Between the Lines

Wednesdays 7 PM - 9 PM Central Time USAMateus - Shirogane - Ward 9 - Plot 46Teleport Anchors Available By Request

Are you in search of a rare tome or knowledge lost to the ages? Perhaps a relic of unknown properties has found its way into your possession, and you seek appraisal—or a buyer bold enough to claim it. Or maybe you crave an item of true antiquity. We also offer translation and restoration services for those who value discretion as much as discovery.Between the Lines is a library of rare (and not so rare) books, esoterica, and antiquities. The library opens its doors on Wednesday nights (Central Time, USA) or by private appointment for discerning individuals who can afford the wares.Dare to read between the lines…And remember—not all things may be bought with gil...

About

Between the Lines is a library role play venue open on Wednesday nights from 7 - 9 PM Central Time (USA) or by appointment! While there are multiple branches of the library, the main branch is on Mateus. Appointments might take place at other locations.Please understand that we run on a shoestring staff; it's literally myself and a couple of others when they are available. We cannot be everywhere all at once. Yes, I am usually dual boxing the proprietor and the doorman. If you wish to interact with the latter, please send that character a tell.Between the Lines may be a largely self-guided experience for visitors, but we will do our best to interact at least minimally with every patron who steps through our doors. If you have any questions about the layout of the venue (i.e., where the various genre sections are located), please reach out to the staff, and we're happy to give you directions so you can role play accordingly.Between the Lines is also a Free Company on the Mateus server of the Crystal Data Center (North America). Interested in joining a creepy occult "library" FC run by a suspicious figure with the tag <BOOKS>? Let me know, and I'm happy to give your character an IC interview.

Staff

Le Majordome

Sokhor, as most know him, serves as Qaelemont's majordome, managing the Elezen's estates and affairs with a quiet, authoritative presence whenever Qaelemont is otherwise occupied. This tall, enigmatic Xaela is the senior-most member of Qaelemont's staff, with all others deferring to his judgment in the absence of their Master. His age is indeterminate, though he appears to be in his thirties, yet there is something unsettling about him—particularly his eerie, glowing eyes with their thousand-malm gaze that seems to pierce through the veil of the mortal realm and into something far beyond. His presence is most often felt during the night, when he oversees the household in the hours of darkness.

Naohiro

The second in command among Qaelemont's staff is Naohiro, a Raen whose near-silent efficiency rivals that of Sokhor. Though he occasionally engages in conversation, it is always with measured brevity, revealing only what is essential to address a question or convey important information. While Naohiro may not exude the same unsettling aura as Sokhor, there is an unmistakable peculiarity about him that can be disconcerting. His watch is typically during the daylight hours, ensuring the smooth operation of the household under the sun's gaze.

Deryk

With a warm smile and a glint in his eyes, Deryk is often rushing to help anyone who seems in need. In the library, at least. With his youth and eagerness to learn about almost everything, he can be a wonderful asset to anyone wandering the stacks of Between the Lines. Whether one is looking for a painter, that perfect tome to curl up with, or maybe just some general advice, Deryk is happy to help. The aura around him feels calm... happy... and infectious. Though, take care, the emotions you feel around him... may not be your own.

Devin

Devin, a loyal servant and companion, is frequently seen bustling about the grounds, always eager to lend a hand. With a bright smile and an upbeat demeanor, he takes joy in assisting everyone, especially Qaelemont and Deryk. But don’t be deceived by his innocent appearance—Devin is well-versed in the arcane arts, and while he may blush easily, he’s a formidable protector of those he holds dear. A lover of romance novels, Devin enjoys spending time in the library, though his passion for helping often sees him taking on nearly every chore in the house.

Tea and Tentacles

Welcome to our book club—yes, it’s that kind of book club.Between the Lines presents a one-of-a-kind experience: Tea and Tentacles, hosted by Scarlett Clover in the Book Club room.We showcase writers from all corners of Eorzea and beyond. Sip on Scarlett’s handpicked teas while enjoying an evening of poetry, short stories, skits, and more on our open stage. After the performances, there will be a brief Q&A session, followed by an informal "signing" of their works. (Tipping is encouraged but not required.)If you would like to be on stage, please contact Scarlett Clover to make arrangements.We can't wait to see you there!

Floor Plan

Between the Lines utilizes the Sharlayan Decimal System for the organization of its collection. The Reference Page mammet is always glad to assist patrons in finding the perfect book if they're unable to navigate the card catalogue at the center of the library by themselves.

Application

Interested in joining the Between the Lines staff? We invite you to step into our Discord server, where you can get to know our community, explore the atmosphere, and discover the various role play opportunities available. Within the server, you'll find the appointment desk, and please note that an in-character interview is required for all potential employees.Have caution; Void Hunter-type characters are generally not considered for employment. Lawfully aligned characters may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Between the Lines is managed by a villainous character and is a morally gray-evil aligned Free Company. It is an occult/dark/horror-themed RP community that maintains a facade of civility and normalcy. We expect all staff members to be at least 21+ and to conduct themselves in a mature, respectful, and adult manner.

Rules

1. You must be 21+ years of age or older to participate in this venue. While business hours are Safe For Work, there may be Mature IC themes (occult, horror, etc.) discussed during library hours pertinent to in game lore.2. Be polite and respectful. No attacking allowed. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Kindness costs nothing. Disagreements are allowed, but keep them civil or take them to private channels (party, tells, etc.). While intellectual debate is allowed and encouraged, hostilities are not permitted on the premises.3. No politics, no religion, and no conspiracy theories about real life subjects. Want to theory-craft and discuss in game politics, religion and conspiracies? Have at it. But leave real life issues at the door. Invoking Godwin's Law is instant cause for banning.4. No hate speech. This is a sex, kink, and equality positive space. Between the Lines is not an ERP venue, but we acknowledge that people are allowed, within reason, to be free to express themselves. No public nudity nor public ERP is permitted on the premises during venue hours.5. No trolls allowed.6. Nothing under-aged allowed in an NSFW form. This is to include loli and shota images/writings. Anything under 18 years old is considered under-aged. The caveat to this rule is that historical and factual art and literary movements may be discussed in philosophical terms and that ageplay can be discussed as long as it is abundantly clear that the participants are consenting adults. Characters which appear to be minors are not allowed. Lalafells are welcome to participate in the venue, but may not interact in an NSFW manner.7. No harassment will be tolerated. Treat the staff and fellow patrons with respect. Once again, kindness costs nothing.8. Do NOT request money, subscription time, in game gil, items, etc. from other people here. We are all adults and should be financially responsible for ourselves in and out of game. All transactions are strictly IC RP only. Nobody will ever ask you for money nor items, either in game nor real life. If this occurs, please immediately report it to a member of the staff.9. Consent is still vital, even in role play. While non-con RP scenes may take place, please be certain OOC that such a scene is welcome among all participants and witnesses. Understand that no means no and if someone does not want to participate in a role play with you, respect their no and move along.10. Please treat everyone with kindness and respect. This is a safe place for role play and for people to have fun. IC sassiness and villainy are fine, but expect IC consequences for your character's IC actions. "It's just RP" is not an excuse to trample on people's consent, and if it is brought up OOC that it isn't welcome, we ask you to please respect that. This venue is a place for FUN (evil) RP. If you wish to engage in conflict RP here, you MUST seek OOC consent of the staff and all participants and witnesses before doing so and, again, expect IC reactions to disruptive behavior.For any questions or concerns, please reach out to any staff member.

