Charting and projecting continued Radiance usage
by RobinIt seems there is not much known about the Radiance. As thus I delved deep into this, and I found some Canon numeral Information. (source Gaz2 Glantri and Kingdom of Magic)
And then the Canon changes during Wrath of the Immortals. Not only did Ettiene dissapear as Rad user, but The war/immortals enforced great changes upon the Radiance, not only a great amount of power was used in the attacks on Alphatia, but afterwards some Old One restored this...most probably to cause the Mortals/Immortals to work with the natual sources of magic instead all relying upon one powerful source... as thus this Old One gave them what they wanted, but knowing the result I present in the table below 795AC to 1015AC.
There seems to be a continues grow of members of the brotherhood of the Radiance. According to this knowledge and great divination Magics and calculations I have divined that the following will happen on the approximately future dates with the following future data as in the table below 1016AC to 1044AC.
The influx in new "radiance Students" in the last decades made the knowledge more difficult to keep secret, more willing students follow soon. Many pride atround with their awesome magic, others are forced to tell their source of magic (either by magic or trickery). I think the 2x 1 week of no magic does NOT follow each other. More logically it would fall in the middle of the year at the beginning of summer as in the table below 1045AC to 1095AC.
According to Canon from now on a 16+ Intelligence will be needed to study magic, or to advance further in levels. After a generation or two the number of Wizards decreases drastically in the world.
I think the few wizards (Witches, Elementalists, Necromancers, Druids) would start to study the few sources of magic NOT affected by the Radiance, and as thus whole new streams of magic very slowly become known
Magical beings decrease in number also (this includes Dragons, Elves, Fairy, etc.) or move away to other planes.
I Think though that they rapidly adapt to the Natural source of magic, but indeed many would perish or move away.
The number of Brethren would rise to about 220 and then slowly but steadily sink as the number of wizards go down as in the table below 1096AC to 1400AC.
I think the 4x 1 week of no magic does NOT follow each other. More logically it would fall in the beginning of each season
According to Canon Magic will become very rare. Magical beings (Dragons, Elves, and Monsters with magical abilities) are almost extinct and are thought of as legends.
I think by now that although many have moved away, most will have adapted to the natural sources of magic...a bilogical effect as magic in a magical creature when dependant on it, will ALWAYS try to find a replacement for something it is deprived of. as there is such magic, these creatures will by now have adapted in using this magic. Many though will have indeed perished, and they have become much more rare than before.
According to Canon magical items are a once-in-a-lifetime find and there are no more than 2 Wizards per hundred mile radius. The Great School of Magic is run by charlatans; the Magocracy has collapsed; Glantri is ravaged by bandit, barbarian and humanoid raids, and is totally infiltrated by religious movements. Absolute chaos will reign.
Most magical items (except artifacts will have indeed lost their magic by the regular waves of Antimagic. However the number of mages will be much greater than only 2, as all witches, most elementalists (Earth-Matter/Water-Time, Fire-Energy, Air-Thought, Frost), necromancers and druids will have by now using most of their spells/magic from the natural sources. Religious movements may have entered, but as according Canon, even clerical magic is affected...but...and here it comes,...as this affects the effect of the Immortals upon their followers, and tus their direct influence, the immortals would by now also started to redirigate their magic to their own magic, as thus clerics now dirive their power directly from their immortal, as thus being much, much more forced to act upon the immortal's wishes and be sparse in using this magic. As thus I absolutely agree chaos will reign as in the table below 1401AC to 1751AC
From this moment on it will take time. The days /weeks of dread are no more...antimagic locations however will be commonly known, or even wild magic locations. The blast of the Radiance generator, removed the unbalancing factor in the Prime Plane (especially or alone Mystara) of magic from the Sphere of Energy. Natural magic from variant sources will now again, (as before the Blackmoorians started to use alien technology and powers to draw magic from) be dominant in the World.
I think this period of time just before this could be what Odin prophecied...Ragnarok. Where Immortals and mortals alike strive to acquire the last bits of magic to survive...as thus many will falter and seize to be...only a few immortals might have survived this...as the Edda fortold( read this book it is very interesting and fun )
Magic will be variant, no mage alike, as the sources are different. I presume that from now on, all kinds of mages will exist; Sorcerers who have a sort of battery of mana to cast spells from, other drawing power from sources like cauldron(witches) element or book, or even wands (like harry potter). I do agree that they need an intelligence of 15+ to be able to understand the principles of casting magic, as clerivcs from now on need a wisdom of 15+ to understand their immortal, they also would need to have a higher piety (see my blog on Piety to be able to cast spells, as thus I would impose a 15 extra piety needed for each level of piety.
Magic items would also be variant, and no one alike...I think that each item would also have a downside for each effect other than minor Offence/Defence (+1 to +3 to THAC0, AC/AV or Saves) by slightly reducing another factor (ST/IN/WI/DX/CO/CH, Saves, AC/AV, speed, age, need of some sustanance[food/drink/magic,etc], or must be recharged by some method after a set time of use.
more options may be possible...An existing generating table with this balancing factor already added can be found in TSR 11612 AD&D2 Diablo!! the Awakening page38-48
The new Old One Odin was content... variation is nature, and only variation is growth by adaptation. One source of magic....however powerful,... was not the way of the future...it only caused a dependancy upon it and stagnation in all other fields.... the surviving immortals may by now have learned a vital lesson and maybe even some mortal might know...or surmise it.
