The Divine Relics

### Varda's Shield of Answering

> “Woe to the man who dares to strike against me. My shield doesn’t take kindly to being attacked. My shield seeks revenge against those who dare to strike at it.” – Octavius, Emperor of the Ruudian Empire
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The Shield of Answering is a terrifying relic to have to fight against. It is said whenever someone strikes at it, the shield glows a red hue and the attacker feels pain penetrating the very depths of their mind. Some report having heard voices taunting them, berating the attacker for daring to strike out against their superior. The shield doesn’t just affect the attacker, however. The wearer of it also gets whispers from the shield occasionally, telling them that they’re a truly great person. That they deserve to be above the rest, for the strong must guide the weak. The Shield of Answering has been lost for several centuries now. Its last known user was a Duke in Fraesn, who sought to make himself the King. He led a rebellion and struck fear into the hearts of any man that dared to oppose him. He met his end when the King himself shot him with an arrow. It seemed the one weakness of the shield was that it was nothing special when it came to ranged attacks. Reports of what happened to the shield are varied, and all the trails lead nowhere.

((As your reaction, make one melee attack against any creature within 5 ft. that deals damage to you. Attack is done as a martial weapon attack with +3 to attack and advantage. Damage is 1d8+3 psychic damage that ignores all immunities and resistances.))

### The Silver Cloak of Nienna

> “When I first beheld the cloak, I thought it was mere mist in the air, as it floated so gently and blended with the moonlight. When I put it on, it felt like I was wearing air itself.” – Davin, Master Thief
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The Silver Cloak of Nienna appears to be frail and easily torn, yet its appearance shouldn’t fool you. No amount of fighting or damage will harm the cloak, which is most useful when wearers of it describe the cloak as so airy that its easy to forget its presence. While many say the cloak is beautiful, as if created from mist or starlight, its power lies in being unseen. When the hood is drawn up on the cloak, the wearer becomes invisible. Currently the Silver Cloak is kept in a temple to Nienna in Ilyn Nalore. The elves there claim that as it is a gift by the goddess, it may only be worn by someone worthy of its power. Do to the possibility to get away with heinous acts while using the cloak, the elves fear that if they’re not careful about who wears it then Nienna’s power will be used for something against her ideals. The last time the cloak was worn was over a century ago.

((As an action, pull the hood over your head to become invisible. Takes an action to put down the hood. Can only be used for a total of 2 hours. Regains 1 hour of duration every 12 hours without use.))

### The Heavenly Sword of Manwe

> “When the devils and demons clashed with each other and the sky blackened, I felt nothing but despair and dread. We had lost the world to the fiends, and soon we would all be enslaved. Then from atop a hill I saw a rider charge forth. His sword cleaved through the hordes radiating a powerful energy, and as he did so sunlight broke through the clouds.” – Unknown soldier
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There are countless legends surrounding great heroes who have used the Heavenly Sword of Manwe. They speak of the sword acting as a beacon of hope when all hope seems lost. Most of the time the sword is used to cut down demons and devils, yet its been used to fight nearly every type of beast there is. Additionally, the sword is said to never dull or rust, keeping an edge as sharp as when it was first created. The Heavenly Sword is yet another relic that has been lost. It was last used by a paladin who inherited the sword from his mentor. The paladin seemed to be a man with a good heart and noble intentions, yet once he became the head of his order and received the Heavenly Sword, he became obsessed with power. He pressured villages and towns to submit to him and persecuted everyone that refused to follow Manwe. Eventually he was assassinated. Unfortunately, the assassination happened at night, and the sword was never recovered.

((+3 to attack and damage. Extra 2d10 damage against fiends and undead. When drawn, all friendly creatures have advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects. Radius increases to 30 feet with 17 or more levels in the Paladin class.))

### Tulkas' Staff of Fire

> “Never before had I seen fires so bright, nor fires so intense. The Orcs took their revenge with a fury unseen before, and nothing but charcoal was left behind when they had finished.” – Justinian, Captain of the Paladins of Manwe
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Fire emanates from the top of this staff, spewing heat and smoke. The white gem at its tip and the long handle of ancient mahogany mixed with the ever-present flames is enough to strike fear into most men. Its use is obvious, it can be used to create magical fire. Due to the fear it represents and the god its power comes from, no other artifact has been depicted in art, poetry, songs, or stories of war. Some regard the staff as ultimate, unbridled power. Others view it as a symbol of the destruction war brings. The Staff of Fire was last seen nearly two thousand years ago. It was used by one of the great orc chiefs of the Great Plains, and while he held the staff it was said all orcs knelt before him. What happened to it since that time is unknown. All that can be said is that after returning from a great war, the orc chief no longer held the staff and his hegemony collapsed.