Kugane Night Market

01 October 2026 - 7:00 PM CDT - Coeurl - Kugane, Rakuza District

Between the Lines offers esoteric books, rare tomes, and enigmatic curios at the Kugane Night Market—literature, lore, and lost relics for seekers of the arcane, the obscure, and the forgotten. But beware... come prepared to barter with more than mere gil if you wish to read between the lines...

Books

If one is looking for the more mundane literature to be found at Between the Lines, one might be sadly disappointed. Only select esoteric volumes have been brought for sale for this night. One might find what they seek, be it fame, fortune, power, or glory, but there is always a price to pay...

1. The Grimoire of the Hollow MasqueradeAppearance: Bound in supple black leather, its edges are reinforced with tarnished silver filigree and its spine stitched with crimson thread. A silver masquerade mask adorns the cover, its expression appearing to change subtly depending on the viewer's mood. The pages are yellowed parchment, faintly scented with incense, old roses, and the unmistakable tang of ozone. A narrow black ribbon serves as a bookmark, though it occasionally moves to a different page when the book is left unattended.Description: Its pages are filled with elaborate diagrams of masquerade dances, each step annotated with incantations written in a mixture of Eorzean and an unidentified script. The book allegedly teaches its reader how to summon a guest from the Void by offering them a place at an imaginary ball, though those who attempt the ritual may discover that the guest has already chosen a partner. A faint sound of distant applause can sometimes be heard when the book is opened after midnight.2. The Pumpkin King's TestamentAppearance: This thick, orange-brown tome is fashioned from cured hide, its cover embossed with a grotesque crowned pumpkin surrounded by curling golden vines. The corners are protected by blackened brass fittings shaped like skeletal fingers, while a heavy clasp resembles a grinning jack-o'-lantern. Its pages are thick and brittle, with edges stained the color of dried leaves. It smells faintly of autumn foliage, damp earth, and something sweetly rotten.Description: The Testament contains accounts of an ancient spirit that offers prosperity and protection in exchange for a single treasured memory each All Saints’ Wake. Its handwritten entries describe families who enjoyed years of good fortune only to discover that they could no longer recall the faces of their departed loved ones. Those who read the final chapter reportedly forget the face of someone they love, though the forgotten person may continue appearing in their dreams, begging to be remembered.3. The Liturgy of the Uninvited DeadAppearance: Bound in yellowed vellum stretched over warped wooden boards, this narrow volume is secured with three iron clasps shaped like skeletal fingers. Its cover bears no title, only a faded engraving of an empty chair surrounded by thirteen candles. The pages are written in alternating columns of common Eorzean and an older dialect of the dead, with handwritten annotations crowding the margins in several distinct hands. Pressed black flowers have been carefully preserved between certain leaves, despite the absence of any botanical specimens in the book's original catalogue.Description: Its rituals claim to invite deceased souls to an All Saints’ Wake feast, provided each spirit receives a place setting, a spoken name, and a portion of food that must never be eaten by the living. The text emphasizes that the invitation must be sincere, as the dead are apparently quite particular about matters of etiquette. The unsettling part is that the book occasionally contains new names after being left unattended, as though someone has been quietly adding to the guest list.4. The Crimson Revels: A History of the Thirteenth MasqueradeAppearance: This lavish volume is dressed in crimson velvet, with gold corner plates engraved with theatrical masks and tiny, grinning skulls. Its spine is unusually thick, concealing a series of folded parchment inserts containing miniature portraits of masked aristocrats. The paper is of exceptional quality, cream-colored and delicately watermarked with a pattern of dancing figures. The title is stamped in gold leaf, though the lettering appears to darken whenever the book is brought near an open flame.Description: Unlike most forbidden books, its pages are beautifully illustrated with ballroom scenes, elaborate costumes, and portraits of revelers whose faces remain indistinct no matter how closely one examines them. It documents a supposedly fictitious All Saints’ Wake celebration attended by thirteen aristocrats, each of whom surrendered their true name to an unseen master of ceremonies. The final chapter ends abruptly in the middle of a sentence, but the blank pages that follow are said to display the reader's name in fresh red ink when viewed by candlelight.5. The Lantern That RemembersAppearance: This compact book is covered in midnight-blue leather, its spine stitched with silver thread and its front clasp shaped like an antique lantern. Its paper glimmers faintly in darkness, as though illuminated by an invisible flame, and every page bears the indistinct outline of a face that vanishes when directly observed. The book is unusually light for its size, and its edges are smooth and cool to the touch, regardless of the surrounding temperature. A faint blue radiance occasionally escapes from between its pages when the room grows quiet.Description: Its contents describe a method of capturing the final memories of the dead during the nights when the boundary between worlds grows thin. The resulting memories can supposedly be relived by the reader, allowing one to witness fragments of a departed person's life as though experiencing them firsthand. Repeated use, however, causes the distinction between one's own past and the memories of strangers to become increasingly uncertain. Previous owners have reportedly begun speaking in unfamiliar voices and recalling events that occurred centuries before their birth.6. The Thirteen InvitationsAppearance: This is a slim, black volume whose cover contains thirteen tiny envelopes, each sealed with a different colored wax bearing an unfamiliar sigil. Its pages are made from unusually smooth vellum, edged in gold and perfumed with a faint scent of expensive ink and winter roses. The spine bears no author's name, only a small silver engraving of a closed door. The thirteenth envelope is sewn directly into the back cover, its dark red wax seal remaining warm regardless of the surrounding temperature.Description: Its pages contain no conventional narrative, only invitations addressed to individuals whose names have been scratched away, accompanied by exquisitely detailed instructions for hosting an All Saints’ Wake gathering. Every invitation promises its recipient something deeply desired, from impossible beauty to restored fortune, but the fine print describes increasingly peculiar conditions that must be fulfilled before the next year's celebration. The thirteenth invitation is addressed to the current owner of the book, and its seal cannot be broken by ordinary means. Some collectors claim that the invitation changes its wording to reflect the reader's greatest secret desire.7. The Bestiary of the Painted NightAppearance: Bound in dark green leather with silver crescent moons pressed into its cover, this oversized bestiary is secured by two brass clasps decorated with grotesque animal faces. The pages contain elaborate illustrations executed in black ink, though the eyes of each depicted creature are painted with a pigment that reflects no light whatsoever. Several leaves have been reinforced with thin sheets of translucent material, allowing the reader to examine the drawings from different angles. Its edges are scuffed and stained, as though the volume has spent decades traveling through damp forests and abandoned ruins.Description: The drawings depict creatures that appear to have stepped directly out of a nightmare, accompanied by detailed notes on their habits, preferred hunting grounds, and methods of concealment. The author claims to have encountered these beings during All Saints’ Wake celebrations across Eorzea, hiding among costumed revelers and feeding upon the fear of unsuspecting children and adults alike. Certain illustrations seem to change pose between viewings, and the final entry describes a creature that can only be seen in a mirror held behind the reader. The author's final handwritten note warns that some creatures become aware of those who study their likeness for too long.8. The Widow’s Almanac of Hollow NightsAppearance: This elegant almanac is bound in cracked black leather overlaid with delicate silver filigree resembling mourning lace. Its cover bears an intricate arrangement of stars, lunar phases, and tiny engraved coffins, all surrounding a central silver crescent. The pages are filled with precise astronomical diagrams and handwritten calculations, many of which have been amended in different inks over the centuries. A thin black cord holds a tarnished silver charm shaped like a teardrop, while the final pages are stained with what appears to be old candle wax.Description: The text describes a rare night during All Saints’ Wake when the stars supposedly reveal the names of those destined to die before the next turning of the seasons. Each prediction is accompanied by a constellation, a date, and a cryptic verse that becomes meaningful only after the foretold event has passed. The almanac's predictions are maddeningly ambiguous, and previous owners have claimed that names written in its margins eventually belonged to people they knew. The most disturbing entries bear no dates at all, as though their events have yet to find their place in the heavens.9. The Dollmaker’s GospelAppearance: This volume is bound in deep burgundy leather with visible stitches running along its spine, giving the impression that the book itself has been sewn together rather than assembled. A small porcelain face is embedded in the front cover, its painted smile chipped and its glass eyes clouded with age. The pages are thick, cream-colored paper, decorated with delicate ink illustrations of dolls, puppets, and marionettes arranged in elaborate theatrical scenes. Fine strands of faded red thread have been woven through several sections, binding certain pages together in patterns that resemble intricate embroidery.Description: Its illustrated instructions describe the creation of effigies capable of holding a person's likeness, mannerisms, and fragments of memory through carefully prepared aetheric bindings. The author insists that such creations are merely vessels, intended to preserve the fleeting beauty of mortal existence. However, the final section warns that a sufficiently complete effigy may eventually develop desires independent of its maker, especially if displayed during an All Saints’ Wake celebration and treated as an honored guest. Several handwritten notes contradict the author's reassurances, describing dolls that moved without their strings and porcelain faces that changed expression overnight.10. The Book of the Last RevelAppearance: This is an imposing, oversized tome clad in blackened silver plates, its cover depicting skeletal hands clasped around a single blood-red crystal. Its thick spine is reinforced with dark iron bands, while the page edges have been stained a deep burgundy that resembles dried blood when viewed in candlelight. The parchment itself is unusually translucent, and faint silhouettes appear to move beneath its surface when the pages are held against a light source. A heavy clasp shaped like a grinning skull secures the book, though it occasionally opens of its own accord when the bells of All Saints’ Wake begin to ring.Description: Its text describes a legendary All Saints’ Wake gathering where the living and the dead may share one final celebration before the spirits depart beyond the reach of the mortal realm. The ritual demands that every participant arrive wearing a mask, and that no one remove their disguise until the final bell has rung. Those who fail to observe the rules are said to risk remaining in the company of the dead long after the celebration has ended. According to the final surviving account, one guest always remains after the others depart, and the book refuses to identify whether that guest is living or dead.

