Handscythe of the Druid

This article is a concept created during SummerCamp 2023! It is subject to changes, retcons, or may be sent to the secret vault after the event.

With wings of its own, I dare say it could come to life at any moment, and reap the fields by itself. If only one of mine could do the same, eh?

— Savelan farmer, daydreaming of free days

The Handscythe of the Druid is a holy relic of the goddess Levje, patron goddess of the Kingdom of Arsavela.

Relic of the Druid

This relic is held in the Castle Amsa, along with other relics of the dawn, and is carefully guarded by the Alabaster Hand's clergy. Though a common farming implement, this individual object is believed to be one used by the goddess herself, in her mortal years. Simply constructed, from wood and a silvered metal, this handscythe bore an elaborately designed image of the Savelan Barn Owl, carved into its haft, which melded almost seamlessly with the scythe blade.

Patron of the Land

Levje's status as a primary patron god of Arsavela has made this relic a sacred object and a staple of Castle Amsa's relic collection. Though all heirlooms of the Arsaces Monarchy were cast into the vaults and out of the public eye shortly after the royal family's deposition, certain relics, including the handscythe, were spared because holy connections like this one.

Too Sacred to Hide

This relic was not unique, in bearing the symbolism of the Savelan owl, but other relics bearing the image could, and did, have their ties to holy figures twisted or disproven, with the aim of hiding them away without public backlash. The handscythe, however, was featured in historical documents, ancient paintings, and more, detailing the goddess's ownership of the object, and of the patterns it bore.
As this imagery was so deeply ingrained in the daily life and view of the faithful Savelan population, even the Alabaster Hand could understand that there would always be lines they could not cross, while still maintaining the support of the population. While they did away with every relic which lacked sufficient proof or documentation, relics such as this one remained in public view.

Levje, the Ancient

Having belonged to the goddess Levje, the Druid, this object is a relic of ancient times, and represents tools which the Antecedents used in the era after their fall. There are some who theorize that this tool predated the fall of the Golden Age of Magic, noting that its construction and design were too elaborate and artfully crafted to have been created during the Nameless Age, though no records are available which confirm or disprove the theory.
Many historians opted to date such relics based on these qualities, which identified more crude tools and objects as items from later in the Nameless Age, and objects such as this handscythe from early in the Age, or even predating it.

Implements of old can have such a strong sway on the people of the modern day.

Ancient Aurel Cathedral by Strixxline via Midjourney

Location

Aurel
Castle Amsa

Type

Tool/Weapon
Holy Relic

Associated Divine

Champions of the Dawn
Levje, the Druid

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Flock to Prayer

Whenever the calendar calls for Open Terrace, most faithful who do not flock to relics of Atreimus, the Purifier will instead come to Levje's handscythe, to pray for the health and prosperity of their homesteads.
The people continue to hold on to their worship of Levje, even as the Alabaster Hand pushes the word of Atreimus above other gods in the region.