Item Entry: The Map of Legends
The Map of Legends is a major artifact created by Kathera Sherand and Rianne the Explorer in their later life. Its purpose is to link all the locations on Ifrai with the legendary events and that took place in them.
At face value, it is an impossibly detailed map drawn on an off-white piece of soft leather about 4 feet by 5 feet. There is a central map of all of Ifrai, a map of each half of the globe in each corner - Western Hemisphere in the Northwest, Eastern Hemisphere in the Southeast, Northern Hemisphere in the Northeast, and Southern Hemisphere in the Southwest. The map legend can be found at the Eastern end. Each map is bordered by brilliantly colored illuminations, and it is said that the names of all Ifrayan heroes can be found in those twisting patterns. Along the North side of the central map is Kathera's signature. Rianne's is along the Western side. Along the Southern side are written the words, "Tales make short the miles," in exquisite calligraphy.
The powers of the map only become evident when someone tries to use it. Anyone looking at it will see the level of detail he "needs." For example, if someone is looking at the kingdom of Ilrya he will find a well detailed vision of Ilrya with all its major cities, roads, and waterways. If he looks for the city of Wallshadow, he will see Wallshadow in full, with all its streets and buildings. Somehow, the viewer is able to see those impossibly tiny details. This is the same when looking for natural features; individual rocks and trees will be seen if the viewer is looking for them. The mighty magics that make this possible keep the map up to date. Most who pick up the map don't even realize this magical effect, since they only look for what one would reasonably expect on a world-map. The type of map can change, too, from political to geographic, topographical to economical, all depending on what the viewer is looking for. The legend on the bottom shifts accordingly, as well. Obviously, this function of the map is extremely useful. It provides a +20 to Survival checks in any surface wilderness for anyone who eventually understands the map, and any location can be shown except for underground and interior spaces. No people are ever shown on the map, unless put there as described below.
If anyone strikes the map with a weapon (if unarmed, determine if it was a strike meant to deal damage), they and all their equipment are drawn into the map and become part of the landscape. The map itself is indestructible. They may move about in this stylized version of the world, and may even affect others trapped with them normally. One day later, they will appear in the real world in whatever place they happen to be at that time. Once, the map was used to move an entire legion of troops on the other side of an orcish army. Nothing can remove a character prematurely. No, not wishes or divine interventions: nothing.
If rolled up, the map hardens and may be used as a quarterstaff for a medium-sized creature if rolled long-ways, small-sized creature if rolled short-ways. Rolling it in this way is a standard action that provokes an attack of opportunity. The previous ability of drawing people into the map does not work
Should anyone become curious about some area's past while holding the map, they will start to "remember" legends about that region. The map has actually given them that knowledge, but those who have received it recall it as if it was a story told to them long ago. They won't remember who told them the story- only that it was told VERY well. The tale told is the TRUTH, if a bit embellished for style, and may not be the version known to the general populace. This function provides a +20 on all Knowledge: Local, Knowledge: History, Knowledge: Nobility and any other Knowledge skill the DM may deem appropriate. All Bardic Lore attempts instantly succeed.
The two globes in the corners do not shift views, but they have a power all their own. If someone touches them together and speaks the words written along the Southern edge, they will be instantly transported to a surface location of their choosing (not indoors, though it can transport you onto a rooftop). The map can only take one person at a time, but this power is not subject to the usual teleportation error possibilities, since it is the MAP that knows the location, not the viewer.
On the reverse side of the map, there is a square of illumined border that usually has nothing inside of it. However, should someone look at it and ask for a story, the map will oblige, and the words of the story will begin writing themselves on the map in whatever language the character knows. If the character cannot read, they will still somehow understand the words. Behind the words, stylized images will play out the story for the viewer in great detail. If the reader asks for a specific tale, that's the one he'll get. If he simply asks for a story, the map will choose one from the area it is currently in, or closest to in the case of untamed wildernesses. Once again, these stories are TRUE. If asked for a false story - whether bold-faced lie or innocent fiction - the map will begin by writing about the first person to tell this story, and the events leading up to its inspiration, then move on to the story itself as it was first told. Thus, various versions of stories may be accessed through their authors.
