Brooch

The brooch was found with the Ogres that were defeated on Day 4. It was suggested by Wyagh that this was an (un)holy symbol (which had a slight resemblance to Wyldwood) that held an Avatar, but which had now perished due to the summoning of the Avatar or the death of the cleric. Unusually, it made the Druids feel uncomfortable, which a normal Avatar symbol, even an 'evil' one, wouldn't.

The remains of the brooch were sent to Startport for analysis, but the party retains Dougal's drawing of it - though this is in two parts to avoid any ill-effects from copying the complete symbol. (An unnecessary precaution, as it turns out.)

We consider the (un)holy symbol on the brooch to be an important lead regarding the re-appearance of the Legendary Creatures.

## Main Questions

* What religion does it represent? **Answer: We believe it is a symbol of the Wild**
* Why did it make the Druids (as well as the Clerics) feel uncomfortable?
* If it belonged to the Ogre Shaman, why was it held in a pouch rather than close to him, and why didn't he manifest it to save his life?
* If it didn't belong to the Shaman, who did it belong to, and what happened to them?

## Depiction engraved on Wyldwood shrine stones:

Golderod leads you back to that central stone, then carefully he begins lifting away the moss and grass at its base. The stone obviously is taller that it first appears, just the base has become overgrown. There is another carving at the base of the stone, which shows a similar sign to that of the brooch, there is also a repeat of the same figures all facing away from the sign, although one of the humanoids could appear to be looking back.

Golderod: “Strange isn’t it? I have no idea what this means, although I have always interpreted it as the animals and people rejecting whatever the sign means in favour of the Oak Tree, symbol of Wyldwood. If I am right then this brooch has some religious meaning, and I would be very cautious.”

## Engraved on old Elven Spearhead

Taking the piece carefully, you can now look at it more closely, and it is certainly a very old spearhead and was probably of very good quality. Scratched clearly into the blade is a sigil that matches the silverwork on the brooch you found a few weeks back.

When you pick up the Chainmail from the blacksmith the next day, you have an inspiration and ask the smith about have sigils inscribed into a blade. The smith explains that masterwork grade smiths are able to add extra potency to weapon blades by engraving the foes identifying sign, normally a piece of heraldry or similar sign. These weapons retain their potency for quite a long time and so the technique has been used for elite military units.

## Week 1 research

The student is convinced that he has seen something similar as coming out of research over the past year or so. Frustratingly the week produces no meaningful results though.

## Brooch timeline

### Day 4

Just as the party is about to leave it is Wun who spots something caught under a root of the tree that the Shaman was sitting at. It is a small leather bag, which looks to have snagged on the root – since the hide cords have obviously stretched and snapped. On opening it is found to contain 8 gold coins plus a brooch made of silver entwined with willow. The brooch is somewhat reminiscent of something a Wyldwood priest would wear, but somehow different. Neither the clerics or the druids feel particularly comfortable about the piece, although everyone else is unaffected – and the item is not detecting as magical.

It is real silver - extremely old..... good workmanship but not masterwork quality. It could be over 300 years old, but difficult to say......

The silver is tarnished significantly in places, the willow is old but for some reason not at all rotten. Back of brooch is nothing special, there is a silver pin for fastening to a cloak or similar**.**

### Day 5

First though there is the matter of the brooch, Caradoc takes it out of the pouch and does a double take. Whilst you have been sleeping, the silver of the brooch has corroded further and the willow is now visible dry and brittle. Notwithstanding that, Bazin casts Detect Evil and scans both the brooch (very faint trace) and the Shamans head-dress (no trace). Bazin also notes that the brooch no longer makes him feel uncomfortable.

### Day 6

Caradoc quickly checks the brooch, which has not decayed any further – and then carefully packs it back away.

...

Wyagh: “So it is, or rather was, a holy symbol with an Avatar bound into it. But what religion? Certainly not Hashandara, we have seen their symbols. More importantly, why did the Druids amongst you feel uncomfortable as well? Is the slight resemblance to Wyldwood important??”

...

Vinmira: “So this shaman fellah, he left the brooch stuffed hidden away. Strange. Mos’ clerics I know wouldn’t let their holy symbol out of their sight”

1. ↑ Email2020-07-10 20:18
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Day 35-41 – The fourth week in Northlake
3. ↑ Day 21-27 – The second week in Northlake
4. ↑ Road Reconnaissance – Day 4: The aftermath
5. ↑ So it could pre-date the Age of Chaos and the departure of the Elves
6. ↑ Email2020-07-07 19:58
7. ↑ Email2020-07-08 17:59
8. ↑ Road Reconnaissance – Day 5
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Road Reconnaissance – Day 6: The Bridge
10. ↑ Day 6a - Lunch with Vinmira