Number |
Writing
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1 |
Abraxis appointed the Legendary Thirteen to bring justice and peace to Zothique. Delegation is a sign of a gifted leader.
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2 |
Wise Agramon the All Seeing studied the stars for their signs,
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3 |
Bols the Unstoppable loved to laugh and drink.
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4 |
Pale Ega San Dado knew much of lore,
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5 |
Fen the Dancer was a graceful terror,
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6 |
Hotem the Ordered, was stern, fastidious, and reserved.
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7 |
Ip the Mover, beloved of the Spirits of the other side,
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8 |
Isla of the Desert, a mad hermit from the Southern climes,
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9 |
Kasha of the Blood, the savage sovereign,
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10 |
Nas-Galtur the Just traveled the world righting wrongs,
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11 |
Poldosk the Resilient, gifted in the healing arts.
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12 |
Serl the Clever infiltrated a hundred courts in the name of Abraxis.
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13 |
Turawat the Shadow, the hidden blade,
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14 |
Zura The Mist who trusted in her illusions,
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15 |
First was the Age of the Unspoken Word, when the gods mistakenly thought they had been created by mortals.
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16 |
Second was the Age of Endless Wars, also known as the "Good Times' among weapon-smiths
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17 |
Third was the Age of the Fertile Tree. Not much happened during that time. Boring.
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18 |
Fourth was the Age of the Splintered Realm. The Demon Emperor had anyone who could not pronounce his name killed.
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19 |
Fifth was the Age of the Onyx Throne, dated from when our magnificent hero, Abraxis, began his quest to rid the world of darkness.
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20 |
This is the Age of the Haunted Winds, a time of shadow, much that was known is now lost,
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21 |
All in Berelaine live under the watchful eye of the Tower of Inculcation, "Minding One's Own Business" is not a spell studied there.",
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22 |
In Berelaine all know at least a minor cantrip, though the spell "Cleaning Dishes in the Sink" is hardly helpful when Midian raiders attack.",
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23 |
The Arcanists of Berelaine like to boast that they dispersed the Thousand Year Storm. They neglect to mention that they also caused it.
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24 |
The Chieftains of Midian have forbidden magic. Something about some magical fortress devastating the land or something.
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25 |
The Hold of Polybius lies on the edge of the Ash Desert, the last outpost before the Necropolis. The gift shop sells wonderful replicas.
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26 |
The people of Baphis believe the universe is a finely tuned machine in need of constant balance. "Balance" is a euphemism for bloodshed.
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27 |
The Mask Wearers of Yhtill are a deadly order. Heed the words of their Archon, "Mmmmpph, mm mmmmph mph mmmph!"
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28 |
The famous frescoes of Yhtill are full of people taking wanton pleasure, pilgrims travel from all over world just to be offended.
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29 |
"May the Wells of Darat always flow. May the Walls of Darat always hold."
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30 |
Abraxis was Khopeshi, but was of the Mandesh and not the Fain. The caste system was not known for its opportunities for upward mobility.
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31 |
Mandesh pupils study a wide variety subjects including edged weapons, bigger edged weapons, blunt weapons, blunt weapons with edges
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32 |
As a child Abraxis devised an escape from the Mandesh barracks of Irem during a particularly brutal pillow fight.
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33 |
In the ages since, the Fain have claimed descent from the mighty Abraxis, what's a little hypocrisy between pretend family members?
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34 |
On the road to Oonai Abraxis rescued Slyn, the Goddess of Knowledge and Sarcastic Retorts, who said in thanks, "You're a mortal? Oh, yay."
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35 |
In Oonai Slyn showed Abraxis how to steal the Tome of the First Secret, telling him, "Oh, I am sure you will put this to good use."
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36 |
In Midian Abraxis withdrew to begin his studies, using the arcane technique of kuh-ra-ming and eating only the broth called rah-min.
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37 |
Armed with the first three Arcane Mysteries Abraxis set out to bring peace, understanding, and hot new music to Zothique.
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38 |
Abraxis in those days had foreseen that the world had need of him and so he ended his hermitage. Good timing is a sign of a gifted hero.
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39 |
When Ulixsteracktus the demon befouled the mortal plane it really messed with the property values of the adjacent planes.
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40 |
And so the world of Zothique fell under the shadow of Ulixsteracktus. Not a metaphorical shadow, mind you. The guy was big.
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41 |
There are no songs written about the wars between Abraxis and the demon Ulixsteracktus. Ever tried to rhyme Ulixsteracktus?
