Talisman Lore Swarm: Flavor and Lore of All Available Talismans

[Vomher]

General Information

Secret World Legends has wonderful writing and lore, all the way from its Missions and Legends, its Environment and World Design, its Monsters and NPCs, its Interface, and of course its Spells and Items too.

Talismans are no exception.

Included in this thread are all currently-available Talismans in Secret World Legends, with their icons, flavor text, and lore both contextual and metacontextual in their names, purpose, origins, and locations. They have been organized by design theme, not necessarily by current drop location. Some talismans were named and designed visually for one location but were then placed in another, while other talismans remain precisely where they were always meant to be or need to be.

I was initially compelled to compile this collection upon seeing a question regarding talisman themes in the Secret World Legends official subreddit. From there, things got a bit out of hand on my part, as I rapidly found myself buzzing head-first into a talisman study swarm.

The Education Protocol yearns. Our wisdom flows so sweet. Taste and see.

New England

• Head: [Revenant Ashes] - These ashes from a Revenant have been painted into the shape of a raven’s skull. This Head Talisman was at one time one of the rewards from the Investigation Mission “The Raven” given by Madame Rogêt in Kingsmouth Town, and even discounting that fact, Revenants are a monster type currently haunting Solomon Island moreso than the other Regions.

• Neck: [Tree Amulet] - Currently available from T4 dungeons (E14 and above). Originally named “Gaia Pendant” when it was a reward option for the Action Mission “War of the Totems” given by Sasquatch Chief in The Blue Mountain. We’ll consider it an honorary member of the Agartha theme too because it’s intended to be Her Tree.

• Finger: [Commitment Band] - Currently available from T4 dungeons (E14 and above). It’s a wedding band. Yay! This was initially an optional reward from the Side Mission “The Tentacle Trail” in Kingsmouth Town.

• Wrist: [Timeless Watch] - The icon for this watch shows that it is, in fact, timeless, in that there is absolutely nothing on the face of the watch. This was initially an optional mission reward from the Action Mission “Rolls Downhill” given by Che Garcia Hansson in Kingsmouth Town. While the watch itself survived the apocalypse plaguing Solomon Island, its ability to tell time did not.

• Luck: [Pocket Pair] - Currently available from T4 dungeons (E14 and above). This is, in fact, a pair of playing cards - a 7 of Diamonds and 7 of Clubs. Based on some basic cartomancy, the 7 of Clubs represents a small sum of money or unexpected debt recovery, while the 7 of Diamonds represents mockery or scandal depending on the side. The art for the 7 of Clubs appears to be missing its last two clubs, possibly for clarity as they would be under the 7 of Diamonds and obscure legibility.

• Luck: [Laundry Tokens] - Some laundromats use tokens! This was initially an optional reward from the Action Mission “Draugnet” given by Deputy Andy in Kingsmouth Town.

• Luck: [Liberty Coins] - Currently available from T4 dungeons (E14 and above). It’s a pair of US Silver Dollars. This was initially an optional reward from the Sabotage Mission “Horror Show” given by Helen Bannerman in Kingsmouth Town.

• Luck: [Snake Eyes] - Currently available from T4 dungeons (E14 and above). Part of the Sap Vitality set of Talismans, Snake Eyes has the Sap Vitality DoT effect. Its icon is a pair of dice that have landed on ‘snake eyes’. Its flavor text reads: “While most tournaments have banned loaded dice, few have had occasion to ban magical dice. Yet.”

• Waist: [Clostridium Tetani Chain] - Currently available from T4 dungeons (E14 and above). As part of the Sap Vitality set of Talismans, the Clostridium Tetani Chain will allow you to apply Sap Vitality when hitting an enemy facing away from you. This icon is of a rusty chain and is shared by the “Master’s Chain” Waist Talisman. This talisman’s earlier iteration was the “Rusty Chain”, which was a potential mission reward from the Side Mission “Missing Persons” in Kingsmouth Town. Clostridium tetani is the causative agent of tetanus. Yes, this chain is in fact horrifically rusty and could give you tetanus if you’re not careful!

