Formulaes of the Cloud
Formulaes of the Cloud is a minor volume not understood to strictly be part of Rastillions Diabolique, though it is believed to be referenced as a piece of or related to The Endless Gates of that collection. Its mentioned a few times in other works as far back as about CY 7900 as a minor volume of spell formulae and insights.
Attributed Author: It is thought to be a collected work of multiple authors. The primary author is said to be one ‘Vin’e Nebula’ (vee-nay neb-ula), though nothing is known of this person in other records. Rumors state that it was passed on to his or her apprentice and then down through the ages from there.
Initial Appearance: The original binding is unknown. Its current binding is in some sort of white leather. The pages are gilt edged in silver, and rough. The entire volume looks well-worn.
Item Origins/Purpose: The tome is said to be keyed to Occult practitioners. It contains minor formulae that summon and control minor mists and fogs.
Power and Knowledge
SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE: Reference works and basic exposure alone may only provide the foundation for gaining a [mechanics based] advantage. To reflect the practice and experience to gain that benefit consistently, typically requires a cost in Character Points.
EXPRESSIONS: Ritual of Formulae Enhancement – The rituals of power contained in the volume as specific t it. Without the volume as a Focus Point that is Attuned, the rituals will fail. Power and Knowledge contained within must be translated and/or explored and understood.
[Lesser] Ritual of the Cloud Gazer: Req: Occult Aptitude 1 / Cost: 2 Character Points – Any check is modified by the practitioners Occult Aptitude. This can be attempted for each treatment in the tome to apply it to.
[Greater] Ritual of the Cloud Gazer: Req: Occult Aptitude 2 / Cost: 2 Character Points + 1 Essence – Any check is modified by the practitioners Occult Aptitude. This can be attempted for each treatment in the tome to apply it to.
i20™ Powers of the Tome Details
i20 [specific] Requirements:
Lesser Ritual = DC 12 Wisdom; Greater Ritual = DC 16 Wisdom
Cantrips (lesser): Prestidigitation (2 effects at once); Spells (greater): Fog Cloud (+10' radius), Stinking Cloud (+10' radius)
Chronicle of Formulaes of the Cloud
Knowledge is broken down by ease of discovery/availability; Any attempt to know more than what's Pervasive will require a reference, source, knowledge, check, or access to someone who can get or provide either of these.
Pervasive Knowledge / Very Easy Difficulty
Common Knowledge / Easy Difficulty
There is known to be a lesser ritual associated with the work, that enhance the meagre knowledge it imparts.
Uncommon Knowledge / Average Difficulty
A greater ritual is said to be inscribed in its pages. There are hints that 2 similar books were made with the same process – perhaps overseen by a common crafter? One dealt with the Occult, another Divine, and a third in Psychic capabilities.
Scarce Knowledge / Hard Difficulty
There is a reference to “The Eastern Eye” that has never been explained. It speaks of an ‘alignment’ and a site upon which the rituals may be performed with a greater ease. It seems to be related to a constellation to be seen from a specific locale. It also repeatedly mentions ‘ifori gardens’ (the source of the ritual knowledge?).
[ i ] > The reference to the site is riddled with inconsistencies and vagaries, though insistent it exists. It must be deciphered (Difficulty: i20 = Int 16 /
iCore = Major Result).
Deciphered Knowledge: The ‘eye’ reference point to a location on a place that is referenced as “The Two Tortoises”. Some entity can be seen from an island in the barony of Fandelok from the inland Byluan Sea. There are two islands, one has a tower who’s top, when seen in alignment from a specific place on the smaller island, opens communication to an entity called ‘the watcher’.
Rare Knowledge / Very Hard Difficulty
The ‘ifori gardens’ is some sort of reference to the Efyori Gas Cloud.
The rituals will cost less if performed in this aligned and attuned site (1 less CP).
In reality, it is one of three “sundered sections” of the malevolent Keys to the Outer Doors that cannot be truly interpreted until it is joined with the others. It is unknown exactly how to merge these, if they together make the volume entirely, or other pieces/elements are required.
Thebadoux/Bittermaw’s Ownership: The Bittermaw’s Greater Key Journal tome details Bittermaw and his timie possessing the tome.
Dane Vistler’s Ownership: Dane Vistler.