The Black Scrolls of Vark, also sometimes known as the Black Scrolls of Varkun or simply the Black Scrolls, are legendary scrolls of arcane knowledge written by the first god of magic, the titan Vark. Several origin stories of the scrolls exist, from them being his ordinary notes to them being his greatest secrets soaked black by his dying blood.
The Black Scrolls are said to contain ancient arcane knowledge beyond comprehension, and their contents have been speculated upon for eons. Some believe that the scrolls contain the secrets of controlling the Weave, others believe that the scrolls contain Vark's original notations of all spellcraft, while others speculate that the scrolls hold the knowledge to attain godhood.
Several of these Black Scrolls exist, although only six were ever talked about in scriptures. Some of these scrolls have popped up from time to time across the ages, becoming pivotal artifacts entire tales and wars have revolved around.
The Black Scroll of Blood held primal knowledge of the Weave itself, and was sought after by mages for millennia. It was found by the priests of Alsorion near the end of the Omniborn Crisis, specifically by an elf named Scrollkeeper Glynlan. In the second era, nearing the end of his days, Glynlan built the Varkanist Scroll Temple on Darkgrove Isle in 2E385 to seal the Black Scroll inside to protect it from the greater church and evildoers. The location of this scroll and temple faded into myth and legend, with the only map to it held by a giantess named Amohr on the other side of the Blood Sea.
In 3E450 during the events of Curse of the Blood Sea, this scroll was sought after the cultist Genso Naoko to gain knowledge of the Abyss. The crew of the Phoenix Nebula chased the scroll and gained the map to it from Amohr, racing Naoko to Darkgrove Isle. Both the Cult of Varkanus led by Genso Naoko as well as the Phoenix Nebula aided by the Crimson Navy fought here. The Nebula managed to defeat Dr. Genso in the Scroll Temple, claiming the scroll for themselves and delivering it to Amohr. However, Amohr was later tracked down and killed by the illithilich Xaniv the Whisperer who claimed the scroll for himself. In 3E452 when the Abyssgate opened, Xaniv used the scroll to puppet and control Varkanus himself, attempting to kill the god and claim his place as the new god of magic. Xaniv was thwarted and killed for good by the Phoenix Nebula, saving Varkanus who then reclaimed the scroll for good.
The Black Scroll of Time held primal knowledge of timelines and chronomancy, linked to the titaness Tempos. It is considered to be the predecessor to the Time Gears. Its location was lost after the goddess entered her slumber during the Omniborn Crisis.
In a separate timeline in 3E482, the werewolf Gabryel von Gothwyn of that timeline located an alternate timeline version of the Black Scroll of Time in the ruins of Varkaria, and defeated and alternate version of the Krono Krew to claim it. Before he could put his hands on the scroll, he was transported to the prime timeline during the events of Shards of the Empire. The prime timeline version of the Black Scroll of Time was not located in Varkaria, and is still considered to be missing.