I have expanded the initial table with two steps (#brethren and rad drained).
I have determined the drains from the amount of drains, its discovery-date, the amount of members and calculated this back and forth along the timeline.
The official (79)drained amounts and effects are;
100 rad 1 day no magic
500 rad 1 week no magic
1000 rad difficult to learn magic...another week is added
2000 rad magic is rare
5000 rad bang= Glantri similar to Broken Lands.
I only further increased the growrth of times of no magic from, 1 day, 1 week and 2 week to 4 weeks, and expanded the table to enccompass the effects of more members equally. This seemed logical.
It is said that at begin campaign only 50 rad is drained by 6 members, but days of no magic happened already before 1000AC, and thus a minimum of 100 rad must have been drained at 1000AC. (79)
795 AC discovered by Ettiene/Rad(according his history), he drained at 1 each year thus he is solely respionsible for the loss of 205 rad at 1000AC.
At 895 AC there already were days of no magic (according the text and other gazetteers), thus calculating from there on with the yearly use
Looking at the ages of the members, you can estimate their entering and thus influencing the Rad drain.. Until 995AC when the fifth member arrived the total rad use was still only 1 yearly, thus this extra member caused the group to double its drain rate, and added 5 rad from the pool.
To the number of members, the Gaz 2 is a bit contradictive. it says at (79) that only 6 brethren exist, but in the guild description 8 are listed, and in the names more can be delved from. Not counted at all is the newest member added in the storyline text.
As I write this, and see that several died before 1010,(Rad, Hippolyto, Vanserie) and more others were added (GKoM) the numbers around this day in my tables must be tweaked a bit...prior to 1010 there thus were 12 members known to us (Hippolyto died earlier) instead of 11, 2 more dissapeared died later(Rad and Vanserie), coming to 9 in 1010 AC, so vanserie may (must) indeed have been replaced (under the same alias probably). to keep the numbers up, thus 10.
1 Rad =vibrant, averoigne accent= Ettienne ambreville (68,21) Ettiene can automatically ident1fy any mortal user of the radiance.According to Wrath of the Immortals and Mark of Amber, Rad/Ettiene is literally gone...and has NOT returned as of yet (1016 according Almanacs etc.) this might depend on the actions of PC's in Mark of Amber, burt also on how Ettiene thinks the whole situation over...if....rejoined with his noncorporeal /and corporeal identity. At least he hasn't done anything,after his dissapearance.
2 nightfire= Prince Brannart McGregor (68+28/29)one of the oldest member
3 Lord Harald of Haaskinz(25,36)
4 estocada=belcadiz accent= don hippolito de belcadiz (pg 68+23)Died a few years before Kingdom of Magic (set at 1010AC??)
5 Don Fernando de casanegra (pg 24,36)
6 morningsun=child = Sir Angus McGregor(pg68,27)
7 Prince Vanserie Vlaardoen X! (36)died in WotI (GKoM 35) but may have been replaced by julia vlaardoen as after his death all his knowledge and books became open and available to her.
8 Lord Alaisdair McAllister (36,27)
9Lady Margaret of Hillsbury ( loyal to the order of radiance (26)
10 moonshadow= new, old man(74-78)
11 Fernando de Casanegra is also a member, but is not an old man, thus not moonshadow.(GKoM 78)
12 Maximilian Hiltier (GKoM 119 illustration) already able to 7th level radiance spell retain, and thus must have been a member long before 1010 AC, is also not an old man, thus not moonshadow.
13 Danira Voshane attempted immortality by use of the greatest Radiance spell, and thus must have been a member long before 1010 AC(the illustration reveals she's barely affected by it, but grasped by an οmmortal??"hand.
The names you gave I have not found but could easily appounted to the members without a known alias.
Azureone (sounds belcadizian so maybe Fernando de Casanegra?/),
Bleulight (blue waterelementalist also??, McAllister?)
Paleglow (humble maybe Harald??)
Morningsun is a bright welcoming name, so maybe Hiltier??
Ettiene was indeed just known as Rad...this might however lead to disturbing/desiring thoughts by the mages as Rad is a known immortal; "are they actually religious followers now" and "he succeeded i might too"
Lady Carlotina of erewan has books on subject and feels radiance is too powerful to keep secret
Lady Carmina de Belcadiz seduced Hippolito, and thus night have more knowledge(or at least where to find it), and may look for it after his death.
Aendyr knows of Radiance not mastered yet (pg 22)
Lady Arbana Jerbat suspicious , spy(26)
Lady Sinaria Verlien knows Lord Rejladan Virayana has Radiance Knowledge(29)
Vanserie Vlaardoen described openly (GKoM 116) in his journal the existence of the Radiance, which came available to others after his death.
