Nations on the Brink (storyline)/Dusty Box Contents (summary)

Contents of the Dusty Box

Look Box

 Displaying signs of both water and fire damage, the box is dusty and old.  Warped boards line the sides where an ink-smeared, illegible label is beginning to peel off.

Look in Box

 Peering into a dusty box, you see scattered parchment and pages that show clear signs of either water or fire damage.

a scrap of ink-stained paper
Poisons and Diseases of the Blood
This comprehensive guide describes known causes of death or affliction due to specific poisons or diseases found in the blood of their victims. While some of these poisons or diseases can be naturally occurring, either through sepsis of the blood or damaged organs, a large portion of them are introduced by external methods.

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While the Aldoran Stonetenders have had amazing success with natural poisons and diseases, it is the supernatural ones that have happened much of their efforts to cleanse the blood of a victim. Indeed, many traditional remedies that would work for snakebites or gangrene end up not only be ineffective but seem to worsen the illness.

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Mayapple root, also known as ground lemon or Jontarian mandrake, usually is the cause of Sonorous Syndrome in the northern hemisphere during the very edible fruits harvest period. While small doses can aid someone in sleeping if they are fitful, the root is highly addictive. The issue comes when the root is mistaken for that of saxifrage, which can aid in skin toning and has properties known to aid in breaking up kidney stones.

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Water seems to be key in dealing with these types of supernatural infections. Indeed, the closer to the initial infection point one can get the better. Unfortunately, the constitution of some individuals is not strong enough, due to the infection, to withstand the physical stress of having their flesh parted to the bone. Many do not make it through initial treatment.

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Despite the initial scouring of the wound or infection sight, the disease or poison can linger, which is why the Aldoran Stonetenders have found that use of their crystals is needed to keep it at bay long enough for the body to allow the body to produce infection-fighting humors.

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Several supernatural diseases and poisons require their one brand of magical or faith-based treatments beyond those of medicinal or alchemical sources. The typical solution is that opposites repel, meaning that the primary source must be known. For example, to soothe fire, you need water. To release the Bite of Arachne, you need the blessing of the Huntress. These are only basic examples, but the intent is clear.

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When the potency of a healing stone needs to be increased for multiple uses or for persistent disease or poisons, then an alchemical bath of crushed corresponding crystals can add the Stonetender. This is true for any of the healing arts within their domain but is especially important for supernatural maladies.

an illegible wrinkled paper
Soot and ash cling to the paper, while exposure to water has destroyed all evidence of writing across its wrinkled surface.

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Mother told me to learn the words well-
Mother told me to sit and listen a spell.
Heed the seer-stone on thy brow -
Learn its songs that answer why and how.

a scrap of dusty parchment
Amber in your pocket, you'll always come home-
Agate in your pocket, and to Gosaena you'll roam.
To cure your diseases always see Alabaster -
Give sobriety an Amethyst to avoid Disaster.

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Sympathy and trust go to the aquamarine -
And prosperity and strength to aventurine.
If Beryl gives you weakness of spirit -
Then Alexandrite gives you the peace to bear it.

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Bloodstones protects against all foul magic -
While Carbuncle is purely necromantic.
Chalcedony is all about mercy and kindness -
While Chrysoberyl is the foul spirit that binds us.

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Chrysoprase will cure you of painful ailments-
And Coral will protect you from the elements.
Coredelite is a weak-watered dish-
But Deathstone is an ill-begotten wish.

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Despanal will give you skill and power-
Yet, it's Diamond that allows it to flower.
If Demons you fear then of Diopside beware-
So too of black Diopside if you despair.

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Blue Dreamstone makes an understanding wish-
And Feystone speaks of only the foolish.
Emerald can offer you poison protection-
But Firestone is Disaster's Prediction.

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Dark Garnet is the tool of deep Passions-
While blue Geode is an empathic distraction.
If mental prowess you seek, then try glimaerstone-
Find Heliodor to gain control of your own.

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Brown Jade gives you the Arkati's Blessings-
But black Jasper is an unreliable assessing.
A gift of jet is a blessing of Shadow's Dance-
And Labradorite is protection from chance.

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Lapis lazuli reduces fever or body ache-
But always use malachite when forgiveness is at stake.
In Sapphire you'll find Niima's graceful elation-
And in moonstone a hidden secret spell's revelation.

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Morganite means a child is harmed-
But in obsidian with Onar you are armed.
Opal screams madness, and Pyrite claims False-
Quartz begs you to the shadows a waltz.

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Use a black Pearl to dispel Sardonyx's troubled Spirits.
And blue Peridot absorbs anything near it.
Summon strength in Rhodochrosite-
And a Ruby means your heart is in sight.

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A Sard gives a false sense of security-
While Shimmertine speaks of your Fragility.
Tiny sapphire eases a lonesome mind-
And violet Spinel will heal it in kind.

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Tigerfang speaks of Transformation-
And white Starstone of Divination.
Sunstone is strength, but Topaz is cautious.
And pale to Tourmaline which makes you nauseous.

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Find meaning in stones, she bade me to do-
But always use your heart to find the one that's true.
Her words I will pass down, in needle and thread.
But her memory, I beg you, keep in your heart and your head.$R"