Ballad 42 of Ascendancy – GearAscendancy.com

Verse 1:
In realms of steam and mystic might,
A tale unfurls in veiled night.
The gears are set, the path is right,
For avatars to seek their height.

Verse 2:
In armor forged by spell and hand,
They marched across this ancient land.
Seeking tiers that gods had planned,
Eyes aglow, like embers fanned.

Verse 3:
Elemental fire ablaze,
Illuminating darkened maze.
With every challenge, not a phase,
Their thirst for growth a constant craze.

Verse 4:
The Mind’s Eye keen, the vision clear,
Unlocking skills that all endear.
No brief respite, for that they’d jeer,
But constant toil to frontier.

Verse 5:
Summoned from realms far and wide,
In Saṃsāra, they do confide.
From past and future, side by side,
Their memories a ceaseless tide.

Verse 6:
From water’s touch and fire’s dance,
They conjured steam, as if by chance.
To power motion, in advance,
Of reaching their desired stance.

Verse 7:
A sentinel in guarded keep,
Whispers secrets that shadows weep.
The climb is hard, the valley steep,
Yet, upward still, their will would sweep.

Verse 8:
In circuits carved of magic flow,
Stored energies begin to glow.
The culmination of all they know,
A tier ascended, not for show.

Verse 9:
So ends the tale of those who rise,
In lands beneath Saṃsāra’s skies.
Their legacy, the ultimate prize,
For in ascendancy, the soul belies.

Carried Item: The Scroll of Melodious Ascendancy
Lore: The Scroll of Melodious Ascendancy is a unique artifact believed to be crafted by the combined efforts of the realm’s most potent bards and artificers. It is said that the parchment itself was made from the petrified leaves of the ancient Whispering Tree, which has long been extinct. The ink used is rumored to be a blend of elemental water and elemental fire, mirroring the world’s use of steam as a power source.

Motivation: The scroll’s creators aimed to encapsulate the essence of Saṃsāra’s values of ascendancy and perpetual growth in both skills and tiers. The ballad inscribed upon it serves as both an anthem and a guide, a path for sentient beings of the realm to understand what enables the various levels and tiers they might achieve. Owning the scroll and singing its ballad gives the individual the opportunity to experience a transient but impactful growth in their abilities.

Positives:

Temporary Tier Enhancement: Upon singing the ballad, the singer and allies within a 30-foot radius receive a temporary enhancement, moving up one tier level for a duration of 1 hour.
Skill Boost: The user experiences a sudden clarity through their “Mind’s Eye,” enhancing all their skill levels temporarily. This translates to a +2 bonus to all skill checks for the same 1-hour duration.
Emboldening Melody: The ballad itself is emotionally empowering. The singer and allies gain resistance to fear and charm effects for the 1-hour period.

Negatives:

Exhaustion: Once the effects wear off, the singer and all who were affected experience a level of exhaustion, requiring extended rest and nourishment before the effect diminishes.
Unique Incantation: The ballad can only be sung once per day. Attempting to use it more often will result in no effect.
Attention-Grabbing: The melody and the magical aura emitted when sung attract attention, making stealth impossible during the period of activation.

Tags:

Consumable (Only for non-owners; the scroll disappears and returns to its true owner after one use if the singer is not its recognized and attuned owner)
Rare
AOE (Area of Effect)
Temporal Effect
Dual-Elemental (Involves elemental water and fire in its making)

Use: To activate the scroll’s magical effects, one must unroll the parchment and sing the Ballad 42 of Ascendancy inscribed upon it. The song requires no musical skill but must be sung with full conviction to activate its magical properties.

Magic Manifested: When the ballad is sung, visible streams of magic flow emanate from the scroll, weaving into the fabric of reality. These currents connect with those within the area, temporarily augmenting their abilities and state of being. The magic flow circuits become supercharged temporarily, enabling the manifestation of the scroll’s positive effects.

Slot, Stats, Size, and Weight:

Slot: Off-hand (must be held while singing the ballad)
Stats: +1 to Charisma while held, only applicable to the owner.
Size: 12 inches in length, 6 inches in width when fully unrolled.
Weight: 2 pounds.

