Devil's Claw

Description

All devils that have been seen on the surface of Nora are known for two things - their fiendish contracts to entrap the lives and souls of the Risen, and the defining claw that they use to inscribe these contracts. The index finger on a devil's right hand ends at the first knuckle before turning into a wicked claw. The claw will vary in size with the devil's rank in the hierarchy, the low-ranking Knights' being roughly 15 centimeters in length. The claws are sharply curved and drop into an extremely fine point. They are dark obsidian in color and cracked with a vibrant red and yellow fire pulsing through the cracks. Even when removed from the host, the fire inside of the claw never ceases to burn, causing a hazard to anyone other than devils trying to use them. These claws are wickedly sharp and are seemingly unfazed by mundane armor and flesh, passing through uninhibited and even showing little trouble with most magickly enhanced armaments.

Usage

A Devil's Claw is the pen through which all of their contracts are written. After both parties come to an agreeance, the devil will press the claw into the chest of the contracted individual, passing through all flesh and bone straight to the heart. This does not cause any physical damage to the individual's body, though they are filled with a strong burning sensation. The devil will then begin the long process of inscribing all details of their contract onto the heart of the bearer - the extra fine tip of the claw allowing them to write several paragraphs or even pages worth of text onto one's heart. Once complete, the devil retracts the claw, and there is no trace left on the outside of the body. By magickly inscribing the contract onto one's heart, it is final. Any breach of the terms established between the two will break the contract, the heart incinerates before setting all arteries and blood vessels alight with hellfire, killing them almoost immediately. 
Given the extreme power of even a lowly Devil Knight, Devil's Claws are invaluable and nearly priceless due to their rarity and the difficulty in obtaining one. Powerful Magi and Warlocks would pay heavy prices to acquire one for using it to make their own contracts with other Risen - many view this as the only way to trust those beneath them, under penalty of death. The innate armor-piercing ability along with the ever-burning hellfire within makes the claws of larger devils legendary weapons should the user have the ability to stow and wield it without harming themselves in the process. Few, however, would take the risk of challenging a Baron or Count for their claws.

Hell of a Deal

Normally, the only way to obtain a Devil's Claw is by harvesting one from a corpse or by acquiring one that has already been claimed. However, in the most rare of occasions, and individual may be able to make a contract with a devil in exchange for their claw. The price would be extraordinary - guaranteed to be cruel and excessive and only feasible by truly powerful and wicked individuals.

Item type

Magical