Curse of the Grimm (the Grimmdowns)

Posted on October 5, 2024 in Steel-Realms

The Grimmdowns is the name given to the Athla Hill Country during the time of the Curse of the Grimm. It is ongoing, and is strongest deep in the hills. It has led to the abandonment of a dozen smaller and half dozen larger settlements and trade has to go around the area now.

A n c i e n t   Blood – A Living World storyline
Set in the Grand Duchy of Dunstrand of the [Fantasy] Steel Realms.

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Dew Gate in the Grimmdowns

Armaments of the Steel Realms

Posted on September 27, 2024 in Steel-Realms

Armaments of the Steel Realms can be purchased everywhere. Often, Battleworn items can be found for cheap, and repaired later. Technology has created a myriad of choices beyond natural weapons, including treatments like Ducateon Weathering.

The Steel Realms is an ancient place. Going back, even before the arrival of the Blood of Saemon, there have been armaments of magical and fantastic nature in the Celestine Time. Before that, when the creatures lost to memory fought, they too wielded and wore exceptional armaments, though few in number are known or survive from these early times. These fall under the Standard Notable Items/Goods auspices.

Hand Crafted: Every suit of armor has a personal touch in the Steel Realms. Many amrament producers have their own ‘assembly lines’ for armies, but many are hand made for individuals and fitted to them. Heavy armors that are fitted and well articulated are cost prohibitive, but this is offset with the benefits of less encumbrance and weight. Local variants will often achieve the equivalence through layering or material substitution by the smith.

The Culture of Armaments

War is a central feature of the Steel Realms. The factions, faiths, nations, and cadres of various sentient beings, monstrous creatures, the undying Lich-Kings of the north, and the unending war of light and darkness create a need for the smith with the ability to make Armor and Weapons. This knowledge and craft is called upon daily to defend and carry the fight to enemies. Smiths are paid well for this service, and held in high regard.

Crafter’s Mark: The use of an item made by a famous and recognized crafter (or their guild/trade/school) may also be the equivalent of a Prestige Marker. Local criminal enterprises are involved in currency, trade, items of all kinds, even local banking (money keeping/lending) and in some cases controlling crafters and their goods production. Marks are usually found on Notable Items with long histories.

Armament Policies of the Steel Realms

The following places only allow the sale of armor and weapons through approved/permitted sellers: Beryl, Northern Merchant Cities, Southern Merchant Cities, Northgate Garrison, Southgate Garrison, and Umbak. Also, none of the towns or villages near the Pacification Garrisons of the High King will sell without clear cause or permission.

The following places DO NOT restrict the sale of armor and weapons during time of war: Northern Merchant Cities, Southern Merchant Cities (including Ados). Availability gets scarcer though.

Pareado (city of Glinthill)

Posted on September 24, 2024 in Steel-Realms

The City of Pareado is the home of one of the three primary Dunstrandian army smithy’s in Dunstrand and close to one of the High King’s Garrisons.

Burning Stone Forge

One of the few sacred forges of the Lightbringers outside of Umbak. Burning Stone Forge is forge that radiates light day and night. The light is the source of the heat, and it burns without wood, coal or oil. It does not operate at all times, but it was built to be resistant to the privations of resources should it be needed to craft armaments. Many Followers of the Lightbringers come here to have their weapons blessed, or repaired, or re-forged. There are many odd practices and processes at work, and the priests of light keep their mysteries close to their chest.

Lichryan Sanatives

Posted on September 16, 2024 in Steel-Realms

Lichryan Sanatives are for the protection and healing of the undead and undying forms employed by the Lich Lords. They have worked extensively to collect a volume of lore in these regards. Much of the recorded information about these Exanimate Items are covered in the forbidden The Brush of Death of Rastilion’s Diabolique.

Undead: Undead of the iVerse™ and Undead of the Helca.

Undying: Half vampires, half ghouls, thralls, etc.

Healing Sanatives

Major Sanatives:

Minor Sanatives:

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• i20™
• iCore™

Protective Sanatives

Death Lords Armor

This is a specialty of the ranks of liches themselves. They are vulnerable physically, and the armor is a cream they spread on to create a hardened barrier of their skin. It has a duration of 4 hours, or until a damage threshold is met. Any armor worn on top of it will rub it off in 10 minutes of activity. Upon the living, it will dry and crack the skin, causing bleeding fissures that are aggravated. Experiment on the Undying or Undead:

Draped upon your nearly-undying skin, it burns as it goes on. Although searing at first, you push through the pain, as the skin slowly hardens. It takes a few tries to get the dose right, but eventually it reaches a glistening state and hardens, like a clear coat. Then it turns white. Eventually, after enough damage, it cracks and breaks into fragments.

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• i20™
• iCore™