Founders' Feather
The paper seed's soil.
The Founders' Feather is an ornamental quill that is thought to be the writing instrument responsible for the creation and signing of The Grand Cornerstone, the document that ended centuries of conflict within the continent of Ar'Nuhûn and directly led to the foundation of The Kingdom of Crendameth. The quill itself is unlike any other, sporting numerous materials that are not found in regular feathers, such as metal and wood, that appear to have 'grown' naturally. These, of course, are the result of tampering by, supposedly, the founding members of the Kingdom. Whether or not this tampering was actually done by the founders or not is the topic of much debate, but the fact of the matter is that the feather was altered in some point of its existence.
The most common legend states that, once the Cornerstone was to be signed, Andor of Cren thought it inadequate to stain the paper seed of the Kingdom with a regular quill, which is why he spent an entire month looking for a suitable replacement. An angel, aware of his plight, plucked a feather from her wings and let it fall at his feet. Andor recognized it as different immediately and, struck by inspiration, asked his fellow leaders to imbue the feather with their peoples' customary crafts once he returned with it, resulting in the different materials present in what would later become the quill. Other versions paint the human leader in a much more negative light, with him stealing the feather from a resting angel or tricking her into surrendering one of her golden plumes.
Over the course of the Kingdom's history, the Feather has accrued much cultural and historical importance, leading to rumors stating that the quill is the vehicle for some binding enchantment. This argument is oftentimes used as an explanation as to why and how the founders were able to set aside their differences and cease their fighting with such ease and speed. This would imply that the quill has the power to bind people against their will if need be. However, over the past six hundred year, there has been no sign of the Feather exhibiting such a property, remaining as a relic to be admired by passionate historians and patriots rather than it being a pen to rule all.
This has not stopped thieves and conquerors to attempt using it for such a reason. It is well known that the Empty Lords would make use of the Feather to attempt to draw out its fabled powers to no avail, later resorting to use it as a toothpick to spite the Crendamites.
Currently, the Founder's Feather is guarded by Zanna Shadowstepper, one of King Crendameth's fellow rebels and current Duchess of Ithiabun.
The most common legend states that, once the Cornerstone was to be signed, Andor of Cren thought it inadequate to stain the paper seed of the Kingdom with a regular quill, which is why he spent an entire month looking for a suitable replacement. An angel, aware of his plight, plucked a feather from her wings and let it fall at his feet. Andor recognized it as different immediately and, struck by inspiration, asked his fellow leaders to imbue the feather with their peoples' customary crafts once he returned with it, resulting in the different materials present in what would later become the quill. Other versions paint the human leader in a much more negative light, with him stealing the feather from a resting angel or tricking her into surrendering one of her golden plumes.
Over the course of the Kingdom's history, the Feather has accrued much cultural and historical importance, leading to rumors stating that the quill is the vehicle for some binding enchantment. This argument is oftentimes used as an explanation as to why and how the founders were able to set aside their differences and cease their fighting with such ease and speed. This would imply that the quill has the power to bind people against their will if need be. However, over the past six hundred year, there has been no sign of the Feather exhibiting such a property, remaining as a relic to be admired by passionate historians and patriots rather than it being a pen to rule all.
This has not stopped thieves and conquerors to attempt using it for such a reason. It is well known that the Empty Lords would make use of the Feather to attempt to draw out its fabled powers to no avail, later resorting to use it as a toothpick to spite the Crendamites.
Currently, the Founder's Feather is guarded by Zanna Shadowstepper, one of King Crendameth's fellow rebels and current Duchess of Ithiabun.
Mechanics & Inner Workings
Access to the Founders' Feather has been forbidden by the line of Kings of Crendameth after the death of Andor of Cren. It falls on one of the King's advisors or closest allies to guard the Feather and study it appropriately. Insofar as the present day is concerned, however, the Founders' Feather is a quill of extraordinary symbolic significance to the peoples of the Kingdom, functioning as any other quill would despite its queer make and appearance, with the added exception of a small leather pouch that seems to contain its supply of ink. Its user would hypothetically need to squeeze this pouch in order to get the ink flowing into the feather-template's central, hollow duct. After this, a writer would be able to write normally.
Several theories have been posited regarding activation commands or necessary bloodlines required to extract the Feathers' fabled true properties. These theories stem from unconventional or repeated words used throughout the Cornerstone's verbiage. As of the writing of this article, none of these hypotheses have been corroborated, be it because no such properties exist or because the Feather is under arcane lock and magical key.