Items

If one is seeking common trinkets or tchotchkes, look elsewhere. What is offered tonight are rare and dangerous relics—arcane, forbidden, or touched by shadow. Each piece holds a whisper of power, a flicker of memory, a debt yet unpaid. One may find what they desire… but nothing comes without a cost...

1. The Allagan Mnemonic PrismAppearance: This palm-sized hexagonal prism is constructed from translucent ceruleum-blue crystal encased in a delicate lattice of silver Allagan metalwork. Intricate geometric patterns run along each facet, forming an elaborate network of tiny glyphs that shimmer with pale violet light when held. Its interior contains a suspended fragment of crystalline material that rotates slowly without any visible mechanical assistance. When activated, the prism casts faint silhouettes across nearby surfaces, as though memories are attempting to escape its crystalline confines.Description: Originally designed as a portable mnemonic archive, the prism was intended to preserve the memories, observations, and research notes of Allagan scholars. Its surviving functions allow the user to experience brief sensory impressions recorded by its previous owners, including fragments of conversations, laboratory experiments, and glimpses of places long since destroyed. Unfortunately, the prism's memory banks have become corrupted over the centuries, occasionally blending the recollections of multiple individuals into a single disorienting experience. Prolonged exposure may leave a user uncertain whether a particular memory belongs to them or to someone who died thousands of years ago.2. The Electrope Resonance CompassAppearance: The compass resembles a finely crafted pocket watch, its outer casing formed from polished electrope with an iridescent violet sheen. A circular glass face protects a floating crystalline needle surrounded by concentric rings of luminous symbols, while tiny silver markings trace the edges of its hinged cover. Rather than pointing north, the needle shifts between shades of blue, violet, and white, pulsing more brightly in the presence of active aetheric or electrope systems. Its surface remains cool to the touch, even after prolonged exposure to heat.Description: This unusual instrument was developed to detect fluctuations in electrope networks and identify concentrations of unusual aetheric activity. When calibrated correctly, it can guide its bearer toward hidden power conduits, concealed machinery, and dormant technological installations that would otherwise be difficult to locate. Its needle becomes erratic in areas where multiple energy sources overlap, making it unreliable near large-scale magitek facilities. The original manufacturer's documentation is missing, and Qaelemont suspects the device was intended for field technicians rather than civilian explorers.3. The Ceruleum Core: Model R-VAppearance: This fist-sized metallic sphere is encased in interlocking plates of gunmetal gray, each engraved with fine lines resembling lightning branching across a stormy sky. Narrow gaps between the plates reveal a luminous ceruleum-blue core that throbs with a slow, almost heartbeat-like rhythm. The sphere rests within a circular mounting frame covered in worn Garlean Imperial markings, though several of the symbols have been deliberately scratched away. When placed near other mechanical devices, the core brightens and emits a faint humming vibration that can be felt through the fingertips.Description: Believed to be an experimental magitek energy regulator, the Heart was designed to provide a stable power supply for portable machinery operating far from conventional ceruleum reserves. Its internal mechanism appears to convert stored energy into a controlled output, though the precise principles behind its operation remain poorly understood. The device continues to function despite neglect, suggesting that its original designers incorporated some form of self-regulating maintenance system. However, its power output occasionally surges without warning, and its original containment frame shows signs of repeated emergency shutdowns.4. The Astrologian's Celestial OrreryAppearance: This intricate tabletop instrument consists of a polished brass framework supporting a series of interlocking silver rings, each engraved with constellations and celestial symbols. Tiny crystal spheres orbit a central orb of deep indigo glass, their surfaces speckled with points of light resembling distant stars. The entire assembly rests upon a circular base of dark wood decorated with silver inlay and small compartments for interchangeable lenses. When exposed to moonlight, the rings begin rotating slowly, casting elaborate patterns across the surrounding walls.Description: The orrery was constructed to assist astrologians in mapping celestial movements and studying the relationship between the heavens and the flow of aether. Unlike conventional astronomical models, it responds to the ambient aetheric conditions of its surroundings, subtly altering the positions of its crystal spheres as those conditions change. Skilled practitioners can use these movements to supplement their readings of celestial charts, though the device cannot independently predict future events. A series of unexplained engravings along the base suggests that a previous owner attempted to adapt the instrument for divination beyond its original purpose.5. The Carbuncle's Glass HeartAppearance: This delicate teardrop-shaped crystal is suspended within an ornate silver cage shaped like a blooming flower. Its transparent surface contains a faint green luminescence, while delicate gold veins branch through the interior like the roots of a tiny tree. The accompanying chain is fashioned from silver links etched with minute arcanima formulae, and a small clasp bears the insignia of an otherwise unidentified research collective. When held near an active summoning circle, the crystal emits a soft chiming sound and briefly illuminates the surrounding geometric markings.Description: The Glass Heart was developed as a focusing aid for arcanists experimenting with the stabilization of summoned familiars. Rather than serving as a complete summoning catalyst, it appears to help maintain the coherence of an existing aetheric construct, particularly during extended periods of manifestation. Surviving notes suggest that the original researcher hoped to create familiars capable of operating independently for longer periods without constant supervision from their summoners. The artifact's exact limitations remain unknown, and it has not been established whether it can safely interact with every