Perception of Senses:

Sight:
- What is Perceived: Intricate runes and an elegant script covering the parchment.
- Description: The ink appears to shimmer, especially under direct light or magical illumination.
- Positives: Visually awe-inspiring, potentially distracting opponents.
- Negatives: Draws attention, making stealth difficult.
Touch:
- What is Perceived: An unusual, almost rubbery texture of the parchment.
- Description: It feels warm to the touch, tingling the skin slightly.
- Positives: A comforting, secure grip.
- Negatives: If held too long, can induce a sense of mild discomfort.
Smell:
- What is Perceived: A smoky yet floral aroma emanating from the scroll.
- Description: The scent is a combination of burnt wood and lavender.
- Positives: Calming and focusing, aiding in concentration.
- Negatives: Strong enough to be potentially distracting or overwhelming in close quarters.
Taste:
- What is Perceived: Not applicable, as the item is not meant for consumption.
Sound:
- What is Perceived: A faint hum when the scroll is unrolled.
- Description: The sound is a soft, low-frequency vibration.
- Positives: Can be soothing, helping the user to focus.
- Negatives: The sound is loud enough to be heard within a 5-foot radius, potentially alerting nearby entities.
Extra-sensory Perceptions:
- Magical Awareness:
  - What is Perceived: A noticeable flow of magical energy.
  - Description: Sentient beings with magical sensitivity will sense an alignment of magic flow circuits in the vicinity.
  - Positives: Easier to synchronize with other magical artifacts or spells.
  - Negatives: Detectable by those sensitive to magic, giving away its magical nature.
- Emotional Resonance:
  - What is Perceived: A sense of ambition and aspiration.
  - Description: Empathic individuals may feel a surge of purpose and determination when in close proximity to the scroll.
  - Positives: Heightens morale and can bolster resolve.
  - Negatives: Too intense for those prone to anxiety or stress, possibly leading to emotional overwhelm.
- Temporal Perception:
  - What is Perceived: A minor bending of temporal energy.
  - Description: Those sensitive to changes in the time-space continuum may feel a subtle shift, akin to deja vu.
  - Positives: Briefly enhances reaction times.
  - Negatives: May cause momentary disorientation or vertigo.

Recipe to Recreate The Scroll of Melodious Ascendancy

Ingredients Needed:
- Petrified Leaves of the Whispering Tree: 3 large leaves
- Elemental Water: 1 vial
- Elemental Fire: 1 vial
- Essence of Ambition: Extracted from a being of high achievement (1 drop)
- Starlight Ink: Prepared from the dew collected under a new moon mixed with powdered starstone (1 small jar)
- Ethereal Thread: 10 feet (for binding the scroll)
Equipment or Utensils Required:
- Alchemist’s Table: For combining elemental components
- A Crafting Anvil: To forge the ethereal thread and petrified leaves
- Runecarving Set: To inscribe the ballad onto the scroll
- Crystal Catalyst: To channel magical energies during crafting
- Enchantment Circle: To establish the field for embedding magical properties
Skills Needed:
- Alchemy: At least Master Level for combining elemental components
- Runecraft: Advanced knowledge for inscribing the runes and text
- Enchanting: Expertise in embedding magical properties into items
- Lore Mastery: A deep understanding of Saṃsāra’s history and principles, particularly the concept of ascendancy
Crafting Steps:
- Leaf Preparation: Use the Crafting Anvil to delicately forge the petrified leaves into a single, sturdy parchment.
- Elemental Fusion: Combine Elemental Water and Elemental Fire at the Alchemist’s Table to create an elemental blend.
- Ink Preparation: Add the Essence of Ambition and Starlight Ink into the elemental blend to form the magical ink.
- Scroll Inscription: Utilize the Runecarving Set to inscribe Ballad 42 of Ascendancy onto the prepared parchment using the magical ink.
- Binding: Use the Ethereal Thread to bind the scroll neatly.
- Enchantment: Lay the crafted scroll within the Enchantment Circle and use the Crystal Catalyst to channel magic through the runes, imbuing the item with its magical properties.
- Finalization: Seal the energies using specialized chants and rituals related to the concept of ascendancy, solidifying the item’s powers.

