Rulers' Blade

The Rulers' Blade (also known as the Great King's Sword, or Ar'Cor'Kerym in Elven, and sometimes referred to as the Crownblade ), is one of three Elfblades created in ancient Cormanthyr to help the elves establish a ruling family. This particular blade is used to name the Coronal, monarchial ruler of the kingdom of Cormanthyr, leader of the elves.

History
The Ruler's Blade was created by Elven High Magic alongside its mates, the Warblade and the Artblade in -4000 DR, at the behest of the ill Coronal of Jhyrennstar, Oacenth, who desired the magical swords to determine the rulers of the united tribes and new nation of Cormanthyr. Since it was drawn by the first Coronal Kahvoerm Irithyl, it has never left the side of the Coronals.

In 661 DR, after the passing of Coronal Eltargrim Irithyl, the Rulers' blade hovered atop the Rule Tower awaiting a claiming ceremony during the five years of mourning instituted by the Coronal's niece and lone heir, Aravae Irithyl. Aravae was ultimately murdered three years after her uncle died, and in 666 DR, the first open Claiming Ceremony begun in Myth Drannor. Every noble house sent representatives who each in turn were destroyed after proven unworthy. Days passed as more and more elves tested their might, but none proved worthy. Soon, some non-elves attempted to draw the blade, which caused civil strife and combat before the Rule Tower. In the end, the Srinshee drew the blade and was proven worthy. However, saddened at the moral failings of the elves, she took the blade and her High Mages and departed from the mortal realm to Arvandor until a time when she deemed the elves worthy of the gift of the Rulers' Blade and a Coronal who can unite the elves as Oacenth wished returns to claim it.

In 1377 DR, the Srinshee returned at last to Myth Drannor and offered the Rulers' Blade to Ilsevele Miritar in recognition of her wise rulership and involvement in the realm's refounding. Ilsevele accepted the blade and became the first Coronal in over seven centuries.

Blade-Rite
To become Coronal of the elves, an heir must pass the test of Blade-rite, an ancient ritual which culminates in the drawing of the Ruler's Blade. Only one such elf has failed to draw the blade; it was Divisav Irithyl, a greedy son of the first Coronal, Kahvoerm Irithyl.

Characteristics
The Rulers' blade, like others of its type, shares some common characteristics with its kin (see Elfblade), but also has its own special powers, described here.

The blade appears as if it were carved from stone from afar, though in reality it is simply raw iron that is pitted and craggy. An elven crown rune is stamped just above the quillons. Golden light cackles like lightning up and down the blade, casting its light. Two black Selukiira are bound at each end of the quillons, while a red one is on the pommel.


 * Lawful Good
 * Wielder can cast heal 3 times per day.
 * Wielder can cast ''detect lie' at will.
 * Wielder is granted the knowledge of three High Mages whose essences are imbued in the gems within.
 * Failure of even one of the three tests as part of Blade-rite immediately consume the wielder in arcane fire within a single round, killing him instantly and leaving no trace.

The characteristics of the weapons were revised in the 3rd edition of Dungeons and Dragons as follows.


 * The knowledge of the three High Mages manifests as a +10 bonus to Knowledge (Arcana) and Spellcraft checks, and a +5 bonus to all other Knowledge checks.
 * The detect lie ability is changed to discern lies.
 * A successful candidate to wield the Rulers' Blade should be Lawful good and have the interests of Cormanthyr at heart. They should have high ranks in Diplomacy and Sense Motive, and other social skills.
 * Failure to draw the blade causes the wielder to die in 1 round (Fort partial DC 23; on save, the wielder takes 40d6 damage instead).
 * Blade emanates overwhelming Evocation, and is Caster level 25th.