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.
(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 visit their old friend, the sage, in Latlan. Despite having been to the old man's cave several times they were not able to find him again despondently they pushed northward towards Ling. Following intuition as much as urning 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. As the pair approached the first of the buildings they could sense that they were being watched. Pressing on, near the far edge of town a smell, like rotting onions, wafted up from the wheat fields to greet them. Preparing to face whatever was waiting for 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 villager, "If you will have us, that is." 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 down 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 find their balance. Desperately trying to keep the claws and teeth from finding their intended marks. This group of monsters was much more organized then any that Escent had encountered before and he worried. With so much dust in the air from the battle it was becoming hard to keep track of everyone and hollered into the fry to rally. And then, through the dust and the pack of snarling monsters a massive champion came roaring forward. With a loud cry the largest villager ran forward, slicing his axe deep into the leg of the champion, only to be batted aside as if a mere pest.
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 strange and unexpected happened. A thing so odd that looking back they could only shake their heads in disbelief at the twist of fate.
Suddenly time raced and came 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 his face as the arrow sank deep into his neck. Wheeling to face a 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 gutteral, but intelligible voice 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. Struggling to summon the last of this strength, willing himself to raise up and take his dying 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 new champion of the pack strode through the monsters and they fell in line behind him, 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 was apparently on their side once again.
Name: Blessed Arrow of Betrayal
Type: Weapon
Condition: 96 %
Special: Prestige + 3
