Interlude A2.VII
From the Personal Notes of Magdalena
Excerpts from the personal notes of Magdalena, taken in a single bound journal of parchment with an ink pen, from several lectures provided by Libicocco of the Ghost Hound Company.
Lecture 1: The Maldrath and Their Regenerative Abilities
<ul>
<li>Maldrath Regeneration:</li>
<ul>
<li>The Maldrath are made of manifested miasma, which makes them nearly impossible to harm with conventional weapons.</li>
<li>Physical attacks, even with firearms powered by aether, will barely affect them—they can regenerate almost immediately.</li>
<ul>
<li>(Scrawled in side margin): “I once saw a common Maldrath take a blunderbuss at point-blank range and shrug it off. Terrifying!”</li>
</ul>
<li>Weaknesses: Soulsinging-powered attacks, some aether-tec devices, and ancient Ivaldi-wrought Artifacts can inflict lasting, and often increased, damage on them.</li>
<ul>
<li>If they survive an attack, regeneration slows down; however, for more powerful Maldrath (e.g., Sin, Angels), even these attacks may only delay their healing briefly.</li>
<li>(Side note): Libicocco knows a surprising amount about the Maldrath but doesn’t seem like a fighter. Scholar type, as Malacoda would say.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<hr>
Lecture 2: Skithbladnir, the Soulship
(Side note): We were actually discussing anthropology and archeological discoveries relating to the Ivaldi and I asked about Skithbladnir. This is a lot more interesting, but probably not useful for Brightwash prep!
<ul>
<li>Description of Skithbladnir:</li>
<ul>
<li>An immense ship that is far larger inside than it appears due to its construction with multiple “pocket worlds.” These spaces are magically connected, allowing for vast interior rooms and chambers.</li>
<li>Self-repairing, self-cleaning—its crew handles tasks like cooking and general upkeep, but the ship can mend itself and keep everything clean autonomously.</li>
<li>Aether-Powered Automatons:</li>
<ul>
<li>The ship contains a sub-crew of “tik-tok men,” automatons fueled by aether.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
(Scrawled in side margin): “I’ve never noticed them! Will keep an eye out now. Libicocco says tik-tok men are more common in specific parts of the world, like northern Broceliande and Valhadryan.” (A doodle of a little clock man)
<ul>
<ul>
<ul>
<li>Skithbladnir channels its own excess aether to fuel these tik-tok men, ensuring the ship stays operational without external maintenance.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<hr>
Lecture 3: Organizations and Their RolesThis book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.
<ul>
<li>COMPANIES:</li>
<ul>
<li>Private mercenary groups sanctioned by the Empire to carry out monster-hunting, fight Maldrath, and clear dangerous areas known as Deeps.</li>
<li>They are granted charters by the Empire (often through one of the Thirteen Crowns), allowing them to legally collect loot in return for a cut paid back to the Empire.</li>
</ul>
<li>GUILDS:</li>
<ul>
<li>Large corporations with varying specializations, often backed by the Empire.</li>
<ul>
<li>Merchants Guild: Led by a council of Merchant Lords from Elbrem and tied to the Royal Bank of Elbrem (largest financial institution in Iardyss).</li>
<li>Explorers Guild: Oversees licensed Companies and operations, especially in regions like the Green Sea.</li>
<li>Artisans Guild: Low-profile, pairing wealthy patrons with talented artists.</li>
<li>Alchemists Guild: The most advanced medical and scientific group in the known world, consisting of alchemists, artificers, and medical experts.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<li>THE CROWN COALITION:</li>
<ul>
<li>The Empire’s unified military force. Formed with soldiers pledged by the Thirteen Crowns, it acts as the main protection against the Maldrath.</li>
<li>Central to the Empire’s control over the Thirteen Crowns, giving them power to regulate and secure loyalty across the land.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<hr>
Lecture 4: The Imperial Academies at Wrifton
<ul>
<li>Wrifton Academies Overview:</li>
<ul>
<li>Often simply called “the Academies” or “Wrifton.” It’s home to several prestigious schools where future leaders of the Thirteen Crowns, the Guilds, and the Crown Coalition are trained.</li>
<li>Brightwash Military Academy:</li>
<ul>
<li>Known as the top military academy in the world. Graduates often rise to lead the Crown Coalition and create some of the most influential Companies.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
(Many asterisks surround the above segment of the notes)
<ul>
<ul>
<li>The Royal Academy:</li>
<ul>
<li>Focuses on economics, banking, and governance. Historically, royal heirs from across the Thirteen Crowns studied here, shaping it into a center of political strategy and diplomacy.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
(In the side margin): A doodle of a frowning face sticking its tongue out and a thumb’s down.
<ul>
<ul>
<li>School of Faith:</li>
<ul>
<li>Affiliated with the Morduin Order. Similar to Brightwash but with an emphasis on training priests and knights for the Paladin Corp, the Order’s paramilitary arm.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
(In the side margin): A strikingly similar frowning face with a thumb’s down.
<ul>
<ul>
<li>Artificer Academy:</li>
<ul>
<li>Trains students with a natural aptitude for Artificery and aether technology. Its students often innovate in aether-tec field.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
(In the side margin): Cagna and Dragnazzo! (Accompanied by a little smiling face)
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none">
<ul>
<li>Academy of Medicine:
<ul>
<li>The premier institution for training the Empire’s physicians. It educates medical practitioners from across the Thirteen Crowns, with a particular focus on non-magical healing techniques.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>