Interlude A2.VII

  From the Personal Notes of Magdalena

  Excerpts from the personal notes of Magdalena, taken in a single bound journal of parchment with an ink pen, from several lectures provided by Libicocco of the Ghost Hound Company.

  Lecture 1: The Maldrath and Their Regenerative Abilities

  

  
• Maldrath Regeneration:


  


  
• The Maldrath are made of manifested miasma, which makes them nearly impossible to harm with conventional weapons.


  
• Physical attacks, even with firearms powered by aether, will barely affect them—they can regenerate almost immediately.


  


  
• (Scrawled in side margin): “I once saw a common Maldrath take a blunderbuss at point-blank range and shrug it off. Terrifying!”


  


  
• Weaknesses: Soulsinging-powered attacks, some aether-tec devices, and ancient Ivaldi-wrought Artifacts can inflict lasting, and often increased, damage on them.


  


  
• If they survive an attack, regeneration slows down; however, for more powerful Maldrath (e.g., Sin, Angels), even these attacks may only delay their healing briefly.


  
• (Side note): Libicocco knows a surprising amount about the Maldrath but doesn’t seem like a fighter. Scholar type, as Malacoda would say.


  


  


  

  Lecture 2: Skithbladnir, the Soulship

  (Side note): We were actually discussing anthropology and archeological discoveries relating to the Ivaldi and I asked about Skithbladnir. This is a lot more interesting, but probably not useful for Brightwash prep!

  

  
• Description of Skithbladnir:


  


  
• An immense ship that is far larger inside than it appears due to its construction with multiple “pocket worlds.” These spaces are magically connected, allowing for vast interior rooms and chambers.


  
• Self-repairing, self-cleaning—its crew handles tasks like cooking and general upkeep, but the ship can mend itself and keep everything clean autonomously.


  
• Aether-Powered Automatons:


  


  
• The ship contains a sub-crew of “tik-tok men,” automatons fueled by aether.


  


  


  

  (Scrawled in side margin): “I’ve never noticed them! Will keep an eye out now. Libicocco says tik-tok men are more common in specific parts of the world, like northern Broceliande and Valhadryan.” (A doodle of a little clock man)

  

  


  


  
• Skithbladnir channels its own excess aether to fuel these tik-tok men, ensuring the ship stays operational without external maintenance.


  


  


  

  Lecture 3: Organizations and Their Roles

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• COMPANIES:


  


  
• Private mercenary groups sanctioned by the Empire to carry out monster-hunting, fight Maldrath, and clear dangerous areas known as Deeps.


  
• They are granted charters by the Empire (often through one of the Thirteen Crowns), allowing them to legally collect loot in return for a cut paid back to the Empire.


  


  
• GUILDS:


  


  
• Large corporations with varying specializations, often backed by the Empire.


  


  
• Merchants Guild: Led by a council of Merchant Lords from Elbrem and tied to the Royal Bank of Elbrem (largest financial institution in Iardyss).


  
• Explorers Guild: Oversees licensed Companies and operations, especially in regions like the Green Sea.


  
• Artisans Guild: Low-profile, pairing wealthy patrons with talented artists.


  
• Alchemists Guild: The most advanced medical and scientific group in the known world, consisting of alchemists, artificers, and medical experts.


  


  


  
• THE CROWN COALITION:


  


  
• The Empire’s unified military force. Formed with soldiers pledged by the Thirteen Crowns, it acts as the main protection against the Maldrath.


  
• Central to the Empire’s control over the Thirteen Crowns, giving them power to regulate and secure loyalty across the land.


  


  

  Lecture 4: The Imperial Academies at Wrifton

  

  
• Wrifton Academies Overview:


  


  
• Often simply called “the Academies” or “Wrifton.” It’s home to several prestigious schools where future leaders of the Thirteen Crowns, the Guilds, and the Crown Coalition are trained.


  
• Brightwash Military Academy:


  


  
• Known as the top military academy in the world. Graduates often rise to lead the Crown Coalition and create some of the most influential Companies.


  


  


  

  (Many asterisks surround the above segment of the notes)

  

  


  
• The Royal Academy:


  


  
• Focuses on economics, banking, and governance. Historically, royal heirs from across the Thirteen Crowns studied here, shaping it into a center of political strategy and diplomacy.


  


  


  

  (In the side margin): A doodle of a frowning face sticking its tongue out and a thumb’s down.

  

  


  
• School of Faith:


  


  
• Affiliated with the Morduin Order. Similar to Brightwash but with an emphasis on training priests and knights for the Paladin Corp, the Order’s paramilitary arm.


  


  


  

  (In the side margin): A strikingly similar frowning face with a thumb’s down.

  

  


  
• Artificer Academy:


  


  
• Trains students with a natural aptitude for Artificery and aether technology. Its students often innovate in aether-tec field.


  


  


  

  (In the side margin): Cagna and Dragnazzo! (Accompanied by a little smiling face)

  

  
• 
  
    
  
  
    
  • Academy of Medicine:
    
      
    
    
      
    • The premier institution for training the Empire’s physicians. It educates medical practitioners from across the Thirteen Crowns, with a particular focus on non-magical healing techniques.