Artifacts of the First Brood

When the First Brood (the Ancient Dragons) shaped Aethervale, their raw power crystallized into artifacts of world-altering potential. Most of these are considered myths by the general populace, but the major factions—and the hidden dragons—know they exist.

The Crown of Cinders

Appearance: A jagged crown made of dark iron that constantly radiates a low heat. It smells faintly of sulfur and burning ozone.
Power: Grants the wearer total control over volcanic activity and immunity to all fire. It can awaken dormant volcanoes within a hundred miles.
Current Location: Believed to be split into three shards. Ignis-Kaan possesses one; the Ironbeard Syndicate of Steamfort secretly has another, attempting to power a massive super-dreadnought; the third is lost in the Broad Swells.

The Loom of Fate (Aurelius' Ledger)

Appearance: A massive, golden abacus with beads that seem to move of their own accord.
Power: It doesn't predict the future; it predicts economic and social butterfly effects. It calculates the exact outcome of assassinations, trade embargoes, and resource hoarding.
Current Location: Kept in the deepest, magically un-scryable vault of the Grand Arcane Bank in Kigum. Aurelius uses it to maintain his grip on the world.

The Heart of the World-Tree

Appearance: A pulsating, fist-sized emerald that drips a sap that cures any affliction.
Power: It is a pure, uncorrupted source of Aether. It can heal blighted lands or instantly restore a shattered Aether Node.
Current Location: Embedded in the chest of Matriarch Sylas Moonsong of Lemmion. It is the source of her immortality, though she does not know it was planted by the Green Dragon Xylira to ensure the elves never leave the forest.

The Null-Sphere

Appearance: A perfect, pitch-black orb that seems to swallow light.
Power: It creates an absolute anti-magic field over a ten-mile radius. In a world dependent on Aether, this is a weapon of mass destruction.
Current Location: Lost in the heart of the Mana Wastes. It is the artifact that caused the "Age of Ruin" when an ancient civilization tried to harness it. Kel'Thuz the Whispering Lich seeks it to completely sever the gods and dragons from Aethervale.