Legends Of The Dawnstar Shield
The Dawnstar Shield was a mighty force in the fight against evil. This holy item was named for its owner, Meryl Dawnstar. Together with her shield she struck a blow against darkness and evil in the dark kingdoms.
Summary
They say that the Dawnstar Shield was born of disaster, from two martyred souls and their broken shields, during a moonless night in 763 B.S. when the Nevar Adepts and the Silver Adepts were ruthlessly ambushed and destroyed. The legends say that it was Fornax himself, come down to the city's forge with his mortal apprentice, the dwarf known as Cekic Hammerfal, and took the shattered pieces of Muriel and Safak Dawnstar's shields and reforged them into the mighty Dawnstar Shield. Tales say that he worked for only a single night and that his forge was lit with a heavenly golden glow, that lit up the night sky light the noonday sun. When he was finished, he presented the holy, golden shield to Meryl Dawnstar and simply said "Go forth and bring the cleansing light to the darkness." Upon which she immediately rallied the few survivors and volunteers forming the Flaming Fists and Blazing Hands and set out upon a holy crusade chasing down the darkness and cleansing the land of evil and undeath until her final days.
Throughout the years the Dawnstar Shield has been Meryl's constant companion, protecting her and her troops from innumerable dangers, deceits, and tragedies. Together they have faced off against the zombies hordes of Schlecht, the black skeleton legion of Cherne, the ghoul lords of Chargate, the terrible wights of Wintermore, the witch sisters of Hazelrest, the depraved Nosveren vampires Arietta Mallum, Sovaj Cazador, Vilda and Simon Mandrake, and scheming lichs Zzodan and Vamira. All of which were horrific enemies that took a terrible toll on Meryl and the Flaming Fists, yet pale in comparison to her final foe.
Just who that final opponent was, they do not say. It's not written in any journal or texts yet discovered. All records of the final event have purposely left out who or what the last encounter was with. Many have speculated that it was too terrible a foe to record. Some say it was because everyone that was there mysteriously lost their memories. A few assume that they all went mad. Others believe that everyone there died in that final battle leaving no witnesses. Most argue that Meryl went off to do single combat with that terrible and evil force. Whatever truly happened will remain a mystery that can only be solved in our imaginations or perhaps dreamt of in our worst nightmares. The mystery will have to remain unsolved for now, but we can all be thankful that she prevailed and did so much good for the people.
The earliest records of that event are dated some years afterwards and vary by author. No two seem to recall the events the exact same way. Most argue that Meryl and the Dawnstar Shield were buried together in an unmarked grave or interred together in a mausoleum on a hillside overlooking the ocean. Others have them both being burned on a funeral ship or being placed in a hidden, magnificent tomb. Several say that both her body and shield were utterly destroyed in the confrontation. Some believe that they were both taken directly to the afterlife as a reward for their good deeds. A few dare to deny that they ever existed in the first place.
Historical Basis
According to multiple sources, including several historical written accounts from both the Blazing Hands and Flaming Fists, they all assert that the The Dawnstar Shield was a real item used by Meryl Dawnstar herself. Accounts of its might have been passed down through the ages and all of the Blazing Hands and Flaming Fists know of its great tales.
Spread
The old stories of the Dawnstar Shield are known throughout the lands, but it has particular favor in the Kingdom Of Lucien where it is said to have originated, and it is still talked about, in hushed tones, in the dark kingdoms of Nosveren, Malstrigoi, and the Mirusi Lands where it was used to beat back the flow of the evil and undead creatures.
Variations & Mutation
All stories are exaggerated to some extent but the clergy of Alacrita, Goddess Of Life And Healing endeavor to keep the tales of Meryl Dawnstar, The Silver Adepts, the Nevar Adepts, and The Dawnstar Shield from being embellished and overstated. The Blazing Hands and Flaming Fists often use their stories as an effective recruiting tool.
Cultural Reception
Legends of the Dawnstar Shield amaze and regale the children of Lucien, they are taught of its history in school and enjoy hearing of its battle for good and triumphant victories over evil.
In the dark kingdoms of Nosveren, Malstrigoi, and the Mirusi Lands it is more of a whispered hope that it might be found again and used to defeat the remaining evils in the lands.
In Literature
Many stories, songs, poems, and accounts have been published about the indomitable Meryl Dawnstar, The Dawnstar Shield, The Silver Adepts, the Nevar Adepts, the Blazing Hands and the Flaming Fists.
In Art
All of the cities in the Kingdom Of Lucien have paintings, statues, stained glass, and tapestries depicting their national heroes, heroines, and artifacts. It is quite common here for children to reenact the historical battles from their childhood tales.
Date of Setting
The legend begins in 763 B.S.
Related People
Related Items
“… and so they say that Meryl and the Dawnstar Shield passed from history that day.” “Mom, do you think that she died, or maybe she just went away to live peacefully somewhere? I know everybody says she died, but I think that she lived.” “Well my dear, grandma always says ‘Sometimes history gets it wrong.’ ” “Grandma was there, right?” “Well, not exactly. Go to sleep now my little one.”
“How come no one ever mentions the weapons that she had? Just a shield? I wonder what kind of sword she had.” “Well Dawn, it was actually a flaming mace, kind of like the one on the mantle over the fireplace, but on fire, holy fire.” “Really?! How do you know?”
“What really happened to Meryl, mom?” “Well Stella, the real truth is… whatever you want to have happened. Now off to bed.”
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