Aetherbrand: The Sword of Cosmic Truth

The Aetherbrand is a divine longsword that embodies Soaix’s domains of inspiration, science, secrets, and sorrow, as well as his role as the God of the Macrocosm. The sword reflects his meticulous, calculated nature and the profound responsibility he carries as the guardian of balance and the mortal realm.

The Creation of Aetherbrand

Long before mortals carved their first cities or spoke their first words, the Aetherbrand was forged as the ultimate symbol of Soaix’s divine responsibility. The sword represents the balance of the Macrocosm, where truths are both revealed and hidden, and where inspiration and sorrow intertwine to shape existence.

Forged in the Eternal Skyforge
The Aetherbrand was created in the Eternal Skyforge, a celestial workshop suspended above the Macrocosm in a place where the light of the heavens meets the solidity of the earth. The forging process involved contributions from Soaix’s closest divine allies:

1. Stellarsteel from Traeron:
   The blade was crafted from Stellarsteel, a celestial alloy born from the core of a dying star gifted by Traeron, God of The Inferno. This material imbued the blade with unyielding strength and a faint cosmic glow, tying it to the heavens and the inevitability of time.
2. Winds of Insight from Ceaz:
   Ceaz, Goddess of The Aerate, provided the Skythread that wraps the hilt. This divine fabric, woven from the essence of the Aerate’s eternal winds, allows the sword to resonate with its wielder’s emotions and intentions, ensuring perfect harmony between weapon and user.
3. The Soulmist Crystal from Crazu:
   Crazu, Goddess of Shinlaris, offered the Soulmist Crystal that forms the pommel. This orb holds a swirling mist symbolizing the unending cycle of life and death, binding the Aetherbrand to the flow of mortal souls.

The First Forging
Soaix himself forged the blade in solitude, channeling the energy of the First Convergence, a celestial alignment that brought clarity and inspiration to the realms. As he shaped the blade, constellations formed within its surface, their patterns shifting to mirror the mysteries of the Macrocosm.

At the moment of completion, the Aetherbrand emitted a hum so profound that it resonated across all realms. It is said that mortals who heard the hum were struck with visions of the infinite, inspiring the first great works of art, philosophy, and science.

The Blade

• Material:
  The blade of the Aetherbrand is forged from Stellarsteel, an alloy imbued with the essence of fallen stars. Its surface glimmers like a polished mirror, but within its depths lies a swirling nebula of silver, pale blue, and faint gold. Constellations and celestial patterns seem to shift and realign as though the blade reflects the thoughts or emotions of those who behold it.
• Design:
  The blade is a masterpiece of precision and symmetry. Its form tapers to a fine, needle-sharp tip, and its edges are honed to perfection, thin enough to cleave through reality itself. One side of the blade is smooth and reflective, symbolizing truth and clarity, while the other side is intricately engraved with interlocking runes and geometric patterns, representing secrets and hidden complexity.
• Etchings and Glow:
  The runes on the engraved side emit a faint light that pulses rhythmically, mimicking the heartbeat of the cosmos. These runes seem alive, shifting subtly in response to the wielder’s intent, and are said to reveal hidden truths to those who can decipher them.
• Aura of Light and Shadow:
  The blade emits a gentle, ethereal glow in silver and pale blue hues. This light grows brighter in moments of inspiration and dimmer in moments of sorrow. When used in combat or rituals, the blade seems to ripple with power, casting both radiant light and stark shadows.

The Hilt

• Design:
  The hilt of the Aetherbrand is wrapped in woven skythread, a divine fabric that feels as soft as silk yet unyielding under pressure. Its texture is comforting, designed to give the wielder a sense of security and balance. The hilt’s crossguard is shaped like an open book, with its "pages" inscribed with glowing runes that shift like the constellations on the blade.
• Guard and Balance:
  The crossguard is wide but elegant, flaring outward like the wings of a celestial bird. Each "wing" is adorned with carved designs resembling the pathways of celestial ley lines, channeling energy into the blade. The balance of the hilt is flawless, making the weapon feel weightless in the wielder’s hands.
• Pommel:
  The pommel is a quartz-like orb, containing a swirling mist that shifts in color and density based on the wielder’s emotions. This mist represents the wielder’s internal state, calming when they feel confident and churning when they are conflicted. Encasing the orb is a delicate framework of silver vines, symbolizing the interconnectedness of all things.

