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Public Notices / Re: Issues of the Conch Champion (For public reading)
« Last post by Fiverine on December 05, 2021, 06:25:11 am »The Conch Champion. Independent & Accurate, Always.
Exclusive Investigative Report
Reporter Peela Krellin has concluded an investigation into the strange artifacts known as "soulstones" or "soulgems". I commend her courage and diligence in this matter.
-R. Hurstport, owner and acting editor.
Stealers of Souls
Those acquainted with magical artifacts will surely already know of or have encountered the unsettling items known as soulstones. To the uneducated, one of these would seem to be a pretty gemstone of moderate value. But in truth they are disturbing creations into which the soul and essence of a killed sentient creature has been bound. Activating the stone will cause a magical effect, usually a physically enhancing one, but this can only be done three times. On the third use, the stone will crumble and the soul bound within obliterated forever. Most folk would consider such a deed utterly abhorrent, and yet increasingly these items are appearing in our markets. So presumably some have no qualms about their use.
The rulers of West Conch, Diiri's Boys, have effectively used these soulstones to seize and retain their dominance of the slums. As District Authorities, that is entirely their right and their business. But one would have to wonder if their use by the Boys has played a role in these once rare items being regularly found in the Conch area. If the soulstones were to be entirely in the hands of their employees perhaps there would be little cause to worry, unless you were their enemy of course. But increasingly soulstones are falling into other hands.
A concerned parent recently wrote to this newspaper saying her child found one when collecting rocks. The parent accidentally triggered the stone's power. Initially confused, they were horrified when they took the soulstone to a priest who explained the nature of it. The parent was frightened that someone would come after them or their child for having possession of and using such an item. Adventurers have also been known to collect or carry soulstones, either to use them or hand them over to priests in hopes of releasing the trapped soul. They have been finding soulstones in the possession of monsters and bandits. Many sellers in the market district told this reporter that more soulstones than ever are being sold to them by adventurers, scavengers and traders. Interestingly not all of these soulstones are genuine but many are.
There is little consensus on how these soulstones are made, or by whom. Evidently Diiri's Boys have some insight into their creation, but it is also likely that any powerful arcanist could learn the necessary artifice. It is said that rival gangs are also seeking the secrets of their creation. But should such cruelly created items be allowed in the possession of anyone outside District Authorities? Do religious institutions have a responsibility to intervene when the destruction of souls is the ultimate result? I make no judgement, but simply report these facts for the reader to decide.
-P. Krellin, reporter.