• Waist: [Waistguard] - Currently available from T4 dungeons (E14 and above). Originally the “Protective Buckle”, it was initially an optional reward from the Action Mission “Dust to Dust” given by Henry Hawthorne in Kingsmouth Town. It hasn’t lost that Kingsmouth touch, as its flavor text reads: “A small note attached with twine reads: "guerinteed to protect from tetinitis. direct inqueerees to Edgar.”

• Occult: [Bonfire Effigy] - Currently available from T4 dungeons (E14 and above). This little metal charm is shaped akin to a bonfire. This Occult Talisman was at one time an optional reward from the Action Mission “Off the Menu” given by Joe Madahândo in The Blue Mountain. Its flavor text reads: “Despite being cold to the touch, holding the effigy fills you with a persistent warmth and confidence that holds against even the most supernatural and monster-infested darkness.”.

Egypt and The Ankh

• Head: [Pharaoh’s Blood] - The blood in this icon has been shaped into an Ankh. As ankhs represent life, and the Pharaoh is a connection to the divine, this talisman of a pharaoh’s blood aids healing magics.

• Head: [Crimson Ochre] - Currently available from T4 dungeons (E14 and above). Previously named “Red Ochre”, this Head Talisman and its icon are ochre pigment spread into a halo around the head. This pigment was regularly used as a paint pigment in Ancient Egypt, as well as a pigment in makeup. Its flavor text reads: “The colour of the pigment slowly shifts between a golden yellow, a light brown, and a vibrant blood red. You cannot tell whether it is matching your mood, or your mood is matching its colour.”

• Neck: [Linen Amulet] - Previously named “Clean Linen”, this strip of linen has been shaped into an eternal knot (otherwise known as an endless knot) and affixed to a necklace as an amulet. The icon shows the two innermost loops of the knot to be missing, as well. Linen had many uses in Ancient Egypt, including in mummification, and was even sometimes called “woven moonlight”.

• Neck: [Medallion of Wadjet] - Previously named “Scale of Wadjet” - as in a serpent’s scale, not the tool known as a scale - this talisman bestows protective properties with the iconography and power of the cobra deity Wadjet. The icon is of a necklace with a circular medallion with the Eye of Wadjet on it.

• Finger: [Cobra Ring] - A coiled metal cobra that wraps around your finger! This was at one time a mission reward from the Action Mission “The Sad Song” given by Moutemouia in City of the Sun God. Moutemouia’s patron, Meretseger, is a cobra goddess, and as such is represented in this ring.

• Finger: [Serpent Venom Ring] - Currently available from T4 dungeons (E14 and above). A coiled metal cobra that wraps around your finger! It’s different from the Cobra Ring’s serpent. The Serpent Venom Ring is part of a set of talismans that grants the Sap Vitality Damage Over Time detrimental effect on your foes. The Serpent Venom Ring was borne of the “Serpent of the Nile” Finger Talisman which dropped from Doctor Klein in The Ankh (Nightmare) long ago, an epithet for Apep.

• Wrist: [Bracer of Horus] - This talisman fittingly has the icon of a bracer that appears to be inscribed with the Eye of Horus. Its original name was “Bangle of Horus”.

• Wrist: [Cat’s Eye Bracelet] - Currently available from T4 dungeons (E14 and above). A cat’s eye design peers back from this bracelet. It was initially a reward from the Sabotage Mission “Halls of Lost Records” given by Nefertari the Younger in City of the Sun God way back when. Nefertari the Younger’s patron is the cat goddess Bast. This is her eye.

• Waist: [Black Sash] - The icon suggests this is a rather intricate sash. Its flavor text reads: “<Insert infuriating one-liner here>”

  • I for one love Doctor Klein’s one-liners.

• Waist: [Khonsu’s Disc] - Previously named “Khonsu’s Disk”. Its icon shows a buckle engraved with the Ancient Egyptian deity Khonsu’s lunar disc on it.

• Occult: [Ankh] - Originally named “Corroded Ankh”, this is, in fact, a whole Ankh. To quote Doctor Klein: “The Ankh, symbol of rebirth. And you will be reborn, in a fashion.”

