The Forging of the Crownblade
-
Many of you are already aware that some months ago, a potent magical artifact of Amaunator was found in the Gnollpass. A sword, stuck for thousands of years within a stone dais which bore an inscription "At Dawn, look to the Sun"
It was old, probably Netherese in nature, and long forgotten by time itself.
Until, that is, we brave heroes founded it.
We pulled upon the blade while heeding the inscription, and yanked it free from its embrace of Chauntea, only to find it was shattered by time and perhaps, a bit of hubris on my part. The shards of the blade however, still glowed with maginificent power, and I knew I held in my hands an artifact of the Old Sun aching to be claimed by the New Dawn.
As much as I desired to re-forge it into a weapon of Lathander, I saw the turmoil of our Free People, their lack of a State Protector. With each passing day, Arabel falls deeper into the darkness we've long worked to rebel. Yet without the leadership, the firm guidance of a sovereign, any work to permanently alter Arabel for the better could be but swept away by the careless hands of merchants, mercenaries, and various feuding factions which hold Arabel.
It was then that I was struck with a most bold plan..
This weapon of Lathander, could be reforged in the Image of Arabel. A blade rebuilt by the people that would hold the ideals and soul of freedom and prosperity above all else. A Noble weapon, a weapon sentient enough to SEEK one worthy of it. One who could make Arabel stable, firm, a rock upon the sands of time.
Many of my comrades stated how this was too bold an aspiration, that corruption may befall the blade, or worse - the Chosen. I refused to listen, and sought many of worth who might be fit to lead if such a blade were forged... And I found none.
"No one person can fix Arabel. No one person can lead Arabel." - This phrase echoed in my mind every day.
Until... Just a few days ago, I entered the Palace halls for a briefing. Surrounded by adventurers... And Sir Matrim Kingsley and Lady Krestel Vaylan. The shards began to glow. I believe over the past few weeks, the blade has become entuned with the its carriers desire, the passion one feels to find a Father and Mother for a city in turmoil, and when they touched hands.. The blade exploded in Light.
I know now what we must do. We must reforge the blade, and bathe it in the heart of Arabels Enemies. We must make a Crownblade and set it to task in building a new Arabel.
I will reforge this blade, 2/11/2021 . I will wield it as we strike down Arabels greatest enemy in a generation, the Goblin Horde, and then I will see it delivered to the hands of Sir Kingsley and Lady Vaylan.
-Sir Nicholas,
Dawnknight of Eveningstar
Order of the Aster Knights//Does this time below work for everyone? @Prof-Misclick //
-
Sir Nicholas, Dawnknight Thornwind, Awakened Muric, Great Druid Nanthleenee, Danny Steele, and Jessika the Bard set out from the East gate on a mission to imbue the pieces of the Crownblade with good will and the spirit of Arabel. Their destinations, each an adventure of itself, would bring lessons for the blade to understand, much like nurturing a child. The Webbed Maze, the Hullack Shards, the Peak of the Stormhorns, and then back to Arabel. Each journey required a Pilgrim to carry the shards of the blade and give a lesson at the end.
Nanthleenee he Great Druid was the First Pilgrim, who began by calling upon the Spirit of the Hullack to bestow wisdom to whomever the blade felt was worthy, and bestowing its wielder with a natural inclination against the unnatural forces who would threaten the world. With this wisdom, the blade might better seek a master who respects the natural world.
Tiatus Thornwind, Dawnknight of the Order of Aster was the Second Pilgrim, He led us from the Hullack Shards, deep into the treacherous Webbed Maze where we met an Ancient Dire Bear. With what we had taught the blade previously on nature and respect, we sought to help it. The Great Druid aided us by speaking to the bear who was under threat from goblin hunters. We sought out the goblins, and aided the Bear in their destruction. Then, after battling a great Queen of the Maze, we ascended a tower hidden deep within, where Tiatus spoke out loud that a lesson: A Kingdom is not but wall and stone, but People and animal, innocent one and all.
Awakened Muric was the Third Pilgrim, chose to ascend the highest mountain of the Stormhorns. We battled frosted orcs, lizardmen, and yes, Frost Giants. Many enemies stood tall, all fell before our might. It was near the top of the cliff, at the plateau of the Goblin King, that we came upon a Pure White Stag. "A boon of Lathander" Said Sir Nicholas. "A gift of the Earth" said Nanthleenee. A dagger was drawn, and it was slain by the hand of Muric, who christened the jar which held the Blade. He then finished the climb of the mountain and at the foot of a frozen, kneeling giant, summoned the will of the Sun. Clouds parted, and said "You are the land, you are the people, you are the blade that protects! You have been blessed by words and deeds. Blood and effort. The power of nature and the blessings for the Dawn! You will serve the land and its people, only those of Worth will b able to wield you!"
Tiatus then gave took his oath at the height of the mountain, an oath of the sword, so that the blade would understand its part in aiding the kingdom. It bore witness.
Danny Steele of the West was chosen as the Final Pilgrim, who at first hesitated in his duty, but after a brief pause, took up the blade-filled jar and said he would bring it home, Arabel. It is there that he found love and family, and it would be there that the sword would understand /what/ it fights for.
At this, the christening was finished, and the blade-pieces made sacred, and ready for reforging.
Jessika the Bardess has offered to write a song of the People, so that the Soul of the blade might hear the words of freedom and courage as it is made anew by my own hand.
-
[a list of reagents finds its way to Seneschal Jelde Asturien, including the jar containing the blessed shards]
Our plan, after the blade is reforged, is to ritualize our adventures to 'awaken' it in the same way that we raise up an Awakened to a Knight. It will be taken to places of power and given song, tale, and exposition on what it means to serve the People of Arabel. We will do great deeds and prove to it what is required to serve Arabel, and lead the People from the Light. These deeds will include venturing deep into the vast desert of the Stonelands, rising from failure, and confronting the enemy of Arabel. We will finish the ritual with a final test: striking the White Witch herself. This blow will awaken the blade, give it life enough to search for righteous hands that might lead Arabel out of the darkness.
I will report on our deeds and rituals to awaken the blade here.
For the blade:
Jar of glowing shards, blessed by a white stags sacrifice
Adamantium x 3Hilt:
Tymoran Coin
5 Cut Diamonds
Anaurian Gemstone
5 cut Topaz
Penelope
Cut FeldsparFor the Pommel:
Gem of MaluradekScabbard:
Dragon Scales
White Stag pelt
Gold Ingot to set gems
Ruby
Fire opal x2
Fire Agate x3
