Black Scythe
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.
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.
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.
When the blade fell into the hands of Sayid, it began perhaps the most active and synchronous relationship in its history. It is generally believed 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. In the course of his life, he seized control of the Bedouins of Petera, destroyed the Emperor in a military coup, participated in the destruction of the Dark Fiend, possibly murdered Alexandria in a moment of weakness, and was even responsible for a massive schism in his own empire in death. However, he is the only man who died of natural causes while wielding the Black Scythe, and is considered the most successful bearer of the dark weapon.
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.
The blade spent over a century undersea, and was a constant source of conflict among the already warlike Sahuagin tribes.
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Player Notes
- +3 Scimitar of Outsider's Bane
