Ikarrak
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Ikarrak, or Vision Rock, is a method of divination employed by certain members of the giantman Araime Sun Clan. Ikarrak are comprised of a basket or similar container with multiple runestones inside. Most Ikarrak allow for 3 runestones to be drawn at once, however higher "tier" baskets have been made available allowing for greater quantities of runestones to be drawn at a single time. This is the only distinguishing feature between tiers. The runestones held within draw from the same pool no matter how many can be pulled from it from at once. Due to its origins, the Ikarrak can be used only by giantman characters. Ikarrak have been made available occasionally, including most recently sold at the Kindred Games in 2023. AnalyzeA bone-toggled woven seagrass basket is a scrying device that is able to cast three runestones at once. Usage
Additional InformationLearningThis art is taught by the pairing of a mentor with an apprentice and follows various stages as any other craft does. Those interested, or those gifted as is usually the case, are paired with their mentor at a relatively young age and begin minor tasks that will guide them on a path to understanding the runestones. The apprentice learns through observation, study, and by the completion of tasks set forth by the mentor. The process can take many years and be filled with tasks whereby the apprentice never knows if they have achieved their mastery until they are specifically given that title. Indeed, in this unit there is no rank other then mentor and apprentice. When an apprentice is finally given the title of mentor it can frequently be said that the bond between the pairing has grown to such a degree that the apprentice will only accept the title of mentor when his or her own is no longer able to complete the task of divination. It is only then that the apprentice will become the mentor and take on an apprentice of their own, while frequently providing care for their own mentor in the case of old age. Part of learning this art is not confined to the ability to memorize what each rune on the stones mean, but in the ability to create the runes and their place in clan life. Typically, the mentor will provide services for the band they travel with that range from inscribing runes on items of value to blessing and then, of course, the service of divination. ScryingTypically, and most frequently, the runestones are found contained in a basket woven of natural, yet stiff, material. Fronds, river reeds, sea grasses, and other pliable but firm items are used in its creation and then dyed to colors that are appealing to the practitioner. The stones are also natural and it can be understood that a mentor and apprentice will search their entire lives for smooth stones that are uniform to one another. Once a set of forty-two identical or nearly identical stones is accumulated they are painted with symbols that fall into four categories - Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Translation of the stones varies very little amongst the Ariame Clan, though many of the other clans have either their own complete set of translations or an adaptation of the base translation that the Ariame use. And while there are forty-two stones painted for this use, it is not confined to only forty-two translations, for if the rune is drawn upside-down, or inverted as the practitioners favor, then there is a completely different meaning for the stone. This allows that there are a grand total of eighty-four possible outcomes for one basket. However, the runestones are never drawn alone. Depending upon the elemental magics used to bond a basket to its owner, the runestones are frequently drawn in groups of three, six, and nine. Each of these groups is read as a whole and not alone. For example, the Blizzard Rune has a meaning of clearance, testing, karmic lessons, but reversed it means drastic changes. It is part of the Air Family.
AppearanceOne example of an Ikarrak is as follows: a bone-toggled woven black ash basket Woven of thin strips of black ash, the basket is simple, yet sturdy. Dangling decoratively from its surface, small bluejay feathers and bits of bone are suspended from short sinew cords. The toggle is made from what looks like a goblin finger bone. See Also |
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