Transylvania

• Neck: [Caduceus Amulet] - This talisman was originally an optional reward for multiple missions in Transylvania, though that is no longer the case. The icon shows a caduceus charm on a necklace. The caduceus is the staff wielded by Hermes, and is primarily a symbol of commerce. It is often mistakenly used instead of the Rod of Asclepius to represent medicine… as is the case here where the caduceus is being misused for a Healing talisman.

• Finger: [Belobog’s Blessing] - Belobog, as opposed to Chernobog, gives its blessings. The White God provides Protection.

• Wrist: [Tactician’s Guard] - Currently available from T4 dungeons (E14 and above). Previously named “Mercenary’s Bracer”, this talisman was originally an optional reward from the Action Mission "Test Run” given by Vampire Hunter in the Besieged Farmlands. The icon suggests this is a very practical wristguard!

• Luck: [Tarot Cards] - The icon is a pair of tarot cards. Which tarot cards specifically is difficult to ascertain. This was initially an optional reward from the mission “Of the Forest”.

• Waist: [Royal Blue Belt] - Currently available from T4 dungeons (E14 and above). The Royal Blue Belt was once upon a time an optional reward from both the Action Mission “In Cold Blood" given by Hasdatean in Besieged Farmlands and the Action Mission “They Mostly Come At Night” given by Emma’s Drawings in Carpathian Fangs. This blue evokes the azure of the Wallachian Coat of Arms.

Kaidan

• Finger: [Naonomi’s Promise] - Currently available from T4 dungeons (E14 and above). While initially the “Grief Knot” optional mission reward from “The Tentacle Trail” in Kingsmouth Town, Naonomi’s Promise is a far more specific form of grief. This talisman is referring to Naonomi Tanaka specifically. Its flavor text reads: “When holding your phone in the same hand that is wearing this ring, sometimes a burst of static spews forth from the speaker, like a wail in the night.”

• Occult: [1,000,000 Likes] - Currently available from T4 dungeons (E14 and above). The icon shows that this is a USB flash drive with the Orochi logo on it. Its flavor text reads: “Almost 500 GB of selfies.”

Scotland

• Occult: [Cernunnos Antler Fragment] - Cernunnos, the Horned God, whose iconography stretches across much of Europe in various forms. While known as a Celtic identity, Cernunnos has been linked as far away as Romania. The Forest God has such a lovely relationship with Sophie in the Besieged Farmlands. Thematically, the Celtic Druids of Avalon are the ones presenting this antler fragment, though Cernunnos’ reach is far and wide, and the Druids send their Envoys to Agartha from time to time. This Luck Talisman is a potential reward from the Spoils of the Equinox item received by completing the Side Missions “The Equinox” and “The Equinox - Further Testing” while the Envoys of Avalon are in Agartha for the Equinox.
  • The icon, an antler fragment, was first used by the “Stag’s Horn” optional mission reward from the Action Mission “Death, and the Instruments Thereof” given by Sandy “Moose” Jansen in Kingsmouth Town. It belonged to a very different kind of stag.

The Wreck of the Polaris

• Head: [Cosmic Pigment] - Previously named “Cosmic Ash”, the icon depicts the pigment drawn in an ominous orbit around the head. Beware the Ur-Draug’s Cosmic Gaze.

• Head: [Pigment from Beyond] - Previously named “Vestige from Beyond”. This icon depicts a fiery, frightening shape of pigment. The pigment itself originates from Beyond just as the Ur-Draug gathers Strength from Beyond.

• Neck: [Lady Margaret’s Tackle] - Currently available from T4 dungeons (E14 and above). The icon is of a VERY sharp and VERY large fish hook. You are wearing one pointy death necklace there! This fish hook icon was used by the aptly named “Fishhook Amulet” which was once an optional reward from the Action Mission “Elm Street Blues” given by Deputy Andy in Kingsmouth Town. Lady Margaret’s Tackle is part of the Sap Vitality subset of Talismans. Its flavor text reads: “A tightly wound chunk of red seaweed clings to the hook. Sometimes, when you are focused on something else, a faint singing can be heard off in the distance. But as soon as you focus on it, it's gone.”

• Neck: [Fishbone Necklace] - The icon shows a fish skeleton design on the amulet.

