Celestial Implements of the Ivory Kingdom

[Vutall]

Most inhabitants of the Ivory Kingdoms believe that the days of mythic heroes are long past—and it is true that armies of heroes millions strong holding the line against endless hordes of rakshasa occur only in ancient tales. Few who live in the Kingdoms today can profess to have seen a peerless champion take up their bow and blot out the sky with a single volley or shake the cosmos itself with every arrow loosed. Still, the people of the Ivory Kingdoms remain deeply connected to their ancient heroes through religion, story, song, and art. And, occasionally, through the inestimable power of celestial implements.

In the Kingdoms, the wisest of living sages possess the words of the sacred mantras that invoke astras, or celestial implements. A few from each generation of heroes seek out this knowledge, proving themselves worthy of the burden of power and learning to call forth divine tools to aid their cause. These astradhari—wielders of astras—are invariably at the forefront of the greatest conflicts, for they possess weapons that can lay waste to armies and tools that can unlock the secrets of the cosmos. Many great heroes and villains alike have held these celestial objects throughout the millennia.

Celestial implements are far from the only form of mystical power in the Ivory Kingdoms, a land with many traditions and places of ancient, supernatural power, from the mysterious river cities of the naga to the ancient Pillars of Purity guarded by the Yodha. Nevertheless, items of divine power, and the mortals who have wielded them, are among its most renowned. Just as a citizen of the Ivory Kingdoms might have heard tales of the shugenja of Rokugan who call to the spirits of the land or the alchemists of the Cradle of the World who unlock the secrets of life eternal, stories of peerless warriors wielding weapons blessed by the gods against other heroes or vile monsters of the Shadowlands are told in many places across the world, including some parts of Rokugan.

Divine Secrets
To learn to use an astra or other celestial implement, a character must seek out a revered and knowledgable high sage of the Ivory Kingdoms who knows the specific mantra along with the details of its proper use and limitations. Then, perhaps more difficult, the character must prove themself to both the high sage and the deity they are trying to call upon. Most high sages will only train those they deem worthy, and many have rejected students for a variety of reasons—lack of discipline or morality, lack of need, or even improper status. The choice ultimately depends on the high sage’s personal judgment

Generally speaking, this type of mantra invokes the favor of the god to whom the item belongs, at which point the divine blessing infuses an object in the hero’s hand. In the days of the mythic kings, the stories say, the greatest heroes were versed in dozens of these mantras and were favored by numerous divine powers. Within the context of the Ivory Kingdoms as they exist today, an individual who has mastered the use of a single divine object is figure of considerable power, and one who has mastered five is a champion whom all but the foolhardiest avoid fighting directly

Using Celestial Implements
Always the finest examples of their type, astras and other celestial implements are weapons and objects that exceed the limits of human craftsmanship. However, what makes them special are the unique, divine qualities they possess. The Spear of the Thunder God is as inevitable as it is deadly and the Arrow of the Naga transforms into venomous snakes upon impact. Each behaves in a unique way, and most are capable of turning the tide of a battle and preventing—or causing—a cataclysm

Restrictions on Implements
Celestial implements are bound not by mundane restrictions but rather by will of their owners: the gods. Even after a character summons one, it might bear a restriction or limit imposed by its divine owner. Further, a wielder with the proper knowledge can use one celestial implement’s powers to counter another’s, put-ting the wielder at an enormous advantage.

The ability to use a celestial implement can elevate its wielder to prominence. Anyone capable of such a feat can quickly win glory on the battlefield or renown in scholarly circles. However, power and prestige always breed envy, and divine favor all the more so. As astradhari are very rare, there are no orders or social institutions built to protect them, and each must choose their own path in the world. One who wields a divine relic has the power to save a kingdom—or topple it—and both can weigh heavily upon the con-science. To use a celestial implement unjustly is not only devastating, but also contrary to the very order of the universe. Sometimes, which choice is just is not clear to a mortal mind, and power becomes a burden as heavy as the universe itself.

Wise astradhari do their best to avoid overexposing their abilities. An enemy who does not know which mantras a warrior has mastered cannot be prepared to exploit the limitations of the warrior’s celestial implements or counter their effects. If an astradhari becomes too famous for relying on a single weapon in their arsenal, their enemies will surely be quick to use that knowledge to overcome the astradhari in battle.

Astradhari are rare; the most powerful of rajah might have a few dozen astradhari among their court, while the ruler of a small domain might be able to call upon only a handful who have pledged their loyalty in times of crisis, or even upon none at all. The sheer size of the city of Bhavyatapura means that there are always a few astradhari there. However, many sages find the bustle of cosmopolitan life disruptive to their studies. Due to the prestige and historical power of the kingdom of Saamrajya throughout the ages, such sages tend to congregate there. Some members of the fundamentalist Mukka are also known for seeking out the power of celestial implements, viewing the ability to call upon the power of the gods directly as a way to prove the righteousness of their cause

Despite the efforts of various scholars, the number of existing astradhari at various points in history is very hard to determine. As these individuals have tended to keep their abilities concealed, so too have political bodies often tried to shroud the identities and numbers of their greatest champions, as well as which mantras have been known to them. Astradhari are somewhat more common among the warriors known as the Yodha, as celestial implements are invaluable for dispatching the monsters that reside in the Ghostlands; even supernaturally resilient foes cannot withstand such power. Few who wield these divine weapons leave the Ivory Kingdoms and the Ghostlands, as they tend to have important duties or grave responsibilities there, but there are always exceptions

Blessing Source
The gods of the Ivory Kingdoms are many—some believe these countless varied and unique entities reflect the same ultimate being whereas others do not believe in many gods or forms of god; rather, they hold that a single divine spirit beyond any form or definition pervades all creation.

Different groups within the Ivory Kingdoms tend to direct their veneration toward a particular god or set of gods, and astradhari tend to wield weapons granted by the gods with whom they align themselves—but not always! Sometimes, a kindness paid to a poor traveler is repaid with a divine boon. While most astradhari gain their knowledge from high sages who study theology, stories also tell of gods directly bestowing their gifts upon mortals who act selflessly or heroically. Given the wide span of the Ivory Kingdoms and the secrecy surrounding most celestial implements, who can truly say where each one came from?

Some other supernatural beings, such as naga, can grant access to their own celestial implements. It is whispered that even rakshasa can provide access to dread versions of celestial implements, but if any sages have learned the mantras to conjure their horrifying powers, these secrets have receded into the shadows.

Divine and Supernatural Beings;
Aarav, Bringer of Peace
Ayaan is a lesser deity in the Ivory Kingdoms’ celestial hierarchy, though he is renowned for his importance in the day to day lives of the common people. Ayaan delivers creatures their destiny when the greater deities deem it so, though Ayaan is known to show com-passion for those who are good-hearted.

Banhi, Purifier of the Soil
Banhi is a force of righteousness and justice that many martial individuals revere for her tenacity and conviction. The Yodha of the Ghostlands hold this deity in high esteem for her hatred of that which dwells in that foul realm.

Chandi, the Balanced
In the cosmos there must be balance of all things, the sun and moon, the earth and water, the cruel and the kind. Chandi is a force of fairness that both warriors and scholars seek to emulate in their dealings with others.

Kajri, Builder of Heaven’s Clouds
Kajri is known for blessing those who take the kinder path, living life as wanderers and showing compassion to any who are in need. She also appreciates hard work, and is often looked to by craftspeople as a source of good luck.

Neha, The Grieving Deity
The story of Neha is one of tragedy. Long ago, before humans walked the earth she is said to have lost her sister in a terrible war. She still grieves to this day, her tears bringing all rain that touches the Ivory Kingdoms.

Sahil, Guardian of Transition
Sahil aids in places of great transition, both in people’s lives and in the landscape. Known for his love of sea shores, Sahil is often called upon in moments of great grief and hardship, or moments of extreme joy.

Naga
The secretive, serpentine naga are known for both venom and healing, and their counsel is valued by the wise.