form of familiar.6. The Allagan Stasis ReliquaryAppearance: This rectangular reliquary is formed from smooth black alloy, its surface decorated with thin silver lines that intersect in complex geometric patterns. A transparent panel occupies the center of its lid, revealing a small chamber surrounded by a delicate arrangement of crystalline supports. Four recessed nodes glow with a subdued amber light, while the corners bear tiny inscriptions in the precise, angular script of Allagan engineers. When opened, the reliquary releases a brief puff of cool air that smells faintly of stone, ozone, and ancient dust.Description: The reliquary was designed to preserve delicate biological specimens, unstable materials, or small objects vulnerable to deterioration over time. Its stasis field appears to suspend certain processes within the chamber, slowing the effects of environmental exposure while maintaining the contents in a remarkably stable condition. The device remains operational, although its internal calibration system no longer responds consistently to modern aetheric instruments. One surviving technical inscription warns against placing living subjects inside the chamber without first verifying the containment parameters.7. The Electrope Memory WeaveAppearance: The Memory Weave resembles a length of delicate metallic fabric, approximately the size of a handkerchief, woven from hair-thin electrope filaments that shimmer between silver, lavender, and pale blue. Its surface is patterned with thousands of microscopic geometric marks that appear to rearrange themselves whenever the cloth is folded or stretched. A small crystalline clasp at one corner contains a sequence of luminous symbols, while the opposite edge has been carefully repaired using a visibly older weaving technique. When held beneath a bright light, the material reveals faint images moving across its surface like reflections on water.Description: This artifact represents an unusual method of information storage, using electrope filaments to encode and reproduce visual records, text, and possibly fragments of sensory data. When connected to compatible equipment, the weave can display archived information across its surface without requiring a conventional screen or projection device. Its original data structure appears partially damaged, leaving some records incomplete and others inaccessible through modern interfaces. It seems to have belonged to a personal archive, perhaps intended to preserve artistic works, family histories, or private correspondence.8. The Blacksteel Thaumaturgic SealAppearance: This circular seal is forged from blackened steel, its surface etched with concentric rings of intricate thaumaturgical symbols. A small garnet is set into the center, surrounded by thirteen silver pins arranged in a precise geometric pattern. The underside bears a series of shallow grooves designed to hold the seal against a flat surface, while the outer rim is polished smooth from repeated handling. When exposed to concentrated aether, the engraved symbols develop a faint crimson glow that travels slowly around the circumference.Description: The seal was created to assist thaumaturges in stabilizing ritual circles and limiting the spread of uncontrolled aetheric discharge. Its design combines several older techniques of symbolic containment, though the specific arrangement of its markings suggests that its maker was experimenting with methods not commonly taught in formal academies. When placed at the center of a prepared circle, the seal appears to reinforce the consistency of the surrounding aetheric pattern. It does not eliminate the risks of a failed ritual, and its effectiveness depends heavily on the skill and preparation of the practitioner.9. The Magitek Phantom LensAppearance: This monocular device is constructed from dark gunmetal, with a telescoping barrel and several concentric adjustment rings bearing faded Imperial markings. Its lens is made from a deep violet crystal, set within a protective housing of reinforced metal and fine brass fittings. A narrow leather strap is attached to the side, worn smooth from use, while a small rectangular indicator panel sits just above the eyepiece. When powered, the lens emits a thin line of blue light along its barrel and produces a quiet mechanical clicking sound as its internal components align.Description: Originally intended for reconnaissance operators, the Phantom Lens was designed to improve visibility in low-light conditions and identify certain forms of energy emission. Its surviving functions allow the user to detect heat signatures, observe faint traces of residual aether, and magnify distant objects beyond the capabilities of ordinary optical instruments. Several of its more sophisticated modes are inaccessible without the original Imperial control apparatus. The device occasionally displays unexplained outlines in abandoned structures, though whether these represent residual energy, mechanical interference, or corrupted sensor data remains uncertain.10. The Electrope Crown of the Ninth CircuitAppearance: This delicate circlet is composed of interlocking electrope segments, each polished to a mirrorlike finish and connected by thin bands of luminous violet crystal. Its interior is lined with soft, dark material, while the front bears a small hexagonal node that glows with a steady white light. Fine metallic filaments run along the inner rim, forming a network of branching patterns reminiscent of a nervous system. Despite its intricate construction, the crown is remarkably lightweight, and its electrope segments adjust subtly when brought near compatible technological devices.Description: The crown appears to have been developed as an interface between a user and a sophisticated electrope system, potentially allowing commands to be issued through gestures, concentration, or other forms of direct interaction. Surviving records indicate that similar devices may have been used to access secured archives, operate specialized machinery, or manage complex technological environments. The crown's original authorization protocols remain intact, preventing access to most of its functions without a compatible system. Attempts to bypass these safeguards have produced inconsistent results, ranging from harmless flickering lights to temporary disruption of nearby electronic equipment.

Antiquities

These are the most extraordinary items offered at tonight's Night Market. Rare and powerful, they cannot be obtained easily. Mastering them will demand strength, determination, and dedication. Suggested quests for role-play flavor are included.