((Resistance to fire damage. 10 charges, with an action being used to cast burning hands with one charge, fireball with three, or wall of fire with four. Regains 1d6+4 expended charges daily at dawn.))

### Lorien's Ring of Ambition

> “The Ring’s power is far more subtle than the powers of the other relics, but in my opinion its far superior. If the relics were sent to us to sway us to be followers of the gods, then none do so as efficiently as this ring. When I wear it, I feel like I can do anything. I want more power. I want more gold. Its power is truly intoxicating.” – Maren, Admiral of the Free Republic of Ruud
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Despite being greatly valued, it is not entirely known what Lorien’s Ring actually does. The people who wear it seem to enjoy greater success, but its only the successful who acquire the ring in the first place. Some speculate it makes a person luckier, or it increases their intelligence, or even that it does nothing at all and is merely a trick by Lorien. The Ring of Ambition has changed hands perhaps more than any other relic. Its has been owned by thieves, merchants, royals, politicians, sorcerers, dragons, and more. Currently its worn by High Chief Kriv of Zaneduulo. He acquired the ring while fighting wild men from the Northern Great Plains. One of their chiefs was wearing the Ring, but where that chief could’ve gotten it from is unknown.

((Gives +1 to proficiency))

### The Glowing Sapphire of Yavanna

> “When I first encountered the Sapphire, I saw it sitting in the middle of the dragon’s hoard outshining even the piles of gold and other precious metals. The sapphire glowed like no ordinary gem. Its blue light illuminated the area around it with a brilliant aura.” – Vamion the Dragon-Slayer
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The Glowing Sapphire holds the secret to something that men have sought for millennia – immortality. It is said to be able to heal any injury, regrow body parts, and even bring the dead back to life. For this reason, there has been considerable research into the Sapphire, though none have been able to reproduce its effects. When not being studied, the Sapphire has been used as part of jewelry, armor, or even rods to harness its power. The last known owner of the Sapphire was the last Emperor of the Ruudian Empire, Archelon III. He had acquired the Sapphire in his youth while adventuring and had the greatest smiths in the world craft him a crown with the Sapphire as the sole gem. He claimed that no other jewel should even attempt to outshine a relic of the gods. When the Ruudian Empire collapsed, one of the many artifacts lost in its destruction was the Glowing Sapphire. Treasure hunters have ventured into the ruins of the lost capital time and time again, hoping to find the key to immortality buried there.

((While at 1 hp, regain 1d6 every 10 minutes and regrow any lost body parts after 1d6+1 days. When dead, recover to 1 hp after 1d6+1 days unless beheaded.))

### The Unbreakable Rope of Aule

> “I’ve travelled with many people, gone exploring in many places, traversed hundreds of thousands of miles. Yet despite all that travelling, I’ve yet to meet a single person that I trust more than this one damned rope.” – Johnathon, Explorer
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The Unbreakable Rope of Aule at first glances seems to just be a glowing blue piece of rope, sixty feet long. One may even be able to tell that its an extremely sturdy piece of rope, never breaking nor fraying, and being able to hold up to a thousand times its own weight. What one might not suspect is that the rope can move on its own and according to some, it almost seems like it has a personality. It responds to commands and is a worthy ally both in combat and in exploration. As one might suspect, the rope was used heavily by explorers. Its not hard therefore to guess what its final fate was. The Unbreakable Rope was lost when a man decided to set out and explore Vaalbara, and like countless others he never returned. While the consensus among scholars is that he had the rope with him when he reached the continent, there are rumors that it was sold to purchase a ship, and for reasons unknown was kept hidden away for the past fifty years.

