The Risen Comet
(Site; Mt. Celestia/Lunia)
written by Heiner de Wendt
Description. This site is actually a giant crater, about two miles
in diameter, with a perfectly beautiful jewel in its center. This jewel seems to be about 30 feet in diameter itself, although some
of the archons dwelling near here know it is far larger, most of it buried in the ground.
Whoever approaches the crater is covered in light that's broken into a billion colorful rays; beings who stand at the crater seem to
become living, always-moving rainbows, softly touched by the jewel's reflections of Lunia's stars and moonlight.
These reflections aren't so strong that they can hurt the eye, but many a traveller was hurt in his soul when he had to
leave this place of beauty. Nearly everyone who's ever seen this place comes back here again and again,
becoming half-addicted to its wondrous aesthetics.
Special Features. Those who are covered in the jewel's rainbow light
for at least an hour are infused with such an understanding of the beauty of colours that they may gain the proficiency of Artwork
(Painting). For each hour they see this light, they may make a wisdom check to see if they reach the understanding needed for this. Someone
who already has the proficiency can reach a higher state of understanding, gaining one more
point in this proficiency. Furthermore, someone who's gained this insight is so talented in the
use of colours that he can make a particularly beautiful piece of art every time he rolls a 1,2 or 3 during a proficiency check (instead of
only when rolling a 1 on the d20). Also note, though, that such characters tend to become
perfectionists of art, and often throw away good results of their art, accepting
only the very best. They strive to create something as beautiful as the Risen Comet, yet knowing they will surely never manage it. For
every month that has passed without them seeing the Risen Comet again, they have to make a Wisdom Check or feel a strong urge to return. Yet,
they can choose not to return, but all wisdom-related dice rolls get a penalty of one point. This penalty accumulates each month the Wisdom
Check fails; if the penalty becomes as high as the character's wisdom, he's got to try ANYTHING (without violating his alignment, that is) to
return to the Risen Comet.
The Chant. The archons and aasimon of Mt. Celestia usually keep mortals
away from the Risen Comet, though they allow those of particular high wisdom (16 or higher) to approach, warning them of its dangers before.
If they see that someone's got addicted by the place, they usually cast a spell on the person to clear the memories of this utter beauty.
There are things on Mt. Celestia which just were never meant to be seen
my mortal eyes. What exactly the Risen Comet is, and where it got its name from, the
petitioners and proxies of Mt. Celestia aren't willing to tell. Some of them already admitted that they do know, and countless lantern
archons travel to this site to gain further insight (indeed, most of those who've been here soon after reach the next step in the
Paths they go). During a baatezu attack, it was proven that the Risen Comet holds even more secrets than it was speculated, for both sides
fought for the Risen Comet with such passionate fury that a few
mortals who behold the battle already thought the time of the last battle of the multiverse had come, and the
forces of Good and Evil would now clash until one side was utterly wiped out. Although this event happened more than ten thousand years ago, it is
still a story that is told again and again in Lunia. Those archons and aasimon who died during the attack are revered highly, and each
single name of the defenders is still known by people here. Considering that a few thousands of the servants of light have been slain that day,
this is indeed impressive.