Aracius

Written by SareSareMon

Background

Spynderians are a cave-dwelling semi-hivemind that is rarely seen, but when they are, it is seen as an omen of doom. At one point it was rare to see an organized hive of Spynderians. But all that changed when the Skinbone Queen arrived, seemingly out of nowhere. The once savage and unthinking species were now building an empire fit to rival the Alxerians in size and strength.
To celebrate their new queen and sapience, the Spynderians forged a blade for their new supreme leader. A blade that was quenched in the toxic waters of the Black Caverns, where they dwell. Its very touch is said to be toxic, but that is a myth. In reality, it is enchanted with a soulbinder, which uses the desired traits of the souls to imbue the desired object. Thus, empowering it with the energy of many hundred souls, making its enchantment both potent and long-lasting.

Appearance

The crossguard is a large spider (which is identical on both sides), with its head facing the blade as if the blade were erupting from the mouth. The quillions of the guard itself are the legs of the spider, which are thin and hollow. The head is inset with four eyes made of emerald that glow vibrantly when blood is drawn, for eight in total. The sword also bears a simplistic spider engraved on the base of the blade itself.
The sword has a mostly hollow fuller, making the blade seem delicate. However, steel spiderweb designs are woven in the gaps, increasing stability and reducing weight, as well as offering an intimidating design.
The blade is well balanced, the balance point at approximately sixty-seven centimetres from the pommel. The grip is wrapped in spider's silk, giving the handle a white hue, whilst also providing a low-maintenance and durable wrapping. The pommel is decorated with a clear pointed emerald, which is being embraced by two metal spiders and attached to the tang. The spider that is the crossguard is animate and seeks to repair the blade when left in a solitary dark place for a prolonged amount of time. This has even created an entirely new (identical) blade when completely destroyed.

Mechanics & Inner Workings

The enchantment place on the blade is imbued via one of the less common methods witnessed by unenlightened civilizations. This method is called a "soulbinding", where natural souls are anchored to the object and intricately stipped of all undesirable traits. This is always lethal to the person who's soul is used. This is why this method is much less common and far less ethical.
The souls attached to this blade have been "trained" to deliver acidic properties to people cut, struck or at all damaged by it. This is done by the souls acting as funnels for the innate magic the wielder has, and thus it's potency varies from wielder to wielder. Though the effect is always the same.

Significance

Cultural

Item type

Unique Artifact

Current Location

The Black Caverns

Rarity

Unique

Weight

3.2kg/7lbs

Dimensions

• Overall length: 248cm (97.6in)

• Blade width: 3cm (1.1in)

• Guard width: 48cm (18.8in)