Shatterstar

They snuffed out the light

Phoecen, empyral of brilliance, was murdered one morning. The sky villa had docked someplace on the surface, an expansive meadow of cottongrass with a single large wooleaf tree. An empyral sky-villa was docked on the surface,

Divine Testimonies

Magister Haegalen was tasked by the seraphim to lead the investigation. He followed where the leads led him. In the end, he was never able to provide a conclusive answer. In time Phoecen's death became a haunting memory among the empyrals and a divine tragedy among the human worshippers. Haegalen recorded the interviews on echostones, they have remained locked away deep within the Imperial Archives since the case went cold.

Iszen, The Cartographer

It was shortly after the strike of noon when, under the large wooleaf tree in the meadow, I found the body, blackened and stiff, it was consumed in eschar. Putrid tar oozed from every orifice. I tried to help the man, but as soon as I laid my hand upon his body, my hand was singed black. I went about examining the scene. Tattered clothes barely covered the corpse. They were severely burned, but I'd guess they were some colour of cyan. The right index finger was adorned by two rings, one ivory, the other gold. On his chest, a hole had been punctured through where his heart once resided. Now only a hollowed out cavity. His eye sockets were also hollowed. Tar dripping from them as if he were crying. I found no weapons, only footprints heading west.

Seropa, Empyral of Vision

Yes, this man, this charred husk, rotten, deprecated— apologies. This is in fact my former student. The silver and gold rings on the right ring finger were gifts forged by his lover. Phoecen was a brilliant individual, incredibly optimistic. He had great plans. Yes, magister, he was the creator of the Oscillation Stone. Grand device, revolutionary, if only he was still alive… My former pupil was always so focused on the future that he often failed to slow down and record his own thoughts. There's no way to produce more Oscillation stones without him. This was supposed to be his life's work. First his radiant brother vanishing all those years ago, now Phoecen himself petrified and dead. This is beyond tragedy.

Vanafjord, Empyral Watchmen

Aye, magister, I saw him leaving the villa before daybreak. He was robbed in an elegant azure, truly eye-catching. The way he was heading would have taken him south. Towards the riverbank, I believe. No, magister, I saw no one else accompanying him, he was alone. No one else left the villa until the cartographer ventured out a little before noon.

Dmesumi, The Whisperer

Phoecen, you say? He may have been brilliant, but the fool had many sunspots if you ask me. Charismatic and witty. Beloved? Why certainly, but he had his share of dark secrets. Rumours that haunted him, running amuck behind his back. Many said that his union with Chene was strenuous. Loved his work more than her, he did. Or worse, had a secret lover. A supposed "Verdant Cloaked Lover". That he'd go on rendezvous with when the villa docked. What's more, some said he had even produced a child in secret with a human! Do I know if any of theses are true? Not much at all. I'm simply the one who hears the pestilent murmurs.

Eskolour, The

That's correct sir, I was his apprentice. I'm utterly dismayed by this news. My teacher had so many grand plans still awaiting fruition. The Stone? Oh why sir, I had presumed you found it on his person. He had taken it out with him last night, saying he meant to do a field test of sorts. I asked if I come assist him but he was stern in saying no. He was instructed me to do work here in the observatory. If the stone was not on his person, it could very well be lost forever. Our life's work gone. He was wearing his blue robes. A chartreuse sash keeping his clothes held up. It seemed rather extravagant for simple field research, but I never questioned my teacher's methodology.

Kunenn, The Shining

Correct, Phoecen and I were friends. Companions since apprenticeship Seropa. While he forged his relics, I turned my attention towards metalwork. Brilliant, radiant, metalwork. I helped him craft the mold for his Stone. I never had reason to hurt him. He meant everything to me, far more valuable than any craft I could forge. We shared everything with one another. There were no secrets between us. Last I saw of him? It was two nights ago, the night before his murder. He'd came to me livid, saying he had an explosive argument with Cehne. Oh, she was his lover, sir. I asked if Phoecen would join me on my trip to the lilac ponds, but he was set on venturing out on his own for "important research". Rumours of affair? No, never. Phoecen never would have done such a thing. And even if he did, I would have gotten ear of it. Nothing meant more to Phoecen than bringing his ambitions to fruition. Yesterday morning? I was soaking my body in the lilac ponds just to the west of the villa, if only... I had been there for him... and diligent enough to save him... (Kenenn's words slowly turn into a quiet, stifled sobbing).

Zeiphur, "The Soothsayer Crow of the Wyrd"

Ah, yes, yes. I see three stars. Two bound as one, but lovers of the third. Beneath the wooleaf tree, they made love, but a fourth was there, watching in secret, seething in confusion, betrayal, disgust. They ready their bow. String pulled taut. In one motion, a cursed arrow. The two who were bound as one were broken asunder. Brilliant eyes and heart taken, but given willingly to the radiant star. The two remaining stars fled. The arrow lost. The killer's rage still burns. That is all the vision shows me. Does that help you at all, young man?

Cehne, The Sublime

Effects

Among Humanity

Ghastly Meadows

Phoecen was murdered beneath a large wooleaf tree. Black echomist soon formed to loom over the area. It's regarded as a cursed location. The site where a god met his untimely demise. Among empyral and human alike, it is a place of dreaded premonitions. Harrowing cries resonate throughout the meadow. His body still dwells there, petrified, unmoveable. Rayvens soon came to inhabit the area. The wooleaf tree and native cottongrass fields are the only living things that remain alive in the region. The Rayvens and echomist having scared away all other fauna. Only followers of the Death-Stalker regularly inhabit the meadow.

Lost Relics

The Black-Arrow: It was never found. It was not of this world, of this reality. Unnatural magic, empyral scholars latter attributed similarities between the effects of the Black-Arrow and the demon wolf, Gharris.

Oscillation Stone: Despite being created by Phoecen, its full capabilities remained largely unknown. Its whereabouts are unknown still to this day. Many attribute it to have been the reason why Phoecen was murdered, the killer having stolen it.

Brilliant Eyes: The ultimate fate of Phoecen's eyes remains a mystery. His eyes were his most precious and powerful asset. Many attributing that if were one to gaze into them, they'd be able to see the future.

Brilliant Heart: