The Royal Protector's pearls

Table of Contents

Guild case study—The Royal Protector's pearls

Written by Madame Solène de Nivers and Master Sérénius de Coroy for the rune guild.

As part of our series of case studies, we are today examining the Royal Protector's pearls. Unfortunately, such an important artefact cannot be separated from its owner to be brought to the guild for examination. However Lord de Labruyère has very generously agreed to come in person soon to allow for such an examination to take place.
In preparation for this, let us review what is known about the artefact.

---

The artefact

What

A powerful, ancient, and even legendary artefact that belongs to the royal family.
The kings of Nélannie traditionally give it to either their heir or their chief royal advisor for the length of their appointment to that post. This person takes the title of "Royal Protector".

Design

2 necklaces of pearls, each pearl with their own magic;

1 sphere containing the blood of the master who crafted the artefact;

1 golden medallion bearing a complex runic diagram;

7 braids of gold linking the sphere & medallion.

History

Crafted nearly a millennia ago by the legendary Master Prince Nance.
His multiple achievements made him widely admired, and since his death all of his creations have been even more cherished. This artefact was his masterpiece, gifted to his uncle the king.

Chief Advisor's pearls

Symbolism

The holder has to put their whole life in service of the king and die in his defence if necessary.
Master Nance's blood in the artefact powers the magic of the holder to increase it tenfold, while the medallion guide their hands and increase their magical control.

Past uses

Past holders have rarely taken the artefact to a battlefield, but in a couple of famous occasions witnesses reported apocalyptical towers of flames.
Most commonly, the artefact has been used to create impenetrable shields around the holder and the nearby king.

Holder

The current holder is Lord Justinien de Labruyère, the chief royal advisor.
The fact that he has received it despite His Majesty having multiple heirs is a token of how highly respected he is for his power, skills, and wisdom. There is no doubt he will use it as intended and die for the king if necessary.

---

Guild members' opinions

The Royal Protector's pearls are, of course, a legendary and magnificent artefact whose importance does not need to be explained.
Yet, despite the impressive skills of his creator, we have to remember that our knowledge of runic magic has highly evolved in a millennia, and many of the techniques we take for granted were unknown at the time of its creation. Foremost among them are many of our best anchoring techniques.
Given that the artefact has not directly and indubitably demonstrated its ability in a long time, I would be very surprised if most of its magic has not long faded. Most of its power nowadays is likely to be entirely symbolic.

— Mistress Alina Lange

I would personally not venture to express such a controversial opinion as Mistress Lange. The Royal Protector's pearls are indeed legendary and certainly do not need to prove their power anymore!
Battle after battle have been won thanks to it, assassination attempt after assassination attempt have been foiled! And surely, any of the chief advisors and royal heirs that have held onto it in recent generations would have said something if that was the case!
In any case, let us just admire the runic diagram that we can see on the medallion and review the analyses that have been made of the magic contained in the pearls to see what we can learn from them...

— Master Jean Lannoie

The Royal Protector's pearls by Tim de Roos (Bonus Action)

---

Related Articles

Magic

Types of Magic Runic magic · Alchemy and Enchantments · Rituals · Intent-based magic · Runaway ritual magic · Astral rituals · Runes Materials Crystalline materials and their use in magic · Blue Syndrome · Orichalcum · Hydrargyrum—Mercury · Caustic butterfly · Crimson rhubarb · Feisty lettuce · Plants contaminated with runaway ritual magic Technologies Transportation portals · Candied magic · Nail tattoos and tattooers · Light-activated artefacts · The Royal Protector's pearls · Illénian battle staff · Canal and river barges · Exposure to runaway ritual magic · Miraculous cure-all · Semaphore network