Cost: The Scroll of Melodious Ascendancy is an exceptionally rare item, and as such, it commands a high price. On the open market, it could easily go for 10,000 gold pieces or more, depending on the region and demand.

Shops Where Sold: Due to its rarity and the complexity involved in its crafting, this item is typically not found in regular shops. However, it might be sold in:

The Arcane Enclave: A specialized shop run by master enchanters.
The Sanctuary of Wisdom: Often a hidden location, where various magical and historical artifacts are traded.
Elysium Market: A black market known only to the most well-connected individuals, dealing in rare and powerful items.

Remember, owning such an artifact would mark the bearer as someone of considerable means and power, making them a potential target for those seeking to either possess the scroll or to harness its potent magic.

The Tale of Sir Alric and the Battle of Azure Peak

Once upon a time, in the grand realm of Saṃsāra, a tale well-known by every man, woman, and creature is that of Sir Alric, a brave knight of the Sapphire Order. This knight, honored and true, possessed a remarkable artifact: The Scroll of Melodious Ascendancy.

In days long ago, the Kingdom of Radiant Dawn faced a terrible menace. A dragon of unfathomable power, one bathed in shadow and flame, took residence upon Azure Peak, a mountain sacred to the people. This beast, its scales dark as midnight and its eyes like burning coals, terrorized the land, laying waste to villages and scattering the people in dread. It were as though Hades himself had sent a creature to make mortals tremble and doubt the benevolence of gods.

Now Sir Alric, hearing of this calamity, took upon himself the quest to vanquish this fell beast. Clad in shining armor and wielding the mighty sword Excalibria, he rode to Azure Peak, his destiny heavy but his spirit unbroken. Yet, ’tis not just sword and shield he carried; nay, he held also the Scroll of Melodious Ascendancy. A parchment of such enchantment that even Merlin would lay claim to, should the fates allow.

As Sir Alric approached the peak, the dragon reared its monstrous head, its roar echoing as a challenge through the canyons. It spewed forth fire and venom, seeking to consume our hero, to reduce his valor to but ashes and memories. But Sir Alric, steadfast and full of resolve, unrolled the parchment and began to sing, his voice filled with the spirit of the ballad. And as the words of the Ballad 42 of Ascendancy spilled forth, a remarkable transformation took place.

Magical energies swirled around Sir Alric and his steed, their armor gleaming brighter and their hearts filling with an unbreakable courage. The runes on the scroll glowed with an otherworldly light, and the magic flow circuits of the realm aligned in resonance with the ancient words. Sir Alric felt newfound strength surging through his limbs, his skill with the sword reaching sublime mastery, and his “Mind’s Eye” opening to the limitless possibilities of ascendancy.

And then, with a might that rivaled Hercules and an agility that would make Hermes envious, Sir Alric struck. Each swing of Excalibria was now a symphony, each thrust a crescendo, and each parry a harmonious chord in the battle against malevolence. The dragon, disoriented and overmatched, found itself unable to resist the knight’s enchanted assault. And so, with a final, decisive blow, Sir Alric vanquished the beast, its once fearsome roar now a pitiful whimper, its dark form crumbling to dust before the power of good.

As Sir Alric returned to the Kingdom of Radiant Dawn, he were hailed as a hero, his tale sung by minstrels and scribes, passing into the annals of legend and myth. The Scroll of Melodious Ascendancy, its purpose fulfilled but its power undiminished, was returned to the sacred vaults of the Sapphire Order, waiting for the day it may be called upon again to elevate another worthy soul to the heights of ascendancy.

And so, dear listener, concludes the tale of Sir Alric and the Battle of Azure Peak. It serves as a living testament to the indomitable spirit of Saṃsāra’s people and the unfathomable powers that reside in their world, forever etched in the collective “Mind’s Eye” of the realm.

Suggested conversion to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)