• Finger: [Rurikid Knot] - Its original name was “Rurikid Seal” and in both iterations it refers to the Rurikid lineage that was said to be founded by a Varangian named Rurik. Its icon does, indeed, show it to be knotted.

• Finger: [Skadi’s Ring] - Its original name was “Skadi’s Revenge”. It once had flavor text that read, “Dripping with venom.” in reference to Skadi getting revenge upon Loki through the serpent that drips venom onto Loki’s face when Sigyn isn’t able to catch it all. Its icon is of a ring with a serpent winding around a center gem in wait.

• Wrist: [Iron-Sulfur Bracelet] - Its original name was “Iron-Sulfur Brace”. It likely refers to Fe-S clusters and Fe-S proteins, which are super important in biological life in many ways.

• Wrist: [Red Weed Timepiece] - Originally the “Red Weed Knot”, it DOES appear to be a sundial or watch of some sort when you squint at the icon. The use of the term red weed in this case may be in reference to “The War of the Worlds” by H. G. Wells, where the red weed is an indicator of Martian presence at a location. The draugr leave red sargassum (red seaweed) and other red fleshy growths behind in their presence, and thus the red weed in this instance is a sign of the draugr presence at the Wreck of the Polaris.

• Wrist: [Bracer of Forgotten Horrors] - Originally “Clasp of Forgotten Horrors”. This bracer has spikes on it. Very, very, very sharp spikes. It would be a horror to be impaled by them… The forgotten horrors are Eldritch, after all.

• Luck: [Gambler’s Soul] - The icon is of a classic pair of dice and was originally used by the Talisman named “Rán’s Calling”, which was very much designed with the Polaris in mind and had flavor text that red: “Her road is long and perilous.”; however, the Gambler’s Soul is an iteration on the Talisman named “Gambled Soul” which came fittingly from the Hell Dimensions. Thus this new fusion of the two Talismans makes it equally appropriate for the Hell Dimensions theme if you take it more literally!

• Occult: [Whalebone Rune] - Its icon is of, in fact, a bone from a whale skeleton. Runes were sometimes carved into whalebone. Whalebone runes were mentioned in Egil’s Saga (Egils saga Skallagrímssonar). A whalebone rune was given to a sick woman in an effort to help her heal, but her condition only worsened. Egil saw that the runes were wrong and cut and burned the runes off before warning about the dangers of one writing runes if they do not understand how to read said runes, as it can lead to disastrous results when a spell is miswritten. A warning to those who use magic they do not understand. This whalebone rune is thankfully carved correctly to provide intended protective properties.

The Darkness War

• Neck: [Choker of Shed Blood] - The icon is of a necklace with a large crystallised blood droplet in the center.

• Finger: [Band of the Bacab] - The Bacab is the Bacabs, a singular entity encompassing the four Bacabs of Mayan myth. The Bacabs were brothers who held up the sky from each Cardinal direction. This four-in-one deity is the son of Itzama and is often associated with rain, healing, divination, and bees – so much so that a major text of medicinal cures and healing is the Ritual of the Bacabs. It is no wonder that the Band of the Bacab provides a positive experience for us bees and invokes healing magic.

• Wrist: [Bone Timepiece] - Originally named “Bleached Bone Bracer”, its name goes against the Wrist Talisman naming conventions for roles currently in use, as Bracers are typically geared toward Tanking and this Talisman was designed for Healing. Additionally, its icon is (and always was) of a watch with a bone-band. Cool aesthetic if you want a watch to fit a goth!

• Luck: [Obsidian Flakes] - Originally named “Obsidian Flake”, this Luck Talisman was borne from the obsidian that flaked off the Mayan obsidian weaponry and tools, whether it be from the sacrifices to summon Wayeb-Xul or from the fight against the Norse and the Wabanaki.

• Luck: [Chit of Kinich Ahau] - The icon shows two small leaflets of some sort. As Kinich Ahau (otherwise formatted as K’inich Ahau) is the Mayan sun god, this Chit either contains a message pertaining to or from them, or is made of a palm tree of the species Thrinax radiata, otherwise known as ‘chit’, which has historical importance in the Yucatan.