SOLD - The Codex of the Final Convocation - SOLD

"Some books preserve history. This one preserves the moments history has erased."
—Inscription found upon the inner coverDescription:Bound in white leather unlike any known beast hide, the Codex of the Final Convocation is reinforced with bands of polished white auracite which softly shimmer beneath moonlight. Its pages are impossibly thin yet cannot be torn, stained, or burned by mundane means. The text is penned in immaculate Ancient script, but each reader perceives the words in a language they understand without the aid of translation magicks.Curiously, no two scholars ever agree on the exact number of chapters. Some insist there are twelve, others fifteen, while a handful claim entire sections appeared only after prolonged study. When the tome is closed, its gilded title vanishes completely, leaving only a blank cover until another worthy reader opens it.Features & Powers:- Echoes of Forgotten Truths: The Codex allows its reader to witness brief Echo-like visions of events deliberately erased from recorded history. These visions cannot be altered but often reveal crucial context surrounding ancient mysteries.- Universal Translation: Every reader perceives the manuscript in their native tongue, regardless of its original language.- The Scholar's Memory: Facts learned directly from the Codex are retained with supernatural clarity, resisting magical manipulation or ordinary forgetfulness.- Veil of Concealment: Those lacking sufficient aetheric sensitivity perceive the Codex as an ordinary blank journal, making it nearly impossible for casual thieves to recognize its true value.- Judgment of the Convocation: Once in a great while, the tome quietly alters a single sentence after being read, as though correcting its own account in response to revelations yet to occur.Origin & History:According to scattered legends preserved within the deepest archives of Sharlayan, the Codex was compiled during the final days of the civilization of Ancients. Rather than serving as an official record, it was entrusted to an unnamed keeper whose duty was to preserve knowledge deemed too dangerous (or too painful) to survive the coming calamity.Following the Sundering, the manuscript disappeared from all reliable historical records. It has resurfaced only a handful of times over the millennia, each appearance coinciding with periods of great upheaval: the rise of Allag, the War of the Magi, the Dragonsong War, and the Final Days. Every known owner eventually vanished, though the Codex itself always found its way into another forgotten collection.Limitations & Dangers:- The Codex never reveals answers the reader seeks directly. Instead, it presents forgotten events whose significance must be interpreted.- No reader may safely consult the manuscript more than once per turning of the moon. Additional readings result in severe aetheric exhaustion, migraines, and vivid waking hallucinations.- Some visions depict tragedies with such clarity that readers struggle to distinguish memory from firsthand experience.- Attempting to copy or magically duplicate its contents causes the reproduced text to dissolve into meaningless script within moments.- Legends claim the Codex occasionally omits individuals entirely from its accounts. Whether these omissions are accidental or intentional remains one of its greatest mysteries.Suggested Quest"The Missing Page"Rumors spread throughout Kugane that there is an impossibly rare codex whose final chapter has vanished. Masked agents have been quietly inquiring about the missing page, offering fortunes in gil while refusing to identify themselves.The truth is the page was never physically removed... it simply ceased to exist.Players must follow a trail of forgotten archives stretching from the Great Gubal Library to the Crystal Tower, uncovering Echo fragments that reveal the page was hidden not in a place, but within the memories of those who once read it. As more fragments are restored, it becomes apparent that the missing passage describes an artifact believed destroyed long ago... one capable of altering the boundary between reflections.In the end, adventurers must decide whether to restore the Codex to its complete form, allowing dangerous knowledge to return to the world, or preserve the secret by consigning the final memory to oblivion once more.

SOLD - The Unmoored Diadem - SOLD

Description:This is a delicate, openwork circlet forged of translucent auracite, inlaid with star-metal filaments and adorned with seven cracked crystal prisms arranged like flower petals. It is a crown of memory, a prison of light, and a gift not meant for mortals. The entire structure floats just above the brow when worn, never touching the skin. It emits a faint glow in moonlight, pulsing in time with nearby thoughts.The diadem is kept in a locked obsidian box lined with ceruleum-treated silk and sealed with sigils of psychic containment. It whispers softly when approached—often in a voice the listener recognizes as their own.Features and Powers:- Memory Resonance: Allows the wearer to experience ancient memories embedded in the auracite. These visions are fully immersive, with physical, emotional, and sensory detail indistinguishable from reality. The oldest echoes are believed to date back to the Third Astral Era.- Empathic Projection: The wearer may project emotional memories into another’s mind, creating an intense shared experience. Often used to build trust, extract secrets, or deliver intimate truths. This process can become addictive for both parties.- Aetherial Phasing: When overloaded with aether, the diadem shifts the user partially out of phase with the physical world for a few moments, allowing them to move unseen or untouched. This effect comes at the cost of slowly losing one's physical presence until they are completely out of phase with the physical realm and trapped in the aetherial.Origin and History:The diadem was crafted by Néren-Li, an exiled Allagan mnemonist, during an experiment known as The Silent Archive—a forbidden effort to preserve living histories through auracite. Intended for elite nobility, the Archive project was dismantled after a series of psychic breakdowns and suicides. The prototype vanished from official records. It resurfaced centuries later, sealed in a reliquary beneath the ruins of Mhach. How it passed from there into Qaelemont’s collection remains a subject of hushed speculation.Limitations and Dangers:- Memory Contamination: Continued use risks corrupting the user’s sense of self. Over time, the stored memories and identities may blend with the wearer’s own, leaving them uncertain of what thoughts are truly theirs.- Empathic Collapse: If used on a subject with suppressed trauma or volatile emotions, the diadem may trigger seizures, comas, or aetheric hemorrhaging in both individuals.- Phasing Trace: The diadem’s phasing ability leaves a distinct ripple in the aetherial plane. Certain entities, particularly Voidsent or those attuned to echoes, may detect and pursue the user.- Addictive Clarity: The heightened emotion and vividness of the memories can become a seduction. Some wearers isolate themselves, choosing to relive lost moments endlessly rather than face the present.Suggested Quest: The Memory That Wasn't MineA Sharlayan scholar is discreetly hiring adventurers to locate The Unmoored Diadem, a lost Allagan relic said to contain living memories. Its last known location points to a buried ruin in the Dravanian hinterlands: the Sanctuary of Drowned Echoes. As one nears the site, dreams not their own begin to haunt them, and echoes of forgotten lives bleed into their thoughts. The Diadem is still active, still aware—and it may not want to be found.

Starlight Market

18 Dec 2025 - 6 PM CST - Mateus - Coerthas Central Highlands -
First Dicasterial Observatorium

Rumors have reached you... it's a rare opportunity. A renowned dealer of esoteric books and antiquities is preparing to offer an exclusive selection of items for discerning collectors. But beware... come prepared to barter with more than mere gil... Dare to read between the lines...

Books

If one is looking for the more mundane literature to be found at Between the Lines, they might be sadly disappointed. Only select esoteric volumes have been brought for sale for this night. One might find what they seek, be it fame, fortune, power, or glory, but there is always a price to pay...

1. The Veins of Silver Truth – Anonymous (attributed to a defector of the Heavens’ Ward)Appearance: This slim volume is bound in silvery-red wyvern leather, the color tarnished as though intentionally dulled. Its pages shimmer faintly like dragon scales in moonlight, a quality alchemists cannot replicate. The script is written in tight, slanted penmanship, sometimes smudged as though penned in haste. A handetched symbol—half dragon eye, half Ishgardian winged crown—marks the final page.Description: The manuscript claims direct testimony from a former knight who witnessed the ambush that betrayed Ratatoskr. It details how the “power of the wyrm’s eyes” was not granted by the Fury but stolen through butchery. The author asserts that the Church knew the consequences of provoking Nidhogg and weaponized the conflict to solidify eternal zealotry. Several passages speak mournfully of comrades who repented too late, driven mad by wyrmblood consumption.2. The Hymn of Broken Wings – Sister Euphranie of the Violet CloisterAppearance: This is a soft leather book dyed deep violet, its cover carved with feather motifs scorched by fire. Several edges are charred from failed burnings before it was smuggled out of the Vault. Ink varies between violet and rust-red, suggesting the author wrote during fugitive flights. A pressed feather—too large to belong to any Ishgardian bird—is hidden between the final pages.Description: Written by a disgraced nun, the text weaves prayer-like verse with historical testimony. Euphranie argues that the Fury never sanctioned dragon-slaying, and that Ishgard turned from Her will centuries ago. She charts the systematic silencing of clergy who questioned the official teachings, naming several archbishops by coded monikers. Allegedly, she had visions of Ratatoskr’s agony that the Church deemed “wyrmsent delusion.”3. Drakesong Resplendent: The Last Words of Ratatoskr – Scholar Pelligrim de FaunesseAppearance: Bound in pale drake-hide and lacquered with iridescent pigment, this text seems to glow when exposed to firelight. The pages are resilient and oily, rumored to be water-proofed with tears harvested from the Churning Mists. The lettering alternates between elegant calligraphy and frantic marginal notes. A rough illustration of a majestic serpentine form adorns the frontispiece.Description: Faunesse claims to have deciphered “aural memories” embedded in Ratatoskr’s lingering aether. He presents full monologues attributed to the wyrm—empathetic, hopeful, and pleading for coexistence. The book condemns the Twelve Knights for mutilating her in ritual fashion, describing techniques too detailed to be fanciful. Many scholars call the work madness, yet several descriptions align with lost Allagan bio-arcane practices.4. The Frosted Mask of Saints – Maribelle HaurchontAppearance: The cover is a mosaic of cracked white lacquer over dark wood, resembling a shattered mask. Cold to the touch even indoors, the book is rumored to retain the chill of the Coerthan high snows. Inside, elegant spacing contrasts sharply with violently slashed-out passages. A broken rosary bead is glued to the inner cover.Description: This exposé dismantles the mythology surrounding the Knights Twelve, claiming they were not paragons but conspirators in a political coup. Maribelle traces the false sainthood bestowed upon them as a calculated tactic to rewrite Ishgardian succession. She provides heraldic diagrams linking noble houses to bloodlines that profited directly from the wyrm’s murder. The Church executed her within days of publication, but copies endure.5. White Hell, Crimson Truth – The “Azure Penitent"Appearance: This large, heavy tome is bound in bleached vellum stained with faint crimson splotches. Brass clasps shaped like snarling dragons attempt—and fail—to hide the cracks along the spine. The handwriting varies wildly, as though several people contributed while in hiding. Several pages have been replaced with new parchment patched over older text.Description: A collective work by anonymous dissidents fleeing from Temple Knights’ persecution. It chronicles the earliest years of Ishgard, painting a picture of desperation and opportunism rather than divine crusade. The authors argue that Thordan stole Ratatoskr’s power to unify the fracturing nobility under a single war banner. Its final section contains an unfinished call for reconciliation that abruptly ends midsentence.6. The Ravaged Pact – Magus Thoirel of the ObservatoriumAppearance: This book is bound in midnight-blue leather with constellations faintly embossed in silver, though many stars are scraped away as if censored. The parchment crackles like thin frost when turned. A long diagonal scorch mark mars the back cover. Scraps of astronomical charts are folded throughout as bookmarks.Description: Thoirel argues that the original pact between mortals and dragons was one of shared skyward dominion, not conflict. He presents celestial data suggesting that the dragons altered their migrations to avoid mortal settlements—contradicting Church propaganda. The text meticulously cross-references star charts with ancient Coerthan travel routes, implying cooperation long forgotten. Thoirel was declared a void-cultist for “star-warped heresy.”7. Twelve Spears Dripping – The Outcast of Falcon’s NestAppearance: This crude text is wrapped in stitched sheep hide and sealed with iron nails shaped like spearheads. Many pages are spattered with old ink that looks almost brown-black. Marginal illustrations depict knights with faces scratched out violently. The final pages are water-damaged, smelling faintly of cave moss.Description: It is a graphic, near-ballad recounting of Ratatoskr’s murder, described with brutal specificity. The anonymous author insists he found carvings—now destroyed—depicting the ritualized dismemberment. He denounces Thordan as a tyrant cloaking atrocity in sanctimony, claiming the war was engineered to mask internal purges among noble houses. The Church declared mere possession of the book a capital crime.8. The Dragon’s Lament in ThriceWoven Tongue – Quillmaster SelanneAppearance: A trifold codex bound along three spines, each segment opening in different directions. Ink colors shift depending on the angle of light, producing a prismatic sheen. The central section is written in an invented “draconic cipher.” A dragon-bone hairpin acts as a builtin clasp.Description: Selanne composes a syncretic text comparing mortal, draconic, and clerical accounts of the same events. Her work claims linguistic tampering by the Church erased subtleties in the dragons’ warnings and pleas. She includes speculative reconstructions of ancient wyrm dialects offering peaceful compromise. The Vault deemed the linguistic approach “depraved imitation of heretical tongues.”9. Ashes of the Skyborne Pact – Artoirel’s Lost Scholar (Pseudonym)Appearance: Wrapped in sky-blue silk embroidered with silver thread, the book feels fragile as though made for ceremony rather than use. Many pages are singed along the edges, as if the text barely survived a purge. Elegant diagrams of Ishgard’s founding towers are interspersed between chapters. A handwritten dedication simply reads: “For those with eyes unclouded.”Description: This text focuses on the original diplomatic attempts between Ishgard’s founders and Hraesvelgr’s brood. It depicts decades of cooperation, trade routes, and shared rites before Thordan’s faction seized power. The author accuses the Holy See of erasing multiple generations of peaceful coexistence to fabricate an eternal holy war. Scholars speculate the pseudonym hides a highborn defector.10. The Unblessed Chronicle – “The Last Scribe of the Forgotten Vault”Appearance: A heavy iron-bound manuscript sealed with a lock long since broken. The interior pages are made of thick, darkened parchment, some patched with scraps of cathedral hymnals. Its ink is faintly metallic, glittering like powdered dragon scale. The air around it smells faintly of ozone and incense.Description: This chronicle boldly asserts that Ishgard’s entire religious foundation is built on sacrilege. It lays out how Thordan’s regime rewrote doctrine, suppressed testimonies of Ratatoskr’s benevolence, and weaponized the Fury’s image. The scribe warns that the dragons’ rage was justified and that absolution lies only through truth, not bloodshed. Rumor claims the author died sealing the original Vault chamber where the text was penned.

Items

If one is seeking common trinkets or tchotchkes, look elsewhere. What is offered tonight are rare and dangerous relics—arcane, forbidden, or touched by shadow. Each piece holds a whisper of power, a flicker of memory, a debt yet unpaid. These strange relics hum, whisper, or breathe with forgotten power. One may find what they desire… but nothing comes without a cost...

1. Ratatoskr’s Whisper-stoneAppearance: A smooth, palmsized stone of pearlescent white that shimmers with faint pastel colors when warmed by touch. Runic script spirals around its surface in an ancient wyrm-tongue older than Ishgard itself. Frosted breath gathers on the stone even in warm rooms, and faint echoes of distant song sometimes seep from it.Description: The Whisper-stone holds fragments of Ratatoskr’s emotional aether—her curiosity, joy, and trust in mortals. When attuned, the bearer hears empathic impressions from dragons nearby and cannot bring themselves to strike a draconic being in anger. The Church considers it treasonous for undermining the Fury’s “holy mandate” of dragon-slaying. Possessing one is grounds for immediate execution.2. The Tears of the Forsworn WyrmlingAppearance: A crystalline vial containing three suspended droplets of shimmering aqua liquid. The vial’s stopper is carved like a dragon hatchling’s closed eyelid. When exposed to moonlight, the droplets pulse softly like beating hearts.Description: Said to be the crystallized tears of a wyrmling abandoned after the betrayal of Ratatoskr, these tears can heal wounds scarred by draconic fire. They also reveal illusions and false aetheric glamours—including those woven by the Church. Clerics condemn the item as “wyrm-sent deceit,” and any healer caught using it is branded a heretic.3. The Song-shard of HraesvelgrAppearance: A jagged shard of translucent sapphire aetherglass humming with a deep, harmonic resonance. Golden veins of aether pulse within it like a heartbeat. When held to the ear, it emits faint, mournful notes of a long-forgotten draconic hymn.Description: This relic amplifies the wielder’s magic through harmonization with draconic frequencies. It can calm beasts, dispel anger, and even suppress the effects of the wyrm’s eyes when near someone touched by them. The Church fears the shard because it promotes peace rather than holy war, contradicting centuries of dogma.4. The Unburnt Codex TabletAppearance: A flat stone tablet carved from a material resembling obsidian but faintly translucent. Draconic glyphs glow emberred across its surface, reforming themselves when not observed. It remains warm, as if resting on coals, yet never burns.Description: The tablet is said to hold a firsthand account of Ratatoskr’s final hours told in wyrm-tongue. Anyone who studies it long enough finds their perspective shifting toward empathy with dragonkind. The Church has tried—and failed—multiple times to destroy it, each attempt leaving only scorch marks on nearby walls.5. Thordan’s Betrayer BrandAppearance: A small iron brand shaped like a broken spear surrounded by feathered wings. The metal appears rusted, but flakes regenerate when removed. When heated, the brand glows sickly green instead of red.Description: Used by an unknown dissident sect, this brand reveals the “stain of treachery” on those who have consumed draconic aether. When pressed to flesh, it exposes scales beneath the skin for several breathless seconds. The Church bans it because it can reveal past wyrmblood corruption among the Heavens’ Ward and noble families.6. The Frost-vein ChaliceAppearance: A chalice sculpted from pure Dragonsong-ice—never melting, cold enough to frost breath at a distance. Tiny veins of azure run through the bowl like living arteries. When liquid is poured inside, it freezes in an intricate crystalline flower pattern.Description: This chalice was used in pre-war rites of communion between mortals and dragons. Anyone who drinks from it hears fleeting whispers of ancient wyrm-voices, often expressing confusion over Ishgardian hostility. The Church prohibits it, calling it a vessel of “soul corruption” meant to turn hearts away from the Fury.7. The Last Feather of Ser Haldrath, UnbrokenAppearance: A pristine white feather encased in a thin aetheric ward, its surface unaged despite centuries. Under certain lighting, the feather casts the shadow of a dragon’s wing rather than a bird’s. The feather vibrates softly when near draconic aether.Description: The feather is said to be from Ser Haldrath's helm before he slew Nidhogg’s broodkin in the company of his father, Thordan I, and the Knights Twelve—and before he was twisted by wyrm’s blood. It radiates gentle, reassuring aether that dispels fear and fanaticism. The Church suppresses it because it contradicts the legend of Haldrath’s unwavering zeal in serving as the first Azure Dragoon and fighting against the draconic horde.8. The Heart-string TorcAppearance: A torc of woven silver and blackened steel shaped like intertwined serpentine forms. Its surface is etched with runes that move like shifting scales. When worn, the metal warms to the pulse of the bearer.Description: A relic said to have been forged from the armor of a knight who publicly repented the wyrm-slaying and died defending a dragon clutch. When attuned, the torc lets the wearer share emotions with bonded companions, akin to draconic telepathy. The Church bans it because it represents the possibility of kinship between mortal and wyrm.9. The Censer of the Unending MistsAppearance: A brass censer shaped like a coiled dragon clasping a crystal sphere. When lit, it releases pale blue smoke that swirls in elegant, deliberate patterns. The smoke sometimes forms faces—usually sorrowful.Description: The censer burns a rare incense that induces visions of the true events of the Dragonsong War. Many who have inhaled it claim to witness Ratatoskr’s death firsthand, through her own perception. The Church declares these visions “false dreams sent by the great wyrm Nidhogg,” but inquisitors fear the device more than they admit.10. The Echo of the Dawn-mount AegisAppearance: A round hand-mirror forged from silvered steel, its back engraved with a dragon curled protectively around a spire. The glass is slightly iridescent and reflects beings not as they are, but as they truly are. Sometimes a faint draconic eye opens behind the reflection.Description: The Aegis reveals hidden aetheric influences, including tempering, wyrmblood taint, and lies woven into memory. It is said to be one of the last relics of a knightly order that sought peaceful coexistence and was erased from the records. The Church hunts down any copy because it exposes glamours the clergy themselves rely on to perpetuate the official narrative.

Antiquities

These are the most extraordinary items offered at tonight's Pearl Lane market. Rare and powerful, they cannot be obtained easily. Mastering them will demand strength, determination, and dedication. Suggested quests for role-play flavor are included.

The Lament of Ratatoskr—The Weeping Eye

Description:The Weeping Eye is a fist-sized, teardrop-shaped crystal with a pearlescent surface that shifts between soft rose, gold, and moonlit silver. Within its core floats a slow-spinning iris of shimmering sapphire light, gently pulsing like a heartbeat. When held, the crystal hums with a low, mournful resonance—almost like a child’s lullaby distorted by sorrow. Touching it with bare skin leaves faint trails of shimmering aether like drifting motes of stardust.More unsettlingly, the Eye “weeps”: small droplets of golden liquid form upon its surface, evaporating quickly into fragrant steam.Features & Powers:- Empathic Revelation:The Eye allows the bearer to experience emotions and fragmented memories of dragons within several yalms. These impressions are overwhelming at first—waves of joy, grief, ancient memories of flight, and bone-deep sorrow connected to Ratatoskr’s death.- TruthPiercing Sight:The Eye can reveal glamours, lies woven in aether, and even cracks in false histories. When fully awakened, it can show historical visions tied to locations where wyrms and mortals once met.- Dragonsong Resonance:When near those who have consumed dragon blood (willingly or unwillingly), the Eye resonates sharply, producing a keening cry that echoes for several seconds. To those attuned, it reveals the lingering dragon aether threads in their bodies.- Draconic Harmonization:In rare moments, the Eye allows the bearer to communicate basic thoughts or emotions to dragons, bypassing language entirely.Origin & History:The Lament of Ratatoskr is believed to be a crystallized fragment of Ratatoskr’s aether—formed during the exact moment her lifeforce was torn away by Thordan and his knights. As her essence scattered, part of her soul’s emotional core coalesced into this tear-shaped crystal, infused with her final thoughts of betrayal, fear, and desperate hope that mortals might someday understand the truth.Ancient heretical texts suggest that the Eye was originally recovered by a nameless Elezen scholar who attempted to document the wyrm’s last vision. The Church hunted him relentlessly, branding him a seditionist and burning his home. The Eye vanished into myth—spoken of only in secret gatherings and resistance circles.Rumors claim it last surfaced in a hidden shrine deep in the Dravanian Forelands, glimpsed by a group of students from the Studium who were later declared missing. Officially, the Church denies such a relic ever existed.Limitations & Dangers:- Emotional Overload: Using the Eye for prolonged periods can drive even the strongest minds into despair, as Ratatoskr’s grief is vast and unrelenting. Many who attempted deep communion fell into catatonia after experiencing the wyrm’s murder through her own senses.- Aetheric Drain: Attuning to the Eye consumes significant personal aether. Overuse leads to exhaustion, nosebleeds, and soul-sickness.- Dragon Attraction: Dragons are drawn to the Eye’s presence—some curious, some enraged by its echo of Ratatoskr’s demise. Keeping it hidden is vital.- Church Attention: Possession of the Eye is instant capital heresy. The Vault keeps secret inquisitors trained specifically to sense its resonance.- Unstable Memories: The visions are not always chronological nor coherent. Some are metaphorical, others literal. It becomes easy to lose the line between past and present.Suggested Quest: “The Tear Beyond Time”Act I – The Rumor in SnowcloakAn Ishgardian antiquarian, pale with fear, seeks help delivering a sealed journal to someone he trusts in Idyllshire. The journal contains coded descriptions of a “weeping crystal” he uncovered in the Forelands—a relic he fears the Church will execute him over. Before he can speak further, Temple Knights storm the tavern, and he begs the party to flee with the journal.The party must piece together the clues in the journal to discover a hidden shrine sacred to Ratatoskr where the Eye has been long hidden. Elite Church Inquisitors are hot on the heels of anyone possessing the journal. The party needs to learn how to "open" the eye and awaken its power.Then... what does one do with it? Hide the Eye in a place beyond Church reach? Bring it to a dragon—perhaps even Hraesvelgr—for safekeeping? Use it to expose the Church’s lies, igniting political upheaval? Or attune to it personally, accepting the burden of Ratatoskr’s Lament?

The Shattered Spear of Vengeance—The Broken Fang

Description:The Broken Fang is a jagged spearhead forged of a strange alloy: half Ishgardian steel, half draconic scale-metal fused by extreme heat. Its uneven surface glints with alternating streaks of silver and deep cobalt blue, like frozen lightning. A hairline fracture runs down its center, glowing faintly with red-orange embers whenever it senses a lie spoken nearby.Though no longer attached to a haft, the spearhead radiates a predatory presence—one that feels neither wholly draconic nor fully mortal.Features & Powers:- Aetheric Echo of Betrayal: The Fang can project short, violent visions of past betrayals. Those who touch it may witness flashes of Thordan’s ambush, dragon-fire, and the clash of steel against wyrm-scale.- Truth-Tearing Pulse: The relic emits a sharp resonant vibration when someone knowingly speaks falsehoods around it. The stronger the lie, the stronger the vibration—enough to knock armored knights off their feet.- Wyrmsteel Memory: When exposed to draconic blood or aether, the Fang awakens further, revealing fragments of the battlefields from Ishgard’s forgotten conquests—scenes erased from scripture.- Violent Communion: In rare moments of intense emotional focus, the bearer can channel the Fang’s wrath for a single devastating strike, capable of shattering aetheric wards or breaking enchantments woven by the Church.Origin & History:Legend claims the Broken Fang is the snapped tip of the spear used by one of the original Knights Twelve, during the murder of Ratatoskr. When her death-throes unleashed waves of corrupted light and searing aether, part of her exposed bone and scales melted and fused with the weapon. The blast shattered the spear, and its front section was torn away and launched deep into the Dravanian riverlands.The Church tried to retrieve the shard for centuries, fearing its hybrid nature. Every expedition sent after it was met with mysterious sabotage—dragons stirring storms, freak avalanches, or inquisitors turning on each other under the Fang’s influence.Whispers claim a monk of Saint Valeroyant’s Monastery smuggled the Fang into the vaults beneath the monastery shortly before his death, calling it “proof that the First Betrayal was not victory, but sin.”Limitations & Dangers:- Wrathful Aether: The Fang is steeped in draconic rage. Weak-willed bearers may succumb to violent impulses, especially against those bearing Ishgardian holy symbols.- Unstable Visions: Revelations granted by the Fang are chaotic and traumatic. Many who commune with it lose sleep or suffer waking nightmares of wings and steel.- Aether Burn: Repeated use of the Truth-Tearing Pulse or Violent Communion scorches the wielder’s arm with burning blue runes, which fade only after days of rest.- Dragon Hostility: Some dragons view the Fang as a desecration of their kin. Others recognize it as Ratatoskr’s remains and react with deep sorrow or reverence.- Church Reprisal: Simply possessing the Fang is considered a blasphemy punishable by death. The Vault’s agents have standing kill orders for anyone linked to it.Suggested Quest: “The Spear That Shouldn’t Be”An elderly monk at Saint Valeroyant’s Monastery summons the party to his deathbed. He speaks in riddles of “a spear shard infused with a dragon’s dying light” and begs them to find it before the Inquisition does. His last breath forms a cryptic warning: “Do not let the Church mend what they shattered.” Can the party recover the Fang from the sealed catacombs under the montastery? What guardians might they encounter? If they escape with the Fang, dragons and Inquisitors may hunt them—for good or ill. They must discover where and how to unlock the true power of the Fang but the price to pay is experiencing Ratatoskr's death through both the memories and emotions of the wrym herself and the knight who helped to destroy her.

Between the Lines ARPG

Between the Lines invites you into its year-long ARPG: a journey of mystery, eldritch scholarship, and hidden horrors beneath a veneer of civility. Earn rewards through storytelling, gposing, art, and investigation as you unravel the shadows that haunt the stacks.Join us in Discord for more information!