Artifact

An "Artifact" (アーティファクト) is a magical tool with a powerful effects applied to it. The effects can range from simple power-boost or increased sturdiness of an object, to the ability to cast even some of the most complex and powerful spells in existence. They are also extremely versatile tools, which could even have the effect any kind of Magic or Spell applied on them. Because of all this unique and powerful abilities, any Artifact of any kind is practically considered a national treasure.

As per the recorded history of Tortus, only two people in the previous and current era have been known to be able to create an Artifact; a.k.a., Oscar Orcus and Hajime Nagumo.

Origin
The actual origin of "Artifact" and "Creation Magic" is unknown, but they are hinted to have originated in another world, which got destroyed because of over-technological advancement. And this knowledge was brought to Tortus by the god Ehit and his surviving comrades, who were residents of that other world that managed to escape their when it was dying.

As per the legends in Tortus, Artifacts were created by the Gods and people who belonged to their bloodline. The knowledge of "Creation Magic" is extremely hard to achieve, or is rarely passed through the bloodline, much like the other forms of the "Ancient Magic", so production of an Artifact is extremely rare, and they are hard to be reproduced by modern means, without the aid of "Creation Magic".

Basics
In order to create an Artifact, one needs to be able to use "Creation Magic", one of the "Ancient Magic" belonging to the "Age of God". This branch of Ancient Magic gives the ability to 'interfere with any inorganic material', allowing one to change the shape and structure of any non-organic material as they want to, and also apply various affects on them, or enchant them with various forms of Spells. People with the "Job" class of "Synergist" have the highest affinity with "Creation Magic", thus have the best ability at creating an Artifact.

Unknown Origin
It is an Artifact of unknown origin. Its main function is to take various parameters and quantifies them. It also lists out all the Skills that the owner can use. The Status Plate also doubles up as a Identification Cards, because of its unique feature of changing its colour depending on the Mana Colour of the owner, thus its difficult to fake them, or use someone else's. There is also a skill function, which allows the user to hide their stats and skills, for privacy purpose. In order to register to an "Status Plate", they have to get a new one, and apply their blood to the magic circle at the back. The plate would then change its colour depending on the Mana Colour of the user. In order to see the information, one has to say "Open Status" in order to activate it. Its possible to keep the plate in either activated or semi-activated mode. This Artifact is the only one which sees widespread usage, because the unnamed Artifact which can produce them still exists and works.
 * Status Plate (ステータス・プレート):

An Artifact of unknown origin. It was discovered in the 65th floor of the mines underneath the city of Velnika (during the "Zero" timeline), and its actual name isn't known. This artifact has the ability to hold the memories and skills of ancient masters and then transfer them to a new host. Because of its unique property, it is possible to transfer powerful skills and abilities from an ancient master, to any people, effectively making the one who receives the memories, masters themselves. But as the amount of information transferred is too high for the host to handle them easily, it can cause the one on whom its used to go berserk and mindless. Also, in-order to effectively execute and use the knowledge of the ancient master, the hosts has to push their bodies past their limits, since they lack the original strength of the ancient master. This results in the user baring a big burden on their body which effectively destroys them. Even with the forcibly increased healing abilities which helps heal and regenerate the user over and over. But as there is a physical limit to a persons body, the host don't last too long and it eventually leaves them dead and broken.
 * Ehit's Eye (の):

An Artifact that belonged to the Holy Church. It is their main cathedral that rested on top of the Divine Mountain beside the Heiligh Kingdom. It is capable of generating a strong barrier around itself.
 * Holy Church Main Cathedral:

A floating island that once sealed a gigantic monster know as the "Divine Beast Leviathan".
 * Andika (アンディカ):

An Artifact that resided in the Heiligh Kingdom for centuries. It was a cylindrical pillar that stood two meters tall and had magic circles engraved on its sides. It was able to erect three separate barriers around the entire capital. Each successive layer was smaller, but also more powerful. The kingdom's magicians would constantly pour mana into it in order to maintain them. It was actually enchanted with Spatial Magic, which explained why the barriers it produced were especially strong.
 * Unnamed Barrier Artifact:

An Artifact of unknown origin. It is a legendary weapon that belonged to Heiligh Kingdom, and was used by various people in the past. It is blessed with the Light Magic element, which gave it the properties of simultaneously weakening enemies that were hit by the light it emitted, while also increasing one's own physical strength, along with the ability to return to its users hand on-command. It can change its shape into whatever type of sword its user wishes for. For some unknown reason, it also possess the ability to automatically return to its owner without their consent, when they move away from it for a certain distance or try to abandon it. The criteria for this conditions activation is still not clear.
 * Holy Sword (なる):

The strongest armor Artifact in Heiligh Kingdom. It is a set of nigh-impregnable western-style holy armor that increases the defensive capabilities of the wielder. It is later enhanced by Hajime to absorb mana from its surroundings and lessen its wearer's mana consumption. It also has ability to form a veil of light to be used as a barrier.
 * Divine Armor (な):

An Artifact from the Heiligh Kingdom that was given to Kaori Shirasaki. It improves the user's healing magic.
 * White Staff:

An Artifact from the Heiligh Kingdom that was given to Shizuku Yaegashi. Its edge was magically sharpened, and it increased the speed of the user's draw. It was broken during her battle against Cattleya.
 * Knight's Sword:

A pair of gauntlets from the Heiligh Kingdom that were given to Ryutarou Sakagami. They had the power to produce shockwaves when used for combat. They were later enhanced by Hajime to oscillate at a very high frequency, thus multiplying their destructive power. Thy were also enchanted with Ancient Magic to perform a variety of attacks.
 * Twin Gauntlets:

A pair of bracelets from the Heiligh Kingdom that were given to Suzu Taniguchi. They were able to strengthen barrier magic. They were destroyed after Hajime tried to enhance them with new abilities.
 * Bracelets:

An Artifact from the Heiligh Kingdom that was given to Yukitoshi Shimizu that could better channel dark magic. It was destroyed by Hajime while he pursues Yukitoshi.
 * Dark Staff:

A set of 12 knives from the Heiligh Kingdom that were given to Yuka Sonobe. They can float mid-air and can be called back as long as one is still held by the thrower. They can also be wrapped in a wreath of flames.
 * Throwing Knives:

A pair of swords from the Heiligh Kingdom that were given to Atsushi Tamai. They can shoot blades of wind.
 * Twin Scimitars:

An Artifact from the Heiligh Kingdom that was given to Taeko Sugawara. It is retractable and can generate electricity.
 * Whip:

A cursed Artifact that belonged to the Heiligh Kingdom. It was initially thought to give its wearer eternal youth, but it actually only created the illusion of them looking youthful while constantly draining them of their vitality.
 * Princess’s Tiara (のティアラ):

An Artifact that belonged to the Dukedom of Ankaji. It creates a powerful barrier around Ankaji, while still allowing things essential for life to pass through, such as air and water. Its user decided what could and couldn’t pass through it. Not only that, it could be used as a sensor. What it was set to detect was up to its wielder. As it incorporated dark magic into its design, It could even be set to react to certain thoughts.
 * Judgment of Truth (の):

Created by "Oscar Orcus"
For a list of artifacts created by Oscar Orcus, please go to his Weapons &amp; Equipment page.

Created by "Hajime Nagumo"
For a list of artifacts created by Hajime Nagumo, please go to his Weapons &amp; Equipment page.