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Artblade

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The Artblade (also known as the Noble Sorcerer's Sword, or Ary'Faern'Kerym in Elven[1]), is one of three Elfblades created in ancient Cormanthyr to help the elves establish a ruling family. This particular blade is used to name the Spell-Major, the Defender by Art, as he is called. The wielder of the Artblade is responsible for the upkeep of magical defenses of the realm, and command of the Akh'Faer, the arcane arm of the military.[2]

[edit] History

The Artblade was created by Elven High Magic alongside its mates, the Warblade and the Rulers' Blade in -4000 DR, at the behest of the ill Coronal of Jhyrennstar, Oacenth, who desired the magical swords to determine the rulers of the united tribes and new nation of Cormanthyr.[3]

For over four millenia, the sword served the elves well. However, in 450 DR, the Spell-Major Zaos Durothil lost the blade while battling the Red dragon Edallisufanxar. For a time, the sword was replaced by Faervian, a Baneblade, created by the human wizard Demron.[4]

In 500 DR, the elven noble and bladesinger Josidiah Starym embarked on a famous quest to retreve the Warblade from the Twisted Tower with a band of his adventuring friends but when he returned in 674 DR he had found the Artblade instead.[5] Josidiah bore the Artblade until his demise in 714 DR during the Weeping War and the fall of Myth Drannor, when the blade was consumed in a great magical attack by the Starym noble.[6][7]

[edit] Characteristics

The Artblade, like others of its type, shares some common characteristics with its kin (see Elfblade), but also has its own special powers, described here. [1]

The blade appears as if made of darkness, and its shape is a tangible black void, outlined in a crimson streak which is the source of the blade's light. It cackles like lightning when drawn, and creates a sharp buzzing sound when swung, like that of an angry bee. Oddly, when the blade strikes a foe, there is no sound from the hit, despite the strength behind it. An elven rune near the pommel signifies a thing of magic.

  • Neutral Good
  • Wielder can cast dispel magic 3 times per day.
  • Wielder can cast detect magic at will.
  • Wielders of the Artblade can forego normal spellcasting and instead cast their magic through the sword. The swinging of the sword replaces any somatic component and the buzz replaces vocal components. Using the sword in this way negates the need for material components. Any evocation spells cast through the sword are an an increased caster level (+1).
  • Failure to pass the tests of the Blade-rite cause the wielder to be wrapped in a Dead-magic zone and unable to wield magic for 3d6 years.

The characteristics of the weapons were revised in the 3rd edition of Dungeons and Dragons as follows.[8]

  • The spell dispel magic is replaced with greater dispel magic
  • Wielders of the Artblade can cast any spell as if with the Still Spell, Silent Spell, and Eschew Materials feats at no increase in level, and any Evocation spell is cast at caster level +1.
  • A successful candidate must be able to cast 8th level arcane spells and have a selfless love for magic and the Cormanthyrian people.
  • Failure to pass the tests causes the wielder to be divorced from the Weave and unable to cast spells for 1d6 years (Will DC 23 for half). A Shadow Weave user who even attempts to draw it is target to a disintigrate spell (caster level 25, DC 40).
  • Blade emanates overwhelming Evocation, and is Caster level 25th.

[edit] Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Steven E. Schend and Kevin Melka (1998). Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves, p. 156. TSR, Inc. ISBN 0-7069-0761-4.
  2. ↑ Steven E. Schend and Kevin Melka (1998). Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves, p. 47. TSR, Inc. ISBN 0-7069-0761-4.
  3. ↑ Steven E. Schend and Kevin Melka (1998). Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves, p. 27. TSR, Inc. ISBN 0-7069-0761-4.
  4. ↑ Steven E. Schend and Kevin Melka (1998). Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves, p. 40. TSR, Inc. ISBN 0-7069-0761-4.
  5. ↑ Ed Greenwood (1993). Ruins of Myth Drannor: Campaign Guide, p. 18. TSR, Inc. ISBN 1-5607-6569-0.
  6. ↑ Ed Greenwood (1993). Ruins of Myth Drannor: Campaign Guide, p. 39. TSR, Inc. ISBN 1-5607-6569-0.
  7. ↑ Richard Baker, Ed Bonny, Travis Stout (February 2005). Lost Empires of Faerûn, p. 158. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-3654-1.
  8. ↑ Richard Baker, Ed Bonny, Travis Stout (February 2005). Lost Empires of Faerûn, p. 157-159. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-3654-1.
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