GLRP:EMs:Royal Spies & Guard:2011:Ouroboros:Book of Zealan Spells
Title: Book of Zealan Spells
Author: Yanhamu the scribe
_Nebetkabeny_
Zealan magic was much esteemed. It was said to be practiced by even the least among them. During the years that Luna waged war on Zealan, many went hungry. An old Zealan woman, Nebetkabeny, was so poor that she was digging for weeds and grubs in a fallow field. She had in her hand a worn strap of leather. She had tied it into knots to form the shape of the sun and spoken some words over it. Nebetkabeny was using this on any seeds she found, to make them grow. Six paladins, escaping from Zealan troops, tried to run across the field. Nebetkabeny stood up with all the pride of an adoratrice and held her humble knotwork out. Nebetkabeny told the paladins that she could call the power of the sun down and incinerate them all in an instant. So great was their fear of Zealan magic, and so great was their ignorance of its workings, that the paladins meekly allowed her to herd them into the city. Nebetkabeny turned them over to the Zealan troops, with the words, "if you ever live to get back, you tell your leaders that an old woman with a broken sandal strap took six of their paladins prisoner." Indeed, word did reach Luna and they begged for peace immediately. As for Nebetkabeny, she was taken in by the temple of Felicitar and never went hungry again.
_Sun Knot_
Tie a strip of leather into knots to form the shape of the sun. As you tie each knot, call upon Felicitar. Ask her to imbue the knot with the power of the sun, that it may bring growth to your plants and joy to your heart.
_Tausret_
Tausret and her husband, natives of Zealan made their way to Umbra, to sell their handmade amulets. An Umbrian noble, Lord Livius, was so fascinated by her beauty that he lured the couple off into the forest, slew him, and married her. Tausret was silent from the moment of her husband's death until she gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, a year later. She then spoke, to ask her new husband to hold a banquet, to celebrate the birth of their children. Lord Livius was delighted and made preparations for it immediately. The day before the banquet, Tausret gave him an amulet necklace and told him it had belonged to her first husband and that she'd like him to have it now. Livius thanked her, but was suspicious. The day of the banquet, he took it to all the finest artificers of Umbra and asked them to inspect it. Each one said the same thing, that it did contain a spell, but merely one to grant long life.
Livius was amazed at his good fortune. He proudly wore the amulet necklace at the banquet. In his delight, he overdrank himself that evening. He collapsed into bed after the banquet and promptly fell asleep. Through the necklace, Tausret ran a rope she'd attached to the beams of the ceiling and pulled him up sharply, breaking his neck. Livius awoke, but could not call out. She took him outside and buried him in the hill behind the house. He lay under that hill, with dirt in his mouth, listening to the sounds of life above him, for many years. The amulet kept him from dying, until his bones rotted away.
Tausret took her children and all the gold in the house and went back to Zealan. She told everyone the children were of the god of hate, Odion, whom she'd met in the Umbra forest. All could see the truth of her words shining on her face. The twins were honored as children of the gods and her descendants married into the family of the pharaohs.
_Long Life Amulet_
This will bind the wearer to life through situations that would kill most.
Useful for animal tamers and adventurers.
Assemble:
Lapis Lazuli
Red Wax
Square of White Cloth
Salt
Make a red wax figure of the god or goddess the amulet will call upon. Inscribe that deity's symbol and a plea for long life upon the figure. Carve the lapis lazuli into a hollow scarab. Carve an ankh into its back. Place the wax figure within the scarab and close the scarab. Wrap the scarab in the square of white cloth. Sprinkle salt over the bundle. Put the bundle in a fire. When the fire has died, the amulet is finished.
_Meryamra_
Young Adoratrice Meryamra was regent for her younger brother. When he died, she refused to marry and thus there was no pharaoh. Instead, she adopted one of her sisters as adoratrice and made herself pharaoh. Pharaoh Meryamra wore the ceremonial clothes and beard of a pharaoh. Her twenty-two year reign made Zealan prosperous and peaceful. She strengthened trading relationship with Luna and Umbra, tying all three together in agreements so economically beneficial that war was unthinkable.
Zealan's wealth grew every year.
Nobles and royals were content to allow Meryamra to be pharaoh. However, in her fortieth year she met a young court musician, Nedjem. Without prior notice to anyone, she married him and declared that they were co-pharaohs.
Nobles and royals alike were furious. They stormed the bridal chamber and dragged Nedjem away. He was beaten to death, drowned, and thrown into the Void while a weeping Meryamra tore apart her bridal gown in helpless grief.
Meryamra seemed to recover from the ordeal the next day. She went about with a blank face, but resumed her duties as pharaoh. All seemed well for several months.
Meryamra quietly plotted to avenge her beloved. She secretly constructed wooden golems. She set them to work silently constructing a huge underground banquet hall connected to the Great Lake by a hidden channel. When the hall was completed, Meryamra threw a lavish banquet, inviting all those who had caused her husband's death. While they were feasting, she quietly slipped out, locking the doors behind her. Meryamra ordered her golems to open the channel. Water from the Great Lake flooded in and drowned her enemies.
Meryamra then went to a secret rock tomb her golems had created for her. There, she killed herself, to prevent anyone from destroying her body. The location of this tomb remained secret for many years.
_Wooden Golem_
Luna has its clockwork metal golems, which the paladins spar with morning, noon, and night. Umbra has its horrific flesh golems, which stink of death. Zealan has magical wooden golems. Some may scoff at them as weaker than other types. However, they are sturdy, flexible, and obedient and... they built the Great Pyramid.
Assemble:
Blood
Branches
Umbrian Wood
Dirt
Blackmoor
Wooden Heart
Leaf
Assemble the branches in the shape of a person, with the Umbrian Woo in the center. Put the wooden heart in the correct place. Sprinkle the blood, dirt, and blackmoor over it.
To create a mute golem, inscribe upon the leaf: "Ankh Lion_flower_chickenfoot_feather Ankh". Put the leaf in the golem's mouth.
OR
To create a talking golem, inscribe upon the leaf: "Ankh Waves Lion_flower_chickenfoot_feather Waves Ankh". Put the leaf in a hollow in the wood.
Starting at the head of the golem, walk around the pieces clockwise three times, saying, "We call thee to life to do our bidding." Then say, "Arise and serve thy creators, golem."
The spark of life will then enter the golem. The golem will arise and may obey you at once. It is more likely that the golem will challenge you. Subdue it until it is under control.
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