Lord Rejladan Virayana has tome describing Radiance(30)
Innocienty de malapietra knows Harald Haaskins is master in radiance and want to stay in good grace (26)
Duke Gerrid Rientha has Harald Hasskins receptable created and senses its importance...
great chance to learn
Dona Yolanda wife of Don Fernando de casanegra (24)
McGregor,McAllister,and Belcadiz direct Family members
Raknaar the Dragon at Vlaardoen house
one of the greatest source of willing and unwilling spreading could be Lady Carolotina of Erewan, who does not like it to be a secret, (especially to Alfheim), thus might more eager to spread this (still basic) books of knowledge leading to more research
The little manthing (Imp??) on the shoulder of the newest member knows-all(68)/ imps are chaotic very intelligent thus will always know the importance to spread this knowledge somehow (within its capabilities)
Outerworld visitors and other Immortals know from the archives of time(78)
And according to GKoM 31 sidebar Glantrian nobles use secret dealings, bribery, blackmail, charms and such to aquire knowledge, and thus also Knowledge about the Radiance.
Synn/dolores hilssbury of Fenswick knows/feels? there is a secret power, but hasn't located it yet.
According to Wrath of the Immortals, Alphatia (and its spies) is aware of the radiance, but knows to little yet, most alphatians are removed in 1009 AC, but the cork is from the bottle, many now know there is a secret power to grave for,..and thus will seek for it, and though difficult, many will find it, and with each find, making access easier as the knowledge become available to another, and thus easierr toobtain (secretive, enforced, or spread).
As Ettiene sees/feels/knows each use of the radiance, he was the only barrier to enter the order. with him removed as of Wrath of the Immortals and anything canon thereafter), the order will have no barrier to enter, other than the other members, who never know who the other is, other than that he/she is new....thus unable to block new entries. It even may wel be that the new members do NOT use their receptable to communicate with the others, so might even be more hidden from the other members, and as thus might not be regulated by the secrecy bounds.
All these factors lead to the slow but steadily further spreading of the Knowledge.
All this information led to the calculations leading to the tables given earlier above. All page numbers here between ( ) are from Gaz 2, or are from Great Kingdom of Magic (GKoM).
Interesting note
The accompanied adventure (Test of Darkness) speaks of Darkness in the underground... could that be an effect of the radiance (no light evn magic seems to function. and as this is only some tens of feet underground (probably within the old ruins of the former city Braejr, or even the old Blackmoorian city Redfen, thus the darkness effect could indeed be centered on the Radiance or coming from it.
The secret of a secret is that it can never be kept secret.
It will always spread...slowly or instantly, exponentially, or slumbering.
As I delve deeper and deeper into the Matter on the Great School of Magic (GSM) and the Radiance in this topic more and more interesting information comes forth.
The sources I used herein are Gazetteer 3, Glantri Kingdom of Magic, Test of Darkness (adventure from GKoM), Wrath of the Immortals, the various Almanacs and my earlier calculations here
Combined Canon info;
Then adding this together with my calculations on the Radiance and some fanon information of the region by Sturm(I believe) we get the following;
Please keep reading as this give great Game information on this matter (and of Glantri)
1 Radiance use will increase.
2 Radiance is a sphere of disease effect, a sphere of direct effect and a sphere of spell effect.
3 increase usage of the Radiance will affect the Direct effect sphere and the sphere of spell effect
4 Radiance is at -10.000'below the groundlevel of the GSM
5 Glantri City lies in a River Valley with mostly higher areas around it
6 There is a Sphere(oid) effect of darkness below ground
7 This darkness does also expand
8 Suggested it is linked to a power source far below
9 The Radiance is using energy from the Plane of Energy
10 The radiance will eventually affect Magic on a Global scale
11 The Radiance its source of energy is exchanged to Entropy in 1010 AC
12 Test of Darkness describes a light-absorbing darkness in the period following the WotI events.
13 Somewhere in 1013 AC the Radiance its source of energy is exchanged back to the Plane of Energy.
Located at 10.000ft= 1mile+1573,33 yard. Ceiling Located at -9500.dating; natural gas chamber (millions of years ago), changed by the Immortals, molten-solidified floor. Containing; Radiance (nuclear engine of the FSS Beagle changed by Old One near 3000 BC, and Immortals between 630 BC and 350 BC, molten-solidified walls, stalactites/stalagmites/columns). Ceiling containing; molten metal drills of Redfen Foundry (3435 BC) and at least one hidden opening (by fate and chance behind a molten column) leading to chamber 000.
The Chamber of the Radiance is a natural cavity within the crust of the Megalith which is Mystara. The gas in a series of stacked bubbles were discovered by the Blackmoor geophysicists as early as 3500 BC, and soon ways of exploiting this natural source of energy where created. Whatever reason biologically this gas or the gas chambers had, is currently (1000AC+) unknown, and without the gas this knowledge is irretrievable.
The Redfen Foundry continued to pump up the gas, and due this pumping the ground slowly sank down. Layers upon layers of new buildings were created to enable the precious gas to be won. First in 3065 BC, the Blackmoor people discovered that the amount of gas diminished, and became more difficult to obtain, so they decided to drill deeper. They eventually reached the final gas chamber filled with pressurized pure volcanic gas at 10.000 below the surface.
A few decades after delving this gas, many small earth quakes raked the region, and the desire for the gas changed. Then in 3000 BC the Great Rain of Fire, destroys Redfen, literally igniting it. The fire even reaches the lower cavern where it causes the remaining volatile gas to burst into flame. The stone walls of the former gas chamber started to melt, thus intense was the heat, and this molten stone created Stalagmites, stalactites and even several stone columns of very hardm yet almost glass-like stone.