((60 ft long. Can hold 3,000 lbs. As an action it can be commanded to move towards a destination of choice while one end is held. The other end moves 10 ft that turn, and another 10 ft every turn afterwards until it reaches its destination, up until its max length, or when told to stop. Can also be told to knot itself with knots 1 ft apart, making it 50 ft. Can be told to fasten to an object, unfasten, unknot, or coil itself. As an action can be told to entangle a creature seen within 20 ft. DC 15 dexterity saving throw. Can be released as a bonus action. DC 15 strength or dexterity to escape. AC 20, 20 hp, coils up when at 0 hp, heals 1 hp every 5 minutes.))

### The Frostbow of Ulmo

> “Never before had I seen magic so dangerous yet so beautiful as when I first shot an arrow from the Frostbow. The ice dazzled like crystals in the sun, yet the spreading cold across the bark of the tree whispered a slow and painful death.” – Filonear, Legendary archer
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The Frostbow is a feared and respected weapon to all the known world. Though it has seldom been to Avemoria, unlike the other relics, the stories about it reach as far as Drakeheimer and the Illium Marsh. It’s said that the Frostbow can save a person from a raging fire, yet a shot from it will make them wish they had died to the flames. For centuries the Frostbow had been used by the Commander of the Imperial Guard in Urdinia, a symbol of how the Emperor can both save and punish. The last time the Frostbow had been seen, an exiled Commander of the Imperial Guard had smuggled it with him from Urdinia. He travelled through Avemoria but spoke cryptically of how he had a mission and needed to continue pressing onwards. It’s known he went somewhere beyond what is currently known, but reports vary as to whether it was east past Drakeheimer, north into the Desolate Shore, or west towards Vaalbara.

((Longbow. Deals an extra 1d6 cold damage. When held, resistance to fire damage. Bright light for 10 ft, and dim light for an extra 10 ft when in freezing temperatures. Can extinguish nonmagical flames within 30 ft once per hour. Prevents friendly creatures in a 30 ft area from succumbing to death by freezing.))

### Mandos' Sphere of Annihilation

> “Nobody has truly known fear until they’ve stared into the Void. Seconds feel like minutes. Minutes like hours. No matter how hard you try, there’s nothing there. Despite this, I swear I’ve seen something look back at me. The Void feels almost…alive.” ~ Daern, Arch-Mage of the Order of the Sphinx
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The Sphere of Annihilation is an artifact that needs no introduction. It’s the void itself, a devouring sphere from which nothing can escape. A few have tried to harness its power, to varying success, but most try to stay away from the Sphere and allow it to remain undisturbed. While the other gods created artifacts that are nothing but helpful for their users, Mandos seems to have had different intentions behind leaving a relic. What that intention is has been greatly debated, some feel he wants people to fear rather than to follow him, and others believe the Sphere is a reminder of our own mortality. The Sphere currently resides in Castle Tuso, the base of the Order of the Sphinx, one of Avemoria’s most prestigious arcane societies. It was brought there by Daern, one of the former Arch-Mages of the society. Daern brought the Sphere there in 598 4E, risking his own life to lock it away so that others wouldn’t fall prey to its destructive power. Afterwards Daern took his own life by stepping through the Sphere so that he wouldn’t be tempted to use the Sphere for evil purposes.

### The Indestructible Armor of Vaire

> “I am ashamed to admit that when I first came into possession of the Indestructible Armor, I didn’t know about it properties fully. Being that the previous owner was an elf, it was far too tall for me to wear. I ordered the smiths to try and rework the plate, but hour after hour, for a week straight, nothing worked. We lost ten hammers and four anvils just trying to put a dent in it.” ~ Grom, King of Gunderhelm
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While Mandos’ relic only destroys all that’s around it, his wife’s relic has a very different purpose. The Indestructible Armor of Vaire protects its user from harm and can never be damaged in the slightest. This also means it can’t be modified, so instead the armor will shift to conform the wearer’s body perfectly. Not only does this make the armor one of the safest armors known, but it also makes it one of the most comfortable. Though many have attempted to identify it, the exact type of metal used is unknown, and is likely a creation of Vaire. The armor was last seen at the end of the Third Era, during the fall of the Kingdom of Trestium. When the War of the Three Gods raged, a great warrior known as Sir Rikker, who fought to keep order in the kingdom on the side of Manwe used the armor. It saved his life countless times, causing his bravery to grow greater. Eventually his hubris proved his downfall, as he was slaughtered by enemies that far outnumbered his own men. What happened to his armor is unknown.

((Resistance to nonmagical damage. Immunity to nonmagical damage for 10 minutes once per day.))