Persecutor's Shortsword

For many years, in the depths of the storage room, hidden inside the Marhaaki family manor, a dull-looking blade rests in a pile of old steel swords, knives and other weapons. This blade appears to be a simple shortsword, crafted according to the old traditions of the Masaara region of the Continent, with a delicate wooden handle, the rich brown nuance contrasting the boring grey of the metal. Many would dismiss the weapon at a first glance, treating it at most with the care one would give to an antique. Some would maybe consider its current capabilites as a weapon of self-defense. Very few would think to look deeper into it.

The Persecutor's Shortsword is, in fact, more than a simple blade - it is an artifact, or in other words it is a tool to channel the mana of its user, granting its user more options during combat. The intricate patterns barely visible on the hilt and blade form an intricate spellcasting array. When it is held, the user can attune to it by continuously channeling their mana through the weapon; doing so will light up the array runes, making the shortsword emmanate a faint bluish light. The blade will begin to hum when exposed to loud noises, like shrieks or cries; the longer it is exposed to these sounds, the brighter it will glow, until it reaches a peak.

Upon reaching its peak, the steel will turn from grey to a deep blue with lighter accents towards the sharp side. This effect will last close to an hour; during this time, any cuts and slices left by the weapon will leave muscles paralyzed and will be unable to close, guaranteeing death via bloodloss and a victory for its wielder. Some legends say that a true wieder of the weapon can channel the pain out of the steel, unleashing a deafening cry or roar that can make you lose your mind. The weight of the shortsword is influenced by how much it is "charged", a change enough to be noticeable but not enough to make it harder or impossible to hold when it is at full capacity. One can argue that the steel can somehow store the cries of pain of its victims and give them a physical form, or at least some level of substance, akin to a sadistic torturer, hence the name of "Persecutor's".

The origin of the Persecutor's Shortsword, as well as its existence, are secrets held tight by the Marhaaki family. Historians agree that they have preserved their bloodline and autonomy over their domain, even during the conquests of the Old Empire of Medeea, centuries and centuries ago. Their independence is attributed to their powerful mages and skilled warriors, with many nobles wondering over the years if maybe they had powerful tools (such as the shortsword) at their disposal. Because of these rumors and the general feeling of secrecy surrounding them, not many dare to step over their property - even the first king of New Medeea left them their manor and surrounding area in exchange for an anti-violence treaty. Who knows what other strange and dangerous artifacts hide in the dark depths of their home...