Blessed Arrow of Betrayal

Escent, of the house of Noble, discovered the Blessed Arrow of Betrayal on 2007-05-21 after finding and defeating a Monster Champion in Ling on Beluaterra.

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(The accounting of the battle for the Blessed Arrow of Betrayal as penned by a local bard and given by oral account by Escent, of the house of Noble)

Talika and Escent were known to most as close friends. In their many months of traveling together both had shown their courage many times over, each giving selflessly as many times. After a sage in Latlan had helped them craft the Elemental Gauntlets they had been optimistic in their quest to regain the respect of the nobles who were once their peers. The world seemed on their side and all was well.

That hope faded over the next several months as the pair of adventurers endlessly criss crossed the borders of Mesh and Heen, looking for the undead and monsters that plagued both kingdoms. Finding nothing but disappointment in Mokut, and the surrounding regions, the friends made the choice to head back up the coast and push northward towards Ling. Following intuition as much as the desire to explore the beauty of the rugged coast line. A difficult trip made easier by an easy friendship.

For some time now the pair had noticed a steady stream of villagers, all of them gaunt and bearing tales of a town a few miles away that had been over run. One terrified old woman claimed that the monsters had seemingly sprung out of the ground near their wheat fields and driven them away. While woman spoke several more tired and scared commoners gathered around and pleaded with the adventurers to help.

The trading village, which over looked the coast, had been prosperous enough to grow to several hundred families, and was now sandwiched between the base of a cliff and the sea beyond. Passing through town, feeling watched the whole way, the pair neared the far edge of town. A smell, like rotting onions, wafted up from the wheat fields to greet them. Escent grinned as several villagers emerged from a barn and walked towards them. "This is our town and we would like to help" said the largest of the villagers. Smiling kindly, Talika, put a hand on the man's shoulder and simply nodded. The small group, half a dozen now, pushed their way into the fields, dread beginning to creep up the back of their necks. The day was hot and the wind had died making their armor more uncomfortable then usual. Stopping to listen, the field around them exploded in fury. Before anyone could respond one of the villagers went down under the weight of the sudden attack, his scream lost in the raising sounds of battle.

Pressed, the group fell back, cutting, hacking and struggling to find their balance. Desperately fighting to keep the claws and teeth from finding their intended marks. With so much dust in the air from the battle it was becoming hard to breath and Escent was beginning to worry when through the haze a massive champion came roaring forward. With a loud cry the largest villager charged forward, slicing his axe deep into the leg of the champion, only to be batted aside as if a mere pest.

Strangely, the moment slowed. Sounds faded into the distance. As time paused a silent clarity settled over them; this battle would not be won. And then something most strange and unexpected happened. A thing so odd that looking back the adventurers could only shake their heads in disbelief at the twist of fate.

Suddenly time raced to catch up to itself and crashed upon them, the roar of the battle assaulting their ears. As the champion begun to swing his massive hammer a silver arrow found it's mark. Shot from the flank the champion turned to face his attacker, a look of shock crossing in his eyes as the arrow sank deep into his neck. Wheeling to face this new threat the small group stood speechless, staring at another, slightly smaller, champion holding a massive black war bow in his hands. Speaking in a broken, but intelligible tongue the smaller champion raised the bow above his head and bellowed; "Me henchman no more." Thumping his chest with his free hand he continued, "Strongest. I leader now". As the henchman was gesturing to the pack, the larger champion was stirring, summoning his strength, willing himself to raise up and take his revenge upon his betrayer. Leaping forward Escent drove his sword deep into the champion, ending his days of terror.

Turning around the henchman cocked his head and surveyed the situation, dismissing the four small creatures in front of him with a shrug. Yowling something incomprehensible the henchman strode through the monsters and the horde fell in line behind their new leader, leaving the survivors in a strange silence. Reaching down to retrieve his sword Escent noticed a glint under the mountain of flesh at his feet. After a bit of work he retrieved the silver arrow from the dead champion. Gathering the wounded Talika and Escent turned towards the village to find rest. The world apparently on their side once again.

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Name: Blessed Arrow of Betrayal

Type: Weapon

Condition: 96 %

Special: Prestige + 3

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