The Circlet of Truth
Like so many empires before it the destruction of the Krai-Jan started in their own courts.
Corruption, greed, excess, and avarice collided in officials that cared little for anything outside of their own lives. The people that they ruled over were but distant second thoughts to their own passions and excesses. When the rulers of the Krai-Jan Empire began to believe that they had not only a right to rule but also to benefit personally from that right, the seeds of their own destruction had already been sewn.
While it became the culture of the ruling elites to behave in this way, it by no means was indicative of every Krai-Jan ruler. There may not have been enough Krai-Jan officials with a differing culture and approach to ruling to stave off rebellion and decimation; but honest, hardworking, and servant leaders did exist within the Empire.
Achshad Nezzek was one such servant leader. From a young age Achshad learned that he could not gain personally through corruption or lying. It simply did not set right with his soul. With his attitude and moral compass he was often seen as a pariah and did not make many friends in the Krai-Jan ruling class. People liked to stay on his good side but went out of their way to hide their corruption from him as it always seemed to be brought to light if he knew of it. Mostly they just shunned him.
Achshad's mentor in Nehvodim, Sabrik Malarus, always respected a commitment to truth and service. Sabrik played court politics with the best of Krai-Jan society, but inside he understood it compromised his character and was saddened by his life choices. Sabrik enjoyed training Achshad in the ways of earth magic, as it reminded him of who he wanted to be, rather than the person he became in order to rise through the ranks of the Krai-Jan government.
When Achshad was appointed to replace the Raznam of Letheradim, Sabrik decided to give a special gift to his student. Sabrik commissioned a circlet from a local goldsmith. He imbued it with his own life energy to see the truth of things spoken and done by other people and oneself. On the day of Achshad's departure for Letheradim, Sabrik gave the circlet to his friend. Achshad wept upon receiving the gift, knowing what it had cost his friend and mentor to make.
Achshad only allowed the circlet from his head when he slept; at all other times he wore it. A gold circlet was the badge of office for a Raznam, so none were suspicious that Achshad bore one upon his head. What they did not know, however, was that it fortified Achshad's already honest nature and allowed him to root out corruption and injustice in Letheradim, which he did quickly and without hesitation until the day the Traazorites attacked.
In the final moments of the battle that saved Letheradim's people, Achshad bestowed his beloved circlet to Narin Polat, a young soldier that had fought by Achshad's side throughout the battle. The truth it showed the young man renewed his determination and vigor, giving him visions of his parents escaping into the hills and building a new life for themselves free of the rebels.
Narin was killed moments before Achshad himself was defeated. The circlet was buried with the soldier in Achshad's Tomb, where it awaits to this day.
To see the effects of the Circlet of Truth, you need to have access to the Loremaster level of World of Faelon!
