ShardQuest, Part I

The Shards of the Day

The Shards of the Day are parts of a powerful magical item consisting of three magical swords and a large, slitted, silver hemisphere that acts as the holder of the three swords. Created by elves, it is rumored that it was given to the dwarves long ago for their assistance in one of the many goblin wars.

Each of the swords has a unique name and minor powers. But, when all three swords are placed in the holder, the full major powers of the device are realized.

The swords are styled as standard long swords with distinctive blades; each is a +2 weapon, with special bonuses against specific creatures/opponents. Specific details are not known, but the names and some of the powers are known with reasonable accuracy.

The Shard of Twilight

The blade is multi-colored like the sky before sunrise or just after sunset. (It is said that an optimist calls the weapon "Shard of Dawn" and a pessimist calls it "Shard of Dusk".) It is deep purple to almost black at the tip turning to deep blue then light blue to bright yellow-orange at the hilt. The pommel of the weapon is set with a small topaz. Running the length of the hilt and inset with gold is the elder rune Vakaros ("The Air"). The only known power is the Chameleon power (as the ring), but others are likely. It has +3 bonuses against vampires and energy draining creatures.

The Shard of Noon

This blade glows bright yellow at all times. Its light allows for normal vision in a 10' radius but does not interfere with infravision. The pommel of this sword is set with a fire opal, and the hilt is inset with the elder rune Laebos ("The Fire"). It has a +3 bonus vs. the goblinoid races and has continual light (as the spell) and warmth (as the ring) abilities.

The Shard of Midnight

The weapon has a deep black blade that seems to have small bright stars reflecting off it. The gold inscription on the hilt is the elder rune Qualos ("The Water") and it is adorned with a black sapphire. It has a +3 bonus vs. fire using/dwelling creatures. It reportedly has protection from fire (as the spell) ability.

The Hemisphere

The hemisphere is inset with a piece of amber in the shape of the elder rune Tergara ("The Earth"). Its primary purpose is to act as a catalyst to combine the powers of the swords. The swords and the hemisphere join in some mysterious synergistic fashion so that the whole becomes greater than the sum of the parts.

Many powers are available to the owner of the Shards as each is placed in the hemisphere. The powers are cumulative, with the item becoming more and more powerful as each sword is added. With a single sword placed in an opening in the hemisphere, the Shards of the Day can remove fear, cure light wounds, cure blindness or deafness, cure disease, and remove curse or paralysis once per day. If two swords are placed in the hemisphere, then once per week the magical item can cure serious wounds, cure critical wounds, and regenerate. When all three swords are placed in the slits, once per month the item can be used to restore, resurrect, or reincarnate. Also, when all three swords are placed in the hemisphere, it continually generates protection from elementals, evil, and undead in a 50' radius, and once per year the item can open a gate to any place desired.

It is believed Draylin would like the shards of the Day for the last power, the opening of the gate, and, so that the forces of good, the priestesses of Chauntea, for instance, cannot benefit from all the other powers. The people of the temple would like to have the item to use as a source of protection. It would provide a shield around the temple from evil. It would be a victory for him to prevent the temple from acquiring it, and a greater victory to possess it himself.

To be continued...