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Defenders of the Faith Amithrandra Deladrielith Nebrildur |
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The Tale of the trio of elven weapons known to sages as the Defenders of
the Faith begins in the Savage North. Of old, the High Forest was home to
the fabled elven nation of Earlann. Alike to later Myth Drannor in strength
and unity of spirit and purpose, Earlann was a jewel in the collapsing
rubble of the Crown Wars. Centerpiece to the elven redoubt was the temple
city of Mmillamnir. The entire city was a splendid tribute to the Seldarine
as a whole. Mmillamnir acted as the focal point for elven clergy throughout
the North, and it was this clergy that gave the small nation its not
inconsiderable strength. With all their strength, however, the elves of
Earlann were not prepared for what came for it. The fortified city of
Ascalhorn, built and then donated to the human refugees of Netheril by the
elves themselves, was consumed by the forces of the Abyss. Demons and
Tanari'i without number poured through powerful magical gateways, creating a
festering canker on the face of Earlann itself. In Mmillamnir, the beleaguered clergy of the three largest churches represented in the temple city began work on holy weapons that would combat the otherworldly menace threatening their borders. The church of Corellon, from the Dome of the Coronal's Grace, created Deladrielith, a long sword of purest steel and mithral. The clergy of Sehanine Moonbow, from Lunar House, created Amithrandra, a short spear heavily enchanted with protection and divination magics. The druids of Rillifane Rallathil, from their treetop Temple of the Oakheart, created Nebrildur, a scimitar designed to augment the already formidable powers of the druid and ranger defenders of the High Forest. Sadly, the weapons were finished but never used, at least not in the sparse documents that escaped Earlann with the refugees. By all reports, the forces of Ascalhorn surprised and overwhelmed the borders of Earlann within hours, had turned the now forgotten capital into rubble within days, and had driven the clergy out of the temple city with their fell magicks within a tenday. The demons of Hellgate Keep had no interest in entering the sacred city, heavily warded against otherworldly power as it was, and so bombarded the deserted buildings from afar before losing interest and returning to the Keep. The weapons and the other amassed wealth of Mmillamnir remained where it lay, forgotten and abandoned by those who had fled. Until came the day of the dragon. The adult green dragon Chloracridara now lairs in the massive central atrium of the now shattered Dome of the Coronal's Grace, tending her two hatchlings and admiring the large horde of treasure she was able to come by so easily. She is especially fond of three weapons she discovered in the ruins of the temple city. She keeps them together, suspended by their own power, in a niche were a statue of the Creator once stood. She also kills any who set foot in her adopted home, since growing dragons must eat after all. Game information: Each of the Defenders of the Faith is a +2 weapon, +3 versus extraplanar beings, +4 versus Tanari'i in specific. Each of the weapons must be wielded by a devotee of the weapon's patron power (worshiper or member of the clergy) and only by non-Drow elves or half-elves in order to access the primary and additional powers of each weapon. Once in the possession of an acceptable bearer, the ability to activate the weapon's specific powers will be granted by the patron of the weapon during the bearer's next dream or reverie. From then on, the different powers can be utilized through silent act of will on the part of the bearer. When the three weapons are brought within two feet of each other, they set up a magical resonance which suspends them in midair (at a height of no more than three feet from solid ground) with the three vertical weapons equidistant from each other. This magical effect can be broken by any reasonable amount of force pulling one of the weapons out of formation (for example, grabbing and taking one of them). Each weapon is a holy relic of the Elven faith. Any elves bearing one receive an automatic +2 to their Charisma when dealing with other elves. Elves will notify the proper authorities (i.e. the mother churches in Evereska or Evermeet) should a non-elf been seen with one and/or attempt to acquire it for the preservation of the culture. (In other words, one shouldn't be carrying these weapons if one doesn't have damn good reason, or is an elf :). The Defenders are not sentient in any way, shape, or form. Patron: Corellon Larethian Appearance: Deladrielith is, in form, an immaculately crafted long sword designed to elven specifications. The tang and pommel are royal purple with gold chasing about the still pristine leather grip. The pommel is set with shaped mithral. Into the crosspiece of the blade is carved the crescent moon of Corellon. When drawn from the scabbard, the blade glows with an azure faerie fire. Primary Power: As a boon from Corellon, the bearer of Deladrielith may beseech an audience with a member of the Seldarine in order to ask their aid once in his or her lifetime. This ability does NOT grant wishes, or insure that one's request will be heeded. It does allow any request made of a member of the Seldarine to be seen in the best possible light. Additional Powers: sixth sense (at will), detect evil (thrice per day), idea (twice per day), protection from evil 10' radius (once per day), dispel magic (once per day), dimensional translocation (once per tenday), heal (once per month) Back to Top Patron: Sehanine Moonbow Appearance: Amithrandra is, in form, a silver-hafted 5' spear perfectly weighted for either throwing or melee combat. The haft is elegantly carved with Espruar runes in the form of a benediction to the dead. One end of the haft is capped with a finished piece of white jade. The spear blade itself is quite obviously mythral from the Dwarven realm of Delzoun. When hefted, the spear point glows with a white faerie fire. Primary Power: As a boon from Sehanine, the bearer of Amithrandra may see and, to an extent, interact with the dreams or reveries of those beings that they have touched with spear haft. In order to enter another's dreams, the bearer need not be in close proximity but must enter into reverie as well. This power may be used to communicate messages, glean information, or to attempt to heal those that are psychically damaged in some way. It may NOT be used in any way to inflict mental damage or anguish upon the recipient. To do so invites the immediate wrath of Sehanine herself. Additional Powers: detect magic (at will), mind read (twice per day), starshine (twice per day), detect spirits (once per day), invisibility (once per day), true seeing (once per tenday), impervious sanctity of the mind (once per month) Back to Top Patron: Rillifane Rallathil Appearance: Nebrildur is, in form, an elegantly arching scimitar. Its pommel is inset with an alexandrite of tremendous size and purity. Into the crosspiece of the blade is carved the form of a leaping stag. When drawn from the scabbard, the blade glows with an emerald faerie fire Primary Power: As a boon from Rallathil, the bearer of Nebrildur may assume the form of a wild stag once per day for a maximum of 3 consecutive hours. This transformation receives the same benefits and is governed by the same restrictions as the shapechange ability of druids as detailed in the Player's Handbook. wild stag: AC 7; MV 24; THAC0 17; No. Att 1 or 2; Dmg/Att 1-3/1-3 or 2-8; Additional Powers: locate animal or plant (at will), pass without trace (thrice per day), sap (twice per day), call woodland beings (once per tenday), liveoak (once per tenday), fire quench (once per tenday), control weather (once per month) |
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