The Heart of Archbliss is a piece of fiction for Archbliss: The City of the Sorcerers, one of the supplements for Cities of Sundara, which is available in versions for 5th Edition and Pathfinder.

“The Heart of Archbliss.” Teran said in response to the question. “At least, that’s what it’s called in rumour.

“The first sorcerers, those who raised the city into the heavens, were said to have placed an enormous piece of sorcerer’s quartz, the largest, most perfect specimen ever found, deep inside it. It was then protected by the most powerful spells they knew, to prevent anyone ever finding it again, because if it were ever removed, the city would lose its power.” Teran continued.

“Is it real?” asked Michah, Teran’s apprentice.

“I doubt it.” was the reply. “It’s only ever been heard of in rumour, not in fact, and the first mention of the Heart was not until after all the sorcerers who raised Archbliss were dead, and none of them left any reference to the Heart in any of their notes or journals. You’d think that, wielders of magic being what they are, one would have written down the truth somewhere, for their descendants to find and benefit from. None has been found, or said to have been found.

“If there was an element of truth in the rumour, the Great Houses would have searched for the quartz, though only for their own benefit, and none appear to have found it. And believe me, they would have looked. Power calls to power, and this would be great power. No, most likely it is a fiction, perhaps one created to make the founders even greater than what they were. A fiction that, over the years, has passed into legend and rumour, and perhaps into belief as well.”

“But what if the rumour was true?” Michah wondered.

“Ah, then wouldn’t that be something? Somewhere, hidden within the city, a treasure beyond compare to those who know how to use it, though using it might well bring ruin to all. Perhaps, should the rumour be true, it is better that the Heart of Archbliss remain hidden. For what can survive if you remove its heart?”