On the surface a miles high flame pillar ignites all combustibles and causes an unstoppable firestorm running over the whole region. It burns and melts away almost all memory of the Blackmoor era except the stone and clogs of molten metal.
When the fires dies down, just after the Rain of Fire an Old One moved and modified the Nucleus of the Spheres from the Blackmoor Empire to be placed in the former now empty 350wide 500 high gas chamber, located 10.000 below the ruins of Redfen.
Between 630 BC and 350 AC Immortals discover and alter the Nucleus of Spheres and thus create the Radiance, all to increase the number of Energy immortals. Other Immortals soon follow and alter it again, now to drain magic/energy from Mystara. In 450 AC the Flaemish slaves of the Overlord were send to Mystara to research the strange energy it discovered on the world where its Crystal Drakes originated from, and the Fire Wizards Academy is created on the ruins of old Redfen, where many other magic is discovered, taught, learned and spread. With this teaching and the battle against the Overlord, the knowledge of the Radiance (or better said the knowledge of a strange new and powerful source of energy on that location) is lost to most, although some later FWA students (including Etienne DAmbreville) are aware there must have existed a reason that the FWA was created where it is.
When Etienne eventually rediscovers the powerful magic, an eventually he also locates the ancient worker tunnels down together with the drill pipe (which he never knew what it was) ending in the Chamber of the Radiance. Before becoming affected by the radiance, he discovered its powerful use and danger, and used it to become an Immortal only five years later, keeping this a secret to all.
When in 1000AC, immortals of energy discover the drain on global energy by the Radiance, which will eventually lead to the disappearance of magic in total, a debate follows, turning into a violent dispute, and eventually war; Wrath of the Immortals. When a group of adventurers led by a freshling Immortal from the original alien vessel Blackmoor gained powerful knowledge of, discovered the Radiance, they caused Etienne to disappear (other say he was taken away by an Old One).
Instead from energy, entropy was now drained with each use of Radiance. As the Radiance its radius was still expanding with each use, an area of light-absorbing darkness is created around the already created energy based sphere. As if each use adds a thin layer around the existing Sphere of Radiance.
When this is restored later (1013 AC??) either naturally, or by Immortals, or even an Old One (this and exact when is unknown), the darkness does not cease to be, but is further pushed outside by the growing energy-based sphere within. This Shell of Darkness thus created in its short period by Radiance users has gained a width of about 40, thus still reflecting the period it drew from Entropy. As of 1010 AC the Radiance has a diameter of effect of 500 miles, but this increases with each use of the Radiance.
The Shell of darkness has already penetrated the lower regions of the structures beneath Glantri City and the GSM, and will eventually reach the surface. Currently everybody still thinks it is a Sphere of light consuming darkness, instead a shell, and as such the discovery of its ongoing expansion will cause fear. When the shell surfaces and starts to affect the GSM and the city, it will of course have great contra effects, until it is discovered that it is not a sphere but a shell.
It is canonnically unknown if sunlight will pierce this shell in a weakened state, bypass it, or be repelled by it.
The weakened state will cause a shady realm, if bypassed it will create a Glantri living under a dark dome as seen from the outside, but from within it would still be the same, but when it repels the sunlight Glantri will succumb to an eternal night where only magic light and fire shine, held within a shell of light absorbing darkness. Either way this will have social, economical and fore all political effects.
As such I chose to take the sunlight bypassing the dome, but being reduced inside by 50% in brightness and intensity.(making it nonharmful to those normally harmed by sunlight. This gives way more interesting game possibilities without removing another section of the Known world.
In effect we have several spherical ranges to mention; noted from inside to outside.
See cuttthrough
1 Deadly Range. Stretching away from the Radiance directly, however it is also blocked by natural Salt and metal bearing stone layers, affecting only the areas with a direct connection(area000). Within this radius you are fully subjected to the Wasting Disease as per The Wasting Disease. (Pink area on cut-through map). The higher areas (00, 0) are less affected, see there.
2 Radiance Sphere; This is the sphere which is created by the Radiance users. Each Rad used increases the Sphere radius by 7 !!!
The initial Sphere Radius when the Radiance was discovered by the Immortals was 6400 due leakage by damage/wear/atomic decay/etc, thus giving an initial surface power radius of 497 miles.
As of 1010 AC there was a surge of Radiance based energy causing the amount of Rad force drained by the Artifact of Rad to go from 218 to over 500 Rad causing a week of no magic. With the exchange of Entropy instead of Energy, this was set back to 471 Rad, meaning that over 200 Rad were removed by the Immortals. However, Radiance users continue to increase the Sphere radius with each use of the Radiance, when Energy becomes the source of power for the radiance again. The Sphere itself did not expand during the period 1010-1013AC, but the shell around it did, until the Radiance drained from Energy again. From that moment on the Sphere grows again and the shell remains constant in width.