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42 |
In the Age of the Splintered Realm, Abraxis and Ulixsteracktus met in battle on the Cliffs of Red Despair. Names were so good back then.
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43 |
The enemies of the Archmage Abraxis have all had one thing in common: a penchant for spontaneous combustion.
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44 |
After his final battle with Ulixsteracktus, some part of Abraxis died. Of course all the parts of Ulixsteracktus died. So, victory!
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45 |
So ended the Age of the Splintered Realm and the Age of the Onyx Throne, called the Age of Abraxis or simply "Mage Age!"
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46 |
When Abraxis felled Se, the First Lich King of Iz,he raised up a simple peasant to rule. That guy lasted a week, then -boom- new Lich King.
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47 |
When Abraxis ended Alz, the Second Lich King of Iz, he burnt his body, ground it to dust, and scattered the dust. Precautionary measures.
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48 |
When Abraxis confronted Kelzt, the Third Lich King of Iz, the undead ruler abdicated his throne peacefully and moved to a small cottage.
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49 |
When Abraxis used guile to destroy Nul'dar, the Fourth Lich King of Iz, he learned the people of Iz had begged the Lich to rule. Weirdos.
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50 |
When Abraxis called upon the very stars for aid in defeating Ka'j, the Fifth Lich King of Iz, he pondered, "What is wrong with you people?".
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51 |
When Abraxis cast down Sulz Kem, the Sixth Lich King of Iz, he tried to establish a parliamentary democracy in the madman's place.
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52 |
When Abraxis defeated Szut, the Seventh Lich King of Iz, in single combat he cried out to the heavens, "That's it. I'm done.",
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53 |
When Gravx the Demon Sultan attacked the City of Pillars, Abraxis, Lord of All Mirrors, was like, "Oh no he didn't."
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54 |
Only then did Abraxis discover that Gravx was secretly possessed by the spirit of his ancient enemy, Ulixsteracktus. Oooh, plot twist!
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55 |
Some believe that Ulixsteracktus's spirit survived and slithered through the world like an oily serpent. That would be pretty creepy.
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56 |
The Archmage Abraxis tore time asunder. In this gap he fixed the Necropolis, The Navel of the World,
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57 |
The Necropolis was once the Navel of the World. We rebranded after the Archmage's accident.
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58 |
The Navel of the World, a glorious museum, an unparalleled center of learning, an impregnable fortress.
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59 |
The penitent and the petitioners sought aid from Abraxis, the lines stretched for miles outside the Navel of the World.
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60 |
After the defeat of Gravx and the anointing of the Legendary Thirteen Abraxis returned and shut himself away. Somebody was grummmmpy!
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61 |
Abraxis became withdrawn, less concerned with the ways of the mortal world. That tends to happen around the 500th year of life.
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62 |
Little and less is known about the island nation of Thraa. One fun fact we do know: no ship that has sailed there has ever returned.
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63 |
In the Keep of Zul Bhasir initiates study the Way of Endless Pain. Zul Bhasir’s recruitment efforts often fail to meet targets.
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64 |
Khosh is the City in the Trees. "Vine-burn" is a serious problem there.
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65 |
Baal, the Last Arcymul, stood upon the Wall of Bones with the Great Seal, and said, "Lo! Seriously, dude, what's your damage?",
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66 |
On the face of the Deep, the Master wrote the words large, in adamite, orichalcum, and bisa, "Stop Touching My Stuff."
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67 |
Ges held sway over a kingdom of blood, with his Sword of Pain, from the Cliche Throne. This is not his story. That fellow is quite dead.
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68 |
The Archmage split the world to create a space to store the wonders of the age.
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69 |
To the Abraxis Memorial Leisure Center and Pool Complex.
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70 |
To the treasury.
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71 |
Under construction.
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72 |
Sorry! Remodelling.
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73 |
Mind our mess.
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74 |
Grine Infection (Expect Major Delays).
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75 |
(We are putting in French Doors)
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76 |
Future Site of Fleglem's Ale House.
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78 |
PROTECTED GRÜ HABITAT.
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79 |
Serve the Brazen Head and live forever.
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80 |
Hear the tale of the Amulets of Power. Five were scattered to the corners of the Necropolis, stay tuned for this very special offer.
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81 |
In a time where women were women, men were men, and rat-things with the ability of human speech were, well... You get the idea.
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82 |
Four rings for the Thalen Kings under the stars, Eight for the Dvarl-lords in their halls of orange... Um. What the hell rimes with orange?
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83 |
The Legendary Thirteen pooled their abilities to defeat the Hanged Lord of the East.
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