Artifacts & Relics

Deleah's Burning Tear

 

The burning tear is a highly-faceted, crescent-shaped piece of fire jacinth the size of a hen's egg.  Typically, it hangs from an ornately carved ivory pedestal or around the neck of its owner.  It burns with an internal light.

 

Legend:

 

Tales are told of Deleah of Sidara, the poor princess promised to the hand of the efreeti sultan Athzym. According to the tale, her father, the Sultan Absalam, had called upon the efreet for power in exchange for his firstborn daughter in marriage. The Sultan Absalam had, once, called upon Athzym’s power to save his people from a terrible famine which wracked the land; Absalam had thought he was making a pledge to a mortal mage and not to an efreet. When Deleah came of age, Athzym appeared before the court to demand his prize. Absalam wanted to renege on his pledge and offer up his own soul as penalty, but the clever Deleah had another plan. She convinced her father to offer her to the efreet sultan and to have the wedding in the palace. Deleah offered herself to Athzym freely as long as they were married in her father’s palace. Athzym reluctantly agreed. Deleah had thought carefully about her father’s pledge and had prepared to meet the efreet’s pledge, but not on his terms.

 

Deleah had concealed an enchanted dagger within her wedding attire and as Athzym took her hand, she struck. The magic of the knife severed the efreet’s hand which she took as her own. Deleah confronted Athzym, saying, “I will take your hand in marriage but not the rest of you.” Athzym was furious at being bested by a simple girl. He spake, “So be it, then my hand will also have you. You will be married to it for all time.” And with that, her knife flew from her hand and severed her own right hand as the daemon appendage grafted itself in its place. Athzym disappeared from the palace, leaving Absalam and his court horror-struck.

 

Deleah could not bear the horrible thing she had become, but the curse of Athzym left her unable to die, despite multiple attempts at suicide. No longer able to bear her horrid countenance, she gouged out her own eyes. It is said that the efreet’s blood mingled freely with her final tears, forming a jewel of undescribed beauty. What became of Deleah is unknown. She grew old but never died, though her father and sisters and their children all passed before her. It is said that a kindly wizard finally placed her under a spell and that she sleeps in enchanted slumber hidden somewhere in a chamber filled with gold and beneath a sky glittering with gem stars, waiting for the one who can release her from her curse.

 

Powers:

 

The Burning Tear confers the following powers upon its owner:

 

     -- The stone confers fire resistance 30 to any touching it with bare flesh.

     --  Its glittering facets can be used to cast a hypnosis spell (DC=30) once per day upon any watching it.

      -- Its owner can animate any weapon as if it had the dancing descriptor once per day.

 

Drawbacks:

 

     -- The tear makes its bearer appear evil in alignment.

     -- The tear causes extreme animosity with all fiery creatures.

     -- Efreeti within a mile of the stone can sense it and will drop everything short of bound service to come and attack the wearer.

 

Foudroyé

 

This mace is one phalanged piece of adamantite. polished to a glasslike finish. Beneath its surface, dark clouds swirl and dance. Despite its construction, the mace is nearly weightless and perfectly balanced.

 

Legend:

 

The ancient races worshipped the Power known currently as Kaen under the name of Zardoon.  Foudroyé was discovered in an ancient Oberonese temple and was claimed by the Kaenan Priest Rahnon.

 

Powers:

 

     -- Foudroyé is a +3 shocking heavy mace.

     -- Upon command, the mace sheds a pale, pink light, illuminating clearly out to 5’ and into increasing shadows

        to 15’

     -- On a critical hit, a foe must make a Fortitude Save or be stunned for one round. This effect occurs with an audible clap of thunder.

     -- Foudroyé can unleash ball lightning at the 8th level of ability (1/week)

     -- Foudroyé can unleash a scintillating sphere at the 12th level of ability (1/week)

 

Drawbacks:

 

Foudroyé is a physical extension of Zardoon (Kaen). Her bearer is imbued with a fraction of that energy. As a result, the bearer radiates a constant weak electrical charge, causing a constant play of static electricity and magnetism in his aura.

 

In the case of a cleric of Zardoon, this effect is even more pronounced; he radiates a visible aura that cannot be covered even by invisibility or darkness. Other beings not resistant to electricity cannot maintain more than brief contact with the bearer without suffering pain.

 

Foudroyé feeds on electrical energies and attracts them.

 

Electrical discharges within 1” of the weapon are drawn to it.

 

The weapon, however, produces no immunity to electricity.