The Silver Key of Artifacts
by Sir Steelake Vrochren
I have always been intrigued by artifacts. Rare objects with
extraordinary power, the stuff of myth...well, that's not out of
keeping with being a paladin, is it? We are warriors of the
spiritual plane. Swords and spells are our weapons. Maybe it's
because I've spent all my life learning to fight well with the
former that I've made a hobby out of collecting information about
the latter.
There isn't a lot available. -Information, I mean. Not genuine,
verifiable information. There are old folktales, the kind your
gran used to tell on long winter nights around the fire. There
are lies spread by hucksters, often elves, meant to get you
buying imitation artifacts with a single magical charge...or
worse.
But occasionally, just occasionally, you come upon one of those
sorry, frayed rumors that hang around in the corners of an old
down-at-the-mouth marketplace-- you know the kind I mean?-- or
you find some stained, moth-eaten book. You listen, or you read.
Then you think Ah, at last, I've come upon the real thing.
Most of what follows is a compendium of these "real things." No,
I don't vouch for them all. I've only seen 2 artifacts in my
lifetime, I'm nearing 215 and bedridden with the gout, so I don't
expect to see many more this side of Hodierna's embrace. However
everything that's listed here has been recorded by at least 3
reputable sources. What defines a reputable source? I do. If
that isn't good enough for you, so be it. Go heed the tales of
some huffing merchant who'll play at kneepalms with your wife
under the table while he sells you a stick for 3 gold kronars. I
can do no better than this.
I've found reports of a few pretty unpleasant artifacts in my
travels and conversations, and I list the more creditable ones
below, as well. Some of my colleagues will be inclined to
censure me for that.
Let them. Artifacts aren't paladins. They aren't all good.
They simply *are.* What's more, power is often unstable at the
best of times. Add in tricky gods and proud mortals and you've
got some strange results. "Consider Beylah the Stalwart, who
wished to be strongest of all, and outlast kingdoms. They say he
stands still, transformed into a huge stone arch by the gods,
overlooking the Desert of Dismond where once the redoubt of
Highhold proclaimed the might of Dwarven tenacity and wealth."
Of course, that's bard's nonsense! -But it holds the germ of a
truth. Unbalanced desires have led in the past to artifacts that
work for evil purpose. I've also heard tell that no mortal can
wield *any* artifact for long unless they have completely pure
motives. No mortal does, of course. As a result, all artifacts
show a tendency to leave their owners after repeated use and seek
balance in another's hands. This conduct is worthy of
admiration, and not a demonstration of fickleness as some
undiscriminating hobbyists have claimed (even comparing it to
elven courtesans).
Two artifacts have remained in place for years: Jevilnor and
Deeder's Ocular. (A third, the Ring of Demetrios, keeps coming
back to the tombsite of its original owner. I think that hardly
counts.) The rest have vanished of their own accord-- or been
placed into hiding. Or removed.
Out of sight, out of mind: an old truism, but dependable. An
artifact's owner usually seeks no attention. Can you blame him?
The temptation to steal an artifact and wield its power is often
too great for even the normal citizen of our realms-- how much
more so for those who scheme with evil intent. As a hobbyist, I
deplore the fact that so few artifacts are available for
examination. As a paladin, I applaud the efforts of those who
seek to protect what is rightfully theirs.
Enough. My random jottings begin below. Little enough, but it's
the best I can do. Time will cure the world of the flaws in my
actions, and future generations will correct my manuscript's
faults.
* The Golden Crown, sometimes also referred to as The Golden
Crown of Eredondo. However this is a misnomer, as Malicia
Eredondo is the first known individual to have exercised the
Crown's power, rather than the person who devised it. Point of
origination: unknown. Powers: The Golden Crown apparently
increases the charisma of the user and his/her ability to sway
the opinions and beliefs of others. It vanished upon the
dispersement of The Temple of the Silver Arm and the Golden
Crown, at the end of the Tarnished Wars more than 800 years ago.
The Crown has not been seen or heard of since.
