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Shadows of the Empire II

"...the land of Suramar has been wild for ten thousand years." [Trail of Echoes]

波濤

by Fotoberg

The Liquid Fire of Elune

Records and Rituals

– Headcanon Speculations and Roleplay Uses –

The Liquid Fire of Elune, a sister substance and elemental mirror of Her sacred moonwell waters, remains a powerful addition to any lunar devout’s repertoire. Its very name and nature have long puzzled the unfamiliar, a seemingly contradictory union of forces. However, Sisterhood practices and elemental insights present some possibilities for the existence of this mystifying material.

Those of the faith are intimately familiar with the sacred attunement to Elune’s spiritual energies. It is a powerful and yet unseen connection between devout and deity, able to manifest prayer and beseechment into tangible effects. On a cosmological level, spirit is regarded as the fifth of the elements, invisible but intrinsic to all living things. Because of this common thread between even earth, air, fire, and water, spirit is able to bring balance and passivity to otherwise volatile, clashing forces. This could explain why Elune’s channeled spiritual energies could bring harmony to the addition of fire, or perhaps a fiery manifestation of faith, into a moonwell. That Her blessing is a crucial component in their formation, moonwell waters are likely at least one of the foundational bases for liquid fire; as shown in the endeavors of Stars’ Rest in Dragonblight (as well as a resistance to freezing over.) A combination of the healing properties of water and the fury of flame, this substance is especially useful in halting the spread of afflictions such as scourgeblight and breaking the will of demons. The rituals recorded herein may be conducted upon personal vessels of moonwater; although, entire moonwells may be converted in more dire circumstances with amplified reagents, invokers, and mana suffusion. Provided prayers are mere recommendations.

Ritual 1: Conflagrant Crescent Oil

Ideal Moon Phase: Full

Reagents:

Sealable vessel of holding

A base of moonwell water

Conflagrant Crescent Oil (abstract below) - 1 part fire oil - 1 part elemental water - 1 part binding agent such as tallow, seed oil, kelp gel, etc - 1 lesser or greater eternal essence

Rites:

Into your chosen vessel of moonwater, combine the elemental water and incorporate thoroughly with a consecrated implement.

Slowly add fire oil and equal parts binding agent interchangeably, stirring moonwise between.

When fully emulsified, work to infuse the liquid with lunar invocations and words of power which call upon Elune's purification, cleansing, and the sanctity of life. Some have also chosen to use more retributive language, especially in the case of preparing for demonic or undead expulsion. The end of this step will be made clear once Her divine spirit brings harmony to the opposing elemental reagents, the liquid radiates a coruscant silver, and emanates warmth.

Examples are provided here, though the true importance of this step lies in your personal resonance to whichever words you choose. - “Relore / elore / shallore.” (To call, to bless, to anoint.) - “Shara / falo / alla.” (Water, flame, light.) - “Anor / falor / elor.” (Holy, balance, eternal.)

Retributive Invocation: - “Adoras / Lun’droras / Bel dinas.” (On holy grounds, The Moon flows, The Goddess preserves.) - “Shalloril anar shara / felil anar falo / shahil anar alla.” (Cleansed by water, burned by fire, graced by light.) - “Irana adalore / fel’dralar az’vorore / di’falu a’dordore.” (To light darkness, to break evil, to restore balance.)

The ritual may be optionally finalized with an eternal essence of enchantment for additional potency and longevity.

Store in a sealable vessel.

Ritual 2: Crystalline Infusion

Ideal Moon Phase: Waning

Reagents:

Sealable vessel of holding

1 part moonwell water

1 crystallized water

1 crystallized fire

1 lesser moonstone

Rites:

Place the fragments of crystallized water into your chosen vessel.

Slowly incorporate pieces of crystallized fire, allowing any bubbling to subside.

Submerge the lesser moonstone into the liquid, hold it in your hands, peer into its faceted reflection, and chant the invocations. You will know the infusion is done once the waters appear a nigh-blinding silver, replete with Her sacred moonlight. - “Lun’alla, anoril / Shara, amethil / Falo, malil.” (Moonlight, captured. Water, embraced. Flame, calmed.) - “Aramil / Amethil / Shalloril.” (Joined. Embraced. Anointed.) - “Ande-daral-melu / Ande-zaxus-dinu / Ande-qua-eran’dormil.” (May Your solace guide. May Your wrath protect. May life prevail.)

Leave to rest uncovered in direct moonlight for no less than one full night, although a moon-cycle is ideal. Veil from exposure to sunlight before dawnbreak.

After completion of the ritual, store in a sealable vessel. The crystal shards may remain in a steeping chamber, although removal is advised if kept in any glass material.

