Heart of Mik'ael
A passage from 'A Peace Bought with the Heart' by Aef Shortbrow
"The circumstances of the peace between the Elven Confederation and Shaharian Dominion some three hundred years ago began because of the love between an elf and a human woman. Tensions were not as high at the border of the two nations as they were between their respective leaders. Even though they were at war with each other, the southern border, specifically around the mountain pass leading into the Confederation, deals with a large amount of trade back and forth at the local level. This is partly why elven silks still managed to make their way into noble hands during war-time, but I digress.
As the story goes, Mik'ael was an errand boy for a wealthy silk farmer on the northern border of the Confederation. His business often took him back and forth through the mountains into Shaharian lands, taking orders for his master and transporting the goods to the rightful customers. One day, he stopped in a small human settlement on the border called Smallvalen. In the town, he saw the lovely Beatrice Gaval being escorted through the streets, and by some accounts, he was instantly smitten with her. There have been centuries of strife between the two nations, and some hold contempt for the other side for injustices done upon their ancestors (See Barren Nights and/or Dusk Raids). With the war still ravaging the southern border of the Dominion, Lady Gaval and Mik'ael began meeting in secret. It would have been wholly inappropriate for a noble lady of her stature to be involved with a Wood Elf like Mik'ael. Yet, their love persisted until the day came that a blockade was put up at the southern border by the Shaharian forces. No trade was allowed through, and any person seen attempting to cross in or out was treated as hostile and arrested or killed on sight.
Accounts from Mik'ael's testimony say that this was the point that the war became the biggest inconvenience in his life. It prevented him from seeing the love of his life. Their desire to see one another coalesced into the creation of what is now called the Heart of Mik'ael. The Heart allowed them to see each other in a space only they could reach. They enjoyed the time they were able to be together but the physical distance proved to still ache at their hearts. To put a much longer story short, Lady Gaval convinced her father and then the leaders of the Dominion and Elven States respectively to come to a reluctant peace. To this day, tensions have not been quelled by the increased trade between the two nations. Many face prejudice for their homeland on both sides. In my eyes, those two lovers had something right."
"The circumstances of the peace between the Elven Confederation and Shaharian Dominion some three hundred years ago began because of the love between an elf and a human woman. Tensions were not as high at the border of the two nations as they were between their respective leaders. Even though they were at war with each other, the southern border, specifically around the mountain pass leading into the Confederation, deals with a large amount of trade back and forth at the local level. This is partly why elven silks still managed to make their way into noble hands during war-time, but I digress.
As the story goes, Mik'ael was an errand boy for a wealthy silk farmer on the northern border of the Confederation. His business often took him back and forth through the mountains into Shaharian lands, taking orders for his master and transporting the goods to the rightful customers. One day, he stopped in a small human settlement on the border called Smallvalen. In the town, he saw the lovely Beatrice Gaval being escorted through the streets, and by some accounts, he was instantly smitten with her. There have been centuries of strife between the two nations, and some hold contempt for the other side for injustices done upon their ancestors (See Barren Nights and/or Dusk Raids). With the war still ravaging the southern border of the Dominion, Lady Gaval and Mik'ael began meeting in secret. It would have been wholly inappropriate for a noble lady of her stature to be involved with a Wood Elf like Mik'ael. Yet, their love persisted until the day came that a blockade was put up at the southern border by the Shaharian forces. No trade was allowed through, and any person seen attempting to cross in or out was treated as hostile and arrested or killed on sight.
Accounts from Mik'ael's testimony say that this was the point that the war became the biggest inconvenience in his life. It prevented him from seeing the love of his life. Their desire to see one another coalesced into the creation of what is now called the Heart of Mik'ael. The Heart allowed them to see each other in a space only they could reach. They enjoyed the time they were able to be together but the physical distance proved to still ache at their hearts. To put a much longer story short, Lady Gaval convinced her father and then the leaders of the Dominion and Elven States respectively to come to a reluctant peace. To this day, tensions have not been quelled by the increased trade between the two nations. Many face prejudice for their homeland on both sides. In my eyes, those two lovers had something right."
Mechanics & Inner Workings
The exact workings of the gem are a mystery as is its creation.
Significance
The jewel is the symbol of the peace between the Dominion and the Elven States.
Item type
Jewelry / Valuable
Rarity
It is the only of its kind. Many copies of it have been made for noble family collectors.
Weight
3lbs
Dimensions
5in x 5in
Base Price
1000pp
Raw materials & Components
Large ruby and gold trim
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