Several theories have been posited regarding activation commands or necessary bloodlines required to extract the Feathers' fabled true properties. These theories stem from unconventional or repeated words used throughout the Cornerstone's verbiage. As of the writing of this article, none of these hypotheses have been corroborated, be it because no such properties exist or because the Feather is under arcane lock and magical key.
Manufacturing process
There is no certain schematic, process or 'recipe' that has been found to describe the exact process in which the Feather was manufactured. The only certainty surrounding this item is that it grows outwards from the feather of an angel, with several unrelated sourced stating this as fact rather than hearsay. However, myths surrounding the object's creation are abundant, with some stating that the Feather had always had its current appearance while others state that as its legend grew, the higher echelon of Crendamite society started modifying what was previously a simple feather into an increasingly ornate relic in hopes of it being elevated in importance. Neither of these claims, nor any of the others that are shared as facts between skeptics and would-be anarchists, have much credence to them.
Significance
The Founders' Feather is as important as the Grand Cornerstone itself. Many view it as the main reason as to why the accord was so easily enforced, while others understand that it, along with the parchment the Cornerstone was written and signed on and the ink that was used to sign it, are symbols that represent the Kingdom's legal and spiritual foundations. While the Feathers' properties are disputed, the belief that these properties might persist throughout the ages or might have existed at some point in time makes it a relic people respect or despise.
Item type
Unique Artifact
Current Location
Current Holder
Subtype / Model
Used by
Owning Organization
Rarity
Unique. As with any such relic, imitations have become widespread throughout the Kingdom's history. However, the Feather's symbolic power does not extend beyond the Amber Coast.
Weight
Less than 100 grams/3.5 ounces
Dimensions
- 16 cm/6.3 in (length)
- 9 cm/3.5 in (width at its widest)
Base Price
Priceless. A crafty thief would be able to fetch prices well over a million gold pieces for this artefact should they know its inner workings.
Raw materials & Components
The materials that make up the Founders' Feather have been identified, if not the way they all came to be in the same structure. It is widely accepted that the base of the design is an angel's feather, being distinctive from a regular feather by its hardiness and ever-shifting colors, some of which have even been described to be 'outside of what a mortal's eye should perceive' by certain scholars. Its 'skeleton' is heavier and more akin to stony bone that the lightweight materials their avian counterparts use in their plumage.
If there is an analogy to be made between a feather and a tree, the lower 'branches' of the Feather are made out of wood, specifically steeloak, common in the Elven heartland of Nisius; the middle 'branches' are of mithril construction, abundant in the Dwarven strongholds of Adyma; and the top 'branches' are made of mossy stones suspected to be bonerock, important within Orcish tradition. The central 'trunk' has been hollowed out and seems to be made of dragon's fortune, lending credence to the widespread belief that the Feather is, in someone, magical.
The Feather's central 'trunk' has a carved engraving written in the Celestial tongue, roughly translating into 'Swordstopper'.
If there is an analogy to be made between a feather and a tree, the lower 'branches' of the Feather are made out of wood, specifically steeloak, common in the Elven heartland of Nisius; the middle 'branches' are of mithril construction, abundant in the Dwarven strongholds of Adyma; and the top 'branches' are made of mossy stones suspected to be bonerock, important within Orcish tradition. The central 'trunk' has been hollowed out and seems to be made of dragon's fortune, lending credence to the widespread belief that the Feather is, in someone, magical.
The Feather's central 'trunk' has a carved engraving written in the Celestial tongue, roughly translating into 'Swordstopper'.
Tools
In its current state, the Founders' Feather must have required tools from several different disciplines, ranging from pure arcane studies to jewelcraft. It is only possible to speculate what these tools actually were or looked like, as there are no records that specify what the process was like. The legends that surround the Feather and the signing of the Cornerstone indicated that each of the founding members contributed something to the quill itself, with Blackhammer being in charge of the metallic aspects using precision tools and glass that can magnify the apparent size of an object and Syndil Xiloscient using magic and song to 'grow' its wooden sections out, for example.
it must needs be stressed that, like many objects that serve as the foundation of our world, there is simply not enough information about them to present their history as immutable fact.
it must needs be stressed that, like many objects that serve as the foundation of our world, there is simply not enough information about them to present their history as immutable fact.
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments