Book of Illumination

From: Shivarath

Lore: The Book of Illumination is a treasured and sacred scripture within the Shivarath faith. It is said to have been written by ancient sages who were divinely inspired and guided by Samvarta, the deity of Shivarath. The book contains profound teachings, parables, stories, and wisdom that encapsulate the principles and beliefs of the faith. It is considered a direct channel to understanding the divine will of Samvarta and serves as a guiding light for followers on their spiritual journey.

Stats:

• Level: Tier 1
• Divine Inspiration: Reading and studying the Book of Illumination grants the reader a +2 bonus to skill checks related to Religion or attempts to recall specific knowledge from the book. It provides deep insights into the teachings of Shivarath, granting a better understanding of the faith and its practices.
• Guidance of Samvarta: Once per day, the reader can seek guidance from Samvarta through the book. By meditating and consulting the scripture, they gain advantage on a single skill check or ability check of their choice, representing the divine insight they receive.
• Ritual Knowledge: The book contains detailed instructions for various rituals and ceremonies within the Shivarath faith. The reader gains proficiency in one additional religious ritual of their choice. They can perform this ritual with increased accuracy and effectiveness.
• Enlightening Tales: The Book of Illumination contains allegorical stories and parables that impart moral and spiritual lessons. By sharing these stories with others, the reader gains advantage on Charisma-based skill checks made to persuade, inspire, or teach others about the teachings of Shivarath.

Cost: The Book of Illumination is a sacred and revered scripture within the faith, making it a prized possession. Its value extends beyond material worth, reflecting the spiritual significance it holds. Due to its rarity and the intricate craftsmanship involved, the book is typically priced around 300 gold coins.

Requirements: To effectively use the Book of Illumination, the reader must possess proficiency in the Religion skill, indicating a deep understanding of the teachings and practices of Shivarath. Additionally, attunement to the beliefs and principles of the faith is required. The book is most commonly used by followers who have undergone formal religious education and are deeply devoted to the faith.

Tags:

• Divine: The Book of Illumination is considered a divine text, believed to contain the teachings and wisdom directly inspired by Samvarta.
• Sacred Text: It is a revered and sacred scripture within the Shivarath faith, holding great spiritual and religious significance.
• Knowledge: The book imparts deep insights, knowledge, and understanding of the faith, providing guidance and enlightenment.
• Guidance: It offers divine guidance to its readers, granting them enhanced insights and understanding through its teachings.
• Additional: Shivarath Faith, Spiritual Journey, Ancient Wisdom, Parables, Meditation, Religious Rituals, Moral Lessons, Divine Will, Sacred Library, Devotion

The Book of Illumination, being a sacred scripture within the Shivarath faith, is not commonly sold in traditional marketplaces. Instead, it is typically obtained and distributed within the religious institutions and communities associated with the faith.

The book is primarily acquired within the environment of temples, monasteries, or sacred libraries dedicated to Shivarath. It may be given to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional devotion, undergone religious education, or achieved specific milestones within the faith. Within these religious settings, the Book of Illumination is highly revered and treated with utmost respect.

Regarding usage, the Book of Illumination finds its purpose within the religious and spiritual practices of the Shivarath community. It serves as a source of guidance, inspiration, and spiritual growth for followers. It is consulted during rituals, ceremonies, and personal meditations to gain deeper insights into the teachings of Shivarath and the divine will of Samvarta.

In combat situations, while the Book of Illumination is not a direct tool for combat, it can still have potential applications:

• Moral Guidance: The book’s allegorical stories and parables can provide moral guidance to individuals during combat scenarios. By recalling and reflecting upon the teachings within the book, followers may gain insights into ethical decision-making or find inner strength and resolve in the face of adversity.
• Divine Inspiration: Followers who are proficient in the Religion skill can draw upon their knowledge of the Book of Illumination to invoke divine inspiration during combat. By reflecting upon the sacred teachings and principles, they may gain clarity of thought, heightened focus, and a deeper connection to their faith, potentially granting advantage on certain ability checks or saving throws.
• Symbolic Empowerment: The Book of Illumination may hold symbolic significance in combat, acting as a reminder of one’s devotion and the guiding principles of Shivarath. Carrying or displaying the book in battle can serve as a psychological boost, instilling confidence, and reinforcing one’s commitment to their faith.

It’s important to note that the Book of Illumination’s primary usage lies outside of combat. It is a source of spiritual enlightenment, guidance, and moral teachings. In combat, it may be indirectly utilized for inspiration, moral decision-making, or psychological support by those deeply rooted in the faith.

Perception of Activation: When the Book of Illumination is activated, whether through passive examination or active concentration via the “identify” ability, the following perceptions are experienced by the five senses and additional extra-sensory perceptions. These are detailed from both the User’s Perspective (the one attuned to and activating the item) and the Observer’s Perspective (someone nearby witnessing the activation), along with notable positives and negatives.

• User’s Perspective: 
  • Sight: The user perceives a soft, golden glow emanating from the book, as if light is seeping from the pages themselves. The ancient script and intricate illustrations on the open page seem to shimmer faintly, with subtle movements like flowing ink or shifting patterns that draw the eye deeper into the text. The glow is warm and comforting, illuminating the immediate area around the user’s hands. 
  • Sound: A low, resonant hum fills the user’s ears, akin to a distant choir chanting in an unfamiliar yet soothing tongue. Occasionally, a single clear note rings out, like a bell struck far away, aligning with moments of profound insight as the user reads or meditates. 
  • Touch: The book feels warm to the touch, almost alive, with a gentle vibration pulsing through the leather cover and parchment pages. The texture of the pages shifts slightly under the fingertips, becoming smoother and more inviting as the activation deepens. 
  • Smell: A faint scent of incense wafts from the book—sandalwood and myrrh intertwined with a crisp, ozone-like freshness, evoking the atmosphere of a sacred temple. The aroma intensifies during active concentration, grounding the user in the moment. 
  • Taste: Though not directly tasted, the user might perceive a subtle sweetness on the tongue, as if the air itself carries a hint of honey or nectar, especially when reciting passages aloud or breathing deeply during meditation. 
  • Extra-Sensory (Mind’s Eye): The user feels a surge of clarity and connection, as if a veil lifts from their mind. Specific stats—such as the book’s divine properties or the wisdom of Samvarta—flood into their awareness as vivid mental images or intuitive understanding. They might sense Samvarta’s presence, a distant yet benevolent force guiding their thoughts. 
  • Extra-Sensory (Emotional Resonance): A wave of calm reverence washes over the user, tinged with awe and purpose. There’s a fleeting sense of being watched or judged, though not unkindly, as if the divine is assessing their intent.
• Observer’s Perspective: 
  • Sight: The observer sees the golden glow radiating from the book, though it appears less intense than what the user perceives—more like a soft halo encircling the tome. The light pulses faintly in rhythm with the user’s breathing or focus, casting gentle shadows that dance on nearby surfaces. The book itself looks unchanged to the untrained eye, but the air around it shimmers subtly. 
  • Sound: The hum is audible to the observer, though quieter and less distinct, resembling a whisper on the wind or the rustle of leaves. The occasional bell-like note cuts through clearly, startling in its purity, though its source remains mysterious to those not attuned. 
  • Touch: The observer feels nothing directly unless they touch the book, at which point a faint warmth radiates outward, though it lacks the vibrancy the user experiences. The air nearby might feel slightly heavier, as if charged with an unseen energy. 
  • Smell: The incense-like scent is perceptible but fainter, drifting lazily toward the observer. It’s pleasant but lacks the depth and complexity the user detects, often blending into the background unless the observer stands very close. 
  • Taste: No taste is directly perceived, though an observer with a keen palate might notice a dry, metallic tang in the air, like the aftermath of a storm, especially during prolonged activation. 
  • Extra-Sensory (Intuition): The observer senses an inexplicable weight in the atmosphere, a feeling of significance or sanctity that’s hard to pinpoint. They might intuit that something profound is occurring, even without understanding the details. 
  • Extra-Sensory (Empathy): A faint echo of the user’s reverence or focus brushes against the observer’s mind, potentially inspiring curiosity or unease depending on their disposition toward the Shivarath faith.
• Positives: 
  • The activation provides a multi-sensory experience that enhances the user’s connection to the divine, making the teachings of Shivarath feel tangible and immediate. The golden glow and soothing sounds create an atmosphere of peace, aiding concentration and spiritual growth. 
  • The extra-sensory perceptions, particularly the Mind’s Eye, offer practical benefits like improved recall of religious knowledge or tactical advantages in skill checks, reflecting Samvarta’s guidance. 
  • For the observer, the subtle beauty of the activation can inspire awe or respect, potentially strengthening communal bonds within the faith or swaying outsiders to consider its merits. 
  • The warmth and pleasant scents ground the user in the moment, reducing stress or distraction during rituals or meditation.
• Negatives: 
  • The intensity of the sensory input, especially during active concentration, could overwhelm the user if they’re not accustomed to it, potentially triggering the “Overwhelm” limitation and causing temporary disorientation or debuffs. 
  • The audible hum and visible glow might draw unwanted attention in unsafe or deathly areas, where stealth is crucial, negating the user’s ability to remain discreet. 
  • Observers unfamiliar with or hostile to the Shivarath faith might find the activation unsettling or pretentious, leading to social friction or mistrust. 
  • The extra-sensory perception of being watched by a divine presence could unsettle users with doubts about their faith, introducing psychological strain or hesitation in critical moments.