3 Shell of Darkness; The Sphere Radius has a Shell of Entropic Darkness around itself reflecting the amount of rad drained while under influence of Entropy. As of 1013 AC it is noted that the Radiance draws on Energy again, which means that roughly 3 years Radiance users did increase the Sphere based on Entropy instead of Energy. Following the earlier estimates made on the Radiance (see table above) there was a total Radiance drain of 7 rad in this period. (There was a decline in use of Rad just after 1010AC, because the most frequent user and leader of the Brotherhood of the Radiance, Ettienne was removed or killed). These 7 rad were focused on Draining on the Sphere of Entropy instead Energy as per WotI, and thus these rad did create a Shell of Darkness around the Sphere Radius with a total thickness of 49 in 1013AC, as each rad used increases the field by 7 . This growth of the Shell of Darkness temporarily replaced the growth of the Sphere Radius. When later energy was used anew the Sphere radius expanded again as before with each rad used increasing it with 7. The Shell of Darkness, however, remains always 49 around the Sphere Radius as long the Sphere exists.
When the Shell of Darkness penetrates the surface, the Radiance Sphere will be a Shrouded Sphere. Due this we measure the affected surface area with a horizontal radius.
4 The Power Sphere; This is the Sphere that enables Radiance users to use the Radiance, either by their crystal or directly from the source (distance dependent on power level mage). See table.
As of 1013 AC it is noted that the Radiance draws on Energy again, which means that roughly 3 years Radiance users did increase the Sphere based on Entropy instead of Energy.
Following the earlier estimates I did make on the Radiance (see table) you see there was a total Radiance Drain of 7 Rad in this period. (There was a decline because the most frequent user and leader of the Brotherhood of the Radiance Ettienne was removed/killed). This 7 Rad did create a darkness shell around the energy shell of 42, as each Rad used increases the field by 7.
The initial sphere when discovered was 6400due leakage by damage/wear/atomic decay/etc. The initial surface power radius was 497 miles.
Each Radiance used increases the Sphere radius by 7, and the surface power radius by half a mile.
I have made the surface diameter an estimate as calculating each of these seperately was way too much work and an estimate was enough for game play.
So redoing and expanding the table I done earlier
The Red lettering is the alteration on the Chamber of Spheres by the Old One/Immortals in the end of 1009AC
The purple section is the period the Chamber of Spheres is connected to the Sphere of Entropy (instead the Sphere of Energy which it was originally).
During these years there is NO pyre of Flame in the Pyromancer Stronghold (see here)
Thereafter it will be almost as before
A detailed descriptions of the calculations is contained here
In text and timeline this comes to be as followed;
Timeline of effects
1010AC end Wrath of the Immortals; Rad disappears, Alphatia is destroyed, a Week of No magic appears, The War ends, Ettiene D Ambreville disappears. The Doomsday Weapon is forever destroyed. The creature s return to the Nucleus alters it permanently to draw negative energy, the source of Entropys power. The Shell of Darkness appears as a thin line upon the inner sphere, as instead Energy but Entropy is used as source for the Chamber of Spheres. Before this event the Radiance Sphere had no significant effects whatsoever (other than preventing External Divination to within). It is the Shell which altered the Sphere and added magical effects. As with the increase of possibilities of Energy and a drain upon magic, the change from Energy into Entropy now causes an increase in possibilities (magical power, chances to become Immortal, Items, spels) and a drain upon Entropy for each Rad used (resulting in the growth of the thickness of the Shell of Darkness. The Entropic Immortals are not content at first, but soon notice a growth in power, although also a decline of Entropic Energy.
1013 AC; Adventurers discover the Shell of Darkness below in ToD/GkoM adventure, and reveal this to the GSM crew, who make it a secret research; experimentation is allowed, yet all discoveries are meant to remain under control of the GSM. The reasearchers were very shocked with the sudden expansions. To them these appeared random (in fact these are indeed random caused by a Radiance user castin a Radiance spell, but this remains unknown to them), yet always with a constant 7 of extra distance. Members of the secret craft of Water Elementalism have already left their secret underground chambers but did not explain what happened below out of fear of their secret chambers be discovered. The testing grounds are also affected by the darkness, but due the change in Headmaster of the GSM, this area is abandoned until further notice. (Exams are postponed due the war and recuperation), thus not many notices the encroaching darkness, and those who do keep silent out of their own secrets. At the end of the year, adventurers rediscover the Wizard Warrens at level -3 floor level at -50 which is mostly affected by the darkness.
1014 AC; The darkness has fully affected the 3rd and 2nd underground levels; The return of the adventurers last year spurs many mages, guards and others to start investigating the Light absorbing darkness. Several Witches discover that some of their spells become less affected, or even fully unaffected by the Day of Dread. They decide to keep this their secret, and continue their research. Frost-mages in the north of Brun, and Druids globally had already discovered similar effects on both their spells and item powers; they keep this to themselves for various reasons. Unbeknown to all the Shell of Darkness itself no longer growth. Somewhere in the beginning of this year Entropy has shed the joke of the Radiance away, and caused the Nucleus of Spheres to drain upon the Sphere of Energy again. An effect which to the Entropic Immortals will in the end bring much more Entropy to the world, than any other Sphere would have brought, for they now know the prophecy of the destruction of the Radiance. They take their increased powers during 1010-1013AC for granted, and await a growth of their influence further in the future. The question remains however, is how the Entropic Immortals (or other powers) succeeded to do this. This must be an Quest (and maybe an adventure of Evil mortal and/or Immortal PCs on its own) of truly epic magnitude. Do not forget to read this article
In 1015 AC; the darkness is now at 3 below the surface and has affected all underground layers, including the temple of Rad. The fear of the encroaching darkness causes some teachers and students to study it inside.
