The Star of Aenar
"A gift for your persistence"The Star of Aenar is a great impressive diamond owned and protected by the Sedian Church of Aenar. Known for bestowing his children with many relics and magical trinkets, especially as rewards for curiosity, it is said that a cathartic and sorrowful Aenar lead his most loyal of followers to the diamond after The Ruination to bring them a spark of hope in the ashes. Cut and set into its amulet form during the First Age, it was re-discovered along with several other artifacts sometime in early middle history, possibly as early as 200-300 years following The Ruination. It is one of the oldest found relics in existence and is considered priceless.
Description
The Star of Aenar is a white diamond that weighs in at 452 grams. It is cut in a brilliant shape and set into a simple golden setting, hung on a necklace beneath a smaller pear-shaped diamond. Each square, jewelled link that makes up the necklace that it hangs from is detailed with filigree and ancient elvish runes, arranged in a manner that is designed to protect and inspire the wearer. The chain being made of gold makes the entire amulet incredibly heavy, and the High Aenaric's robes require a special padded section on the collar around the neck to ensure that the chain doesn't bruise or rub.Discovery and Early History
During early Middle History, a band of elvish priests of Aenar known as "Aenar's First", set out exploring the wastes of The Ruination, searching for information, purpose and hope for their people. They were responsible for a significant amount of early Middle History exploration and documentation of Sedia as a land mass, and many later cartographers and geologists used their initial notes and sketches to make headway on circumnavigating the changed land. On their pilgrimage, they made special care to explore areas of particular destruction or significance, following the paths told in mad ramblings of those who witnessed The Ruination. The priests spent considerable time in self-reflection and prayer in these sacred locations, and it was in one such location that the diamond was found. At the top of the now aptly named Martyr's Peak, they discovered the stone around the neck of a skeleton still kneeling in prayer, his bones draped in tattered and scorched robes of Aenar. The figure is known as "Aenar's Nameless Martyr" and is thought to have been a great high priest of Aenar from the First Age. His bones and robes are now preserved and encased in a gold and crystal case atop the mountain, just as they were found for pilgrims to visit and reflect upon. Records state that when the priests approached the site, they all felt the first connection to Aenar they had felt in years. Warmed by his gaze upon them, they all heard the phrase "A gift for your persistence", a phrase which still commonly be seen in art and literature dedicated to Aenar, and worn embroidered or engraved in clothing and jewels worn by all levels of worshippers. The stone was worn by the leader of Aenar's First until it was passed on to their successors. The stone has changed hands countless times over the millennia, but it is now always carried by the Sedian High Aenaric, and both the priest and the stone are closely protected at all times.Arcane Significance
The Star of Aenar is a powerful arcane conductor, as are most diamonds. Arcane analysis shows it is particularly receptive to holy and radiant magic types, bolstering additional power to radiant-based spells, light magic, luck and time magic, and spells that sharpen the mind. Despite this, the Church of Aenar are very strict on its usage. The carrier of the amulet may only use it in cases in which they receive a sign from Aenar, and know that the use is within his will. Most High Aenarics that carry the amulet have a deep connection to Aenar, some of them able to speak intermittently with their god or feel an intuition of his will. In the past, the stone has famously been used to heal the King of Sedia following battle, but the High Aenarics have also turned down healing Sedia's royalty. Of note was the occasion of Queen Opaline, second wife of King Rolstad. During the birth of her son there were advanced complications, and other healing magic and medicine had failed. Upon consultation with Aenar, the High Aenaric Lydia Wolfstrym denied the royal family's request to assist, as Aenar and shown to her that doing so would have dire negative consequences. It is said that Lydia knew that denying the royal plea for help would spell disaster for her, but her faith in Aenar and his will left her fearless of the wrath of the king. Neither Queen Opaline or her unborn son survived the childbirth, and many legends and tales have since been spun of the child being evil or unholy in some manner. High Aenaric Lydia Wolfstrym was famously executed for treason three days following the Queen's death, sparking outrage across the country and from international Aenaric churches worldwide. It took centuries for the Sedian Crown and the Church of Aenar to heal diplomatically from the incident.A Target of Theft
The Star of Aenar is a target that has spun many tales and legends of great heist attempts and failed assassinations. The incredible worth of the gemstone coupled with its magical and spiritual significance has made it a target of idealistic career criminals, as well as the target of revolutionary rebels to the Astrellos-centric system of Sedia's culture. A target during the great Sedian Revolution, the diamond was once successfully stolen by a group of mercenaries hired by the Rebels. Police tracked the movements of the amulet and managed to intercept a wagon carrying it out of the city towards Hyfrias, resulting in a bloodbath battle between the Rebels and the police unit. The gemstone was recovered unharmed and returned to church, two surviving Rebels from the caravan carrying the stone were taken in and sentenced to death on both charges relating to the theft, as well as the killings of police officers.
by spooktacular
Weight
452g
Base Price
Unmeasurable
by spooktacular
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