The Celestial Lenses

The Lenses are of critical importance to the Divine Provence of the Most High Mysterium (also known as the Matron Mysterium ). It is the source of the Matrons quasi-divinity, and the device used to grant powers to the Vertic Court, Waterbearers, and Azure Reavers.
Located deep within the ground in the tower ward of the city of Matermar, it is the central focus of politics within the nation. During the day the Matron Ulia Vel Suria, spends her time in court in the chamber of the lenses. Whenever she travels she teleports to sleep within the tower above the lenses, before teleporting back to the caravan during the day.

"Most people when approaching the lenses the first time, think something must be missing. The hovering metallic rings contain no glass and the glowing stones are not transparent at all. Sages tell us the reason for the name is for their ability to focus magical energies, and hence the use of the word that misleads people. "
Tour director, Venix Gridwind

Rituals of the Lens

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There are five known rituals using the lenses.

Ritual of Binding

This ritual binds a person to the power of the lens. This grants the bound person a form of quasi-divinity, and can only be held by one person at a time. It involves the use of a lapis lazuli and gold pendant, thirty three attendants, and choreographed movements over the course of hours.

Ritual of Empowering

This ritual gives added power to the stabilize and strengthen the lens and those who have connections to it. This is a weekly rite performed by the clergy of the Verdant Priests, a part of the Vertic Court.

Ritual of Cleansing

This ritual is undertaken by the Verdant Priests and the Green Knights to gain their status. It involves floating naked in the pool of water underneath the lenses for an hour under the full moon, just visible through the skylight. Usually this is undertaken by multiple people at a time.

Ritual of Strengthening

This ritual is undertaken by the Waterbearers and Azure Reavers to gain their status and abilities. It involves the hours long vigil in the presence of the Lenses, and the imbibing of the condensed starlight draught.

Ritual of Defense

This ritual has only been used once before, where it was able to power a series of ancient city defenses that at one time were powered by a Mystic Engine. This ballistae and lightning orbs are a reason no-one desires a frontal assault on Matermar.
It is know that these lenses are ancient and likely have many greater secrets to reveal, but research is restricted to those closest to the Matron herself.

Item type

Magical

Owning Organization

Matron Mysterium

Raw materials & Components

Iron, brass, silver, gold and a dozen semi precious stones are the principle elements of the these card sized rings and balls. There are eight balls ranging in size from a watermelon to a 6 foot diameter boulder, and eleven rings ranging from three feet across to twenty feet.