Recipe: Crafting a Replica of the Book of Illumination

• Materials Needed:
  • 20 sheets of high-quality parchment (sourced from a sacred grove or blessed by a Shivarath priest) 
  • 1 leather hide (preferably from a creature native to a Shivarath holy site, tanned with ritual oils) 
  • 1 vial of sanctified ink (infused with herbs sacred to Samvarta, such as myrrh or saffron) 
  • 1 gold thread spool (at least 10 feet, purified in a temple fire) 
  • 1 small gemstone (clear quartz or amber, blessed under a full moon) 
  • 1 ounce of incense resin (sandalwood or a blend approved by Shivarath doctrine) 
  • 1 vial of holy water (drawn from a Shivarath shrine or consecrated by a priest)
• Tools Required:
  • Calligrapher’s kit (including quill, inkwell, and fine brushes for detailed script) 
  • Bookbinder’s press (to shape and secure the pages and cover) 
  • Sewing needle (sturdy enough for leather and gold thread) 
  • Ritual brazier (for burning incense and purifying materials) 
  • Engraving tool (to inscribe the gemstone with a Shivarath sigil) 
  • Mortar and pestle (to grind incense resin into a fine powder) 
  • Blessed chalice (to hold and pour holy water during the ritual)
• Skill Requirements:
  • Proficiency in Religion (to understand Shivarath teachings and infuse the book with spiritual significance) 
  • Proficiency in Calligraphy (to replicate the intricate script and illuminations of the original) 
  • Proficiency in Leatherworking (to craft a durable and aesthetically appropriate cover) 
  • Tier 1 or higher (to align with the item’s level and handle its divine properties) 
  • Attunement to Shivarath faith (demonstrated through devotion or formal religious education)
• Crafting Steps:
  • Preparation of Materials: Begin by purifying all materials in a Shivarath temple or sacred space. Light the ritual brazier and burn the incense resin, allowing the smoke to waft over the parchment, leather, and tools for at least 10 minutes. Sprinkle holy water over each item while reciting a prayer to Samvarta for guidance and blessing.
  • Crafting the Pages: Take the parchment sheets and trim them to uniform size using the calligrapher’s kit. With the sanctified ink and quill, transcribe key passages, parables, and rituals from Shivarath lore onto the pages. Focus on precision, as errors could weaken the book’s divine resonance. Add illuminated designs—geometric patterns or symbolic imagery—around the borders, using fine brushes to mimic the original’s artistry. This process requires at least 8 hours of uninterrupted work.
  • Embedding the Gemstone: Select a page near the front of the book to serve as the focal point for Samvarta’s guidance. Using the engraving tool, carve a simple Shivarath sigil (such as a radiant eye or a spiral flame) into the gemstone. Affix the gemstone to this page by pressing it into a shallow indentation made with the bookbinder’s press, then secure it with a few drops of sanctified ink to bind its energy to the text.
  • Binding the Book: Lay the leather hide flat and cut it to size, ensuring it’s large enough to wrap around the stacked parchment sheets with a slight overhang. Fold the parchment in half to form signatures (groups of 4-5 sheets), then sew them together along the spine using the gold thread and needle. Attach the signatures to the leather cover by stitching through pre-punched holes, pulling the thread tight to ensure durability. Press the assembled book in the bookbinder’s press for 2 hours to set its shape.
  • Infusing Divine Essence: Place the completed book on an altar or sacred surface. Sprinkle the ground incense resin lightly over the cover and pages, then pour the remaining holy water in a thin stream along the spine while chanting a Shivarath hymn or prayer to Samvarta. This ritual attunement takes at least 10 minutes and must be performed with full concentration to awaken the book’s divine properties.
  • Final Blessing: Hold the book aloft in both hands and meditate for 1 minute, focusing on its purpose as a vessel of enlightenment. Visualize a golden glow enveloping it, mirroring the activation of the original. If successful, the crafter will feel a faint warmth and hear a distant hum, signaling Samvarta’s approval. Test the book by activating it with the Mind’s Eye to confirm its stats match the original’s Tier 1 properties.
  • Rest and Reflection: After crafting, the creator must take a long rest (at least 8 hours) to recover from the spiritual and physical exertion. During this time, the book fully settles into its enchanted state, ready for use by a follower of Shivarath.

