Difference between revisions of "Black Scythe"

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The Black Scythe, also knows as the Usurper Blade, is an ancient and powerful cursed scimitar that has been a considerable antagonist in the past millennium . This blade lives to disrupt and destroy established power bases, and has been implicated in a number of assassinations and coups. The blade rose to prominence in the hands of [[Sayid ibn Maimun]], a member of [[Alexandria]]'s [[First Stand]], and in his hands was incredibly successful at its dark purpose. In the centuries after this golden age, the Scythe was intermittently visible and active, but in modern times has remained hidden. However, it is believed that the blade is still active, and simply chooses to remain in the shadows because it is infamous and easily recognizable, which complicates its disruptive agenda.
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The Black Scythe, also knows as the Usurper Blade, is an ancient and powerful cursed scimitar whose ultimate origins are shrouded in mystery. The blade rose to prominence in the hands of [[Sayid ibn Maimun]], a member of [[Alexandria]]'s [[First Stand]]. It is certainly possible, and even believed by many sages, that the blade is still active, and simply chooses to remain in the shadows because it is infamous and easily recognizable, which complicates its disruptive agenda.
  
The nature of its curse is simple--it inspires the wielder with a reckless confidence and entitlement. In doing so, it gradually convinces its target to launch an attack against against a major national figurehead or empire. The blade does not care who or what it overthrows, and is just as satisfied to destroy evil warlords as it is church figureheads--it seeks only to destroy entrenched power. It is believed there is no built-in aspect of the curse that leads to the inevitable failure of its wielder. However, the natural consequence of bending to the will of the blade is obvious, and virtually every person that has wielded the blade has been killed in pursuit of its agenda.
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==History==
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The origins of the Scythe are unknown, but some obvious facts can be inferred. What is known is that it was initially discovered in one of the few remaining tribes of servitor Naga in the service of Arek and the Dark Fiend. Stylistically, the blade appears to be a Dark Naga artifact, as scimitars were popular weapons among them and its black and green coloring is consistent with their fashion. Its enchantments and its activities at the time suggest an ambitious purpose--that it was forged to overthrow the Demi-Pantheon in service of the chaotic Dark Fiend, or perhaps even dated from the First War.
  
===History===
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It is argued by some that Sayid's personal ambition, disregard for tradition and establishment, and disruptive life appealed to some secret agenda of the weapon. Others, however, suggest that the blade was a force of primal destruction that meshed with Sayid's reckless nature and incredible martial prowess. In either case, when the blade fell into the hands of Sayid, the two began a long, active, and synchronous relationship, and it was his weapon of choice in the [[Peteran Civil War]], [[Alexandria's Crusade]], and acording to many the [[Martyrdom]]. These events are the primary reason the blade is known to history at all.
The origins of the Scythe are unknown, but some obvious facts can be inferred. What is known is that it was initially discovered in one of the few remaining tribes of [[Servitor Races|servitor]] Naga in the service of [[Arek]] and the [[Dark Fiend]]. Stylistically, the blade appears to be a [[Dark Naga]] artifact, as scimitars were popular weapons among them and its black and green coloring is consistent with their fashion. Its enchantments and its activities at the time suggest an ambitious purpose--that it was forged to overthrow the [[Demi-Pantheon]] in service of the chaotic Dark Fiend, or perhaps even dated from the [[First War]].
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It is argued by some that Sayid's personal ambition, disregard for tradition and establishment, reckless nature, and incredible martial and political prowess meshed perfectly with the blade's agenda. Others, however, suggest the Scythe was less a manipulative will and more representative of a force of primal destruction. In either case, when the blade fell into the hands of Sayid, the two began a long, active and synchronous relationship, and is the primary reason the blade is known to history at all.  
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After Sayid's death, the Black Scythe was moved into a secure vault and warded by Peteran abjurers. However, the Peteran's underestimated the power of the Scythe, and over the course of the twenty years it orchestrated an escape. The blade tempted the Red Wizard Muhadeen, and he was lured by the blade and liberated it. Muhadeen's ambition was misplaced--he was nothing more than a vehicle for the Scythe--and he was quickly sent on the run and lost at sea.
  
