Spire Shard #1

After making his way back to Galeford, Adrian resumed his research. There was still much to be done. After hearing that Frederick’s runes had proved unstable, he figured his own would be more suitable for the experimentation. After all, runewriting was Adrian’s expertise. The scholar removed the shard from the pouch under his coat, placing it back onto a metal contraption that functioned as a holster.

He opened up his grimoire, updating his entry:

Spire Shards and Mana Relativity, Entry #01:

It would seem that when in contact with pure, unadulterated mana-- the spire shard absorbs the mana. Further observations are to be conducted in regards to the effects of different magical variations. Frederick Schultz, a scribe of the Galeford Research Association, determined that when in contact with fire and earth runes, the shard replicated the effects of the inscriptions. Furthermore, the shard seemed to have combined the two runes into an entirely new formulas which resulted in the formation of magma. Schultz suggested that this may have occurred due in part due to the lack of stability associated with his runes. I will be employing my own runes, which are much more potent, to see if this is the case.

Based off the date provided, I believe that the shard is able to mimic the effects of runes and amplify their ability-- and in some cases, even create a more powerful effect all by itself. More observation is required. I will be testing an assortment of magic based runes, the results of which will be detailed in my second entry.

Adrian let go of the tome as it floated in the air. He’d have to keep his page saved in order to record the results, so there was no point in closing it. As he had instructed Frederick, the runes were not supposed to touch the spire shard at all. First he would see how a spire shard runic sphere of influence. First, the scholar would see how a difference in runic ability really made a difference.

The scholar extended a hand outwards as a runic array appeared on the ground under the spire shard, littering the recently charred cobblestone with a beautiful display of organized inscriptions that could only be classified as the handiwork of Galeford’s resident runescribe, Adrian Montbell.
(Adrian Montbell)

Adrian exhaled, placing the containment device onto the floor of his study. The small metal prongs were used to hold the spire shard in place, as to avoid any unwanted complications. He had used it in all of his prior experiments-- so it was only natural for him to do it again. The scholar had yet to collect all of the data to prove that his theory was unfalsifiable. He had already tested the most potent fire and earth runes, but there was much more to be done.

He held his hand forwards as he scrolled through his tome, examining his runic catalogue. He dedicated a great deal of time to ensuring he proceeded with the proper safety precautions. Once everything was in order, he wasted no time in finishing up what remained of the elemental runes.

First, the wind rune. How did it affect the spire shard? Adrian jotted down some notes, assuming that it would replicate the functions of the magic and produce it to a higher degree as it did with the fire and earth runes. Then, there was lightning. A very similar procedure was followed for water, and nature runes. Once the observations had been made on the basic elements, Adrian began to place compatible runes next to each other to see if his assistant Frederick’s claim held any value.

If he placed a water and fire rune in close proximity to each other within the spire’s sphere of influence, would it produce an amplified degree of steam magic? What of wind, and water? How would the spire shard replicate the runes and amplify them while creating ice?
(Adrian Montbell)

Following the conclusion of his the testing of basic, yet potent elemental runes and their simpler combinations, Adrian moved onto the effects of holy and occult runes on the spire shards. The scholar spent some time ensuring that his understanding of the two opposing forces was adequate. As one of the leading runescribes in all of the Valmasian colony, he’d certainly have no trouble creating the inscriptions. However-- the magical influence of the holy and arcane arts varied greatly from basic elemental inscriptions.

He had to proceed with caution. Adrian was a meticulous young man. He seldom made mistakes when working with his runes.

First, the redheaded Champion decided to test out the relation between holy magic and the spire shards. He casted his hand forwards as a runic circle appeared beneath the spire-- not touching it, but within its sphere of influence as before. He wagered that like with the elemental magics, the spire shard would understand the runic formulas and proceed to replicate their effects with more potency. The same process was followed when utilizing an occult, or darkness rune.

Once he had recorded the individual results of both light and darkness runes, he proceeded to do the unthinkable. In most cases it was <i>not</i> recommended to have the two forces collide. They were polar opposites. At any rate, it needed to be done.

Much like with the elemental runes, Adrian placed the light and darkness runes next to eachother and awaited to see how the spire shard would interact with the two. Would it combine the two, as it did with the fire and earth to create magma? The only question was-- what happened when you combined light and darkness and had the end result amplified by something as potent as a spire shard?
(Adrian Montbell)