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The Luminaris Seals

In the realm of Endórëmar, where the enigmatic dance between magic and reality never ceased, The Luminaris Seals stand as monumental testaments to elven ingenuity and foresight. As portals between realms became a growing concern, the Guardians of Endórëmar recognized the need for a lasting solution.   Drawing inspiration from the protective Luminaris Veil Constellation that shone brilliantly in the skies above, the elves conceived the idea of the Luminaris Seals. These were not mere markers or symbols, but intricate mechanisms designed to protect the very fabric of the world.  
Construction:
Each seal's construction was a painstaking process that combined the arcane arts with the natural wonders of Endórëmar. The seals were shaped from pure obsidian, a material known for its potency in magic absorption and reflection. At the heart of every seal, a meticulous carving of the Luminaris Veil Constellation was etched, connecting each seal to the protective energies of the stars.   Táristones, previously used to forge portals, were repurposed and set at the base of each seal, played a crucial role. They were charged with vast amounts of magical energy and, over time, would release this energy in a controlled manner. This slow release maintained the seals' functions, ensuring that any disruptive magical forces or potential portals would be neutralized.  
Appearance:
Standing at around three meters tall, each seal had a monolithic presence. The black obsidian surface shimmered with a starry sheen, making it seem as if a piece of the night sky had been carved and placed upon the earth. The meticulous carving of the Luminaris Veil Constellation at its heart would glow faintly, a luminescence that intensified whenever the seal was actively neutralizing a magical disturbance.   Around the base, the Táristones, would pulse softly. Its glow, usually a serene blue, would fluctuate depending on the amount of magic it was currently dispersing or absorbing.  
The Temporal Lock
Building upon the Luminaris Veil Constellation's protective energies, a ritual was conceived, known as the Temporal Lock. This ritual tethered each seal's existence to specific astronomical alignments, rendering them nearly imperceptible and unreachable in their off-cycles. Essentially, the seals would phase out of time, only to phase back in when the stars and planets aligned in the prescribed manner. This cyclical existence, while baffling to many, ensured the seals' protection from interference.  
Functionality:
The primary purpose of the Luminaris Seals was to detect and neutralize any unwarranted magical disruptions, be it the emergence of a portal or any other form of arcane anomaly. Drawing power from the Táristones, each seal created a protective sphere of influence in its vicinity. Within this sphere, the ambient magic of the world was stabilized, and any external magical intrusion was instantly counteracted. When a portal or a rift tried to form within a seal's influence, the seal would absorb the disruptive energy, and over time disperse this energy back into the world in a harmless form.  
The Global Harmony
In the meticulous design of the Luminaris Seals, the Guardians had a grander vision in mind than just the protection of the continent of Tathariel. The placement, while seemingly random, was astutely aligned with the Luminaris Veil Constellation. This celestial mirror created an arcane bridge that resonated far beyond the physical reach of the seals.   Each seal acted as a node in this vast global network, transmitting its energy to its counterparts, and consequently weaving an interconnected mesh of protective barriers. As one seal absorbed and stabilized the magical forces within its immediate vicinity, it channeled surplus energy to the next, building a chain of amplification.   When fully synchronized, this cascade of energies emanating from all sixteen seals merged, enveloping the entire world. This blanket of energy served as an arcane shield, repelling any external magical disturbances and preventing the emergence of unwanted portals not just on Tathariel, but across every continent, even those untouched by elven influence.   The brilliance of this system lay in its self-sustaining nature. As long as every seal was operational, they maintained a global equilibrium, ensuring that the entire world was safeguarded from the whims and volatilities of unchecked magical forces.  
End Note
However, the seals weren't infallible. Over decades, the Táristones would deplete and require recharging. This task fell upon the Guardians, who would periodically embark on expeditions to replenish the crystals, ensuring the seals' continued operation.   Through the creation of the Luminaris Seals, the elves hoped to bestow upon Endórëmar a lasting shield against the unpredictable whims of magic. A bulwark against the unknown, the seals remain an enduring symbol of the elven legacy of protection and foresight.
The Shrouded Path
The 10th cycle of Year 847. A Guardian party set out to recharge the Cerro Seal, hidden deep within the mountain range of Titan's Ridge. The journey was routine—until it wasn’t.   Weeks passed with no word. When the Guardians finally returned, only four of the original nine remained. Their leader, Elenvar, bore a crystalline scar across his temple—a mark none had seen before.   They spoke of an anomaly near the seal: a rift trying to force itself open, struggling against the seal’s influence like a beast gnawing at its chains. One Guardian stood too close during the resonance phase and was unwoven—his body collapsed into motes of light that faded before they touched the ground.   The Táristone was successfully recharged, but the survivors never returned to the field again.
“We didn’t lose him to death. We lost him to something that didn’t understand what death is.”
— Elenvar, weeks later
The Lock That Wasn’t
Abandoned Designs Before the Temporal Lock
Before the ritual that created the Temporal Lock, the Guardians explored other methods to protect the Luminaris Seals from interference:   Living Wards: Golems and enchanted beasts were tested as roaming defenders, bound to each seal. But they required constant magical upkeep, and some became hostile to elves themselves over time.  
  Memory Veils: A mental fog meant to hide the seals from memory and map alike. While initially promising, prolonged exposure caused disorientation in passing travelers—and once, in a Guardian patrol who forgot their own purpose.   Unseen Flame: A cloaking field woven from Lírilindë and thermal currents. Beautiful, but unstable. The wind alone could reveal the seal’s silhouette, breaking the illusion.   Ultimately, it was Aerendil of the Southern Reach who proposed syncing the seals to celestial alignment. It was elegant, self-sustaining, and beyond the reach of interference.
Historic event: The Luminaris Seals


Cover image: by This image was created with the assistance of DALL·E 2

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