in the bosom of the world. Such things can be precious like diamonds, emeralds or sapphires but they may appear as simple stones.
Yet others that have been known: One such was the Whirlpool of Vyseria, this appeared unpredicted at the mouth of the River Ratel 200 years ago, it swallowed many ships before its nature was determined. It was an artefact created in the water by nature itself and the structure of its patterning was such that it formed a whirlpool and sucked ships to their doom. The circle formed by the whirlpool was a form close to perfection and it was no easy task for Grand Master Mage Floris Ilias to disrupt it sufficiently to banish its power especially with no Ritual Circle close at hand.
A fairly common effect is what the unknowing call the Fire Sprites. These short-lived elemental forms often appear within a fire when powerful rituals are being cast and swirls of the Universal Amalgam combine with a camp fire and fly off ravaging all about. These are most unstable and usually dissipate within 6nutes, however they can cause the most terrible destruction in that short time.
So-called Wind Fiends, similar to Fire Sprites, also occur but with much less frequency as air is more difficult to bind with a pattern from random weavings. It must be understood that none of these effects have anything even approaching intelligence or understanding, though the ignorant masses are wont to think otherwise.
Of most importance are the permanent earth effects as these have the longest duration. But the actual effects that these may have cannot be predicted. They are random creations where no mind of rational being has given them purpose. They may perform no function at all being merely magical. Or they may have such subtle or small effect that it passes recognition.
Within the walls of the Guildhouse of Mages floats the Machtanikin Stone, it has no weight and may be blown to and fro like a feather. It is used for example and allows itself to be tested by novices for it seems completely stable. This state of perfection is impossible, but no flaw has yet been found.
Then there are those that bring chaos to the minds of rational creatures, or distort them in some fashion. It is said that such a stone lies at the heart of Fortress Rieskarg, the castle of the royal line in Teutonia but this has never been proven.
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