Profiles in Magic, Volume Seven
Penelope: As Eternal as the Stars
Heritage Monographs, the official press of the Moon Mage Guild, is proud to
present the seventh volume in the ongoing Profiles in Magic series. The information
within these volumes has been thoroughly researched by the most intense magical
scryings as well as diligent reading of the most ancient tomes, and has been
compiled by a dedicated staff of Guild scholars.
This volume details the extraordinary life, and death, of the lich known only
as Penelope, or Lady P. Her enormous contributions to the fields of magic and
prophecy serve as proof to all that the love of knowledge can stretch beyond
the grave.
Chapter One: The Ancient Scholar
In truth, not much is known about the Lady's origins. She never spoke much of
it, there are no records, and magical scrying has turned up nothing about her.
Penelope lived in a time long ago, though, that much is known, long before the
formation of the Seven-Starred Empire. It is also believed that she lived far
from our Five Provinces, perhaps on another continent. Regardless, we know that
she is ancient beyond measure, and that at some point before our recorded history,
she was killed. P existed as an undead lich, though one of the strangest kind:
she did not know she was undead. In fact, she was quite insistent that she was
alive, and expressed utter shock when one called her dead.
Penelope's life before the old Empire remains, and probably always will remain,
cloaked in total mystery. Penelope is known to have lived in the Empire while
it existed, though, and our tale begins there. She is known to have been an
astrologer of exceptional skill, and concentrated much of her studies on the
phenomenon known as the Bloodworm Comet. The red comet occasionally appears
in the constellation of the Mongoose, usually as an omen to great upheaval or
a threat to the power of the gods (the Mongoose is the emblem of Rutilor, the
defender of the gods).
One of the most notable appearances of the comet was during the reign of Emperor
Chezarek. The Emperor, recognizing the limitations of his power on the throne
and knowing he would be forced to give it up in seven years, the Emperor attempted
to summon a powerful creature of darkness. Chezarek expected to use the demon
to enhance his power, but instead the beast turned on him. Chezarek was killed
by the same power he had attempted to control. The creature escaped and it was
only through the efforts of a nearby order of Tezirites that it was again banished.
Shortly after this, the comet vanished from the heavens. Over the course of
the centuries, the Bloodworm visited the Elanthian skies several more times,
and chaos always followed it.
Penelope took on a mantle of guidance upon the formation of the Moon Mage Guild,
often teaching notable figures throughout the Guild's history such as Sanyrsen
Astoshe, Mortom Saist, and Taramaine Braun. Lady Penelope also befriended and
became quite close with the renowned Demosel Dez'Madielle, and the two often
shared stories and knowledge with each other after their chance meeting.
Chapter Two: Penelope's Life with the Moon Mage Guild
Penelope is known to have kept on her person at least two artifacts. One was
a gold ring of unknown origin. According to Penelope, the ring was a magical
method of teleportation. It is the only such artifact known to exist. Another
treasure of this lich was a small music box. This music box is said to have
played the sounds of the souls of children. In addition, any living being who
came into contact with the music box was driven insane, making it extraordinarily
dangerous. Due to her undead status, Penelope was protected from this mysterious
effect. Where Penelope acquired this music box is uncertain, but there are records
in the deepest archives of Throne City showing that the Guild once held a similar
device.
Penelope's other contributions to the Moon Mage Guild are immense. Though she
never wrote any texts herself, the teachings she passed on to her students as
well as personal interviews conducted by official Guild scribes served as a
foundation for countless reference materials which are still in use today for
magical research as well as the painstaking translations of pre-Imperial scrolls.
Her most famous work in this regard is the ten year effort that was the translation
and restoration of the infamous book known as "Phelim's Aegis." Written
by one of the founders of the Celestial Compact, long before Jares Braun ever
journeyed to Throne City, the Aegis was passed down amongst the leadership of
the Compact throughout the centuries. Phelim's Aegis was the foremost text for
knowledge of heavenly enchanting possessed by the Celestial Compact. Shortly
after the signing of the Lunar Accord, Phelim's Aegis was believed to have been
lost when the faroff Guildhall safekeeping the text was destroyed in an immense
fire. Though other precious treasures of the Guild vanished with the ruination
of the Aluandi Hall, Phelim's Aegis was by far the most valuable.
When the Aluandi Hall was recently unearthed by a Guild expeditionary team,
the long process of a careful excavation began. The rebuilding and restoration
of Aluandi was fraught with dangers, and had to be done most delicately, as
even the slightest miscalculation could damage the work. During this project,
Phelim's Aegis was discovered. The book was barely legible, as it had been badly
charred by fire and time. Eager to salvage as much knowledge as they could from
the once-lost book, the High Council formed an elite team to begin the process
of piecing together the text and translating it. At the behest of Grandmaster
Taramaine, Penelope led this project with an untold dedication and wisdom. Though
only a few scraps of magical knowledge could be dredged forth from the book's
scarred pages, the words of the Aegis enhanced the Guild's abilities of enchantment
a hundredfold. The remains of Phelim's Aegis are held now in the Inner Sanctum
of Throne City, there surrounded by physical and magical wards to keep all but
those with the highest authority from nearing it, as the tiniest carelessness
could devastate the fragile pages of the book.
Chapter Three: The Death of a Lich
Penelope again took on the mantle of teacher, as she began visiting with and
instructing the students of the Guild, befriending many. It was during this
time that she met the Fateweaver Demosel. It certainly appeared as though, with
her work with the Guild students, Penelope would groom the next generation of
the Moon Mage Guild's leaders.
In the year 351, Penelope was killed by a man named Kellior, seemingly a Paladin
leading other holy warriors against a lich. The truth of the matter is that
Kellior himself was undead and tricked the Paladins, a fact which was revealed
upon Kellior's death at the hands of Demosel, who sought to avenge her friend's
murder. Penelope's precious music box artifact was lost in the depths of the
Obsidian Pass, and is believed to currently be held by the Mountain Elves, who
refuse to turn the powerful device over to the Moon Mage High Council, despite
constant requests. After her death, a memorial service was held for Penelope
at Ankis Dir, at which Grandmaster Taramaine spoke. Penelope was mourned by
Demosel, and even the Guild criminal, Grell. Her legacy lives in the teachings
she passed to her students as well as the texts she aiding in writing.