After Sayid's death, the Black Scythe was moved into a secure vault and warded by Peteran abjurers. However, the Peteran's underestimated the power of the Scythe, and over the course of the twenty years it orchestrated an escape. The blade tempted the [[Red Wizard]] [[Muhadeen]], and he was lured by the blade and liberated it. Muhadeen's ambition was misplaced--he was nothing more than a vehicle for the Scythe--and he was quickly sent on the run and lost at sea and the blade was recovered by [[Sahuagin]].
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Since it's escape, the blade's history has been shrouded in mystery. Given the history of the blade and its role in the death of the [[Alexandria|Church's godhead]], it is the subject of a significant amount of conspiracy theory. Some believe that it was recovered by Shauagin and lost from the human political scene. Others have suggested it was stolen by [[Utell]] pirates and played a role in [[Barbannan's Crusade]]. Not surprisingly, various sources have implicated the blade, at one point or another, in every [[Interregnums]]. Whatever its fate or current activities, however, the blade has not been seen publicly seen since the death of Sayid.
  
'''Player Notes'''
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==Player Notes==
 
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* +3 Scimitar of Outsider's Bane
 
* +3 Scimitar of Outsider's Bane

Latest revision as of 14:00, 15 February 2011

The Black Scythe, also knows as the Usurper Blade, is an ancient and powerful cursed scimitar whose ultimate origins are shrouded in mystery. The blade rose to prominence in the hands of Sayid ibn Maimun, a member of Alexandria's First Stand. It is certainly possible, and even believed by many sages, that the blade is still active, and simply chooses to remain in the shadows because it is infamous and easily recognizable, which complicates its disruptive agenda.

History

The origins of the Scythe are unknown, but some obvious facts can be inferred. What is known is that it was initially discovered in one of the few remaining tribes of servitor Naga in the service of Arek and the Dark Fiend. Stylistically, the blade appears to be a Dark Naga artifact, as scimitars were popular weapons among them and its black and green coloring is consistent with their fashion. Its enchantments and its activities at the time suggest an ambitious purpose--that it was forged to overthrow the Demi-Pantheon in service of the chaotic Dark Fiend, or perhaps even dated from the First War.

It is argued by some that Sayid's personal ambition, disregard for tradition and establishment, and disruptive life appealed to some secret agenda of the weapon. Others, however, suggest that the blade was a force of primal destruction that meshed with Sayid's reckless nature and incredible martial prowess. In either case, when the blade fell into the hands of Sayid, the two began a long, active, and synchronous relationship, and it was his weapon of choice in the Peteran Civil War, Alexandria's Crusade, and acording to many the Martyrdom. These events are the primary reason the blade is known to history at all.

After Sayid's death, the Black Scythe was moved into a secure vault and warded by Peteran abjurers. However, the Peteran's underestimated the power of the Scythe, and over the course of the twenty years it orchestrated an escape. The blade tempted the Red Wizard Muhadeen, and he was lured by the blade and liberated it. Muhadeen's ambition was misplaced--he was nothing more than a vehicle for the Scythe--and he was quickly sent on the run and lost at sea.

Since it's escape, the blade's history has been shrouded in mystery. Given the history of the blade and its role in the death of the Church's godhead, it is the subject of a significant amount of conspiracy theory. Some believe that it was recovered by Shauagin and lost from the human political scene. Others have suggested it was stolen by Utell pirates and played a role in Barbannan's Crusade. Not surprisingly, various sources have implicated the blade, at one point or another, in every Interregnums. Whatever its fate or current activities, however, the blade has not been seen publicly seen since the death of Sayid.

Player Notes


  • +3 Scimitar of Outsider's Bane