This replica will function identically to the original Book of Illumination, granting its divine inspiration, guidance, ritual knowledge, and enlightening tales, provided the crafter adheres to the skill requirements and performs each step with reverence. Deviation from the process or lack of faith may result in a mundane book lacking magical properties.

Saga of the Shining Codex

In days long faded, when Saṃsāra was but a raw wound of earth and sky, before the seas found their shores or the stars their names, there came a thing of wonder. It was the Book of Illumination, though the ancients called it “Kwe-va-lis,” or so the crumbling scrolls hint—a phrase that might mean “Breath of the Eternal Glow.” Its birth is a tale twisted by time, handed down from voices that spoke a tongue no living soul recalls, scratched onto clay, then lost, then found again in fragments. This is the story most told, though its words wobble like shadows on water, poorly carried from a language older than the gods themselves.

The world then was a cauldron of chaos. Beasts with teeth like spears roamed free, and the ground spat steam and stone. Into this maelstrom stumbled folk from far-off realms, souls torn from their deaths and flung here by unseen hands. Among them was a woman, Lirna—or perhaps Lirnath, for the carvings falter. She was no hunter, no ruler, but a weaver of thoughts, her fingers nimble with reed and dye, her mind alight with questions. She roamed the wilds alone, tracing patterns in the dirt, seeking meaning in the howls of the wind.

One dusk, as the sky bled red and the earth groaned, Lirna followed a thread of light to a hollow hill. It was a place shunned, where the air buzzed and the stones hummed, a cave that swallowed sound. There, a presence met her—not a shape, not a face, but a roar in her bones, a voice like fire dancing on water. “Take my truth,” it thundered, “and weave it for the lost.” Lirna clutched her chest, for the sound pierced her, filling her with dread and longing. She found no loom, no thread, but a stack of bark, smooth and pale, lying in the cave’s heart. It pulsed as she touched it, warm as blood.

For spans uncounted—days or seasons, who can say?—Lirna stayed in that hollow. The voice poured through her, and she scratched its words onto the bark with a charred stick. It told of a bird that sang the dawn into being, a well whose waters showed the past, a stone that wept when struck. It gave rites—circles drawn in ash, songs to summon peace, gestures to ward off harm. Lirna’s hands shook, her eyes blurred, for the tongue was not hers—it spilled from her like a river breaking its banks. When the voice fell silent, the bark gleamed, its markings alive with a soft shimmer, and Lirna was no longer the same. Her skin wrinkled, her breath grew thin, and she moved as if tethered to a star.

She left the hill, this woman now bent with age, and sought the scattered folk. They shrank from her, for her gaze sparked with that glow, and her voice carried a hum that stirred their dreams. But she held forth the bark—the Codex, they’d later name it—and spoke its visions. The bird’s song taught them to rise with hope. The well’s reflection showed them their kin across time. The weeping stone softened their hearts. They drew near, listening, and she showed them the rites—how to trace the ash, sing the songs, move their hands. The bark passed among them, and those who grasped it felt its heat, heard its whisper, saw its light. It was alive, a thing of power.

Yet darkness lingered. A man, Torvok—or Torvakal, the tales waver—scoffed at Lirna’s gift. He was a breaker of bones, a leader of hunters, his strength unmatched. “What use is this frail thing?” he bellowed, and his band laughed. One storm-wracked night, he seized the bark, intent to burn it in his fire. But as he gripped it, the shimmer flared, and a voice—Lirna’s, faint and fierce—rang out: “You cannot undo the woven.” Torvok roared, for the light seared his palms, and he cast it down. The bark tumbled not into the flames but onto the wet earth, where it lay, gleaming, unbroken.