• Waist: [Jaguar Cord] - Its icon depicts small circular discs tied together by a cord. The word “Balam” means jaguar, and many of the Mayan soldiers in the Darkness War bear this title. There are also many Mayan Jaguar deities, many of which are associated with the underworld… and the Mayans invading the Blue Mountain had brought many entities associated with Xibalba. The Jaguar God of the Underworld, also known as the Night Sun, has a cord surrounding their eyes. This deity is often associated with ak’ab in the sense that ak’ab means darkness and night, and after all, They Are Called Darkness.

The Hell Dimensions

• Head: [Ashes of Crushed Cities] - The icon is of a jagged bolt, much like a tear or earthquake. This was once known as “Dust of Crushed Cities”.

• Head: [Blood Halo] - Previously named “Ozone Halo”, it is and always was an icon of a halo drawn in blood.

• Head: [Leanashe’s Pigment] - Currently available from T4 dungeons (E14 and above). Previously named “A Leanashe’s Final Meal” with flavor text that read: “Best find a stone...”. Leanashe are sometimes conflated with Succubi, due to fulfilling similar mythological roles. Its icon depicts a large droplet shape painted with pigment, its edges splattered and smeared.

• Neck: [Seed of Aggression] - A mysterious, molten seed. Considering it was many years ago a drop from Recursia, Many-In-One, this seed has potential disconcerting definitions.

• Finger: [Cold Metal] - Icon is a metal nut. This piece of metal has gone cold, despite its hellish environment.

• Finger: [Recursive Circle] - How this ring was tied together, the world may never know. Its icon is rather… recursive, befitting as it belonged to Recursia herself.

• Wrist: [Fleshwired Fetter] - This particular fetter was wired to the flesh of its original host, where it served as a manacle for the Hadean Guard, once upon a time.

• Waist: [Barbelith Wire] - The icon shows a linked chain or cable. The name “Barbelith” originates in Grant Morrison’s comic “The Invisibles”. Barbelith has some similarities to Gaia. Further information to come in an edit, because Barbelith and all possible interpretations and comparisons thereof from The Invisibles is its own beast. Their world begets ours, and the Ages turned.

• Waist: [Incandescent Capacitor] - There are three capacitors affixed to this belt. Incandescence essentially is the glow of something that has been heated to the point of emitting light, such as the case with an incandescent light. These capacitors are so hot that they’ve lit up!

• Occult: [Avaritia’s Effigy] - Avaritia is Avarice – greed – and this effigy calls upon the Sin of Greed: Mammon. This talisman is a small figurine in the shape of a figure either squatting or in a fetal position hugging their knees.

• Occult: [Charm of Unfettered Flesh] - Currently available from T4 dungeons (E14 and above). Previously named “Charm of Distorted Flesh”, it originally had flavor text that read: “Makes you feel dirty just holding it.”

• Occult: [Rakshani Charm] - Originally named “Rakshani Filigree”, the icon indicates that this is a tooth that has been made into a charm. Rakshani here is the adjective for something of the Rakshasa. Either this is a charm made of Rakshasa teeth or it is a tooth charm worn by the Rakshasa themselves.

• Occult: [Razor Fossil] - This icon depicts a fossil with a razor-sharp edge. As Saccharisa once offered: “You, me… on a beach of razor fossils. The vultures of Leng plucking your nerve endings like a fabulous instrument. Call me sometime?”

• Occult: [Sigil of Ambition] - Originally named “Sigil of Unchecked Ambition”. This sigil is a seal of an entity of unfathomable ambitions.

• Occult: [Alloy Heart] - This talisman is a heart made of metal alloy. Its love burns hot.

Red Hand Sov-Tech

• Head: [The Strong Force] - Previously named “Atomos” with flavor text that stated, “Indivisible”, this Head Talisman has the icon of orbiting atomic particles painted into shape. Atomos, Ancient Greek for uncuttable (or indivisible), is where we get the word “Atom”. The Strong Force, quite literally, is named for the Strong Force AKA Strong Nuclear Force of physics, one of the fundamental forces.

• Neck: [Quantum Shift] - Currently available from T4 dungeons (E14 and above). Previously known as the “Neutron Generator”, there was some mad science involved in this one. Its icon shows a chain necklace with a large atom charm with four electrons orbiting a nucleus in the style of the Bohr model. With 4 electrons, it is likely a Beryllium atom despite the somewhat indistinct amount of protons and neutrons in the icon’s nucleus. Beryllium has many important uses, including in nuclear reactors, but in the case of the old name of “Neutron Generator”, the use of Beryllium as a neutron source is notable. A quantum shift - or a quantum jump - however is an instantaneous change in quantum state or jump in energy level. It has also gained some minor use as an infrequent turn of phrase for sudden paradigm shifts.

• Luck: [Cold Silver Dice] - The icon is of a pair of metal dice that have both landed on two.

• Waist: [Grounding Line] - Its icon makes it appear as though it is but a normal belt. A grounding line is a line that is grounding an electrical system by connecting it to the earth, for many practical reasons, most notably for safety. This line was used as one of the many grounding lines of the Contact Core in the Facility.

• Waist: [Serum Pouch] - The icon shows that there are multiple pouches on this belt. Its old flavor text read: “Warning: may cause drowsiness”. Its flavor text currently reads: “You need to relax. Here, I've got something in my pouch that will help. On second thought, it might help me too.”

London

• Luck: [Golden Coin] - Initially a reward from the Investigation Mission “All Roads Lead to Rome” given by Mama Abena in London alongside the fabled Non-combat [Torch], the icon further suggests this is in fact an ancient Roman golden coin much like very ones you use in the mission.

Manhattan Exclusion Zone / New York

All Talismans in this category are available exclusively from the Manhattan Exclusion Zone.

• Head: [Ashes of Elder Things] - The icon depicts these ashes forming the branching Elder Sign of Lovecraftian lore. The Elder Things first appeared in “At the Mountains of Madness” and their most popular visual interpretation outside of their initial description is the art of an Old One in “Barlowe’s Guide to Extraterrestrials” by Wayne Barlowe; however, we do not know what form Elder Things take in Secret World Legends, and instead Elder Things may simply refer to the Dreamers or certain forms of their dreams made manifest, like the Unutterable Lurker.

  • As completely noncanonical to our setting as it is, I hope you can still admire Wayne Barlowe’s art nonetheless. Did I delight upon realizing I had an opportunity to mention one of my favorite Sci-Fi artists? Yes, yes I did.

• Head: [Blood of the Old Ones] - The icon depicts that this blood has been used to paint the shape of tentacles curiously curling upwards - the reach of the Great Old Ones: the Dreamers. The Unutterable Lurker serves as their avatars in purest form, closest to their lucid dreams.

• Head: [Mark of the Starspawn] - The icon contains the pentagonal form of the Lovecraftian Elder Sign in its center. The Starspawn themselves are Lovecraftian entities that resemble their master, Cthulhu, much as the Ur-Draug might resemble the Eidolon of the Outer Dark or the Unutterable Lurker is the closest manifestation of the Dreaming Ones on Gaia.

• Neck: [Egon Pendant] - Referencing Ghostbusters character Egon Spengler. The icon is a small ampoule. Whatever is inside Egon’s Pendant makes it a powerful Neck Talisman for Damage Dealers.

Agartha and Third Age Tech

• Head: [Ashes of Fate’s Chosen] - Available as a potential Extraordinary Talisman from the Dark Agartha Arsenal. This Head Talisman summons a little “Hand of FATE” NPC to attack your target with “Judgement” whenever you hit the same target 3 times in succession! FATE here is in reference to “F.A.T.E.”, an NPC on TestLive that allows developers and testers to rapidly prepare and buff test characters for content testing. We all love FATE. The icon is anima-based, unlike most head talismans that are quite literally visually drawn as if they were in fact painted with pigments, blood, or ashes and dust. Instead, hexagonal honeycombs of anima are pressed against the head. With the Hand of FATE at your side, this Head Talisman is a Best-In-Slot choice for Damage Dealers.