* Deeder's Lockpick. From The Tales of Deeder Jonathan, by Alain
Martel: "This was another remarkable creation of the inestimable
Deeder Jonathan, halfling alchemist, seer and moon mage. The
incident (as later pieced together from the Greenhollow criminal
records) shows that Kelly, Deeder's thievish brother, got "an
idea." Kelly's ideas invariably centered about harnessing
Deeder's talents to some purely selfish end.
"Kelly told Deeder that he was going to set up as a locksmith,
and desired an infallible aid for his craft-- even offering to
split the profits (1/10th to Deeder) for the item. The good-
natured alchemist took it on as a pet project, and gave Kelly the
Lockpick. The latter resolved to try it that evening at a gala
affair given to honor a visiting dwarven ambassador.
"But since Deeder had not been told by his brother about the
scheme under foot (indeed, he never would have acquiesced) the
matter went other than as planned. Suddenly in the middle of the
reception a strangely metallic voice rang out, "Kelly, my master!
I have detrapped and opened the large oaken chest of Hortel
deBankoff! It wasn't easy, you might have had trouble without my
assistance!" Instantly guards surrounded Kelly; and had Deeder
not pulled all the strings at his disposal his brother might have
ended up a foot shorter from his right hand's fingertips in.
"As to Deeder's Lockpick, it vanished after the affair. It has
been surmised since that Deeder destroyed it, or Kelly might have
secreted it away."
* The Croc's Jawbone. Also known as The Jawbone of King Bear,
though he understandably took exception to this designation
during his lifetime. King Bear Orso (or Ray, as this informal
leader preferred to be called) was a crafty barbarian warlord in
a land where might belonged to all, but brains and patience to
very few. He inherited little, but joined together by the time
of his death a proud, fierce nation of tribes. They briefly
conquered one-quarter the known world until internal squabbles
and the sophistication of conquered cultures led to its demise.
Barbarians are notoriously magic resistant, which makes The
Croc's Jawbone all the more interesting as a potential magical
artifact. I say potential, because no one save King Bear ever
used the item. One epic tells that he left his kingdom one
morning, heading west towards the Mal-Tor Swamps, and battled
with a fierce demon in the shape of an incredibly large
crocodile. Another epic sings of his prowess against a
confederation of S'kra Mur war mages, and that he ripped the
Croc's Jawbone from around their leader's neck, effectively
destroying his magic. A third epic claims that Bear won the
Croc's Jawbone off a solitary hermit at the conclusion of a week-
long cardgame.
Whatever the cause, Bear possessed the huge Jawbone, and claimed
it was magical. He said that the Croc's Jawbone had been
announced in a prophecy as belonging to the One who would lead
all barbarians to their greater glory. The Archimandrite Nikos
Orsus agreed in the matter of the prophecy, though the fact that
he was Bear's younger brother probably raised some unspoken
doubts in a few clanmembers.
At the time of Bear's death the Jawbone vanished. Some claimed
it went to his first son, Varus Orso, who was treacherously slain
in a mountain pass returning from his father's funeral by an
erstwhile ally. Others say the Croc's Jawbone was withdrawn to
the Gods until a worthy successor might be revealed...or that it
was reverently buried with King Bear. The latter has resulted in
many attempts to locate Bear's Tomb, though all such expeditions
have met with failure to date. Whether magical or not, the
Croc's Jawbone would be an artifact of great power should it ever
return, since its wielder would instantly claim the allegiance of
many scattered barbarian communities everywhere.
* The Archbow; ShadowBlade. There are many rumors of weapons
artifacts, but most of these rumors pan out as little more than
"my third cousin had a boarder once who knew an elf who had an
uncle that had heard..." Rubbish. I have been able to authentic
only 2 weapons artifacts, though others of course may exist. The
Archbow have been possessed by many of the best bowmen in the
lands. It increases archery skill to a great extent. The
competent become great, and the great archer becomes a legend.
Shadowblade is a normal-seeming knife, until waved. Then it
turns into a standard greatsword. However, Shadowblade retains
the weight and mass of its knife-like state while functioning as
a greatsword. This means it requires little strength to do great
damage, and recovery time is far quicker after a swing.
