Al-Azhim’s Dark Spoils

Steel Realms

From the fallen east are a series of books – sometimes they are seen as part of Rastilion’s Diabolique because they are mentioned in his research work… though not “officially” on the list. Mention or possession of one of these tomes will raise many flags, and they all summon dark fiendish entities.

Item Platform: i20™ 2019
Value: ? (Silver Crowns)
Al-Azhim’s Dark Spoils is a collection of books that had been gathered in the Fallen East of the Steel Realms were used when the darkness overran it. Unfortunately, a the greater compact between the Unholy Trio and entities of the inner and outer darkness meant that when those entities were summoned to defend the initial onslaught of the Curtain of Night, they killed the summoners and wrought havoc. Since that time, the books were associated with savage and malicious darkness, and although not outright banned, their presence is not tolerated. Guilty by association to the fall of the east means few will embrace them or not destroy them when found.

Attributed Author: It is thought that each of these has a different author, though each seems to have had knowledge of a common Ritual that allow the crafting of the tomes.

Initial Appearance: All tomes found thus far have had different bindings, though mundane. No exotic or terrifying materials were used, or Blood Magic involved in the creation of the cover, bindings, or pages themselves… initially the tomes were innocuous, though of high quality and meant to last. It would be assumed that some have been re-bound or covered by now.

Item Origins/Purpose: The tomes are said to be keyed to Occult practitioners. It contains formulae that summon and control fiendish entities.

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 Summoning – The rituals of power contained in the volume are specific AND bound to 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.

[Greater] Ritual of the Dark Summons: Req: Occult Aptitude 2 / Cost: base 2 Character Points to learn + 1 Essence to Attune – Any check is modified by the practitioners Occult Aptitude. This can be attempted for each ritual treatment in the tome to apply it to. THE SAME ENTITY IS SUMMONED EVERY TIME – The ritual cannot summon multiple if cast again and the entity is still alive and bound to the first summoning, unless it is summoned to the new summoning location.

  • Common Time: 10x normal
  • Common Costs: The summoning requires 100sc in materials per attempt to learn or cast the ritual.

i20™ Al-Azhim’s Dark Spoils Details

Contents: Each tome contains a single Conjuration spell of 1-6th level that summons a fiendish entity.

  • Learn: An additional 1 [character-point] per spell level; The DC is 10 + Spell Level to learn (-PB bonus if a Wizard Conjurer). If it is not learned, the reader must achieve another rank/level to attempt again. It becomes a “known spell” in addition to others they can know, affixed in occult reservoir permanently in addition to all others.
  • Use: It requires the tome to be Attunedto cast the spell in its ritual format. Cost to enact the Ritual is half if the caster is a Conjurer.

Add Powers to Creature Summoned: +1 AC, +1 (max) HD; (as an Action) [cantrip] Mage Hand at will; [1st] Fog Cloud at will; Per Short Rest: Grease, Unseen Servant; per Long Rest: Misty Step, Stinking Cloud; Relentless Endurance

iCore iCore™ Al-Azhim’s Dark Spoils Details

Impacted by Attribute 1: None | Attribute 2: None | Lore(s): None

iCore [specific] Requirements: / Cost _ CP/_ Essence

iCore Text

Realm's Aptitude Powers: Divine, Occult, and Psychic