The Star-Born

Written by Wizard Drenore

There are some in the world known as Star-Born. As both a wizard who studies magic and a researcher with a knowledge of medicine, I was filled with an earnest desire to study these individuals known solely through rumor. However, it proved difficult to meet anyone in possession of a Star Fragment, so I have settled for compiling the second-hand knowledge I gathered while traveling through Solisium.

1. A Star Fragment has no substance in a physical sense when present in the body.
If there was such a substance, the Star Fragment bearers would most certainly develop symptoms akin to gallstones or present some other physical telltale sign! This is a reasonable assumption, considering that Star-Born live without any such inflammation or pain. However, eyewitness accounts report that, when one who bears a Star Fragment passes away, they leave it behind, in physical form, as some kind of glass fragment or other gemstone. The mechanisms behind this phenomenon have yet to be determined.

2. Those who possess Star Fragments also tend to possess powerful magical abilities.
Those with strong magical abilities do not necessarily possess Star Fragments, but the reverse is usually true. However, the power of the Star Fragment is latent, and there is a great difference between one who has activated this power and one who has not. One who does not activate the power of the Star Fragment within them may pass through their entire life ignorant to its existence. In most cases, this power is said to manifest for the first time when under enormous stress or in the face of grave danger.

3. There is a difference in the amount of power possessed by each Star Fragment bearer.
Even though Star Fragments do not exist in physical form within the body, the amount of magical power possessed by a Star-Born varies wildly. It seems to be based on the original size of the fragment in possession. While Star-Born have stronger magical abilities than any ordinary individual, some do not significantly surpass the talents of an ordinary wizard. Others, however, have tremendous magical power despite not being wizards themselves. This is a field of study that I would like to research further, focusing particularly how circumstances, the environment, and the means by which bearers come into the possession of a Star Fragment influence their level of power.

4. The magical power produced by Star Fragments appears visually as a purple light.
In general, magical power is typically not recognized optically until it is activated in the form of a spell. However, it is understood that the magical power emanating from Star Fragments gives off a remarkable purple light, unlike ordinary magic. It has been argued that this is due to the influence of the goddess Sylaveth's power. However, this does not stand to reason given that Einar priests do not give off such a light when using their own magical abilities. The proper response would be to consider this a mystery until further evidence is revealed. One of the hypotheses of my colleague, Wizard Danes, which is worth considering is that the magical power emitted by Star Fragments contains an optically stimulating element.

5. Star Fragments have a tendency to readily cause mana frenzy.
This has been statistically revealed through previous studies. Star Fragments have not only been discovered in humans, but also in the bodies of monsters. It has been observed that all monsters found to have possessed Star Fragments were subject to gigantism or extremely vicious behavior.

In addition, there are records among humans that state excessive amounts of magical power used through a Star Fragment causes mana frenzy, which can lead to partial physical mutation. Such mutations are not natural magical phenomena, but similar to the frenzy of elemental spirits and therefore presumed to be the result of mana frenzy.

Such phenomena have made Star Fragments a subject of great interest for wizards. However, the Arkeum Legion, which currently controls many areas of Solisium, has also displayed a great interest in monsters and humans possessing Star Fragments. As a result, Star Fragment bearers often feel threatened. Most have elected to go into hiding or keep their abilities secret. This veil over the facts is unfortunate for magic researchers.

It is here that I, Wizard Drenore, a proud graduate of Venelux, reveal to the world the fruits of my research on the Star Fragments so that I may enlighten the world.
Those who have gone into hiding for fear of Arkeum, if you read this book, please come find me, Wizard Drenore. It is from the ashes of fear that knowledge is born. I am willing to pay sufficient compensation to those who assist in my research. If even one person comes to help me pave this new path for the world, then my efforts to share my knowledge will not have been in vain.