Following a battle, Shadowblade becomes a knife again.
* Jevilnor. I have a special interest in Jevilnor! It was
supposedly created over 85 years by Evenight Aratan, a
craftsmaster of my tribe many centuries ago. Jevilnor is a
dwarven hammer unlike any other. It does not kill, it creates--
and what wonders it creates! Jevilnor is a jewelsmith's tool
like none other. A single tap anywhere on a stone will reveal a
flaw. Another will remove the excrescence, while a third will
smooth the bevel if no further blemish lies underneath. A
regular hammer in an expert's hands will require weeks, perhaps a
month to release beauty from the confines of stone. Jevilnor
requires minutes in the hands of a babe, a halfling or a gor'tog.
The owner of Jevilnor is rich beyond measure, because he owns not
merely the source of great wealth, but the origin of reputation.
Jevilnor currently resides in Darvagai Anliker. It is used by
Osi Hamesen, Royal Gemcutter to Lord Vynwreth Thibilig, to
fashion works of extraordinary complexity. I have seen some of
the results on display during state functions, and they prefigure
a craft which lies beyond mortal management. Hamesen, great
craftsmaster that he is, could have imagined those works. Only
the Jevilnor's speed and accuracy would have allowed him to
realize these. They are a perfect match: no greater praise is
possible to Osi Hamesen, whom I count a friend.
* The Veil of Arnor. From the Nysilian Mysteries: "Then Aoethus
lifted his right hand, and it was naught but a flame; and he
lifted his left hand, and it was a charred stump. He breathed
the words that had been kissed upon his lips by Neenana, and his
hands were healed. The Ravens of Fornosti cried out Father, the
thief lives! Deep in his waethre, Vaseo contemplated this, and
frowned.
"Speak what you would have of me, he cried in a shout all the
greater for that it was a loud whisper cast over a landscape of
silence. Give me the Veil of Arnor, Aoethus replied as he had
been told. No such Veil exists, the whisper continues. Then it
will be so, Aoethus said.
"Vaseo summoned his son and daughter, Daeman and Maithe. Though
they cried he slit their throats and cast them into the black
glass pit; and he cast a pall of darkness over the earth that
none may witness his shame.
"Then with mighty oaths and conjurations he summoned the 5
Governors of the Elements and the 36 Lords of the World. Thus
the bond was formed, and lightning struck the fabled city that
had stood since the dawn of Time, declaring it no more. But the
Veil of Arnor was there in its place, clean and smooth, placid as
a lake and gray as a pearl plucked from Havaena's brow. This
Veil was given by Vaseo to Aeothus. Then Aeothus sought to thank
Vaseo, but the latter was no more. Weeping, Aeothus left that
place that had ceased to be, and the bane went with him."
I have seen the Veil...! I have seen it, observed its power. It
resided 20 years ago at the Temple of the Pillars in Adamantia.
It was to all appearances a smooth, smoky mirror, small enough to
fit into a pocket. Oval-shaped, it bore a white horn frame that
looked worse for the wear.
The cleric who led us, old Lord Emery, was permitted to look into
it. When he did so, he vanished! A moment later he reappeared.
Greatly thanking the Nysilian priests he bowed low, then ushered
us out.
Emery, as skeptical as they come, was fascinated with the Veil of
Arnor. He said that once his glance had fixed upon the mirror he
was in a featureless room that seemed to stretch for miles.
Nothing else was there. He glanced down at the mirror again, and
imagined for a moment he saw a figure in it. Then he was back at
the altar.
Physical displacement-- that was Emery's verdict. The figure he
had seen briefly in the Veil was himself, and that had reversed
the enchantment.
Emery, may Hodierna succor him, had a shrewd mind, and his
educated guess was likely correct. Somehow, the Veil of Arnor
had transported him inside itself, into a perfectly safe haven
where nothing else might intrude. A second glance at the Veil
had restored him to this world.
But how did this wondrous artifact pass from the legendary hands
of the great thief Aeothus into the possession of the Nysilian
theocrats? On that subject the Mysteries are ingenuously silent.