Lirna reclaimed it, led by a vision in her sleep, and wept tears that sank into its grain. She knew her end neared, for the voice had hollowed her, and her strength waned. She gave the bark to a boy, Kesh or Keshar, who had clung to her every word. “Keep it safe,” she murmured, “and let it keep you.” Then she walked into the storm, vanishing into the wild. Kesh bore the bark to a riverbank and built a shelter of stone and mud, where the folk gathered to hear its truths. Over lifetimes, the bark became a book—scribed onto hides, then parchment, bound in leather—its light enduring, its whisper unbroken.

The story frays here, as old tales do. Some say Kesh grew wise, raising a hall where the book was revered. Others claim he wandered off, and the book lay buried under river silt until a flood brought it forth. All nod to this: the Codex lived on. It flowed through hands beyond number, its words bending with each retelling, yet its essence held fast. The Shivarath faith took it up, calling it the Book of Illumination, tying it to Samvarta. Its rites shaped their days, its glow lit their nights.

Today, they say, the truest Book—or its echo—rests in a shrine atop a hollow hill, much like Lirna’s own. Its shimmer never dims, its hum never quiets. Those who hold it feel Lirna’s longing, hear Kesh’s care, and know Samvarta’s gaze. But the tale cautions: not all can wield it. Torvok’s scars marked his kin, and they turn from the Book still. The light unveils, but it also binds.

Moral of the Story: Truth is a thread that weaves both strength and sacrifice; to bear its glow is to embrace its cost, a burden that lifts and binds in turn.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

Item: The Book of Illumination

• Description: A leather-bound tome radiating a faint golden glow, inscribed with ancient Shivarath script and illuminated parables. Said to be divinely inspired by Samvarta, it offers insight into spiritual truths at a potential cost to the reader’s sanity.
• Category: Mythos Tome (Minor)
• Study Time: 1 week (40 hours)
• Sanity Loss: 1/1D4
• Cthulhu Mythos Gain: +2% (Shivarath-specific lore, not tied to Great Old Ones)
• Skills Gained: +5% to Occult, +10% to Anthropology (Shivarath culture)
• Special Rules: 
  • Divine Inspiration: After studying, the investigator may spend 1 Luck point to gain a bonus die on a single INT or POW roll related to understanding Shivarath rituals or recalling the book’s teachings. This can be used once per session. 
  • Guidance of Samvarta: Once per investigation, the investigator may meditate with the book for 10 minutes (1 turn in combat) and make a POW roll (difficulty Hard). Success grants a fleeting vision or clue from Samvarta about the current mystery, at the Keeper’s discretion, but failure costs 1 Sanity as the divine presence overwhelms. 
  • Enlightening Tales: Reading a parable aloud (1 turn) allows a CHA roll to inspire allies, granting them a bonus die on their next roll if successful. Failure risks 1 Sanity loss as the tale unnerves listeners.
• Balance Notes: The Sanity cost and limited uses prevent overuse in a system focused on fragile human investigators, while the Shivarath lore ties it to Saṃsāra’s mystical setting without clashing with the Mythos.

Blades in the Dark

Item: The Book of Illumination

• Type: Rare Artifact (Tier I)
• Description: A glowing tome of Shivarath wisdom, its pages hum with divine energy. Prized by cults and scholars, it’s a tool for insight and influence in Doskvol’s shadowed streets.
• Load: 1 (Light)
• Cost to Acquire: 6 Coin or Tier I faction favor (Shivarath-aligned group)
• Effects: 
  • Divine Inspiration: When you study the book during downtime, add +1d to a single Insight roll in the next score. Mark 1 stress if you push too hard and glimpse Samvarta’s will. 
  • Guidance of Samvarta: During a score, spend 1 stress to consult the book (1 action). Roll Attune (Tier I difficulty). Success grants a +1 effect level to your next action as divine insight guides you. Failure inflicts 1 stress as the hum grows deafening. Limited to once per score. 
  • Enlightening Tales: When you sway or consort with others, spend 1 stress to recite a parable, gaining +1d to the roll. Allies within earshot may reduce 1 stress if inspired (crew choice).
• Crafting: Requires a Tinker roll (Tier I, 4 segments) with rare materials (sanctified ink, blessed leather) and a Shivarath ritual (Occult downtime action).
• Balance Notes: Stress costs and limited uses align with Blades’ focus on risk-reward, while the social and mystical benefits suit a crew navigating Saṃsāra’s intrigue-heavy cities.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

