Lightbane

Lightbane was an adamant bastard longsword carried by the Dreadlord Morvanus Famaer in both life and death. The undead Morvanus, unwillingly under the control of the lich Nevosmi, was twice slain at the Battle of al' Moaeth and the March of Undeath. Each time, Lightbane was claimed by Khalid Saafar. Following the March of Undeath, Aelar Galanel took notice of the blade and informed Khalid, and his fellow adventurers, of the history of the blade.

## History

The name Lightsbane was first recorded in the years following the corruption of al' Moaeth after Morvanus claimed the title of Dreadlord. Most historians believe that Lightbane is actually the sword *Eldmorati* (Godslayer), which Morvanus was known to wield during the First War (also known as the Ancient's War). The descriptions of the two swords are identical, save for one difference; Godslayer was said to have a large emerald set in the pommel, whereas Lighstbane bore a piece of solid, polished obsidian.

The details of the forging of Godslayer are unknown, however, the story behind the name of the blade is a common one. In the final days of the First War, and following the death of Strasadas, the shamans of the orcs named the dragon Tanrisah as the new incarnation of Gruumsh. Shortly following the proclamation, Tanrisah led a large force of orcs against the armies of the elves, led by Morvanus, in an attack known as the Battle of Tornasis Swamp.

During the battle, the elven forces suffered heavy casualties, and Marshal General Morvanus sounded the retreat. As the elves began to fall back, they were harried by Tanrisah and a group of Shadow Claws. Legend says that Morvanus, knowing his soldiers were doomed, began to verbally assault Tanrisah, naming him a false god. Upon hearing these insults Tranrisah landed to confront Movanus, challenging him in single combat. Morvanus's plan was to distract the dragon long enough for his men to escape, believing he had no chance to actually defeat Tanrisah. However, Tanrisah was arrogant and overconfident, rather than finishing Morvanus quickly he toyed with the general, taunting him. This gave Morvanus an opening, as the dragon was distracted, Morvanus struck his blade through the dragon's eye and into the beast's brain. This was the second death of an Avatar of Gruumsh, and though the orcs won the Battle of Tornasis Swamp their shamans failed to agree on a new avatar in the following months, and their armies never recovered. The First War would end in elven victory within the year. By slaying an Avatar of Gruumsh, the singular God of the orcs, Morvanus was named Godslayer by his soldiers, and quickly became a legend among the elves. Morvanus denied the name for himself, but the title eventually came to rest on the blade that he carried during the duel.

Following the corruption of al' Moaeth and the rise of Nevosmi and her Spider Coven, tales began to circulate Armonia of the Dreadlord, who carried an enormous sword with a blade as black as midnight. Due to the unparalleled death wrought by the sword, and rumors that the Dreadlord and his witches were practitioners of the black magic of necromancy, the blade came to be known as Lightbane.