Reflections on the Spontaneous Arcane Improvement of a Weapon

After the utter destruction of Guards-Captain Hannerty (he had a fine ear for music, I much regret his loss) we decided to make camp among the dunes near the ruined Inn. And while there we were harried by a local Lich and his demonic consort. A heated battle culminated with my dagger thrust into the Lich's brittle chest. As the Lich crumbled, I felt an expulsion of malignant energy and, afterwards, I was pleased to discover that the dagger had spontaneously improved: it was lighter and more wieldly and, upon arcane inspection, I saw it had gained a necrotic aspect. It was no longer suitable for use as my camp knife, turning meat sour at the slightest touch, but was quite fit for battle.

This is an example of what I call the Natural Ritual, in this case a ritual of enchantment enacted by battle and death. The majority of the Learned Rituals are probably Natural Rituals which some beneficent soul has observed, abstracted, and set to paper. More magic is unknown than will ever be known, much as it might fret my colleagues to admit this. We need only look to the humble Sorcerer, who wields magic despite his ignorance, to see this personified.

With my curiosity aroused, I set out with our scout and secured the Lich's phylactery. I kept this with us and, every week or so when the Lich reappeared, I would dispatch him again with a fresh knife. Sadly, despite dozens of trials, I was never able to recreate the exact circumstance of the initial encounter. Perhaps there is an element of urgency which is required.

The Lich grew quite tired of me before all was done.

Excepted from Sokeus, Sta "Dropping the Lance" The Annals of the Expeditionary of the Lyceum Arcana CXIX.2