Rose of Cassel

Aerynn

"I've been practicing with this blade for five years now and it still doesn't feel like I am the owner... I hope Ren returns someday, I would really rather give it back to her!

---

The Rose of Cassel, also the Castle Rose, is an ancient backsword that has been owned by various members of the Vernador family for almost a thousand years. The sword was forged by an Infernas as a gift to Vernador XIII, who used the sword as her preferred weapon and then it was passed to various descendants until it came into the hands of Aerynn Vernador.

The weapon has an unusual design for a backswords. Most of these blades have a blood groove, but the Rose of Cassel lacks one. The design of the crossguard and hilt is also quite different. Most backswords have a basket shaped guard or at least a single piece of metal or something to protect the hand in some way. The sword's crossguard extends straight outward a short distance and then stops, offering very little protection.

The sword does make up for this with its enchantments. It has defensive magic built in, and its offensive power makes it among the most powerful legendary weapons in Cassel, if one knows how to use it properly. It is a mage's sword, useful for channeling and amplifing certain types of magic.

The blade itself is made of Ruby Gem Steel, giving it a dark metallic appearance with a subtle red shine to it. When the sword is charged with mana or aether, the blade will start to glow red. It is the properties of the gem steel that gives the weapon the ability to amplify fire, earth, and lightning magic.

Length: 39 inches
Weight: 28 ounces

Materials:

Silver (Core)

Ruby Gem Steel (Blade)

Has several ruby shards on the base of the blade in the shape of a rose.

Enchantments:

Conduit - Will Amplify certain magical elements channeled through the blade, specifically Fire, Lightning, and Earth elemental magic.

Hot Edge - The blade can rapidly heat up, turning red hot. It can be overcharged with aether to fire a beam of energy in the direction it is pointing.

Tower Defense - The blade projects a manafield around the user by default. It can be used to block and redirect incoming magic attacks.

---

Recent History

Larielle Vernador

After the weapon lay unused for several centuries in Cassel's royal vault, a 13 year old Larielle picked up the sword in the year 2974 I.A.. The sword was showing signs of decay and needed to be repaired. Larielle took it to an elven smith Lyonne who was able to get the blade back to perfect condition. Larielle used the sword for several years and precticed with it, but she was not a mage or a fighter, so she never got much use out of the blade.

---

Renelle Vernador

After Renelle won the tournament of champions in the year 2984 IA, Larielle presented the Rose of Cassel to her as a gift. Renelle immediately put the weapon to good use, as she was a fighter, and she was already an excellent fire mage. When Ren fought with this weapon, it became an extension of herself, not just as a sword would be to a normal fighter, but as an extension of her magic and an extension of her soul.

Renelle used this sword almost exclusively for the next three years. She used it in several mercenary contracts to the Palma Islands, to the Red Towers and more. When she left Cassel, she took the blade with her to Yurrimkil where she continued to do mercenary work for over a year. She also uncovered a vampire conspiracy and used the sword to defeat many of them. When she was done in that country, she travelled to Faeon and Ordland, and again used the sword in her work.

Renelle lost the sword in 2987 IA. when she attempted to kill her uncle Eldon Vernador. She made a mistake with her fire attack and burned her cousin Aerynn instead. Aerynn had pushed her father out of the way and took the full force of Ren and the sword's attack. Ren was shaken and attempted to sheathe her sword but dropped it instead. she left without picking it up.

---

Aerynn Vernador

The sword at this point would have passed to Arden Vernador, the person Renelle fought and technically lost to. Arden didn't see it that way, as Aerynn was the one who took on his sister's final attack and caused her to leave. Arden wasn't really that great with fire magic anyways. He gave the sword to Aerynn and had her practice with it.

Over the last five years, Aerynn has practiced with the sword, and she is quite adept at casting fire magic and channeling it through the sword. If not for the fact she became a healing mage and works for The Church of Saint Nora, she would carry it more often.

Even though Aerynn is an expert with the use of the Rose of Cassel, she never felt like the sword actually belonged to her. Ren's attack did burn her, badly, but she healed quickly with no signs the fire ever harmed her. Aerynn doesn't have any ill will against her cousin and wants nothing more than to give the sword back to its rightful owner.