Wondrous Item

Very Rare Requires Attunement

Katalysts function as spellcasting focuses for the purposes of spellcasting using Apokripha or its byproducts. They are so rare and varied that someone who is proficient with one would still need significant time to become accustomed to using another. Although a standard model of Katalysts exists, along with standard operating instructions to produce specific effects, those already wealthy enough to afford them will often customize them to some extent, altering the method of operation.

A Katalyst that once belonged to the now-deceased Minos Vasilou, a minor noble of Toullois. The device for the most part resembles a standard oplo-class Katalyst, shaped into a short rod with a curved handle on the user's end, and a small opening at the tip of the other end. This opening is the "hot end" of the Katalyst, and in practice is pointed wherever the user would like to direct the flow of Apokripha energy. About halfway from this opening to the handle, the smooth metal funnel widens into a closed rectangular chamber, which glows and hums when the Katalyst is active. Inside the handle, a hollow chamber with threading allows for the insertion of a standard carry-sized tank of Kriphasine, which seats and screws into the bottom of the handle.

Minos Vasilou's Katalyst has been customized such that the manipulation of energy is accomplished through several actions simultaneously, best performed by holding the tool with one hand and operating it with another. A small notched circular dial is inlaid on the back of the device, and can be rotated up or down. Just above this, a horizontal U-bend of solid, light metal protrudes from the back of the device a few inches. The handle has two triggers: one where the user's pointer finger most naturally falls, and one where the pinky and ring fingers grip the handle. Above and to the left, where one can with some effort reach their thumb, there are two small switches which have 3 settings each: up, neutral, or down. And finally, another metal rod of the same material as the U-bend on the back of the device is attached by a hinge to the left side towards the front end, so that when not in use it can be folded against the body of the main manipulation chamber. When unfolded, it stands perpendicular to the chamber, pointing to the left.

As I have come to understand, the device is operated by measured movements of the free hand (or any other nearby object) in specific distances from the two metal protrusions on the Katalyst (one on the left and one on the back). The device hums in a peculiar way when the rod on the side is extended, and this humming is modulated in pitch and volume by the distance of the user's hand from the metal rods. The other unorthodox modifications on the device also appear to be suited for "playing" it in this manner, though I know little more.

It seems to have been damaged in some way when I... acquired it. There are small seams along the body of the device which are only visible during the expulsion of energy. This doesn't appear to have affected its functioning, though.

Weight: 2lb