Ritual 3: Coalescence

Ideal Moon Phase: New

Reagents:

Sealable vessel of holding

1 part moonwell water

1 essence of water

1 essence of fire

⅓ part spirit dust or arkhana

Incense

1 lesser or greater eternal essence

(Optional) feather, wand or focus

Notes: Recommended for those with enchanting experience. Before undertaking the ritual (if circumstance allows), ensure as much rest, sustenance, and energy preservation for yourself and any other participants; as the coalescence ritual requires a much greater suffusion of mana. It is recommended to conduct the ritual in a well-defensible area due to the required power which might lure the corrupt; and one where concentration is easily maintained. Therefore, it is advised that at least one other accompanies your endeavors.

Rites:

To begin, add spirit dust or arkhana into your chosen vessel of moonwater. As manifested motes of spirit and order, these are a vital first addition to bring harmony to the essences of water and fire.

Ignite your preferred incense in preparation to call upon Elune’s aid in the endeavor of harmony and blessing the waters. - “Shara’endel / Falo’endel / Melah’endel.” (Breath of Water. Breath of Fire. Breath of Guidance.) - “Tor ka ande Dal Shara / Tor ka ande Dal falo / Tor ka ande Dal melah.” (Let it be Your water. Let it be Your fire. Let it be Your guidance.) - “Ande ka droru aminor Dal / Ande ka felo zaxus Dal / Ande ka melu alla Dal.” (May it flow with Your serenity. May it burn with Your wrath. May it guide with Your light.) - “Bess il / al anato / dorini’aramil.” (From nothing, to pieces, oneness.)

Weaving your mana as a guide, work to fully infuse the essence of water into your vessel. (Some prefer the use of their hands, a feather, a wand, or some other anchoring focus.) Let its path be fluid and flowing, as is the way of water; though too great a restraint or too loose a freedom, and the essence shall be lost to ice and air.

Once you are ready to continue, direct the wayward energies of the fire’s essence as if its path were guided by your own mana. A delicate balance weighs amid the unruly nature of fire: a delicate balance to be respected and maintained. Stray from it too long, and its vim be snuffed: allow it to spread, and it will know no control.

The coalescence will be complete upon the waters taking on the signature silver radiance of liquid fire.

After completion of the ritual, store in a sealable vessel.

With gratitude for Vestia Moonspear’s guidance.

Ritual 4: Terrene Tincture

Ideal Moonphase: Third Quarter

Reagents:

Sealable vessel of holding

1 vial or jar

Mortar and pestle

Gloves, gauntlets, or any form of fire protection for the hands

2 parts moonwell water

1 part flammable, distillate base (such as fermented rice, grain, honey, or fruit)

⅓ part cinderbloom or firebloom stamen

⅓ part aqueous or aquatic herb

⅓ part moon lily (Elune’s Grace may be used as well; although great caution is advised in regions with a dense lupine presence)

Rites:

Finely pluck or grind the moon lily, and place their leaves, petals, and blooms into your chosen vessel.

Don fire protection for the hands, and carefully incorporate the stamen of the cinder or firebloom.

Fill with the distillate base, stirring the contents moonwise.

Allow to rest in direct moonlight for one full cycle, veiling from sunlight before each dawnbreak.

When you are ready to undergo the ritual, open or unseal your vial or jar, and strain through a finely meshed cloth. - “Falo, bess tel / Lun’el, bess tel / Droru, bess tel.” (From earth, fire. From earth, moonleaf. From earth, water.) - “Dal sha, ilu karaeth / Dal thor, ilu karaeth / Dal dorini, ilu karaeth.” (In them, Your grace. In them, Your fury. In them, Your will.) - “Dora quel’ama / Dinah qua sera / Ethah fel'irana.” (A principle most high. The sacred protection of life. The banishing of the profane.)

The transformation will be complete upon the liquid’s hue taking on a radiant silver shift.

After completion of the ritual, store in a sealable vessel.

Ritual 5: Within Reach

Ideal Moon Phase: Any

Reagents:

Sealable vessel of holding

A base of moonwater

1 candle

Elunite Coals/coals from a silver brazier/ashes from a silver brazier

Note: A minimal reagent list, this ritual is intended for more dire circumstances when the procurement of rare ingredients is unattainable.

Rites:

Carve the surface of your candle with liturgical sigils of balance, the protection of life, and sacred cyclicality.

Place the lunar coals or ashes into your vessel, stirring moonwise. The joining of these reagents and moonwater will produce a lunar lye, whose final efficacy will rely on the Goddess’s imbuement.

Light your candle or whichever source of fire is available to you, and prepare for invocation. - “Dal daroth an’o / Dal owyn an’o / Dal faro an’o.” (I am Your nexus. I am Your font. I am Your beacon.) - “Darn’a anu dal / Elah anu dal / Dorini anu dal.” (For Your divinity. For Your blessing. For Your will.) - “Anu ash’al a’qua / Anu ash’al falah / Anu ash’al dora.” (We do this for life. We do this for balance. We do this for truth.)

