1. The Shattered Crown of Kings
Description: A crown once worn by an ancient king who united a vast empire. The crown was shattered into several pieces when the empire fell, and each piece is now held by different rival factions, each claiming to be the true heir to the throne. This was the first place to be destroyed in the Great Battle of the First Age.
Controversy: Scholars argue over who has the right to reunite the crown, as ancient texts are unclear about the true lineage of the kings. Different regions and factions claim the crown’s fragments as their own, leading to political and military conflict. Some even believe that reuniting the crown would bring back the old empire, while others fear it would awaken a terrible curse.
2. The Tablet of Prophecy
Description: A stone tablet said to contain a prophecy about the world’s future. However, the tablet is incomplete, and scholars have debated for centuries over the missing pieces, each interpreting the prophecy in radically different ways.
Controversy: Various religious and political groups claim that the tablet supports their agenda, often using it to justify wars, leadership changes, or societal upheaval. Some scholars believe that the missing pieces are deliberately hidden, while others think they were destroyed to prevent a dark future.
3. The Sword of the Fallen Star
Description: A blade forged from a meteorite that fell to the planet during the Second Age. The sword is said to have been wielded by an ancient hero who saved the world from a great evil.
Controversy: While some believe the sword belongs to the descendants of the hero, others claim that the blade has corrupted those who wield it, and that it was actually a tool of ancient evil. The sword’s true origins are shrouded in mystery, and some argue that it should be destroyed, while others think it could be a weapon of salvation in future conflicts.
4. The Scrolls of Eternity
Description: An ancient collection of scrolls said to contain the secrets of immortality. They were believed to have been written by an ancient race that vanished mysteriously. They were found by the quintum as they searched the parts of the Isles of Desolation that were still not underwater.
Controversy: While many scholars dismiss the scrolls as myths, some claim to have found fragments, leading to fierce debate over whether the knowledge should be shared with the world. Religious orders claim that immortality is a violation of natural law, while others seek the scrolls for personal gain. Conflicts arise over whether the scrolls are real, and if so, who deserves to hold them.
5. The Bones of Dragon-like Species
Description: Massive bones discovered in a remote mountain range, believed to be the remains of the first dragon-like species—a creature central to the mythology of many cultures in the world.
Controversy: Different races and kingdoms claim the bones as their heritage, and some argue over whether the creature was a benevolent god or a malevolent beast. There are also disputes over the bones’ potential power, with some believing they could be used to resurrect dragons, while others think they hold untold magical energy. Religious factions might view the bones as sacred relics, while others want to harness their power for war. There are questions as to whether the bones belong to a dragon or not because there is only one dragon that is known, and is alive. Some, especially the medes don’t believe they are bones of an actual dragon. This is because the dragon in Zalonia is one of the great beasts, and there is only one of each when it comes to great beasts, so there can be only one dragon.
6. The Everglass Chalice
Description: A mystical chalice said to grant eternal youth to anyone who drinks from it. The chalice is believed to have been used by an ancient royal family, but its origins are obscure.
Controversy: Some claim that the chalice is cursed, as every ruler who drank from it met a tragic end. Others view it as a symbol of power and immortality. Competing factions fight over its authenticity, with some calling it a forgery and others seeking to control its power. There is also debate about whether eternal youth should be wielded at all.
7. The Compass of the Lost Age
Description: An ancient, ornate compass said to guide its bearer to a lost city that holds unimaginable riches or ancient knowledge. However, it no longer points to a true direction, and only a few know how to decipher its movements.
Controversy: Explorers, adventurers, and nations all vie for control of the compass, each interpreting its movements differently. Some believe the lost city holds magical artifacts that could change the balance of power in the world, while others argue the city never existed and that the compass is a trap leading to doom. Theories abound about whether the compass was broken, enchanted, or never worked as intended.
8. The Staff of Ascension
Description: A powerful staff said to have been wielded by a god-like figure who ruled the world in ancient times. The staff is believed to bestow god-like powers on whoever holds it, but it has been lost for centuries. The staff is virtually indestructible. Magicians seek it out because they want to use it to add to their powers.
Controversy: Various religious and political groups claim that the staff belongs to them, and there are rumors that it has reappeared. Some factions argue that the staff’s power should never be used again, as it caused the downfall of the ancient civilization. Others believe it could bring peace and unity, leading to conflicts over who should wield it.
9. The Mask of the Betrayer
Description: A golden mask worn by an ancient figure who betrayed their people, leading to the downfall of an entire kingdom. Legends say that the mask holds the power of the betrayer’s spirit and can influence whoever wears it.
Controversy: The mask is found and passed between rulers and thieves alike, each claiming they are immune to its curse. Some believe the mask is a key to great power, while others think it will bring ruin to whoever possesses it. Different factions try to destroy it, while others see it as a tool to rewrite history or undo the betrayal.
10. The Mirror of Truth
Description: A large mirror said to reveal the true nature of anyone who looks into it. It was once held by a great king who used it to judge his people, but it has been lost for generations.
Controversy: When the mirror is rediscovered, some claim it is a forgery, while others believe it shows not just the truth of individuals but the truth of the world itself. People fear what the mirror might reveal about their leaders or their own dark secrets. Religious leaders might argue that only the gods should know the full truth, while rebels see it as a tool to expose corrupt rulers.
11. The Coin of Destiny
Description: An ancient coin said to determine the fate of empires. Whoever flips the coin will receive a prophecy or a vision of the future, but the outcomes are always ambiguous, leading to multiple interpretations.
Controversy: The coin is passed between rulers, adventurers, and fortune-seekers, each trying to use it to gain an edge. However, the vague and cryptic visions it provides cause as much chaos as clarity, leading to wars and betrayals based on different interpretations of the same vision.
12. The Book of Unwritten Tales
Description: A massive, ancient tome that is said to write itself, recording the deeds of those who are destined to change the world. The book’s pages are blank when first found, but it begins to write as events unfold.
Controversy: Different leaders and factions vie to control the book, each believing that their destiny is recorded within. Some see it as a divine oracle, while others think it is cursed and will doom those who seek to fulfill the prophecies it contains. There are also rumors that the book can be manipulated or rewritten by those with the right knowledge.
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