At face value, it is an impossibly detailed map drawn on an off-white piece of soft leather about 4 feet by 5 feet. There is a central map of all of Ifrai, a map of each half of the globe in each corner - Western Hemisphere in the Northwest, Eastern Hemisphere in the Southeast, Northern Hemisphere in the Northeast, and Southern Hemisphere in the Southwest. The map legend can be found at the Eastern end. Each map is bordered by brilliantly colored illuminations, and it is said that the names of all Ifrayan heroes can be found in those twisting patterns. Along the North side of the central map is Kathera's signature. Rianne's is along the Western side. Along the Southern side are written the words, "Tales make short the miles," in exquisite calligraphy.
The powers of the map only become evident when someone tries to use it. Anyone looking at it will see the level of detail he "needs." For example, if someone is looking at the kingdom of Ilrya he will find a well detailed vision of Ilrya with all its major cities, roads, and waterways. If he looks for the city of Wallshadow, he will see Wallshadow in full, with all its streets and buildings. Somehow, the viewer is able to see those impossibly tiny details. This is the same when looking for natural features; individual rocks and trees will be seen if the viewer is looking for them. The mighty magics that make this possible keep the map up to date. Most who pick up the map don't even realize this magical effect, since they only look for what one would reasonably expect on a world-map. The type of map can change, too, from political to geographic, topographical to economical, all depending on what the viewer is looking for. The legend on the bottom shifts accordingly, as well. Obviously, this function of the map is extremely useful. It provides a +20 to Survival checks in any surface wilderness for anyone who eventually understands the map, and any location can be shown except for underground and interior spaces. No people are ever shown on the map, unless put there as described below.
If anyone strikes the map with a weapon (if unarmed, determine if it was a strike meant to deal damage), they and all their equipment are drawn into the map and become part of the landscape. The map itself is indestructible. They may move about in this stylized version of the world, and may even affect others trapped with them normally. One day later, they will appear in the real world in whatever place they happen to be at that time. Once, the map was used to move an entire legion of troops on the other side of an orcish army. Nothing can remove a character prematurely. No, not wishes or divine interventions: nothing.
If rolled up, the map hardens and may be used as a quarterstaff for a medium-sized creature if rolled long-ways, small-sized creature if rolled short-ways. Rolling it in this way is a standard action that provokes an attack of opportunity. The previous ability of drawing people into the map does not work
Should anyone become curious about some area's past while holding the map, they will start to "remember" legends about that region. The map has actually given them that knowledge, but those who have received it recall it as if it was a story told to them long ago. They won't remember who told them the story- only that it was told VERY well. The tale told is the TRUTH, if a bit embellished for style, and may not be the version known to the general populace. This function provides a +20 on all Knowledge: Local, Knowledge: History, Knowledge: Nobility and any other Knowledge skill the DM may deem appropriate. All Bardic Lore attempts instantly succeed.
The two globes in the corners do not shift views, but they have a power all their own. If someone touches them together and speaks the words written along the Southern edge, they will be instantly transported to a surface location of their choosing (not indoors, though it can transport you onto a rooftop). The map can only take one person at a time, but this power is not subject to the usual teleportation error possibilities, since it is the MAP that knows the location, not the viewer.
On the reverse side of the map, there is a square of illumined border that usually has nothing inside of it. However, should someone look at it and ask for a story, the map will oblige, and the words of the story will begin writing themselves on the map in whatever language the character knows. If the character cannot read, they will still somehow understand the words. Behind the words, stylized images will play out the story for the viewer in great detail. If the reader asks for a specific tale, that's the one he'll get. If he simply asks for a story, the map will choose one from the area it is currently in, or closest to in the case of untamed wildernesses. Once again, these stories are TRUE. If asked for a false story - whether bold-faced lie or innocent fiction - the map will begin by writing about the first person to tell this story, and the events leading up to its inspiration, then move on to the story itself as it was first told. Thus, various versions of stories may be accessed through their authors.