In 1016 AC; the darkness has broken the surface and envelops the first 12 of the GSM, thus the whole ground 490away from the centre. Greatly affecting studies, as such many students are sent home until a solution is found. The mages discover that the lower levels are still dark, but below 49 no longer affected by the light-absorbing effect. The parliaments debates are heavy, many are afraid that the city will be swallowed up in the darkness and what lives within. Many commoners relocate to family members further away, as the darkness envelopes most of the ground level of the GSM. The nobility does not, for it would lessen their magical powers and political input. Fear, insecurity and panic runs amok, is the source of magic (which many know is located somewhere below Glantri City) running out? What will happen within?
In 1018 AC; the darkness has reached a height of 43 affecting both ground floor and the 2nd floor. Many lower chambers are now taken as (temporary) classrooms as the darkness also has its benefits, nobody can see what is done below. The testing grounds are in full use again, the wizard warrens, and the upper rooms are now in effect the Great School of Magic. More research discovers the 4th and 5th layers, but the source of the darkness is still unknown. Outside the darkness coversa area with a radius of 928 feet from the GSM. The spectres of the 1st floor escape and reside from there on in the darkness shell.
In 1020 AC; the darkness has reached a height of 54 above the surface, affecting the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floor, and 4th floor 4 high, just enough to walk through. On ground level the darkness has spread to 1439 away from the GSM. It is not thick or deep, but one misstep and you tumble in the water covered by the darkness. Sticks and ropes are used to prevent this. Alexander Platz, the Parliament building, House of Ministers and several other buildings nearby are now partially affected by the Darkness. Many Boldavian vampires become interested in this effect, as other undead mages who shun the light of the sun. Many students see the fun in playing on the Alexander Platz a freaky game of Hide and Seek, as the Shell of Darkness there is only a few feet high on the Platz.
In 1022 AC; The Darkness has reached a height of 82 affecting the 3rd, 4th and 5th floor, the second floor has been fully released of its nasty effects, and only the lower 2 of the 3rd floor is free. It is now discovered that the Sunlight does pass the darkness shell, but is reduced in power and intensity to about 50% of its normal range. The Government (and many nearby living residents of Glantri) relocate temporarily its business elsewhere in town. They now know that in a few years the darkness will have enveloped their favourite buildings The radius of its effect is now about 1624.
1024 AC; The Darkness has reached the Height of 110 , fully grasping the 5th to 7th floor, releasing the 3rd and 4th floor. The radius of its effect is now about 1790 away from the centre (which lies in the middle of the Old Keep (aka Tower of Experiments). The city slowly splits itself up socially; those who enter the Darkness on a regular base and those who do not want to do this at all. The number of Vampires slowly increases as are the victims. Many vampire hunters come in and many a vampire noble finds its demise on a magical blade.
1026 AC; the darkness has now reached a height of 138 and only the towers still pierce the sphere of darkness. The 9th, 8th, 7th levels are fully enveloped by the darkness; everything below 89 is shrouded. The area of effect is 1942 feet from the GSM and many nearby buildings are now fully enwrapped in darkness, roughly every 22 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower. The Gorevitch-Voslany Manor is retaken by its owner, and now the blinds and curtains are open for the first time in history. New laws are set up to prevent commoners from becoming a gourmet dish for vampires and to prevent them from turning against them, but as soon as they are created they are broken on both sides. The Vampire Necromancer Gorevitch-Voslany takes control over the Spectres (and their recent offspring -aka victims ) and forces them to stay in the darkness. This makes up a great defence as you are now only allowed to enter/or leave the sphere under guidance of powerful necromantic wards. As such Clerics become illegal (again) within several miles of the city by ordinance of the Princes (predominantly the undead ones), as these can break these wards with their powers. An unknown hero with assistants appears, and together they guide several groups of commoners away from the city.
1028 AC; The 166 high darkness has a firm grip on the 9th, 10th and roof, but the lower levels are fully in use again. The area of effect is 2085 feet from the GSM and many nearby buildings are now fully enwrapped in darkness, roughly every 12 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower..
The GSM flourishes (though in a perpetual shroud), and more mages discover the source of the Radiance and its effects. Almost 2000 away from the GSM the Darkness sphere hits the ground, towering 166 high, only the many towers break through the darkness, but even those near the GSM aren t high enough to enable this. The Great Library now also enwrapped in the darkness tries to cope with its problems. The Government slowly returns to their buildings as the lower sections become usable again.
1029 AC; only the highest sections of the GSM are still within the darkness which summit is at 201 . The whole building and most of its surroundings are now shrouded. The radius of the sphere is 2250, which means most of the city, now has to cope with the darkness. Roughly every 11 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower.
