Ember Compass
Also called: The Compass of Embers
Ember Compass
Item Info
| Type | Artifact (Unique — Eberronic) |
| Origin | Eberron cosmology |
| Attunement | Yes |
| Current Holder | Kavu |
Known Uses
| First Use | Inside the Tarrasque — 72-hour temporal bubble |
| Second Use | Inside Vol'kathar's throat — divine reunion |
| Post-Use State | Undamaged; mechanism still active |
A compass that does not point north. An artifact that does not belong to this cosmology. When it runs out — it brings you home to the exact moment you left.
Description
The Ember Compass is a unique artifact from Eberron's cosmology — a foreign object in Toril's reality. It was not made here and does not entirely follow Toril's magical rules. Ancient things recognise it: Vol'kathar identified it instantly and wanted it for exactly that reason.
It looks like a compass. The mechanism runs. The arcane numerals count down.
Known Capabilities
1. Temporal Bubble (72 Hours)
When first activated inside the Tarrasque (prior to Session 1), the compass opened a 72-hour temporal pocket — a window outside normal time. The party spent those 72 hours on the Ember Ascendant arc (Vol'kathar, The Scar, Errtu) while no time passed in the Tarrasque or the outside world.
When the countdown reached zero, the compass returned the party to the exact moment they had departed — inside the Tarrasque, at 16:00 on the same day. The 72 hours were real to the party. They were nothing to the world.
2. Planar Wedge — Divine Reunification
The compass's deeper function: it is a wedge between cosmologies. A crack in the walls between worlds.
When triggered inside Vol'kathar's throat — inside a dormant volcano holding centuries of fire — the crack became a chasm. Four planes of existence collided: Toril, Fernia, Kossuth's realm, and the Aetherial Expanse. The divine fire of all four merged in the space where Kavu stood.
Kossuth and Asteth the Empress were reunited. Vol'kathar was crystallised from the inside out. The Dragonspine volcano became The Scar.
Current State
The compass is undamaged. After channelling a divine collision between four cosmologies, it shows no cracks, no scorch marks, no sign of strain. It sits in Kavu's remaining hand as if it was made to be there.
Its temporal bubble has expired. The counting mechanism has reset — or changed. Whether it can open another temporal window, whether it has capabilities yet undiscovered, and what its full purpose is remain unknown.
History
| Event | Session | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First activation — temporal bubble | Pre-Session 1 (inside Tarrasque) | 72-hour window opened; Caladorn perceived the rip |
| Carried into Vol'kathar's lair | Session 2 | Vol'kathar recognised it and wanted it |
| Second activation — planar wedge | Session 2 (inside dragon's throat) | Kossuth/Asteth reunited; dragon crystallised; The Scar created |
| Temporal bubble expires; party returns | 72 hrs after first activation | Party returned to exact Tarrasque moment |