Trueheart

Description

A 2ft blade of deep blue crystal with intricate silver etching. The hand grip is bound in a deep purple metal with a polished moonstone in the pommel.

History

When the Cataclysm reshaped Ellebore, Haven was really nothing more than a small village on a hill with strong walls and a fortified castle. Duke Kaarlo Ashkevron was a young man who was thrust into leadership when his father died in the resultant storms. Luckily for his people he was clever, lucky, and determined...and the complete opposite of his father.

The village grew as survivors trickled in and sought protection from the monsters that had been spawned. In time the small town had grown into a trading city on the river, with multiple other villages looking to Kaarlo for guidance and protection. Eventually, the people decided that having a duke wouldn't do and they wanted a king. Presenting Kaarlo with the crown, it was a fate accompli and Duke Ashkevron became King Ashkevron.

Pleased, but slightly embarrassed by the whole affair King Kaarlo began thinking more about the future. He believed that his young son would be a good man, and would make a fine king. But what about the generation after that and the next? Haven was founded on two principles; There is no one true way and There is always room for more. How could the king ensure that the crown only went to heirs that would hold those principles?

Writing to his friend, Lelxaash, King Ashkevron shared his concerns and his desire to provide a place of safety in the chaos left after the Cataclysm. A Dragonborn wizard/artificer from the far south of Umberfell, Lelxaash Brentrin was quite powerful...in his own lands. This golden scaled humanoid had come to Ellebore to help in the aftermath of the twin explosions rocked the world, but found himself at something of a loss when there was no weave to draw on. Kaarlo, as a much younger man, had had the chance to save Lelxaash and in the process made a fast friend.

The reply he received was cryptic but encouraging. "I believe I have something that could be of assistance, but it will take some time to complete. Hold the faith." Leaving that worry in the hands of his friend, Kaarlo turned his attention to taming the land and bringing some sense of normalcy back to the people.

It was some 25 years later before Lelxaash appeared at the court in Haven to present his friend with the promised artifact. When the Dragonborn arrived, it was to find King Kaarlo, old and infirm. Still lucid, but unable to get out of bed, the king had turned most of the duties over to his son, Prince Jarlen. When Lelxaash was ushered into the royal bedchamber Kaarlo's eyes lit up and a grin broke across his wrinkled face.

"I knew that you would not fail me," said the king. "But it has been a long wait, my friend. Please tell me that you have the answer to my prayers."

Lelxaash laid a wrapped package across the human's lap. As Kaarlo began to unwrap it, the dragonborn said, "I apologize for the long delay. Bringing such an artifact from theory to completion proved to be a difficult task. Particularly as I feared that the troubled weave would not be enough to power anything complex, and I was forced to replace power with ingenuity."

Kaarlo picked up the thin crystal blade that Lelxaash had crafted. As he held it up, the sword exploded with golden fire and a clear bell tone. Laughing, the king dropped the blade again and clapped his hands. "That will certainly catch peoples attention. Now, the real question is, will the sword do it for Jarlen?" Sending a runner for the Prince, he turned back to the golden dragonborn, "Thank you my friend, I know that you have labored long on this. I can go to my rest knowing that the kingdom will be looked after."

Lelxaash held up a hand, "I must warn you, this blade will only mark those who believe in your principles. No magic can guarantee a just and merciful ruler."

As Kaarlo began to respond, the door burst open and Prince Jarlen flew into the room. "What's wrong, Father? You said it was urgent." As his eyes took in Lelxaash, he stopped short and just stared.

Kaarlo laughed at the look on his son's face before saying, "I know that I have told you about Lelxaash and his promise. You never quite believed that he would accomplish it. I can't really blame you, you have never actually seen much magic." Lifting the blade in the cloth he directed his son to pick it up.

When Jarlen picked up the sword, it once again burst into light and sound. With a sigh, King Kaarlo fell back against the pillow and closed his eyes. After looking at the sward in astonishment, the Prince looked down at his father. Reaching out to touch the old man he discovered that the king had passed.

Dropping his head, Lelxaash bowed to Jarlen before saying, "King Jarlen, I share your sorrow at the death of Kaarlo Ashkervon. May your reign be peaceful and prosperous."

One year later:
King Jarlen sighed in satisfaction. The new laws had been approved by the full Council today, and not even the monarch is above the law. His father's last wish had been fulfilled, the crown belongs to the one for whom the sword sings.

Item type

Magical