#hydris

Body – Unicorn Blood

Life force is carried by the vital essence of living things. For most creatures, this means their blood. Blood is a valuable tool against – and, for the less scrupulous, bartering currency with – the forces of the Grey.

Of all living creatures, there are none with so deep and powerful a well of life force than the mighty unicorn. The blood of a unicorn makes for an unmatched reagent when used as part of a summoning circle, banishing ritual, or exorcism. Even the worst Demon Lords and righteous Celestials would struggle to break a bond forged from unicorn’s blood.

Knowing this, and with their tremendous skill of healing, unicorns have been known to give of their blood freely in times of great need. Those that take the blood by force often find that unicorns are no easy prey and Body magic can as easily drain life as restore it.

Mind – Spidersilk

There exists in the lands spiders of unusual size and strength, infused by the Green. Their silk is of remarkable strength and holds a number of fantastic qualities, but the only people to have skill at weaving sufficient to the task of crafting it are the Green Elves of the Denosan Confederacy.

It is said that the Denosans learned the art of weaving at the foot of a spider god, one of Wose’s many Green spirit children. Regardless of the history, Denosan skill alone has produced this wondrous material.

Though it is made by those skilled in the Green and from monsters of the same, it is actually aligned with Mind. The weak fibers are woven together by unknown art into something tougher than even many metals, all while capturing the light with a golden hue.

The primary buyers of spidersilk are the Hydrisians. Being made of Mind, it is all but impervious to their Spirit magic and makes for sails of unmatched quality.

Grey – Meteorite Iron

In the cosmic dance of the heavens, it is known that occasionally stone may be cast from on high and crash upon the world. Having been so close to the Cosmic Infinity, these stones are deeply infused with the might of the Grey. Most numerous of these stones are lumps of what may have once been common iron.

Yet this iron takes to the forge with greater ease than its terrestrial kin, and its metal carries with it a sheen of blue, as though a shard of the skies had been folded by hammer and tongs.

Many unusual traits have been associated with tools forged of meteorite iron. It is known as the favored metal for dwarven Forge Sages, but no two objects are exactly alike in capabilities. The dwarves have more skill than most in imposing their will upon the unruly metal, but their arts are well guarded.

The universal trait of Meteorite Iron lays in its effectiveness against Green Spirits and most especially the Fae. Alone out of all the weapons on the world, Meteorite Iron can deal lasting injury to such creatures and thus they fear it terribly.

Spirit – Oughtn’t Glass

It is said that Boudicca, bitterly angry at continuing injustice in the world, vents her frustration by throwing bolts of lightning at unoccupied shores. One notable place is the Storm Wracked Isle east of Hydris, where only their most courageous sailors dare go.

This is one explanation offered for the material known as Oughtn’t Glass – also called Furyshards and Lightning Glass. What is known of it is that it is found on beaches after storms, most commonly on the Storm Wracked Isle. No process known is capable of replicating Oughtn’t Glass – only lightning striking sand can forge it.

Once formed, Oughtn’t Glass can be shaped with the careful application of flames conjured by Spirit – no mundane flame can manage it. Likewise, it is all but indestructible save by Spirit or contact with Gloomwood.

(art by Ilija on twitter)

I speak of the realm of Hydris. The northern most of any society that might well be called ‘civilized’ – though some are loathe to apply such a term to the wild and anarchic Hydrisians. Despite this apparent lawlessness, there are two important points to remember:

First, Hydris was at one point ruled by Boudicca herself while she was still a mortal woman. To date, she remains the only monarch to have ever ruled all of Hydris. Even to this day, her cult holds considerable political sway, enough to keep the myriad of jarls in line.

Second, Hydris is ancient beyond reckoning. It predates the fallen empire, assuredly. Some accounts hold that it was born when first mankind stepped onto this world in the dark mists of our distant past. Some may scoff, but Hydris outlasts all others.

If no king sits upon a throne, then who reigns?

In truth, the realm of Hydris naturally owes much to the city of Hydris. All across the land, jarls – chieftains elected by acclaim in rituals overseen by the Sisters of Boudicca – manage the day to day affairs of its people and the use of its warriors. The city itself is ruled by four such jarls, to whom all others pledge fealty.

The jarls are kept in check by three powers. The Sisters of Boudicca, before whom all are equal and all are held accountable to the laws of Hydris. The Mystics, a secretive order of Spirit mages who keep lore and enforce the Sisters’ edicts. And the Sages of Kwaycha, advisers and leaders to Hydris.

For no conversation of Hydris can be complete without mention of the Pact. As old as the city itself, it binds the humans of Hydris and the elves of Kwaycha in everlasting alliance. Over long centuries, their cultures have become intertwined. Elven Mind mages speak to human chieftains and their words are heard with rapt attention.

Two centuries ago, a third joined the Pact – the Dwarves of Maldrun Hall, who joined after Hydris aided them in reclaiming their lost homelands under the mountains. Their skill in craft has only strengthened the Pactlands, most notably in the city’s famous defenses, the Painted Walls.

It is likely that all you will see of Hydris are its warriors and traders, who are often one and the same. Hydrisian longships are a ubiquitous sight at any port across the continent, ours included. In the chaos of the fall, their boisterous and laughing sailors were the only lifeline between distant lands.

There is much more to say of the Hydrisians, but I will leave that to your own studies.

Celdos guide you.