Goldbrand

**Goldbrand**, also called the **Yuvontuz**, is a magical sword associated with a Daedric Prince, containing, sealed inside it, the shade of Boethiah. It was held by the Psijic Order and the Order of the Blades until Dalacard Rethwode claimed it.

## Legend

Goldbrand is associated with a dragon priest and sorcerer, Krosis. When the Dragon War ended and Alduin was defeated, Dwiirokfadfel, one of the dragons who were ruled by the World-Eater fled to Shearpoint and did obeisance to Krosis, believing the mortals to be the new lords of the dragons. Krosis, however, knew that his power would soon dwindle if not by the allegiance of powerful dragons, and searched for a spirit of darkness to make a pact. He swore to Boethiah "all deaths of the world".

In exchange, Boethiah spat in his mouth a dark liquid, presumably her spiritual essence, and a spirit grew inside his body. This spirit was a shade of Boethiah, a rebirth of the Deceiver of Nations that was none-the-wiser of not being the original. This spirit made him strong and feared, and he had Dwiirokfadfel craft him a weapon worthy of his use. Dragonfire crafted a sword that was then as the Sun to behold.

When the shade of Boethiah had grown enough, being sustained by the living force of Krosis, she ordered him to open his mouth so it could escape. Krosis closed his mouth, but was strangled by his own hands; with his last strength he let out a cry, charging Dwiirokfadfel to defend him. Dwiirokfadfel fought the shade of Boethiah and using the thu'um sealed it inside Goldbrand.

## History

In 3E 427, the Nerevarine discovered the sunken shrine to Boethiah beneath the waves, west of the small village of Hla Oad in the Bitter Coast region of Vvardenfell. The Daedra was upset that his shrine had been allowed to remain in ruins, and ordered the Nerevarine to erect a new shrine in return for the Goldbrand. The Nerevarine funded an orc sculptor to create the shrine at Khartag Point, a landmark northwest of Gnaar Mok. When the statue was complete, Boethiah rewarded the Nerevarine with the Goldbrand, which was later rumored to have transformed into Eltonbrand. Goldbrand was sold to Torasa Aram and put on display in the Mournhold Museum of Artifacts that same year. In 3E 433, the Champion of Cyrodiil visited the Realm of Boethia and partook in the Tournament of Ten Bloods. After defeating all nine of Boethiah's Chosen in mortal combat, Boethiah declared the Champion as his Chosen One, gifting the Goldbrand as a boon.

In 4E 175, Goldbrand was supposedly wielded by Emperor Titus Mede II in the Battle of the Red Ring against the Aldmeri Dominion, although this has never been officially confirmed by the Imperial government. Some time after the battle, the Order of the Blades had possession of it.

## Recent Events

### *The Covenant Wars: Legendarium*

#### *Fall of Nimalten*

When Dalacard Rethwode is brought to Athelham after the Fall of Nimalten, Goldbrand hearkens to him, sensing his desperation. Dalacard finds Goldbrand and the shade of Boethiah attempts to barter with him. The shade proposes that Dalacard should tell it all he knew about the Grandmaster, who kept the weapon sealed, and the shade would grant him the location of Gabryella. Dalacard agrees, attempting to deceive the spirit, since he knew nothing of the Grandmaster, nor of the seals of the temple. It is told that the shade possessed Dalacard and led him to steal the Elder Scroll of Warp, being dislocated somewhere else upon touching the artefact. Due to suffering the consequences of reading an Elder Scroll, the shade becomes dormant for a while. Growing strong again and eventually overtaking the mind of Dalacard Rethwode, it is defeated with the use of the Sunna'rah and shatters into drops of a dark liquid that slowly reassembles.

#### Stand of Solitude

When the battle that led to the Fall of Solitude seems lost, Dalacard Rethwode dislocates into the site and intervenes in favour of the Empire. He lifts Goldbrand high before the cohorts of the Empire follow him onto battle.

#### Refuge of Bruma

Dalacard dislocates within Goldbrand with Sabrina Arana after the Great Burning of Telepes. Due to the passage of time being different inside, they battle for weeks in the chaotic terrain until she is seized and maimed. When Sabrina is sent back to Tamriel, Dalacard stays inside Goldbrand, a pocket realm of the Outer Realms itself. Alea Lasharel carries Goldbrand to Cumanarán with her on her journey back.

## Quotes

> *In Goldbrand lies not Boethiah itself, for that Prince is bound only to its realm, but its offspring mantled is imprisoned there. And yet it is made of the same Padomaic essence of change, and it is lord over the same wishes as Boethiah is: it desires all treason, all plots, and is He-Who-Destroys and She-Who-Erases.*
>
> —Quintus Petreia