• Finger: [Ring of the Hollow Tree] - Available as a potential Extraordinary Talisman from the Dark Agartha Arsenal. This Finger Talisman summons a “Custodian of the Hollowed Halls” to come strike your foe with “Custodial Wrath” whenever you Purge or Interrupt an enemy. Its icon is of a Gaian leaf grown into the shape of a ring. Custodians are incredibly powerful and sturdy things, and while the Custodian of the Hollowed Halls is not nearly as large as the Agartha Custodians that patrol the Hollow Earth’s honeyed halls, this particular Custodian is still powerful enough that its brief assistance makes this Finger Talisman a Best-In-Slot choice for Damage Dealers. To quote the Pyramidion: "That thing is like the final boss of the internet. Creepy, geeky, virtually unbeatable. "

  • I personally think Custodians are adorable.

• Wrist: [Accelerating Chronometer] - Currently available from T4 dungeons (E14 and above). A healing talisman as one would expect from it being a Wrist talisman with a watch theme, the flavor text of this chronometer makes it very clear what its theme is meant to be. Its flavor text reads: “Something about the way this timepiece tracks time seems slightly off, almost as if sometimes it is fast and sometimes it is slow. Comparing with The Stationmaster's watch reveals it is perfectly accurate.”

• Luck: [Anima-Infused Keepsake] - Available as a potential Extraordinary Talisman from the Dark Agartha Arsenal. This Luck Talisman grants a 33% chance when you critically hit to summon a “Manifestation of the Gatekeeper” to cast forth “Gatekeeper’s Ire” on your foe. This tiny little manifestation is a mere fragment of the Gatekeeper’s power, but he still packs a punch with the fury of his form! The icon is a pair of dice with two leaves behind them, signifying their association with anima. As is appropriate for the Gatekeepr and all of his unfathomable power, the Anima-Infused Keepsake is often considered a Best-In-Slot choice for Damage Dealers.

World Drop Weapon Waist Talismans

Each of these Waist Talismans were designed to synergise with Weapon types and therefore are themed broadly to match their associated Weapons.

• Waist: [Generalist’s Belt] - This belt appears to be a chain wrapped around itself and tied in a center buckle. Its icon is currently shared with the Waist Talisman “Gungnir’s Balance” from The Polaris, which references Odin’s spear Gungnir and its fabled perfect balance that made it capable of always striking true no matter the wielder. Just as Gungnir will work and hit its target no matter who wields it, the Generalist’s belt will work no matter the weapon wielded, as the effect of the Generalist’s Belt works with all Power Abilities.

• Waist: [Brawler’s Belt] - This belt appears to be a roller chain typically used in machinery. That WILL hurt. Its icon is shared with the Waist Talisman “Sakharov’s Restraint” which refers to nuclear physicist Andrei Sakharov. The effect of the Brawler’s Belt can only work with Hammer abilities.

• Waist: [High Roller’s Chain] - This belt is comprised of chain rings looped together. Its icon was shared with the Waist Talisman “Ouroboros Chain” which was a mission reward from the Action Mission “Dead Rising” from Moutnefert in City of the Sun God. The effect of the High Roller’s Chain can only work with Pistol abilities.

• Waist: [Master’s Chain] - This belt is a rusty metal chain and shares its icon with the “Clostridium Tetani Chain” Waist Talisman, which was once the “Rusty Chain”. The Master’s Chain is not the Rusty Chain reborn but a separate chain that doesn’t give you tetanus to touch. The effect of the Master’s Chain can only work with Blade abilities.

• Waist: [Military Strap] - This Waist Talisman is a smooth strap belt with an equally smooth albeit slightly dirty rectangular buckle. It shares its icon with the “Mechanic’s Belt” optional reward from the Action Mission “Full Metal Golem” given by Scrapyard Edgar in Kingsmouth Town, but it is not likely to be the new version of the Mechanic’s Belt or otherwise may not be the only version of the Mechanic’s Belt in the future. The effect of the Military Strap can only work with Assault Rifle abilities.

• Waist: [Pentacle Wrap] - This Waist Talisman contains a buckle in the form of a pentagram in a circle, a shape otherwise known as a pentacle. It shares its icon with what was the “Pentagram Buckle”, which was at one time an optional First Time Completion Reward from the Dungeon Mission “Into the Inferno” given by Daniel Bach in The Savage Coast. The Pentagram Buckle had a Pentacle Buckle, an error the Pentacle Wrap avoids. The effect of the Pentacle Wrap can only work with Blood Magic abilities.