Snuff the candle’s wick (or fire source) in the lunar lye. The ritual’s success will be marked by the solution bursting into silvery liquid fire, which can then be stored in a sealable vessel.

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The Mysteries of Elunite Ore

- Headcanon Speculations -

Elunite Ore, a rare mineral considered blessed by Elune Herself, is one often sought after; and yet shrouded in mystery. As many priests, priestesses, templars, and other devotees of the Goddess may strive to incorporate Elunite into their armaments and regalia, the quest for obtaining and fashioning this material is one that has spanned many lands and generations. This is a compendium on the nature of Elunite from various geologists, theorists, and researchers across Azeroth.

Earthly Origins

The origin of Elunite’s terrestrial formation is not entirely understood by Sisterhood scholars, nor by lithic experts of the world. One of the oldest proposed ideas is rooted in the ancient legend of Elune and the Well of Eternity: that she once dwelled in its depths during the day, and rose into the sky as the moon each night. Due to her strong former connection to this font of arcane power, it is surmised that Elunite may actually be crystallized remnants of the great well; whose leyline rivers once nourished the planet. One theorist believes that because all modern moonwells contain traces of the Well of Eternity, and are damaging to demons and scourgeblight, this could explain the similar holy properties of Elunite. However, others claim that it finds its beginnings as a simple, mundane ore embedded within the earth, which is eventually augmented with Elune’s blessings once it is exposed to the surface and directly shone upon by moonlight. More mythical sentiments say that any ore can become Elunite if the goddess wills it, and that finding it is an extremely rare and divine auspice. It is believed that processed Elunite is a multi-faceted metal whose properties can change depending on imbuement from various moon phases and other major lunar events, such as eclipses. While some think it is ever-shifting, varied accounts of miners and blacksmiths with the remarkable ability to shape Elunite describe that its qualities are determined by the state of the moon on the exact night that the ore is extracted from the earth. Either way, this is a succinct list of their observations:

Full Moon Properties: Bolsters the wearer/wielder’s healing capabilities, and is often inlaid into staves and suturing needles. Full Moon Elunite is also highly damaging to demons and the undead; therefore anyone on a demonic or undead purgation mission may seek out a weapon of this influence to aid in expunging corruption. 

Waxing Moon Properties: Becomes a material which houses additional mana, that can then be tapped into for a small increase in magical reserves until recharged beneath the next waxing moon. Those who carry moonwater or the liquid fire of Elune may opt for this particular metal to house these sacred substances.

Quarter Moon Properties: Contains a natural abjurative energy which is typically used in the creation of Elunite shields, talismans, librams, wards, and armor for those who exercise a more defensive combat style, or wish to protect themselves magically against unholy forces.

Waning Moon Properties: Often the choice for Elunite accessories and other ephemera, which are usually crafted with the eventual intent of Elunarian sacrifice. When an item of waning moon Elunite is offered up, its physical form is completely consumed in exchange for a singular blessing, protection, or spell. Lunar liturgical glyphs or words of power are typically engraved on these accessories with particular spellwork in mind, although a priest/priestess may sacrifice a blank slate piece and incant one spell of choice with a greater potency.

New Moon Properties: It is said that New Moon Elunite is magically similar to the blessing of shadowmeld, allowing for easier camouflage into surrounding environments and quieter movements. Those who wish to make use of the protection offered by chainlinks or armor plates, while still retaining obscurity, may seek to have their regalia crafted with this semi-noise-dampening material. This offshoot of Elunite is additionally often sought after for the creation of arrowheads, shurikens, and other projectiles; as its magick may be utilized for brief invisibility before it dissipates and its physical counterparts reappear.

Solar Eclipse: Solar-eclipsed Elunite is often chosen in the creation of rings (such as archery thumb-rings) that are usually beset with moonstones and other blessed gems, whose imbuements can strengthen one's physical or magickal attacks.

Lunar Eclipse: Lunar-eclipsed Elunite is typically the choice material for divination tools: such as pendulums, scrying mirrors, and spirit-speaking quills. Some also craft ritual daggers with this material for the purpose of collecting flesh to be offered in Elunarian flame sacrifices.

Artisanal Knowledge

Another unknown characteristic of Elunite is how an artisan attains the ability to gather and shape the ore. It seems that precious few across Azeroth have this exceptional privilege, the two most prominent having once resided in the boughs of Darnassus. Elanaria and Mathiel have not been seen since the Burning of Teldrassil, but much can be gleaned from the stories of those who once worked with them. Many miners and blacksmiths are incapable of grasping the techniques surrounding Elunite, which poses some intriguing theories. The simplest is that the secrets of this ore are strongly protected, and seldom taught to others. Another that some have posited, is that the way to gain the privilege of crafting with this mineral requires proving oneself by performing an act of protection or preservation in defense of the goddess’s domain. She then assumedly rewards this deed with the artisanal knowledge of Elunite, or it then becomes malleable to that specific person. Elanaria supposedly tasked her trade partners and trainees with sacred missions such as slaying satyrs actively corrupting moonwells, and ending the suffering of oathbound shades. The late, self-cursed Captain Elura was said to wear a precious medallion, though we do not know if it was of Elunite make. Some theorize it was simply requested as a physical token of proof for the task; while others believe it was Elunite indeed, which is why Elanaria wanted it retrieved. If the medallion was shaped of this hallowed ore, the fact that Elura still wore it even in death may speak to its deep reverence, a spiritual binding property, or a partial immateriality.

Because of its sanctity, and the profound cultural respect for it among Kaldorei, crafting with Elunite may be more common among the Sisterhood of Elune; but still heavily guarded from the rest of the world. It could be that there is a sect of the Sisterhood devoted to sacred artisanry such as this; or, the Sisterhood may commission lay craftsmen who possess the means to Elunite. This material is also said to be utilized in profession tools such as sewing needles for mooncloth tailoring, quill nibs for lunar inscription, and rune rods for Elunarian enchanting. Hippogryph riders of the Sentinel Army, as well as individual riders, may commission blessed Elunite hoofshoes for fortified hind leg attacks, periods of extended wear on the back legs, when the creatures grow old, or are unable to fly; as some claim that they ease pain. Additionally, some equip saber, owl, and chimera companions with Elunite armor, claw/talon caps, and adornments just as they would wear regalia themselves.

In regards to metalworking with Elunite, some theorize that cold working (shaping metal at or below room temperature) may be the superior method as opposed to the extreme heats used with common minerals. Byproducts of Elunite smithing, such as the coal that is left behind from this process, may be used within braziers. It is said that Elunite coals, and the flames that burn from them, are resistant to water quenching; and as such are often used in settlements or outposts with heavy rain and snowfall. The most prevalent theory as to how these fires continue to burn posits that the coals themselves must be open to the skies, as the flames are “kindled,” so to speak, by the energies of the moon each night. Members of the Sisterhood are said to carefully wrap and gift Elunite coals to patrons on various holidays for people to place within the hearths of their home as tokens of spiritual protection and good will. Communal events organized by the order additionally use Elunite coals in cooking fires as an added method of blessing food stores; which some claim temporarily defends against illness, strengthens the body, and fortifies the spirit.

As of today, it is unclear whether or not Elunite can be alloyed. It could be that those who are able to work with the ore simply refuse to do so for fear of dampening its sacred properties; or, its inherent magick may be rendered useless or significantly weaker when alloyed with other common metals. In matters of corrosion, Elunite proves particularly mysterious. It would stand to reason that the goddess’s ties to water might strengthen the ore against rusting and deteriorating over time; although, there have not been any ancient Elunite artifacts recovered as of yet, perhaps implying that the material cannot withstand the elemental ravages of the eons. One possible argument against this is that because the ore is tremendously sacred, there may be ways to reshape or reuse the material; and that is why no timelost Elunite relics have been recovered.

Lore and Legend

Ancient, yet unsupported stories, say that Luminarian was one of the first to uncover the mysteries of Elunite; his name supposedly a pseudonym of sorts to commemorate his luminary works, and the ability to shape this luminous ore. While Elunite was fabled to be the reason for his rise to prominence, many speculate that he eventually abandoned the craft in favor of arcane creations; hence his lasting fame as a magesmith, and as the creator of mythical weapons like Felo’melorn and the Prismatic Blades. It is also rumored that the legendary Ta’Kierthan Songblades may have been forged of Elunite, considering they were crafted by a renowned Kaldorei priest: many of whom employ music and singing in their devotions and spellwork. The art of bardic weaponry seems to be an elusive one, perhaps completely lost to the ages, but nonetheless a technique that Elunarian scholars still seek in the ruins scattered across the lands of Azeroth. Those who traveled through the Dark Portal nearly forty years ago, as well as Draenei refugees, have noted a striking similarity between Elunite and some regalia found on Draenor, as well as others bequeathed directly by the naaru. No one is certain where these pieces are originally from: some claim that they once belonged to adventurers and were merely traded through many hands, while others are convinced that Elune and her blessed ore could have connections to the naaru, and that the ore may be on other planets throughout the cosmos. Elunite-imbued leggings were also recovered from the forest troll stronghold of Zul’aman; though how they got there is anyone’s guess. A commonality between all of these items is an increased critical strike chance, as well as greater potency for both damage and healing via magical spells. Two of the three also provide a passive mana restoration over time (much like moonwells), perhaps owing to the nature of Elunite’s inherent power.

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