Item: Book of Illumination

• Type: Wondrous Item, Uncommon (requires attunement by a creature proficient in Religion)
• Description: This leather-bound tome glows faintly with golden light, its pages filled with Shivarath parables and rituals inspired by Samvarta. It guides the faithful with divine wisdom.
• Properties: 
  • Divine Inspiration: While attuned, you gain a +2 bonus to Intelligence (Religion) checks and Wisdom (Insight) checks related to Shivarath lore or practices. 
  • Guidance of Samvarta: Once per long rest, you can meditate with the book for 1 minute to cast the guidance cantrip (no spell slot required) or gain advantage on a single ability check of your choice within the next hour. 
  • Ritual Knowledge: You learn one ritual spell of 1st level from the cleric spell list (e.g., ceremony). You can cast it as a ritual without preparing it, using the book as a focus. 
  • Enlightening Tales: As an action, you can read a parable aloud (range 30 feet). One creature of your choice that can hear you gains advantage on its next Charisma (Persuasion) or Wisdom (Insight) check within 1 minute. This feature recharges after a long rest.
• Weight: 3 lb.
• Value: 300 gp
• Balance Notes: The attunement requirement and once-per-rest limits ensure it’s a useful but not overpowering tool, fitting D&D’s tiered progression and Saṃsāra’s magical gear focus.

Knave (2nd Edition)

Item: Book of Illumination

• Type: Magical Item (Tier 1)
• Slots: 1
• Description: A glowing book of Shivarath wisdom, its pages warm to the touch and etched with divine teachings from Samvarta.
• Stats: 
  • Divine Inspiration: When carried, add +2 to any Intellect or Wisdom save or check tied to Shivarath lore or rituals (GM discretion). 
  • Guidance of Samvarta: Once per day, spend 1 turn meditating with the book to gain +1d6 to your next save or check (declare before rolling). Roll 1d6; on a 1, take 1 damage as the divine light overwhelms. 
  • Enlightening Tales: Spend 1 turn reading aloud to grant an ally within 10 feet +2 to their next Charisma-based check. Usable once per day.
• Requirements: Must have Religion proficiency (via background or training) to use its abilities.
• Value: 30 silver (equivalent to 300 gp in Saṃsāra’s economy)
• Crafting: Requires 1 week, Religion proficiency, and rare materials (blessed parchment, sanctified ink).
• Balance Notes: The slot cost and daily limits fit Knave’s minimalist inventory system, while the risk of damage on Guidance reflects its gritty tone, aligning with Saṃsāra’s gear-driven magic.

Fate Core System

Item: Book of Illumination

• Type: Artifact (Stunt-Granting Extra)
• Description: A leather-bound tome glowing with a soft golden light, inscribed with Shivarath parables and rituals inspired by Samvarta. It guides the faithful with divine insight.
• Aspects: 
  • Sacred Text of Shivarath 
  • Divine Whisper of Samvarta 
  • Enlightening Burden
• Stunts: 
  • Divine Inspiration: Once per session, you can invoke the Sacred Text of Shivarath aspect for free to gain a +2 to any roll involving Lore or Rapport when recalling Shivarath teachings or inspiring others with its wisdom. 
  • Guidance of Samvarta: Spend a fate point to meditate with the book for a scene, creating an advantage like Divinely Inspired Clarity with two free invokes, usable on any roll reflecting Samvarta’s guidance (e.g., overcoming obstacles or understanding mysteries). 
  • Enlightening Tales: Once per scene, you can roll Rapport against a Fair (+2) difficulty to share a parable, creating a Inspired by Shivarath aspect on an ally with one free invoke if successful.
• Cost: 1 Refresh (requires attunement via a character aspect reflecting Shivarath devotion, e.g., Priest of Samvarta)
• Balance Notes: The Refresh cost and aspect-based mechanics tie it to Fate’s narrative focus, limiting its power to key moments while reflecting Saṃsāra’s mystical gear reliance.

Numenera & Cypher System

Item: Book of Illumination

• Type: Artifact (Level 1)
• Description: A glowing tome of ancient Shivarath script, its pages hum with divine energy from Samvarta. A relic of Saṃsāra’s past, it bridges the numinous and the physical.
• Form: Leather-bound book, 3 lbs, faintly luminescent
• Effect: 
  • Divine Inspiration: When studied for 1 hour (long rest equivalent), the user gains an asset (easing the task by one step) on Intellect tasks related to Shivarath lore or rituals for the next 28 hours. 
  • Guidance of Samvarta: Once per day, the user can spend 1 Intellect point and 10 minutes meditating to ask Samvarta a yes/no question about the current situation. The GM provides a truthful answer (1-in-6 chance of depletion). 
  • Enlightening Tales: As an action, the user reads aloud, easing the next Intellect or Speed task of one ally within short range by one step. Usable once per day (1-in-6 depletion chance).
• Depletion: 1 in 1d6 (checked per use of Guidance or Tales; on depletion, the book’s glow fades until recharged with a Shivarath ritual).
• Balance Notes: The depletion mechanic and Intellect cost align with Cypher’s resource management, while the effects suit Saṃsāra’s high-magic setting without overshadowing Numenera’s weird tech focus.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