• Waist: [Primal Rope Belt] - This belt is a thick chain. It shares its icon with the “Wolf Chain” Waist Talisman, which was once upon a time an optional reward from both the Action Mission “In Cold Blood” given by Hasdatean in Besieged Farmlands and the Action Mission “They Mostly Come At Night” given by Emma’s Drawings in Carpathian Fangs. The effect of the Primal Rope Belt can only work with Fist abilities.

• Waist: [Tactical Belt] - A belt with an ovular buckle. The effect of the Tactical Belt can only work with Shotgun abilities.

• Waist: [Thermotic Cinch] - Originating from the Waist Talisman named “Pyroclast” that dropped from Eblis, Dominus Inferni in Profondis in Hell Eternal (Elite), the Thermotic Cinch maintains its Elemental theme despite the change in name and drop location. Pyroclast refers to the airborne volcanic material expelled during a volcanic eruption, appropriate for the old and the new purposes of this Talisman. The effect of the Thermotic Cinch can only work with Elemental abilities.

• Waist: [Tumultuous Sash] - The icon shows what looks to be fabric - leather or cloth - forming a belt. It shares its icon with the “Hunting Belt” which was once upon a time a reward from the Action Mission “Open Season” given by Paul Gamelin in The Blue Mountain. The effect of the Tumultuous Sash can only work with Chaos Magic abilities.

Haunted Cache

The following are all available from the Radiant Essence Neck Talisman Reward Bag from the Haunted Cache.

• Neck: [Spectral Essence] - The Spectral Essence gives a 33% chance to summon a Spectre that casts the Damage Dealing “Unravel Soul” when hitting an enemy who is below 50% of their maximum health. Its icon shows that the Spectral Essence is contained within a necklace with what appears to be a single raven skull and multiple small pointed beads, claws, or talons lining the rest of the chain. The eyes of the skull appear as gaping chasms of torment.

• Neck: [Lycanthropic Essence] - The Lycanthropic Essence grants “Lupine Prowess” whenever you lost health while below 50% of your maximum health, increasing your damage by 17% for 3 seconds and makes your next attack within those 3 seconds restore 4% of missing health. Werewolves have remarkable regenerative abilities. The Lycanthropic Essence is contained within a lycanthrope tooth hanging on a crescent moon medallion on a rope.

• Neck: [Vampiric Essence] - The Vampiric Essence grants the “Gift of Vitae” to your targeted ally when you heal them while they are below 50% of their maximum health, increasing their damage by 11% for 3 seconds and allowing them to receive a small heal for every attack during those 3 seconds. Vitae is Life. The Vampiric Essence is contained within a circular gem embedded in a bat-shaped charm that is connected to a necklace near the thumb on each wing.

Tribal Cache

The following are all available from the Extraordinary Talisman Reward Bag from the Tribal Cache.

• Head: [Tachyon Pigment] - The Tachyon Pigment reduces the duration of running recharge time of Special Abilities after evading 2 times in succession or being hit 5 times in succession. Tachyons are hypothetical particles that travel faster than light. With tachyons, time travel could be possible. Two particles spin clockwise around a starlike nucleus of pigment.

• Head: [Oni Blood] - The Oni Blood grants the target a 10% leech effect for 3 seconds when that same target is healed 5 times. The Oni Blood has been painted to resemble an Oni’s face, with two curving horns and a mouth full of fangs, all dripping with blood.

• Head: [Ashes of Shriven Souls] - Ashes of Shriven Souls increases the Critical Power of the next Power Ability by 20% after being hit 5 times in succession or the same enemy has been hit 3 times in succession. These ashes are drawn into two distinctly jagged lines around a thicker centerpiece against a nebulous background.

[Mel-Addams]

Yessss what a delightful reference list! Very useful to know where some of the fun named talismans come (and came) from. And some of the source inspirations were things I wasn’t aware of, which give some rather interesting lore-based insight…

[Rizzle]

I love this, TSW doesn’t just do things “just because” or for no reason. There is depth, reason and meaning to everything. This is extensive work, Vomher and a nice little throwback and reminder to the history of where these things came from TY <3