The Sword of Shadows

Written by Salen

The Sword of Shadows, called Mithsran, Sword of Shadows in the elven tongue, is truly an ancient myth. Acording to the tale, the blade was forged in dragonfire, which everyone knows is impossible since dragons are only the thing of stories and tales. The blade is mentioned in tales and stories dating back centuries and even the oldest of elves have only ever heard the tales in ancient books or stories.

Ravin knew these warriors and their pride. She would try to cleave him in two, but his magic would take her before that. “Loktar,” he whispered, sending the magic through the hand and into her mind. Counter that wizard, he thought, yet noticed her eyes weren’t glazing over. It was then he saw what she was wielding, the very sword that had helped stop him all those centuries ago... except, to him, it was yesterday. Mithsran, the sword of shadows. It protected its wielder from the darkest parts of their own mind, and made them immune to control. From Dragon Caller, Rise of the Archmage book 1

Summary

The legend of Mithsran, Sword of Shadows is an old one, telling of the swords power to protect its wielder from magic and control. Depending on which book you find it in, the sword has varying powers, even going so far in one account to be able to counter any magic cast at it. So powerful was these stories that elven bladesmiths often named their works after the famous blade of legend, further making its name spread far and wide. In the end, every archmage through history has always tried to find this blade to no avail, and as such, its reputation has passed into true myth.

Historical Basis

Mithsran, Sword of Shadows was first forged eons ago by the first elves to come to the world of Erendor, arriving on the heels of their goddess from their dying world. They crafted the blade in honor of this new found land and upon meeting the first of the mighty dragons, they used it to forge an alliance of sorts with those great beasts. To solidify their agreement, the dragons bathed the blade in fiery breath, thus giving it an edge and durability to last forever. The archmages of that time enchanted the blade to further protect its wielder from magic and control, making a formidable weapon indeed for the centuries to come. Unfortunately the sword was lost eons ago when the war of Dragons ended.

Spread

The legend of The Sword of Shadows is found primarily on the continent of Erendor, though some stories have made their way south towards Alan'tir.

Variations & Mutation

One variation of the legend speaks of the blade being secreted away during the war of dragons by a noble elven house. This house had sided with the great beasts and didn't want the blade to fall into the hands of the elven leaders opposing them. Kept secret for centuries, it was given to the heir of that house when they came of age and it's purpose reveled once they used it battle. This variation appears only in one text, called the Apocraphier, and is found in the great library of Tir-Onial.

by Erak Note

Related Items

• Mithsran, Sword of Shadows

The Truth

The truth of these stories and legends is actually rather devious. During the war of dragons House Nightstar sided with the great beasts and held the blade. They fought gainst the corrupt elven senate with the dragons, desperately trying to show the corruption to the people. In the end they succeeded, but at a price. The dragons acquiesced to hide away in slumber until called, knowing that their time had come to fade away from the world. The sword stayed in the possession of house Nightstar after that, the truth of it being passed only to the heir when they had used it in battle. In the present day, Shyi-Lhana Nightsdtar wields Mithsran, Sword of Shadows unknown to her, since her father passed before he could tell her the truth. Though she calls the blade by its name, she assumes that is only a copy of the famous blade like everyone else.