The Official Charter of the Astrum Crystal Observatory

‘The Official Charter of the Astrum Crystal Observatory’ outlines the purpose, history, and operation of the observatory complex in the Hullack Forest.

Theses are some relavent details that can be gleaned from scanning the text:

• There are 5 massive celestial crystals that travel in a comet-like orbit in Toril’s planetary system. Every 500 years they pass near Toril and bathe the surface in meteoric crystal shards. During these events some of the main crystals align with the sun and beam powerful magical energy to the planet’s surface. Every 5,000 years the crystals all align in succession with the sun and then finally together to beam an unfathomable amount of energy to the surface.

• The Netherese discovered this over 5,000 years ago and were able to set up receptor locations on Toril to harness this energy which led to their magical dominance and was the power behind their floating cities and the formation of the Netheril Empire.
• But the influx of magical energy from off-world upset Toril’s natural and arcane balance. Eventually, the Netherese’s use of the wild celestial magic caused widespread chaos and ecological damage resulting in the formation of the vast wasteland now known as the Anauroch Desert. Mystrl finally stepped in and sacrificed herself to protect the Weave and life in general on Toril. She was reincarnated as Mystra and created a new arcane order to maintain the balance of magical energy on Toril.
• The founding members of the observatory were sages, arcanists, artificers, astronomers, and philosophers who became aware of the celestial crystals through ancient texts, astronomical observations, and studying Netherese history. They found meteoric crystals from the passing orbit 1,000 years ago and predicted the great alignment happening 500 years ago, so they created the observatory to prepare for the event. When the passing of the crystals happened, only 2 of the celestial crystals aligned and they realized they were off by 500 years. With the crystals they found from 1,000 years ago and the partial alignment, they were able to harness vast amounts of energy to sustain their operations but realized it would be another 500 years before the true great alignment. They abandoned the complex to keep it hidden in the hopes that it could be used by a subsequent generation. To that end, they created a secret society called ‘The Arcanum of the Starlit Veil’ to protect their secrets and eventually rekindle their work in light of the great alignment.
• You recognize the secret society’s symbol (see image) from Thalion’s journal and deduce he was probably sent to reopen the structure.

• The founding members included:

1. Headmaster – Archmage Kaelithan Malcoven - A human mage and philosopher, deeply interested in the ethereal connections between magic and the cosmos.
2. Thalira Sunfire - A sorceress and scholar who dedicated her life to understanding the potential of solar magic and its celestial origins.
3. Maelis Lumenveil - A tiefling mage who studied the intersections of infernal magic and celestial phenomena.
4. Fennor Galeborn - A sage from the Stonepeak Mountains, renowned for his knowledge of ancient runes and their celestial connections.
5. Draven Stenger - A dwarf scholar renowned for his expertise in celestial mechanics and magical geology.

• Looking at some diagrams and drawings, you realize that as the sun’s rays pass through the crystals, the facets divide the beams sending them to different locations on the planet’s surface. You deduce that the globe located on the second level with pinpoints of purple light probably depicts these locations. Observing the globe confirms that this structure is one of those locations.

• In numerous passages in the charter, the founders emphasize the importance of not allowing the incredible power potentially generated by this event to fall into the wrong hands. At the same time, they are dedicated to figuring out how to harness that power and utilize it themselves.
• As you read about the alignment, Crys’s statement when you entered this level, “Thirty-five days until the first celestial event”, pops into your head.

Item type

Book / Document