Over the course of the last years, the Survivors of the Tel have gathered quite a collection of Klackon khipu-texts--lengths of fine Klackon silks in various colors, tied and knotted with various and intricate knots that form the words or phrases--on various expeditions and delves into the formerly "haunted" Sixth House of the Attines.
Quite an effort has already been put into translating various sections of this collection, but the task seemed monumental, and there was ever more work to do. So Raoden, with the help of Sesel's friend Gan, as well as Survivors-researcher Razo, began the great task of not only translating the khipus, but also transcribing much of what they learned to make it easier for non-Klackons to read.
Thus introducing the Klackon Collection, a library of texts held by the Survivors of the Tel:
Research Topics
- metallurgy generally, the smithing of metals and creation of good alloys for a variety of purposes, especially arms and armor
- alchemy, particularly involving fungal alchemy, as well as paralyzants, creature-venoms, and anti-venins
- biological studies of certain creatures within the Tel, specifically certain worms found in the depths, the strange pale beetles, and small brainsucking arthropods
In addition to those topics above (already mentioned in the previous post), the fully inventoried collection includes a number of works allowing research on these more general topics:
- the history and culture of the Attine Klackons and their Spire, from a Sixth House bent
- information about the cultivation of fungus--of growing beneficial forms and destroying verminous or harmful kinds
- information about the husbanding of the great dlakolel beetle and proxx crawlers, including recipes for the use of proxx sludge (esp. in the kitchen) and the treating of dlakolel fur and carapaces
Spellbooks
There were two spellbooks already detailed in that earlier post:
Jabborg and the Thunderbolt
A copy and translation of a Barcid hero-song detailing the labors of Jabborg as he fashioned the legendary weapon of the storm-god. Many lines have been glossed by Klackon explanations and similar verses from Klackon epics are added by way of comparison
II. heat metal, resist fire
III. striking
The Pale Beetle Under the Knife
This work is a detailed study of an alien creature discovered in the bowels of the Tel. It includes a number of detailed explanations of dissections, as well as alchemical and biological analyses of the creature's venom sacs, reproductive organs, &c. Following that are philosophical musings, noting that the creatures seem almost to have been bred or created specifically to hunt and kill Klackons. The cosmic horror of this implication--that a higher intelligence would devices new creatures specifically for such a purpose--pervades the work ...
As an original spellbook, this work communicates the author's sense of cosmic dread, and a magic-user who has learned and memorized spells from it, and who studies the work once per month, is able to impose a -1 penalty on saves against fear rolled against his or her own spells.
I. cure light wounds
III. paralyzation, fear
There was one additional spellbook "hidden" in the corpus of the library:
The Sixth Way
by Ish-iqar
Klackons are not generally noted for their intellectual curiosity, but are instead known to be hidebound to traditions and receive knowledge. Kshatri'i, a dore from earlier in Sixth House history, set himself against societal norms, and set his House on a new path of curiosity and research that has benefitted the Attine Klackons all together, though perhaps also laid the foundation of doom on his House ...
The khipu is presented as a fable about Kshatri'i, a dore who wished to be a warrior. Recognizing his physical limitations, he instead chose to use the power of knowledge, and by overcoming a series of challenges with curiosity, he ultimately was able to defeat the demon Tk'tk'tka with a specially prepared weapon. This is a copy of the original spell book.
I. augury, detect magic, know history, weapon blessing
Other Items of Interest
There was also a book useful, though not magical:
Manners and Etiquette in the Court of the Princess
A manual of manners, for dores especially, but also for anyone called to audience by an Attine Princess. Someone who studies this book for two consecutive weeks gains a +1 on reactions with Klackons in general. This bonus can be maintained as long as the character revisits their knowledge at least once per month (by spending one week of downtime). If this is maintained for a full 12 month period, the bonus is permanent and the book need no longer be perused.
Additionally, as noted in the manual, if in court one can connect what one is saying to Klackon tradition, or use their epic or lyrical poetry eloquently, then one will gain a +2 bonus on reactions in the court. Though this may still fail to persuade the Princess, it will likely impress at least someone, be it a dore-courtier, or a sister-handmaid, who could help with the next attempt at persuasion.
(this +2 is only available to someone who has used the book for the +1 bonus)
Ru'un Notes in Klackon
Finally, though not actually recovered from the Sixth House, Sesel has come into possession of certain notes relating to the functioning of ru'un. The notes are incomplete at the moment, but might provide some benefit to someone studying ru'un and their functioning. The notes are Klackon in origin, hence their inclusion here; though there are drawings (like the one below), the notes themselves are in a series of silken khipu strands.
