Amulet of Atrops

Category: Cursed Artifact / Lost Object of Power
Current Status: Missing or Sealed — Last Verified Sighting: Kingdom of Su, 46 BFE

Physical Description
The Amulet of Atrops is said to be a pendant forged from an obsidian-like substance that absorbs light unnaturally. Its surface is etched with undeciphered runes of unknown origin, which are reported to emit a dull green glow. At its center lies a blood-red gem, approximately the size of a clenched fist, which pulses faintly as though alive.

Eyewitness accounts describe a suffocating aura around the artifact — one capable of inducing nausea, confusion, or even fear in untrained Weave-sensitives.

Alleged Properties
Most knowledge of the amulet’s function remains theoretical, drawn from incomplete writings, combat reports, and post-war testimonials. Among its most widely believed capabilities:

• Magical Absorption – Thought to draw Weave-based energy into itself, functioning as a reservoir of magical power.
• Will Projection – Some believe it allows the user to bind lesser magical entities or illusions through force of will alone.

No conclusive studies of the artifact exist, and it has never been willingly surrendered for academic review.

Historical Context
Most scholars agree the artifact emerged during the Second Suian War (46 BFE), likely forged under the influence of the now-extinct Cult of Atrops. The amulet appeared in the possession of King Kylok of Su, whose rapid and brutal accumulation of power during the war remains unexplained by conventional means.

Following the fall of Kylok’s regime and the collapse of Su's war effort, the amulet was believed lost or sealed. No confirmed sightings have occurred since the war's end, though rumors persist in some border realms.

Legacy and Controversy
The Amulet of Atrops is widely regarded as a cautionary symbol — a relic tied to ambition, corruption, and catastrophe. Imperial edicts forbid its possession, study, or trade. The Council of 75 has designated it a Black-Class Prohibited Artifact, subject to immediate seizure.

Conspiracy theories suggest the artifact still exists, hidden or locked away. Some factions believe it to be active, used in secret wars or power rituals. Others view it as a myth woven from grief and war propaganda.

Cultural Notes

• Children’s cautionary tales in Su often feature “The Black Gem,” which feeds on lies and betrayal.
• The symbol of the amulet is used in warning sigils across multiple magical academies.
• Popular plays romanticize the fall of King Kylok and the supposed “redemption” arc of those who seek to destroy the amulet.