Item: Book of Illumination

• Item Level: 3
• Price: 60 gp
• Bulk: 1
• Type: Wondrous Item (Magical, Divine)
• Description: This leather-bound tome radiates a faint golden glow, its pages filled with Shivarath wisdom and rituals inspired by Samvarta.
• Traits: Divine, Uncommon
• Requirements: Proficiency in Religion (Trained) and attunement to Shivarath faith
• Activate: Command, Interact (1 action); Frequency: once per day
• Effect: 
  • Divine Inspiration: You gain a +1 item bonus to Religion checks and Lore (Shivarath) checks while holding the book. 
  • Guidance of Samvarta: When activated, you meditate for 1 minute to gain a +2 status bonus to one skill check of your choice within the next hour (divine guidance). Alternatively, you can cast guidance (1st level, heightened to match your level if higher). 
  • Enlightening Tales: As a 2-action activity (Interact, Verbal), you read a parable aloud. One ally within 30 feet gains a +1 status bonus to their next Diplomacy or Performance check within 10 minutes. Recharge: daily.
• Crafting Requirements: Crafting DC 16, Religion (Expert), 30 gp of sanctified materials (parchment, ink, leather).
• Balance Notes: The item level and action economy fit Pathfinder’s progression, with bonuses scaled for early play and attunement ensuring it suits Saṃsāra’s faith-based gear system.

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

Item: Book of Illumination

• Type: Artifact (Minor)
• Description: A glowing tome of Shivarath wisdom, its leather cover warm and its pages etched with divine parables from Samvarta.
• Weight: 3
• Cost: 300 silver (Saṃsāra equivalent)
• Powers: 
  • Divine Inspiration: The bearer gains +1 to Spirit rolls and Common Knowledge rolls related to Shivarath lore or rituals while carrying the book. 
  • Guidance of Samvarta: Once per session, spend a Benny to meditate with the book for 1 round (6 seconds). Roll Spirit (TN 4); success grants a +2 to any Trait roll within the next hour as Samvarta guides you. Failure wastes the Benny. 
  • Enlightening Tales: As an action, roll Persuasion (TN 4) to share a parable. Success grants one ally within 10” a +1 to their next Spirit or Persuasion roll (lasts 1 minute). Usable once per day.
• Requirements: Faith skill (d4 or higher), attunement to Shivarath beliefs.
• Trappings: Golden glow, faint hum, sacred Shivarath sigils.
• Balance Notes: The Benny cost and daily limit keep it in line with Savage Worlds’ fast-paced action, while the skill boosts reflect Saṃsāra’s magical gear focus without dominating play.

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

Item: Book of Illumination

• Type: Magical Focus (Fetish)
• Description: A leather-bound tome glowing faintly with golden light, inscribed with Shivarath parables and rituals tied to the astral entity Samvarta. A rare artifact in the Sixth World, blending Saṃsāra’s mysticism with urban sprawl.
• Force: 2
• Availability: 12R (Restricted, tied to Shivarath cults)
• Cost: 8,000 nuyen
• Karma Cost to Bond: 4
• Game Effect: 
  • Divine Inspiration: When bonded, the bearer gains +2 dice to Conjuring or Sorcery tests involving spirits or spells tied to Shivarath lore (GM discretion, e.g., divination or guidance spells). 
  • Guidance of Samvarta: Once per run, spend 1 Edge to meditate with the book for 1 minute (10 combat turns). Gain a +2 dice pool bonus to a single Knowledge skill test (e.g., Magical Theory, Religion) within the next hour as Samvarta whispers insight. 
  • Enlightening Tales: As a Complex Action, roll Charisma + Influence (Threshold 2). Success grants an ally within 10 meters +1 die to a Social test within 5 minutes. Usable once per day.
• Limitations: Requires Magic attribute 1+ and Knowledge: Shivarath Religion (2+). Overuse (more than 3 activations per run) risks 1D6 unresisted Stun damage from astral feedback.
• Balance Notes: The Edge cost and limited uses fit Shadowrun’s high-stakes magic economy, while the urban reinterpretation aligns with Saṃsāra’s mystical gear focus in a tech-heavy world.