History

1. The Severing of the Veil
   The Aetherbrand’s first act was to sever the Veil of Ignorance, a metaphysical barrier that prevented mortals from perceiving the truths of existence. With a single swing, Soaix cut through the veil, revealing the stars and their guidance to the world. This act is said to have inspired mortals to look beyond themselves, sparking the birth of science and exploration.
2. The Age of Discord
   During the Age of Discord, when mortal greed and divine conflicts threatened to unravel the Macrocosm, Soaix wielded the Aetherbrand to restore balance. He struck down rogue gods who sought to dominate mortals, their divine essence absorbed into the blade, adding to its power.
3. The Battle of the Shattered Spire: One legend tells of Soaix clashing with a god of deception atop the Shattered Spire. The Aetherbrand dispelled every illusion, exposing the god’s schemes and rendering them powerless.
4. The Sorrowful Lament
   The Aetherbrand is also tied to one of Soaix’s greatest regrets. During the War of the Forgotten Realms, Soaix used the sword to strike down a mortal champion who had been corrupted by forbidden knowledge. Though the act was necessary to save the Macrocosm, Soaix mourned the loss deeply, and the sword absorbed his sorrow. Since that day, the Aetherbrand has carried a faint melody of lamentation, audible only to those who truly understand its burden.
5. The Silent Era
   In an age when mortals turned away from the gods, the Aetherbrand was returned to Soaix’s Celestial Library, where it rests to this day. Legends say that Soaix withdrew the weapon because mortals had grown unworthy of its truths, blinded by their hubris and unwilling to accept the responsibilities that come with knowledge.
6. The Prophecy of the Next Wielder
   Myths foretell that the Aetherbrand will awaken again in the hands of a mortal who embodies the ideals of balance, clarity, and inspiration. This champion will face a crisis that threatens the Macrocosm itself, and their decisions will determine whether the realm thrives or collapses.

The Role of the Aetherbrand in Mythology

1. The Guide of Truth
   The Aetherbrand is often described as the "blade that reveals." Its presence is said to illuminate hidden paths and truths, guiding mortals and gods alike toward enlightenment. However, it does so at a cost—those who wield it must confront painful truths about themselves and the world.
2. A Symbol of Duality
   The sword represents the balance Soaix upholds: the harmony between inspiration and sorrow, clarity and mystery, science and faith. It is both a weapon and a mirror, forcing its wielder to see the truth within themselves before they can wield it against others.
3. The Unseen Judge
   Mortals whisper that the Aetherbrand watches even from its resting place. In moments of great decision, its influence can be felt, nudging events toward balance. Some claim that stars align differently for those who are meant to wield it, as though the sword itself chooses its next champion.

Modern Location (1136Q)

The Aetherbrand rests in Soaix’s Celestial Library, an otherworldly archive located at the heart of the Macrocosm. The library is said to exist partially outside of time, accessible only to those who seek knowledge without hubris or greed. The sword hovers above a reflective altar, surrounded by shifting constellations that whisper fragments of hidden truths.

Rarity

The Aetherbrand is not just a weapon but a manifestation of Soaix’s essence. Its cost is meaningless in mortal terms because its true value lies in the balance it brings and the truth it reveals. If priced, it would only serve as a reference for its incomparable worth.

Weight

5 pounds (2.3 kilograms)

Dimensions

Overall Length: 48 inches (1.2 meters), Blade Length: 36 inches (91 cm), Hilt Length: 12 inches (30 cm)

Base Price

500,000 to 1,000,000 gp