The Dawnstar Shield

The Dawnstar Shield is a tremendous boon for the fight against evil. This holy item was named for its owner, Meryl Dawnstar. Together with her shield and Flaming Fist companions, she struck a blow against darkness and evil in the dark kingdoms of Nosveren, Malstrigoi, and the Mirusi Lands. In epic battles against zombies hordes, ghoul lords, terrible wights, depraved vampires, and scheming lichs, they carved a swath of light across the darkened lands. Through all of this the Dawnstar Shield remained steadfast and present, until Meryl disappeared from our records, presumably taking the shield with her.

Description

This shield is made from a very unusually patterned golden metal. The metal appears to consist of various shades of rippling gold, like flowing water or energy. The shield itself is slightly taller and wider than a typical shield and lighter as well. It has a triangular shape with a slight convex outward curve to it. Engraved across its center is a magnificent emblem of light emanating from an eight pointed star, just above the morning horizon.

Abilities

This shield has many abilities considered both holy and magical, depending on who the observer is.

• Incredibly strong and resilient greatly improving the armor of the holder.
• Increases the holders strength, endurance, dexterity, and charisma.
• Immunity to starvation, dehydration, and sleep.
• Impervious to and attracts all nearby projectile missiles.
• Can detect nearby evil with a light pulsing sensation and glow.
• Can determine the direction of a long range target.
• Can dispel darkness by producing a soft light around the shield.
• Can heal wounds and cure disease three times a day.
• Can regenerate a small amount of life each hour to the holder.
• Can release a blinding flash of holy light that destroys low level undead and turns medium level undead, five times per day.

Manufacturing process

This shield was said to be created by the Ruball dwarf known as Cekic Hammerfall, supposedly favored by the god Fornax. What his exact processes and forging strategies were, have never been discovered. What is known, is that he took several pieces of broken holy shields and reforged them into one new and vastly improved shield for Meryl Dawnstar. It is said that he worked for only a single night and that his forge shop was lit with a heavenly golden glow. Many speculate that Fornax himself assisted the master forger. Whatever the case may be, what was produced that night has never been seen before or since.

Significance

Many legends and stories persist about this holy shield and the lady who bore it. Although fraught with tragedy, numerous tales of good overcoming evil and perseverance in the face of adversity are linked to this lost relic. While many have searched for this ancient artifact, no one has been able to find to find it yet. Stories say that it is interred with Meryl Dawnstar in her tomb, some state that it was lost while crossing the great sea, others claim that it was destroyed in a terrible battle with a truly evil undead being, a few believe that it never even existed in the first place. Whatever the truth may be, many religious orders continue to quest for The Dawnstar Shield.

Item type

Unique Artifact

Current Location

Unknown

Rarity

This is a unique one of a kind artifact.

Weight

Unusually light for a shield of this size.

Base Price

No value could be atributted to such a holy item.

Raw materials & Components

This holy relic is said to be reforged from the shield parts once belonging to Meryl Dawnstar's parents.

Related Myths

• Legends Of The Dawnstar Shield