Bat magic is a fascinating topic that often conjures up images of mystery and wonder. Bats have long been associated with magic and supernatural powers in various cultures around the world. The nocturnal nature of bats, combined with their unique ability to fly, led many to believe that they possessed mystical qualities. In ancient times, bats were often seen as messengers between the spiritual and physical realms. They were believed to have the power to communicate with the dead and bring messages from the other side. In some cultures, bats were even considered to be sacred animals, representing the divine and the mysterious.
This spell created an invisible, weightless whip of hard-edged air extending from a limb of the caster. With this construct, the caster could strike with his normal BAB at one chosen opponent, dealing 2 points of damage per level per successful attack. In any round in which the wind lash successfully struck, the target had to make a Dexterity check DC 15 or be hurled to the ground, taking an additional 1 point of damage.
The caster could switch targets at will, but switching targets consumed a round, during which time no one could be attacked by the wind lash. The nature of the wind lash was such that only the chosen target was struck. Other beings were aware of the spell because it emitted snarling wind noises and sometimes blew away small, light objects such as cap-feathers and parchments that were not securely gripped (but they suffered no damage). If the spellcaster cast another spell while this spell was still in effect, the wind lash dissipated immediately. A wind lash- wielder could employ magical items simultaneously with a lash if they could be wielded with one hand.
Other beings were aware of the spell because it emitted snarling wind noises and sometimes blew away small, light objects such as cap-feathers and parchments that were not securely gripped but they suffered no damage. As his body fell, his stony eyes, still shimmering with the last glint of godly omniscience, caught a glimpse of the cities of Netheril smashing to the ground, killing all their inhabitants.
In some cultures, bats were even considered to be sacred animals, representing the divine and the mysterious. The association between bats and magic is also evident in folklore and mythology. In European folklore, bats were often portrayed as witches' familiars, companions that aided witches in their magical endeavors.
Netherik empire of magic
"Finally, without warning or preamble, Larloch, the Shadow King, revealed the secret past of Netheril." Netheril: The Empire of Magic
So begins the first book in the Netheril boxed set, so begins the Netheril story. The Netheril Empire was located where the Anauroch -- that strange desert in the other wise green and frequently frosty north -- is now located in the modern period of the Forgotten Realms setting. In many ways, the desert is the scorch mark they left when their empire fell. The boxed set was published several years ago and was the first of the Arcane Age supplements. All told it is interesting and despite a few errors worth the money.
"The year 326 marked one of the most important dates in Netheril's history � the discovery of the nether scrolls." Netheril: The Empire of Magic
The boxed set contains two books and two maps, with the two books totaling about 158 pages. Each map is printed on both sides. The first shows Netheril at its height on one side and its frontier on the other � the frontier is Savage North in the current setting. The second map shows Netheril shortly before its collapse, illustrating a stark change as much of its lands have turned to desert. The reverse of the second maps illustrates the Karsus enclave. The first book is "The Winds of Netheril," which details the history of Netheril, offering campaign suggestion and parameters as well as a list of when spells where created. It also describes equipment available, the gods of the period and a list of important cities and locations in the Netheril Empire. Finally, it includes a detailed look at the Karsus enclave and a list and description of important people through the history of Netheril. The second book, the "Encyclopedia Arcana," details magic items unique to Netheril and a list of Netheres spells, such as "Karsus' Avatar": a spell that allowed a mage to become a god.
"This spell allowed the caster to become a god of his choosing, replacing a current with himself the moment the spell was completed." Netheril: The Empire of Magic
However it was not a good idea for Karsus to cast the spell because he choose Mystryl -- the goddess of magic at the time. In so doing he pretty much turned off all of magic for about and hour and a half. This caused all the floating Netheril cities -- the enclaves created and run by 20+ level mages -- to pile drive into the ground, old mages to turn to dust and all sort of trouble all over the place. Mystra � the next goddess of magic � came to power and rewrote all the rules so that could not happen again, basically setting up 1st edition until the Time of Trouble, when 2nd edition came about. Thematically the boxed set is very interesting. It portrays a human society that lasted more than 3,000 years and had its own flavor and so forth. The magic is interesting and the notion of a culture with many floating cities is truly fantastic. After reading the set it does feel like it is something of a sadness to have lost such a nation and people.