The slums however, as being located on a somewhat higher ground level are less affected, and many of the commoners from the inner city have relocated here. Several wooden structures have thus been removed and a hastily erected stone structure set in its place. However, the fear is here that the darkness will eventually grow that large it will affect even this. Glantri Citys population is reduced by 25% as many inhabitants relocate to nearby towns and cities. The unknown hero and his companions help here again, but they find themselves severely hindered by the Glantrian bureaucracy and rulers. They actually dont like the relocation, as this affects the direct income of Glantri City. In 1030AC the Hero (still unknown) suddenly disappears, many think he is murdered by the Princes of Glantri. His friends disappear soon thereafter.
1033 AC; The radius of effect is now 2404 =801yrd from the GSM and roughly every 10 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower.
1036 AC; The radius of effect is now 2549 =850yrd from the GSM and roughly every 9.4 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower.
1040 AC; The radius of effect is now 2688 =869yrd from the GSM and roughly every 9 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower.
1041 AC; The radius of effect is now 2847 =949yrd from the GSM and roughly every 8.2 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower.
1044 AC; The radius of effect is now 2995 =998yrd from the GSM and roughly every 7.7 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower. An unknown grey clothed mage (??) and companions guided several students in the last decades towards the knowledge of the Radiance. When they almost killed the Radiance lich Brannart McGregor, they become severely hunted by the state until they disappear. Followers of the Claymore will be willing to help the PC s where they can, even on later dates (see about Followers of the Claymore gaz 3 page 33). Many see the resemblance with the Hero assumed to be murdered in 1030 AC. They are not seen again, but the number of students aware of the Radiance and its power increases. The influx in new "radiance Students" in the last decades made the knowledge more difficult to keep secret, more willing students follow soon. Many pride around with their awesome magic, others are forced to tell their source of magic (either by magic or trickery).
1050 AC; The radius of effect is now 3139 =1046yrd from the GSM and roughly every 7.3 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower.
1051 AC; The radius of effect is now 3299 =1099yrd from the GSM and roughly every 6.7 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower.
1055 AC; The radius of effect is now 3452 =1151yrd from the GSM and roughly every 6.5 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower.
1060 AC; The radius of effect is now 3620 =1207yrd from the GSM and roughly every 6.2 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower.
1065 AC; The radius of effect is now 3781 =1260yrd from the GSM and roughly every 5.9 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower.
1070 AC; The radius of effect is now 3937 =1312yrd from the GSM and roughly every 5.6 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower.
1075 AC; The radius of effect is now 4087 =1362yrd from the GSM and roughly every 5.4 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower.
1080 AC; The radius of effect is now 4233 =1411yrd from the GSM and roughly every 5.2 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower.
1090 AC; The radius of effect is now 4375 =1458yrd from the GSM and roughly every 5 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower.
1095 AC; The radius of effect is now 4513 =1504yrd from the GSM and roughly every 4.9 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower. Magic has become rarer, but individual research led to the rediscovery of ancient natural sources of magic (Several wizards (Witches, Elementalists, Necromancers, Druids) would start to study the few sources of magic NOT affected by the Radiance, and as thus whole new streams of magic very slowly become known. However a 16 intelligence or higher is needed to study magic or advance further. As such the number of Radiance based magic users drastically decreases in time. Magical beings(elves, Dragons, Fairy etc) become affected and must adept to the original sources of magic, move away or perish.
1100 AC; The radius of effect is now 4647 =1549yrd from the GSM and roughly every 4.75 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower
1110 AC; The radius of effect is now 4778 =1593yrd from the GSM and roughly every 4.6 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower. A second week of no magic pops up in the middle of the year (beginning of summer),
1150 AC; The radius of effect is now 4907 =1636yrd from the GSM and roughly every 4.5 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower. Druids have now fully returned to pure natural magic instead using Radiance affected natural magic. The also commenced in attempts to cleanse the world of Radiance affected magic, using natural location of Magic aleterations, Crystals, Antimagic zones, wild Magic zones, etc.
1200 AC; The radius of effect is now 5033 =1678yrd from the GSM and roughly every 4.35 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower. Elementalists all discover how to draw upon the Element without being affected by Radiance magic.
1250 AC; The radius of effect is now 5156 =1719yrd from the GSM and roughly every 4.3 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower
1300 AC; The radius of effect is now 5277 =1759yrd (almost a mile) from the GSM and roughly every 4.2 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower. Necromancers finally discovered how to draw magic from the living and the dead which is unaffected by the Radiance.
1350 AC; The radius of effect is now 5396 =1799yrd (1.02 mile) from the GSM and roughly every 4.1 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower
1400 AC; The radius of effect is now 5499 =1833yrd (1.04mile) from the GSM and roughly every 4 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower. Each season now begins with a week of no magic. Magic items are a once-in-a-lifetime find due the regular waves of anti magic The GSM is now run by Charlatans and Undead. The magocracy has collapsed. Glantri is ravaged by bandits, Humanoids, Barbarians, Lycanthropes and Undead and is totally infiltrated by entropic religious movement. Immortals noticed the decline of magic within their clerics reduced the number of followers, and thus affecting their power. They soon researched and decided that the clerics from now on draw power directly from them, but must thus be much sparser in using this magic and according to the will of the Immortal (Piety Rules apply much stronger now, and clerical spells are no longer free). Chaos reigns. A large group of Glantrian commoners combine and move away to mid Brun under the guidance of an unknown leader in grey cloak. He refuses to tell his name, but the people call him the Grey Man. It is known that he is a fervent opposing force to the current and former Magocracy, as such he is hunted. Several Undead mages suffered under his blade. He is accompanied by friends with a variant of abilities.
