Pool of radiance

Pool of radiance was a naturally occurring magical phenomenon that manifested as liquid that resembled water notable for it's shimmer, glow, and magical radiance. They were one of the most powerful sources of arcane energy in the Realms.

Description
The waters of the pools of radiance were magic in its raw form. The weave of Faerûn, on occasion, amassed its energies in one place, the raw arcane energy always manifested as glowing radiant liquid. The sages described the pools as exposed nerve clusters, lymph nodes, of the body that was magical weave. These pools of radiance could manifest in any place, be it in the middle of a scorching dessert, a populated city, or shaded grove of a secluded forest.

The water from the pools of radiance could not be bottled or separated from the main body of water. When attempted, the powers of the water dissipated within less than a minute.

Effects
The phenomenon of the pools had a tumultuous history as was both, blessing, and a curse, carrying potent raw magical energy and it's connection to the weave. The pools had no agenda and no human morality and could potentially be misused to a dangerous degree.

An arcane spellcaster could use a pool of radiance as a source of power, bolstering their own powers to an incredibly high level. This made the pools highly sought after by wizards of all alignments and specializations. This, however, was an incredibly dangerous pursuit as the raw power of a pool was always much stronger than a wizard's will. Most spellcasters that successfully found one of these magical nodes failed in their attempts to manipulate the pools and faced with backlash and side effects. Yet many ambitious adventurers were searching pools to bathe in, drink, or just touch the magical waters trying to gain uncanny powers.

The sheer unpredictability of the pools was their main danger. A living creature that came into direct contact with one of the pools could be completely unaffected by the exposed raw power if they lacked the attainment to arcane or an innate ability to access the weave. Almost certain effect happened, however, when a creature of arcane talents or abilities touched the pool's waters. These effects were truly random with some beneficial and many horrible ones, and an overwhelming number of them resulted in death. Sages were torn on the mechanics of the pools and their effects. Some theorized that creatures of pure heart could be given abilities to overcome their shortcomings if coming into contact with a pool. But this theory was backed only by an old story about a young boy from Waterdeep.

Another danger of the pools of radiance was their vulnerability to corruption. The forces of evil and ambition throughout the history discovered the ways of tapping into the arcane energies of the pools and corrupting them via magic rituals or with the power of powerful creatures of the planes. When pools were corrupted, they often harnessed powers of death and destruction. These pools sometimes were referred to as pools of darkness. The corruption was not exclusive to evil beings. Good powers were known to "corrupt" pools in the past, even though these cases were mostly accidental. The pools reflected the natures of creatures that successfully tapped into their powers.

Some of the effects that happened to the creatures touching one of the pools of radiance: And many other. All of the effects gained from the pools were permanent.
 * Creature could grow black snake scales all over their body while going blind and gaining extraordinary boon to other senses;
 * Creature died instantly, returning to existence as an undead;
 * Instant aging;
 * Creature became gilled aquatic being that could only survive in saltwater;
 * Change of size;
 * Instant death with the creature's life force becoming one with the pool;
 * Energy drain spell-like effect;
 * The creature's body became completely invisible apart from their bones;
 * Constant emission of carrion stench;
 * Creature could gain an innate ability to telepathically communicate with dragons but be vulnerable to their fear effect;
 * Creature became undead by all rules and definitions but remained in the form, shape, and skills, as when alive;

Notable Pools

 * Myth Drannor: Within the depths of Castle Cormanthor's sub-levels and Elven Catacombs laid a pool of radiance chamber. The pool was corrupted by the Cult of the Dragon in 1369 DR and later dispersed by the Veiled Ones.
 * Phlan: the pool taken over by Tyranthraxus and corrupted into a pool of darkness . The pool made numerous returns through the Moonsea region's history.
 * Shadowfell: pools of radiance could form outside of the Prime Material plane. One such pool could bee found in Evernight's Temple of Filth where it formed around a powerful artifact harmful to the local undead. The ghouls called it the pool of daylight.
 * Waterdeep: A nearby countryside at the outskirts of the City of Splendors had a small pool of radiance if the stories were to be believed.

History
In 1347 DR a pool of radiance was discovered in Phlan, in the caves underneath Valjevo Castle. An ancient being called Tyranthraxus possessed the body of a bronze dragon. The parasitic creature used dark arcane rituals to corrupt the pool turning it into the pool of darkness. Tyranthraxus used the pool's power to take over Valjevo Castle and rule over the monsters who resided in the ruined part of Phlan. A group of heroes including Ren o' the Blade, Shal Bal and Tarl Desanea rose agains the possessing spirit and broke his control of the pool. As Tyranthraxus lost his body, and the pool was defeated, the spirit leaped into the receding waters of raw magical energy, allowing him to escape.

In 1357 DR, the god Bane assembled an alliance of dark powers to reawaken the pools of radiance in Phlan and other cities across the Moonsea Region. He used the pools power to corrupt them and power his divine magics transporting the cities into the nether regions. The Heroes of Phlan were within the city when it was abducted and with the help of new allies, Evaine, Gamaliel, and Miltiades, the heroes prevailed, returning the cities and draining the pools once again.

Following the Time of Troubles in 1358 DR, the pool in Phlan was nothing but ordinary fresh water. The city placed guards around the pool chamber, as well at in front of Kuto's Well, its entrance.

Circa 1479 DR, a pool formed in Shadowfell's twisted echo of Neverwinter, Evernight. The local ghoul population was willing to tell anyone who listened about the pool of daylight, bright as the sun, radiating energy harmful to the undead, burning any such creature that entered its chamber. A mysterious magical device was at the bottom of the pool which affected the raw magic, turning it into a weapon of sorts. The ghoul of the Temple of Filth guarded the pool mostly to keep it from falling into some do-gooder's hands and be used against them. It was unclear if the pool of radiance formed around the item, or someone threw it into the pool of raw magic.

Rumors and Legends

 * The legendary status of the pools of radiance came not only from historic accords, but also from countless stories and legends of creatures encountering the '"magical pools of water" and gaining remarkable powers and abilities. The sages confirmed some of these stories as being truthful, while others were greatly exaggerated over time.
 * A popular tale spoke of a Waterdhevian child who was blinded by a sickness earlier in life. One day he came across a small pool of magical radiant water while playing outside. The pool was not there before and disappeared soon after. Parched, the blind boy drank from the pool. Minutes later he was clutching his eyes screaming of the bright light hurting his eyes. As the evening fell, the boy realized he could see in the total darkness as if it were daylight.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Ruins of Adventure' &bull; Pool of Radiance: Attack on Myth Drannor
 * Novels
 * Pool of Radiance (novel) &bull; Pools of Darkness (novel) &bull; Pool of Twilight &bull; ''Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor (novel)
 * Video Games
 * Pool of Radiance (game) &bull; Pools of Darkness (game) &bull; Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor