Dismal Blade

The Dismal Blades were forged by Dismas in the years after the opening of the Abyss, mostly before it was closed. The have the appearance of ordinary daggers, with no truly unifying features or theme between them, other than the maker’s usual stylistic choices. This seems to be because the Blades were forged for specific people, and, with the Master Smith’s usual careful attention to detail, designed with their individual needs in mind. For example, the Blade held by House Candidus is fully 12 inches long, with a wickedly curved blade, whereas House Serenus’s Blade is only 4 inches long, and strongly resembles a stiletto.
The most exceptional Blade is of course the one held by the royal family of Redwind, which has remained a symbol of the monarchy through several changes in royal line. ‘The East Wind' was specifically left by Dismas to help guard the city before he vanished, and the Blade has seen its fair share of use in battle.
There is one final, mysterious Blade which has appeared recently in the city of Redwind. A plain, simple dagger in the hands of an unknown young woman. This Blade is not recorded in any catalogue of the Smith’s works. Its provenance is a true mystery.

Mechanics & Inner Workings

The dagger is, usually, just a dagger. However, when wielded by a person with the ability to manipulate Abyssal energies in a particular way (usually an Alesian, but some Magdalens have shown the ability to do the same, and often with greater finesse) the blade extends into a psychic blade of significant power and stability. It is similar to the kind which some psychics can create, but requires much less mental strain to maintain. 
It is thought that the glass gem set in the hilt, of an ominous bloody red, is the source of the blade’s abilities. It is speculated to have been made from Dark Sand, from the island of Melos, but it is unknown how this gives the blades their special properties.

Significance

The Blades were of course forged by the smith Dismas, who was one of the Council of Nine, and played a role in the defence against and eventual sealing of the Abyss. They are also over 900 year old, and so artefacts in their own right. 
Most are in the possession of Alesian noble houses, and within Alesian culture they signify that the house has been in existence since the beginning of the Alesian race, which lends the house a history and significance above the others. The truth is that there has been some exchange and seizure during the years since the sealing of the Abyss, and as such the majority of the noble houses currently in possession of the Blades probably aren’t the same ones which originally held them.
Outside of the Regnum Caelorum, the Blades bear less cultural significance other than as ancient artifacts - worthy of respect, but more of a curiosity. The exception is the Blade held by the royal family of Redwind, left there by the smith after the city was founded. This is a true sword (if a shortsword) and is one of the symbols of the monarch. This Blade is named ‘Il Vento Dell’Est’ or the East Wind, presumably as a counter to the deadly west wind after which the city is named.

Item type

Weapon, Melee

Used by

• The East Wind

Rarity

A number of these daggers were forged by the legendary smith Dismas. Each was created for an individual bearer, and most are still accounted for somewhere in the world, and most of these belong to either a noble house in the Regnum Caelorum. Every so often one of the lost daggers will turn up. Nobody is sure of the exact number forged but it probably doesn’t exceed 20.

Weight

1lb (approx)

Dimensions

5-12 inches in length