A moonblade was a hereditary magical longsword passed down in elf lineages.[4][5]
Description[]
Moonblades were named in part because of the moonstones found in the pommel of each sword but also for the moon elves that wielded them, with the sole exception of the half-elf assassin, Arilyn Moonblade. According to Ethlando, the mage responsible for conception and creation of the largest collection of moonblades, the other elves, such as sylvan elves and sun elves were not prohibited from claiming a blade, it was just highly unlikely.[6]
Abilities[]
Each wielder contributed a power to the sword, which would be absorbed through the moonstone in the blade's pommel. However, the wielder could not be separated from the sword for any length of time and expect to live. Each moonblade was unique, as were the powers given to them.[5] In addition to their unique abilities, some moonblades were capable of summoning an elfshadow.[1]
History[]
Each moonblade was tied to the elven bloodline that first claimed the blade and was passed from descendant to descendant until there were no more worthy heirs. Every elf in the family had a choice to attempt to bond with the blade. If the elf chose to bond with the blade, they were subjected to the moonblade's bladerite in which the sword judged the character of the prospective wielder. The wielder was not only judged by his own character but also by the characters of all its previous wielders. With each new wielder the blade became harder to obtain by the next user. Any elf judged unworthy by the blade was subjected to the consequences of the bladerite, which usually resulted in immediate death by arcane fire. A claimed blade never bonded with an elf that did not carry the bloodline of the original family, making the blade's magics useless in the hands of anyone else.[5]
The wielders of the moonblades also paid a cost — when they died, their life essence entered the moonblade, to become the source of its magic. Until the moonblade's purpose was fulfilled, the passage to Arvandor was delayed for all of the elven souls within.[7]
The process of crafting a moonblade could not be adequately described — no more than a melody could be conveyed with mere words.[7]
Notable Moonblades[]
Elaith and the Craulnober moonblade.
- Arilyn's moonblade, wielded by Arilyn Moonblade. It had many different powers, most notably the elfshadow and elfgate abilities.[8]
- The Craulnober moonblade was in the possession of Elaith Craulnober as of the Year of the Banner, 1368 DR, even after it rejected him. He had a son by Amnestria Moonflower, but never knew of his son's existence.[9] When he had a daughter, Azariah, he assumed she became the heir to the moonblade and he raised and provided for her so she might one day draw the blade.[10] However his firstborn, a son he never knew he had, may in fact be the true heir to the moonblade, especially since the child's mother Amnestria's moonblade was inherited by Arilyn Moonblade instead.[11]
- Darkmoon, originally claimed by the Starym clan. The moonblade was corrupted by Illitran Starym with the assistance of Moander, god of corruption and decay. The blade is also known as Bladeshee for it's mythal ghost's ability to cast the spell Wail of the Banshee.[12]
- Ellaquin Shadowsteel's moonblade, the weapon wielded by one of the heroes of Ravens Bluff in the late 14th century DR, after the events that involved Glaysa's poniard returning to the Prime Material plane.[13]
- King's Blade (also called the King's Sword), the most powerful elven moonblades and wielded by the Ruler of Evermeet. The sword was wielded by Prince Lamruil Moonflower the youngest son of Queen Amlaruil Moonflower.[14] The previous wielder was King Zaor Moonflower.[15]
- Thoerl, the moonblade of the moon elf House Silverspear.[16]
- Xan's moonblade, wielded by Xan. This particular moonblade protected the wielder from fire and improved his personal defense.[17]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
Novels & Short Stories
Video Games
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sean K. Reynolds, Duane Maxwell, Angel McCoy (August 2001). Magic of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 170. ISBN 0-7869-1964-7.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 149. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins, James Wyatt (December 2014). Dungeon Master's Guide 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 217–218. ISBN 978-0-7869-6562-5.
- ↑ DMG5e p. 217-218
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Anne Gray McCready et al. (March 1994). Elves of Evermeet. (TSR, Inc), p. 70. ISBN 1-5607-6829-0.
- ↑ Elaine Cunningham (1999). Evermeet: Island of Elves. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 15, pp. 311–317. ISBN 0-7869-1354-1.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Elaine Cunningham (January 2001). Silver Shadows. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 978-0786917990.
- ↑ Elaine Cunningham (April 2000). Elfshadow. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 248. ISBN 0-7869-1660-5.
- ↑ Elaine Cunningham (1998). Evermeet: Island of Elves. (TSR, Inc), p. 380. ISBN 978-0786907137.
- ↑ Dale Donovan (July 1998). Villains' Lorebook. (TSR, Inc), p. 23. ISBN 0-7869-1236-7.
- ↑ Elaine Cunningham (1998). Evermeet: Island of Elves. (TSR, Inc), p. 380. ISBN 978-0786907137.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd (1996). Volo's Guide to All Things Magical. (TSR, Inc), pp. 114–116. ISBN 0-7869-0446-1.
- ↑ Template:Cite polyhedron/141/WF 2000 in Review
- ↑ Elaine Cunningham (1999). Evermeet: Island of Elves. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 482. ISBN 0-7869-1354-1.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend and Kevin Melka (1998). Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves. (TSR, Inc), p. 24. ISBN 0-7069-0761-4.
- ↑ Anne Gray McCready et al. (March 1994). Elves of Evermeet. (TSR, Inc), p. 38. ISBN 1-5607-6829-0.
- ↑ BioWare (December 1998). Designed by James Ohlen. Baldur's Gate. Black Isle Studios.