"As his body fell, his stony eyes, still shimmering with the last glint of godly omniscience, caught a glimpse of the cities of Netheril smashing to the ground, killing all their inhabitants. His heart broke � greed for the power of the gods themselves caused the destruction of his home, his family, his friends, and his people." Netheril: The Empire of Magic
Of course, the set is backwards engineered to fit into the current Forgotten Realms setting so the empire had to fall down and go boom. That aside, slade and Butler did a good job with the set. In many ways it is reminiscent of the stories of Atlantis � an ancient empire of humanity the rose to a great height but fell when they tinkered poorly with ultimate power. Likewise there is a subtle message about a people who were used to having everything handed to them and who were not able to survive on their own without everything being handed to them. Perhaps this message is why the set has gotten bad reviews elsewhere: gamers do not like games with a message or stories with a moral. They just want to kill thing and only want DM's around to facilitate their ability to do so. Be that as it may, the set is good because it portray a setting that is truly fantastic � great floating cities, magic that provides everyday household needs, strange non-human shaped beings and so forth. In many ways, most supplements and novels just feel like a day at a Ren-Fair where they have a modest laser-lights show budget. Much of "fantasy" in the Realms is no longer so fantastic. This boxed set bring the fantastic back. The set does have its faults. First among these are editorial errors, like in one place where "fate" is misspelled as "fat." These are mostly amusing until the history and time line sections where they become confusing. In addition, the scope of the history of Netheril poses some problems as well. In 3,000+ years, it only filled a space about the size on the Anauroch, rather than a territory much larger. In this 3,000+ year period there were never any major wars to speak of and little to no description of how Netheril dealt with other major world powers like Calimshan, Unther, Mulhorandi and what have you. Granted there was space limitations, but by comparison, "Cormanthyr: Empire of Elves" did a much better job in the history department. This should not stop you from picking up a copy, however. In the end, this boxed set has been unfairly disparaged and is worth picking for the way it details a truly fanatic and interesting setting.
Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)
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"The year 326 marked one of the most important dates in Netheril's history � the discovery of the nether scrolls." Netheril: The Empire of Magic
Bats were said to possess the power of shape-shifting, able to transform into other creatures or even humans. This shape-shifting ability further solidified their connection with magic. In addition to their association with witches, bats were also believed to have the power of invisibility. This ability to disappear and reappear at will added to their magical allure. Bats were thought to be able to move through the darkness unseen and perform feats that were beyond the capabilities of other creatures. In some cultures, bats were even considered to be symbols of good luck and prosperity. In Chinese folklore, bats were seen as bringers of wealth and happiness. Their association with good fortune led to many people keeping bat charms or wearing bat-shaped amulets to attract good luck into their lives. Today, the idea of bat magic may be seen as more of a metaphorical concept rather than a literal belief. However, bats still hold a certain allure and mystery, and their association with magic and the supernatural continues to be a source of fascination for many. Whether it be in mythology, folklore, or popular culture, bats and their magical qualities continue to capture our imaginations and remind us of the possibility of the extraordinary..
Reviews for "The Intricate Relationship between Bats and Vampirism in Magical Lore"
- Sarah - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Bat magic reminiscent". The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, and the characters felt flat and uninteresting. I kept hoping it would get better, but it just dragged on and left me feeling bored and unsatisfied. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable read.
- David - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Bat magic reminiscent" based on the rave reviews I had seen, but unfortunately, it fell way short of my expectations. The story felt disjointed, with random subplots that didn't add anything to the overall narrative. Additionally, the writing style was overly descriptive and bogged down the pace of the book. I struggled to finish it and wouldn't recommend it to others.
- Megan - 1/5 stars - I didn't understand the hype around "Bat magic reminiscent". The story lacked depth and the characters felt one-dimensional. The author tried to incorporate too many fantastical elements that just didn't fit well together. The pacing was also off, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by rushed resolutions. Overall, I found this book to be a confusing and unsatisfying read.