Dust

The Dust is not to be trifled with even in ideal conditions and is best left to the dust collectors of the The Black Hands before too much of a build up occurs, normally this is only a problem within the tunnels of the train lines but with more use of Star Light pockets of dust are becoming more common throughout the city.

"... I can't believe we have to collect this stuff why can't the maintenance crews just work around it, it's not like it hurts anyone" - Last words of a dust collector before vanishing into a shimmering portal filled with eyes that spoke and danced to songs unheard.

Appearance

Despite its dangerous nature, the Dust possesses an enchanting beauty that captivates the eyes of most beholders. Resembling finely ground precious gems, the Dust's myriad particles reflect a kaleidoscope of colors across the entire visible spectrum. Even those with the ability to peer into the astral or umbral planes witness its mesmerizing radiance stretching into those realms as well. When held, the Dust feels as ethereal as running clouds through one's fingers, its weight barely noticeable.

History

As a recent discovery, the Dust's history is relatively short, yet its impact on the world has been profoundly felt. One of its most notorious interactions occurred during the infamous The Loss of Number 4, where the tragic crash of the number 4 train in the Second Ring triggered the creation of a potent Memoria. The Memoria's haunting echoes were further amplified to truly terrifying levels by the proximity of the Dust.
In response to this catastrophic event, the Black Hands established a dedicated division solely focused on collecting, storing, and disposing of the Dust. While their efforts have mitigated the dust-related incidents to some extent, they have not eradicated the threat entirely. Furthermore, to safeguard their esteemed clientele from the Dust's effects, they have reinforced the more expensive train cabins.

Creation

The Dust's creation is a direct consequence of burning Star Light in the steam production process. As the Star Light burns, some of it is transmuted into Dust, which escapes through the flumes in the furnaces. This fine, ethereal residue then settles in areas above the exhaust and near the flames, coating surfaces with its enigmatic radiance.

Effects

The effects of the Dust range from minor disturbances to extreme, cataclysmic events, contingent upon the quantity of Dust present in a given area. While there is no precise threshold to predict the degree of impact, it appears that, at some point, even minor effects can quickly escalate into something perilous and nightmarish.

Minor

At lower quantities, the Dust exhibits minor magical effects akin to simple Cantrip spells. Common occurrences include playful Prestidigitation and benign illusions. Additionally, spells cast in the Dust's presence become amplified, yielding more significant effects than usual—whether for good or ill, chance seems to play a role in the outcome.

Medium

As the quantity of Dust increases, reality itself begins to warp, though not yet breaking. Potent illusions materialize, taking on tangible forms, and an array of magical effects manifest, many of which remain benign. However, there have been reports of peculiar creatures appearing in regions with high Dust concentrations.

Major

The highest tier of Dust concentration encompasses potentially hazardous and even city-devastating effects. Incidents like the infamous Loss of number 4 exemplify what is considered an Ordo 4 Memoria event—an extreme rarity. Yet, the true extent of what could occur under such immense Dust quantities remains shrouded in uncertainty. Portals, reality-bending phenomena—anything might come to pass. The Dust is inherently perilous, and those who have firsthand experience—the Dust Collectors—simply warn that keeping Dust levels under control ensures a better tomorrow; otherwise, "up might just be purple come the morrow."

Item type

Compound