## Overview [[Anam]] [[Anam|the Withered One]] achieved what many thought impossible—he successfully constructed and activated a **Spell Engine** of unprecedented power. This arcane device has fundamentally altered the nature of magical travel across all of Solare, severing the world from extraplanar connections and crippling conventional teleportation magic. The engine represents [[Anam]]'s most ambitious strike yet against the divine order and the freedom of Solare's defenders. --- ## What the Spell Engine Does ### Primary Effects **Global Teleportation Suppression**: All teleportation magic—including spells like _Dimension Door_, _Misty Step_, _Teleport_, and _Transport via Plants_—has been rendered non-functional across Solare. Attempts to cast such spells simply fail, with the spell slot expended but no effect manifesting. **Planar Travel Blockade**: All forms of planar travel have been completely severed. Spells such as _Plane Shift_, _Gate_, and _Astral Projection_ no longer function. Permanent portals to other planes have gone dark. Even creatures native to other planes cannot travel to or from the Material Plane. **Selective Exceptions**: Those who are allied with [[Anam]], work in his service, or actively aid his cause are mysteriously exempt from these restrictions. They retain full access to teleportation and planar travel magic, giving [[Anam]]'s forces an overwhelming tactical advantage. ### Implications for the World - **Divine Intervention Hampered**: The gods' ability to directly intervene or send celestial agents has been severely limited - **No Quick Reinforcements**: Armies and adventurers cannot teleport to defend against [[Anam]]'s strikes - **Isolation**: Cities and nations are effectively cut off from rapid magical communication and transport - **Strategic Superiority**: [[Anam]]'s forces can strike anywhere and retreat instantly, while their enemies must rely on conventional travel --- ## How It Works ### The Engine's Nature The Spell Engine is not a simple magical device but rather an **arcane construct of staggering complexity**. Drawing power from the Heart of Continuance and one of the pieces from the Shield of the Gods, the engine creates a worldwide suppression field that actively intercepts and neutralizes specific magical patterns. ### The Filtering Mechanism The engine operates through a form of **sympathetic recognition**: - It maintains a connection to [[Anam]]'s will and the Heart of Continuance - Those bound to [[Anam]] through pacts, service, necromantic bonds, or active cooperation are "tagged" by his magic - The engine recognizes these signatures and permits their spells to function normally - All other attempts at teleportation or planar magic are identified as hostile and systematically suppressed This is not dissimilar to how the _Greater Forbiddance_ spell works—combining aspects of _Wall of Force_ and _Forbiddance_—but operating on a planetary scale and with active intelligence. --- ## Who Can Still Teleport ### Confirmed Exempt Categories **Direct Servants of [[Anam]]**: - Skathex the Dracolich and his Bone Armada - Ashuan Raul, the Mummy Prince - The Circle of the Black Thread ([[Anam]]'s necromantic cult) - The Nameless Choir (phylactery guardians) - [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]] and other infiltrators within magical organizations **Allied Forces**: - Thyldora and her green dragon brood (operating under alliance with [[Anam]]) - Any creature bearing Soul Stone fragments or dark pacts tied to the Heart of Continuance **Active Collaborators**: - Individuals working to further [[Anam]]'s goals, even unknowingly, may find themselves granted temporary exemption - Spies and infiltrators who have sworn hidden oaths to serve his cause - Those who have accepted "gifts" or boons from [[Anam]]'s servants ### Potential Loopholes It remains unclear whether: - Powerful artifacts predating the engine could bypass its effects - Divine intervention at the highest level (direct action from gods themselves, if they could manifest) could override it - Destroying components of the engine might create temporary gaps in coverage - Extremely powerful archmages might find ways to exploit weaknesses in the suppression field --- ## The Spell Engine's Location ### Last Known Position The Spell Engine was housed in a **heavily fortified chamber** deep within one of [[Anam]]'s strongholds. This location was recently discovered by the druid networks around the world and "Jacen's Little Buddies,". --- ## Strategic Ramifications ### For Defenders of Solare - **Overland Travel Required**: All troop movements must now occur through conventional means—roads, ships, or flight - **Extended Response Times**: Defending against [[Anam]]'s raids becomes exponentially harder when reinforcements take days or weeks to arrive - **Communication Breakdown**: Without _Sending_ stones or teleportation circles, coordinating large-scale resistance is significantly impaired - **Psychological Impact**: The feeling of being trapped and isolated weakens morale across nations ### For [[Anam]]'s Campaign - **Asymmetric Warfare**: His forces can strike anywhere, anytime, and retreat before meaningful resistance can be organized - **Resource Gathering**: [[Anam]] can freely plunder artifacts, soul stones, and magical components from across Solare while his enemies scramble to respond - **Divide and Conquer**: Without rapid communication, nations cannot easily coordinate unified responses - **Time Advantage**: Every day the engine remains operational brings [[Anam]] closer to his ultimate goals --- ## Related Threats ### Skathex the Dracolich Guardian of the original engine chamber, Skathex remains at large and likely oversees any reconstruction efforts or protects remaining engines. ### The Heart of Continuance Destroying [[Anam]]'s phylactery would likely disable the engine permanently, as it appears to draw power directly from this artifact. ### [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]] and Infiltrators [[Anam]]'s agents within magical institutions may be sabotaging any efforts to study or counter the engine's effects. --- ## Conclusion The activation of [[Anam]]'s Spell Engine represents a paradigm shift in the conflict for Solare's future. Until the engine can be located and destroyed—or a method found to bypass its effects—all defenders of the realm operate at a severe disadvantage. The world has become larger, more dangerous, and more isolated. Travel carefully. Trust no one's ability to appear or disappear instantly unless you know for certain they serve [[Anam|the Withered One]]. And remember: **[[Anam]]'s greatest weapon is not the engine itself, but the despair and isolation it creates in the hearts of those who stand against him.**