Ghostglass, Siggravian Eye
The quartz lenses called ghostglasses are spiritual relics from the Age of Uroghosh. Very few remain functional or intact.
Overview
Description
A ghostglass is a cloudy but mostly transparent quartz lens the size of a human palm. Both sides are convex. The uneven, smooth edges suggest careful but inexpert carving a very long time ago.
Effect
"Hello in there."
-Harrier Wren to the demon Xiahael the Unforgivable, while peering into his host's eye with a ghostglass
-Harrier Wren to the demon Xiahael the Unforgivable, while peering into his host's eye with a ghostglass
The cloudy view through a ghostglass reveals the presence of spirits and other incorporeal beings, though not in any great level of detail. Up close, one might get a look at their faces or a better sense of their natures or desires. A view of a haunted house might indicate the general hauntedness of said house, maybe centred on a specific room.
As people are constantly dying in cities, a good deal of wispy visual clutter makes the ghostglass view even foggier than normal inside any given city.
Each time one uses a ghostglass, one becomes a little more perceptible, interesting, and/or appetizing to incorporeal beings. The necromancer Harrier Wren, who carries a ghostglass habitually, has suffered many ill effects from this cost (though of course she's also turned it to her advantage more than once).
A ghostglass held up against a mirror can allow self-examination of the 'oh dear I appear to be possessed' variety.
History
Background
A ghostglass is, of course, a necromantic tool, but necromancy in its broadest sense. Its fundamental task is to point out the presence of spirits and other incorporeal beings so the user can avoid them, honor them, speak with them, and/or bind them. It's as likely to be used by an exorcist, by a priest, or by someone with no magical aptitude whatsoever as by a necromancer. This has been the case for centuries, though ghostglasses are rare.
Lore
There's a folktale in the Bhathairk region: an orkish elder named Siggrav, known for communing with the dead, tore out his own eye as a gift for his son. This tale is why ghostglasses are also known as Siggravian Eyes.
It's said that the ghostglasses were already old during the Age of Wonders, and that the legendary crafter Dhukav fitted one to a farseeing telescope so he could ring a bell at the exact moment when a great rival died.
More than one religion has fitted a ghostglass to a staff, a helm, or a spectacle frame of some kind as part of its ritual vestments.
The necromancer Khalldryn is believed to have visited Bhathairk long ago in search of a ghostglass. Whether he found it is a matter of debate.
In the Age of Chronicles, the necromancer Harrier Wren is known to carry a ghostglass.
It's said that the ghostglasses were already old during the Age of Wonders, and that the legendary crafter Dhukav fitted one to a farseeing telescope so he could ring a bell at the exact moment when a great rival died.
More than one religion has fitted a ghostglass to a staff, a helm, or a spectacle frame of some kind as part of its ritual vestments.
The necromancer Khalldryn is believed to have visited Bhathairk long ago in search of a ghostglass. Whether he found it is a matter of debate.
In the Age of Chronicles, the necromancer Harrier Wren is known to carry a ghostglass.