Artifacts
Artifacts
-The Soulfire
-The Cavalier
-The Qeynos Claymore
-The Commonlands
-Qeynos Castle
The Soulfire
The origins of this magical blade are the stuff of legend. It has been claimed by both paladins and shadow knights at various times in history and has felled opponents both treacherous and noble. Some claim that the souls of those slain by this weapon are trapped within the sword itself. It is said that if you look closely at the glinting metal under the bright sun, you can see subtle visages of faces shrieking in torment. This sword was originally found by dark elves in the Underfoot, and it remained in the Teir'Dal Empire for centuries before it was stolen by a band of adventurers. Taken from Neriak's vaults, it passed through many hands and eventually found its way to the great trade city of Freeport. Disassembled by some unknown entity, its pieces were scattered around Norrath. As its legend grew and adventurers attempted to find the sword, fragments were gradually discovered. Eventually one courageous paladin collected all the lost pieces, and the sword magically reassembled of its own will. The valorous Order of Marr knew its power and quickly hid it far from the empires of man in a secluded fortress called Marr. But it was again stolen and disappeared for years, eventually ending up in the hands of the Avatar of War as he led the Rallosian Empire in a massive assault on Freeport. At the Battle of Defiance the Avatar was slain, and Soulfire was snatched from his dead clutches by the evil ruler of Freeport - the fallen paladin known as Lucan D'Lere. To this day the Overlord wields its fiery blade to inspire fear in the hearts of his subjects.
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The Cavalier
Long ago in the Age of Turmoil, the famed gnomish artist C.M. Brushwuttle was commissioned by the Knights of Truth and the Paladins of Marr in Freeport to create an iconic statue that could be used to represent the ideal of a valorous knight. To do this, Brushwuttle envisioned a gallant avatar, almost a god-like being that he called "The Cavalier." The face of the Cavalier would be partially shrouded by a cloak. This was done to represent the humility of the true knight as well as mask the knight's race - something that did not matter among the valorous. The Cavalier was heavily armored and held the hilt of a grand broadsword. The broadsword was actually patterned after the Sword of Faith, a sword once given to knight-lords of the Knights of Truth. The Cavalier was not aligned to any particular deity, but was intended to symbolize a figure of great faith. Thus the icon of the Cavalier was born.
The Knights of Truth and the Priests of Marr were overwhelmed by the powerful visage of the Cavalier. It was erected in a prominent place within their quarter of Freeport, and Brushwuttle was promptly commissioned to sculpt four more. Soon visiting knights to the city gazed upon the statue and were just as moved by it. New orders came in to Brushwuttle from numerous orders of knights. As time went on, the Cavalier became the iconic sculpture for valor and knighthood. It can be found in nearly every corner of the world where great knights gather, and even in the ruins where they once existed.
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The Qeynos Claymore
This longsword has a mysterious past. Some claim it to be planar in origin. Regardless, the Qeynos Claymore is a very powerful weapon. The length of its magical blade is engraved with Void Glyphs - a form of written language dating back to the dawn of time. The sword was brought into the world of Norrath by Vallius Bayle and presented as a trophy to the ruling human clans of the Plains of Karana long before the founding of the city of Qeynos.
It was ages ago that the first man to be named Antonius Bayle earned a legendary sword called the Qeynos Claymore through a series of difficult challenges in tournaments held by the Paladins of Karana. With the legendary sword in hand, Antonius Bayle became a great hero and eventual unifier of the local human clans. He assisted in the founding and naming of the city of Qeynos in honor of that great sword, whose name is loosely translated from early human tongue to mean "Human Destiny." The city of Qeynos has proven the words engraved on the Qeynos Claymore to be true, as the human race has grown in size and expanded its influence upon the world of Norrath since the city's founding. Qeynos has become one of the greatest kingdoms on Norrath, earning the respect of many other empires and races.
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The Commonlands
Just beyond the northern walls of Freeport lie the remains of what were once the original statues of the Cavalier. It was here that Lucan D'Lere, the Overlord of Freeport, ordered them dragged for a ritual desecration when he assumed complete control of the city. Rumor has it that one or more of the original statues were rescued from destruction and taken deep into the Commonlands where they now rest. Why and where have yet to be answered.
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Qeynos Castle
Within the great city of Qeynos stands the grandeur of Qeynos Castle. Flanking its main entrance are two ancient Cavalier statues commissioned during the end days of the Age of War. The king ordered them placed at the main gates as iconic guardians of valor watching over the city. People often refer to these statues in tandem as the Sentinels of Valor.
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