Realms of the Elves/The Staff of Valmaxian

"The Staff of Valmaxian" is a short story by Philip Athans first published in the 2006 anthology Realms of the Elves.^[1]

“

It must live, and it must live forever, and it must be fit for the hand of a god.

”

— Valmaxian^[3]

Summary[]

In −7628 DR, the 23rd year of the Sapphire, in the gold elven realm of Siluvanede, Valmaxian is a young gold elf mage who has trouble mastering the creation of magic items. His frustration and thirst for magic leads him to steal one of his master's scrolls to summon the demon En'Sel'Dinen. Valmaxian asks for magic, and En'Sel'Diren agrees to grant it, for a price none of them yet knows.

Six hundred and sixty four years later during the 76th year of the Amethyst, −6964 DR, Valmaxian is the most sought-after and pompous magic item crafter, when he hears that his old master, Kelærede, is on his deathbed and has sent for him. Master and student had not spoken to each other since Valmaxian's bargain with the devil, but the student still visits his master. Kelærede wants Valmaxian to admit that his ways were flawed and repent in order to rest in peace, something that Valmaxian himself does not agree to, but he finally gives in after the prompting of Chasianna, Kelaerede's granddaughter.

Two years later, during the 78th year of the Tourmaline, −6962 DR, Valmaxian and Chasianna are now lovers and Valmaxian is working on his masterpiece staff. His demon magic is not enough to complete it, though, while Chasianna's magic of self-sacrifice fares better on it. For that, Valmaxian summons En'Sel'Dinen once more, but before striking a new bargain, En'Sel'Dinen asks for Chasianna as payment for their previous bargain. Valmaxian refuses, but his magic is not enough to stop the demon from taking her anyway. Valmaxian follows them into the Abyss, and after fighting off En'Sel'Dinen's minions he faces the demon himself. In the end, he has to sacrifice his masterpiece staff and his demon magic in order to save him and his lover from the demon's clutches.