Starfinder

Item: Book of Illumination

• Type: Hybrid Item (Magitech, Level 3)
• Price: 1,400 credits
• Bulk: 1
• Description: A glowing tome of Shivarath wisdom, its pages hum with divine energy from Samvarta, adapted into a hybrid artifact blending Saṃsāra’s magic with Pact Worlds tech.
• Category: Wondrous Item
• Capacity: 10 charges (recharges 1d4+1 charges daily at dawn)
• Usage: 1 charge per activation
• Effects: 
  • Divine Inspiration: While holding the book, you gain a +1 insight bonus to Culture and Mysticism checks related to Shivarath lore or rituals. 
  • Guidance of Samvarta: Spend 1 charge and 1 minute meditating to cast augury (as a 2nd-level spell, DC 14) without a spell slot, reflecting Samvarta’s foresight. Alternatively, gain a +2 insight bonus to one skill check within the next hour. 
  • Enlightening Tales: Spend 1 charge and 1 action to read aloud, granting one ally within 30 feet a +1 morale bonus to their next Charisma-based skill check within 10 minutes.
• Requirements: Mysticism (3 ranks) or worship of a Shivarath-aligned deity.
• Balance Notes: The charge system and level scaling integrate with Starfinder’s magitech framework, keeping it balanced for early play while echoing Saṃsāra’s gear-driven magic.

Traveller (2nd Edition – Mongoose Publishing)

Item: Book of Illumination

• Type: Artifact (Religious Relic)
• TL (Tech Level): 0 (mystical, no tech dependency)
• Weight: 1 kg
• Cost: Cr. 3,000 (rare, valued by Shivarath sects)
• Description: A leather-bound tome glowing faintly, etched with Shivarath parables and rituals from the entity Samvarta. A curiosity in the Third Imperium, revered by fringe cults from Saṃsāra’s diaspora.
• Effects: 
  • Divine Inspiration: Grants a +1 DM to EDU checks involving religious or historical knowledge tied to Shivarath culture when consulted (takes 1D6 minutes). 
  • Guidance of Samvarta: Once per game session, meditate with the book for 10-60 minutes (1D6 x 10). Roll INT or EDU 8+; success provides a +2 DM to any single skill check within 24 hours as Samvarta offers insight. Failure wastes the attempt. 
  • Enlightening Tales: As a 1D6-minute action, roll SOC 8+ to share a parable. Success grants an ally a +1 DM to a SOC-based check within 1 hour. Usable once per day.
• Requirements: Skill: Advocate or Science (Theology) 1+
• Balance Notes: The time cost and skill check requirements suit Traveller’s grounded, skill-focused play, adapting Saṃsāra’s mysticism into a sci-fi relic without overpowering the system.

Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay: Wrath & Glory

Item: Book of Illumination

• Type: Relic (Tier 1)
• Description: A glowing tome of Shivarath scripture, its pages inscribed with parables and rituals from Samvarta, reframed as a lost Imperial saint or warp entity in the 41st Millennium. A sacred artifact amidst grim darkness.
• Keywords: Imperium, Ecclesiarchy, Shivarath Cult
• Value: 5 (Rare)
• Availability: Rare (-20)
• Effects: 
  • Divine Inspiration: The bearer adds +1 die to Scholar (Theology) tests or Interaction tests involving Shivarath or Imperial faith doctrines while carrying the book. 
  • Guidance of Samvarta: Once per session, spend 1 Wrath to meditate with the book for 1 narrative turn (roughly 1 minute). Roll Resolve (DN 3); success grants +2 dice to a single test within the next hour as Samvarta’s will guides you. Failure risks 1 Shock from divine scrutiny. 
  • Enlightening Tales: As an action, roll Persuasion (DN 3) to recite a parable. Success grants an ally within 10 meters +1 die to a Leadership or Willpower test within 1 narrative turn. Usable once per day.
• Complications: If corrupted (e.g., Chaos exposure), roll 1d6 per session; on a 1, the book’s glow turns crimson, inflicting 1 Shock on the bearer until purified.
• Balance Notes: The Wrath cost and Shock risk align with Wrath & Glory’s grim tone, reinterpreting Saṃsāra’s divine magic as Imperial faith or warp-touched power, balanced for Tier 1 play.