And since the Nysilian High Priest Aenthen glanced in the mirror
14 years ago-- vanishing along with the mirror-- and hasn't been
seen since, it would appear this mystery may never be resolved.
* The Jester's Wand. One of the cursed artifacts referred to
above. All sources agree, it appears to be an ebony wand with a
cruelly smiling jester's head at the business end. Waved at an
enemy, one of several things happen. It can turn into an
enchanted longsword...or into a lump of charcoal. On one
occasion it supposedly turned into a bronze bell whose sound
knocked down all creatures within hearing distance. On another
it became a flaming beacon that attacked both friend and foe
alike.
All sources are also in agreement that after being waved the wand
retains its current shape and function for several hours, during
which it cannot be removed from the owner's hand. Location:
whereabouts unknown.
* Peska Mask. The Peska Tribe of Aivii are reported to possess
a curious artifact, origins unknown. It is a mask that greatly
increases battle prowess when worn by a woman. When worn by a
man, however, it's only effects are to alter his race and
features apparently at random. I'd dearly love to see something
like this-- though frankly, not to wear it.
* The Drum of Kaldukar. According to the gor'togs, the barbarian
Silver Leopard beat the demon Kaldukar at wrestling. The price
Silver Leopard extracted for Kaldukar's release was the Drum.
When it is played, the drum calls forth the enemies of the
musician. There is no guessing which enemy will arrive, or how
many. They simply and immediately appear, fighting to the death.
The Drum can be played indefinitely to similar purpose, which
says much about barbarians and Gor'Tog musical taste.
* The Talisman of Demetrios. When the elderly warrior mage
Demetrios Chytros lay dying, he moved his restless spirit into a
singularly enruned platinum talisman. It had been his desire to
create an artifact that would move the user to whatever location
they desired, be it near or far, as long as it was clearly
envisioned and somewhere within the known world.
Alas, Demetrios died midway through the process, and despite the
eloquent assistance of his colleague S'prntss, the procedure was
flawed. The Talisman of Demetrios will indeed send the user
anywhere in the known world, but the choice of location appears
completely randomized. Several heroes have died, eager to tame
and control the power of the Talisman, their bodies vaporized in
the heat of a volcano or preserved, perfect but dead, in the ice
flow of glaciers.
Each time the Talisman has left the body of its deceased owner
and returned to rest atop the coffin containing the remains of
Demetrios in his former estate in Nightvision. At the last such
instance 125 years ago the Talisman was removed by royal decree
to the province museum, from which it was stolen some 73 years
later, still awaiting for paperwork to facilitate its transfer to
Asemath Academy. The whereabouts of the Talisman of Demetrios
have been unknown since that time.
* Deeder's Ocular. From The Tales of Deeder Jonathan, by Alain
Martel: "Kelly Jonathan was again the genesis for this
remarkable device. He convinced his less-worldly brother upon
this occasion that he (Kelly) would be setting up shop as a
healer, and that some item which allowed him to find people in
need and move quickly to their side would be advantageous to all.
Deeder was very enthusiastic in his support, and set to work at
once.
"Kelly employed the resulting horn-rimmed ocular to watch the
head clerk at the First Elanthian State Bank. When he entered
the vaults, Kelly tapped the eyepiece-- and was instantly
transported to his side. The halfling thief grabbed a sack of
gold from the astonished clerk's hands, and tapped the eyepiece
again.
"Nothing happened. Kelly had never specified to his brother that
there was any need to hurry back; and by making the ocular a
single-charge item the alchemist had sought to let it recharge
quicker...once every 24 hours, in fact. Of course this sensible
decision was not on Kelly's mind when he found himself surrounded
by guards and hauled before a magistrate. He only escaped prison
that time by claiming to be his brother and feigning madness.
Truth to tell, Kelly's state of mind at being cheated for still-
another fortune which lay within his grasp can only be imagined."
The Ocular is in the possession of Asemath Academy. It resides
in the Academy Vaults, and is shown to distinguished visitors
upon rare occasions.