Many magical creatures will have moved away to other worlds/Planes but most which stayed behind will have adapted to the natural sources of magic, as biology dictates that an resource thrived upon vanishes will always be replaced to survive the species. And of course, immortals will guide these creatures to the new resources. Their numbers will however be much lower than before.
1450 AC; The radius of effect is now 5585 =1862yrd (1.06mile) from the GSM and roughly every 3.97 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower A new source of magic is discovered; Mana, or better said magical energy from the planet itself; in effect a combination of Necromantic (on life), druidic (on nature), Elemental magic. The mage absorbs this magic by memorization and meditation on specific locations only and can release it later as a spell he knows
this makes them very adaptable as they store spell levels as Mana, and can cast any spell they know from it anytime they want, at the cost of the spells normal level. Wells of Mana are created, and Mana temples, but there also exist Mana depleting sources, and even areas of anti-magic draining Mana completely. Radiance users are still the most powerful mages, but their number drops every year by battle, age, disease or misfortune. Radiance Liches discover they can draw energy from life itself like Necromancers and thus increase their power. Many people perish.
1500 AC; The radius of effect is now 5657 =1886yrd (1.07 mile) from the GSM and roughly every 3.92 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower Life under the dome is Harsh, continually shrouded and almost locked out from the world beyond the commoners are now living a slave like existence or as food source for the often undead ruling necromantic Radiance users.
1540 AC; The radius of effect is now 5727 =1909yrd (1.08 mile) from the GSM and roughly every 3.9 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower. The Grey Hero and friends of ages past seem to have returned. Many more people leave Glantri under their guidance and spread over the Known World. They even succeed in entering the Darkened dome and free more citizens of the dreadful fate they awaited there. As soon as they succeed they disappear. Some people say there is something Orcish in the grey hero s face, but further he seemed a normal, just as his companions.
1580 AC; The radius of effect is now 5783 =1928yrd (1.09 mile) from the GSM and roughly every 3.85 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower
1610 AC; The radius of effect is now 5839 =1946yrd (1.10 mile) from the GSM and roughly every 3.81 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower
1640 AC; The radius of effect is now 5881 =1960yrd (1.14 mile) from the GSM and roughly every 3.78 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower
1660 AC; The radius of effect is now 5922 =1974yrd (1.12 mile) from the GSM and roughly every 3.76 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower.
1690 AC; The radius of effect is now 5949 =1983yrd (1.27 mile) from the GSM and roughly every 3.75 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower
1720 AC; The radius of effect is now 5963 =1988yrd (1.13 mile) from the GSM and roughly every 3.74 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower
1750 AC; The radius of effect is now 5977 =1592yrd (1.132 mile) from the GSM and roughly every 3.73 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower
The grey Hero and friends of ages past return. More people leave haunted Glantri under their guidance and spread over the Known World. They again succeed in entering the Darkened dome and free more citizens of the dreadful fate they awaited against the many undead. The Undead within try to prevent the citizens from leaving and hinder the PC s where they can, many battles to the death follow. Eventually they have to leave Glantri City without knowing if they can reach the Organ to return to their own time again.
1751 AC; The radius of effect is now 5990 =1996yrd (1.135 mile) from the GSM and roughly every 3.72 from the GSM the height of the darkness sphere is 1 lower.
Then with the next Rad drained the explosion of the Radiance takes place; The nuclear Reactor finally explodes. Within an instant, a fraction of a second the whole Chamber of the Radiance explodes into a massive Elemental fire. The blast expands in such a tremendous force it fractures the nearby cells, and the a bit further the connection between the cells. This in effect causes an earthquake ripple to come to be, reaching the surface about 1 Turn after the explosion itself. Within the first round the fire blasts through every nook and cranny, literally forcing itself violently up through the tunnels and shafts of the Blackmoor era. Only those with an avid mind and quick reaction can sense the vibrations coming from below, and then cast a Teleport spell to some other destination (but always with a major flaw, see table page) as the blast itself reaches the ground floor of the GSM in 8 initiative segments (1 round=10 seconds=6 segments) 1 segment later disintegrating the whole GSM and everything within, another segment later doing the same to anything within 3500 away from the GSM. The toroidal circulation of hot gasses causes a huge mushroom like cloud, while a blast of air is directed towards the blast, fuelling the fire. (For more detail read; here, and here ).
Far away the Grey Hero and company view how Glantri explodes in a huge mushroom cloud. Even at this distance the wind seems to pull them into the blast where a gigantic firestorm ignites. Their job is done, but they cant return home as the source which sent them here is destroyed in the blast. They are now in a new world with new dangers, but many commoners (about 50% of the whole original population of Glantri city and country!!) are thankful for their efforts of saving them. They truly have become heroes.
09-06-2017 removed a few calculative omissions and flaws, added an important section about the grey hero..(all red text).
07-2018 made some important recalculations
More on this later in this topic