Isvamelle Arakhei

Isvamelle Arakhei or "Isvamelle's Defender" in common tongue, is an ancient sceptre carried by the Queen or King of Virias. For the entirety of the Second Age, the sceptre has been a symbol of Veridian Royalty; the twists of the setting at its the top of the etched into the seal of the royal family, and flown on the flag of Virias. While the metallic structure of the sceptre itself is mundane and comparatively unimportant; the stone that defines it is a mysterious arcane treasure. Known as the "Ghost of Isvamelle", the stone has a strange, seemingly evolving semi-consciousness of its own. It is known to think and act independently, occasionally even speaking to its carrier. Because of its importance to the Verdian Crown, it has never been properly investigated, but the leading theory for the source of the stone's sentience is a First-Age spirit that attempted to fuse its consciousness to the stone and did so poorly.
Despite the strange and inhuman nature of the stone's personality, it seems to hold a considerable amount of power. The sceptre defends the one who holds it, granting them improved mental clarity, protection from the cold and invigorated senses. It also acts as a potent arcane focus, bolstering the spells of those who wield it.

Description and structure

Made from coldstone silver, it is surprisingly light and easily wielded in one hand with appropriate training. Adorned with filigree and blue velvet, the twisting shape of the staff's crown holds the Ghost of Isvamelle. The sceptre's top is a twist of metal that holds the stone firmly in place, while bouncing light effectively into the internals of the crystal. The crystal itself is pale blue in regular lighting, and glows ever so slightly, sometimes emitting flashes and motes of arcane light or shining more strongly to illuminate a dark corridor for its owner. The internals of the crystal are flawed and multi-faceted in a way that seems deliberate. These facets bounce light, making brilliant sparkles of blues, greens and purples when in the sun. The stone is not thought to be a natural gemstone, but perhaps an artificially or magically created mineral, made specifically for whatever arcane purpose it served in antiquity.
Most staffs, wands and sceptres are either made of magically conductive materials, or contain a pure core of such a material. Though it has never been taken apart, it is assumed there is indeed a core within the length of the sceptre that allows it to conduct arcane energy so well, as coldsilver is a fairly poor conductor of magic. Legend says the core is made of the antler of a great O'lessi or skywhale bone, but both of these ideas are likely based in fiction. It is much more likely that the core is made of irrotium, as are most First Age devices that boast arcane conduction.

The Ghost of Isvamelle

"As with so many of the wonders and treasures the snow elves hold, the Queen's sceptre goes unstudied. They choose to live in ignorance of its past or its future; and I believe that is because the possibilities frighten them." Delphine Marion, High Minsiter of Sedia, 12,990 SA

The Ghost of Isvamelle is the name given to the stone that is held within the sceptre. The stone is ancient and of unknown origins. The name is also used to refer to the voice or consciousness that the stone seems to bear. It's unknown if the consciousness is some kind of enchantment or a spirit. Further analysis has the possibility of revealing information about the stone, but because of its almost sacred status in the hands of Veridian royalty, it remains a mystery. As stated above, many believe because of the stone's strange material structure it is likely that it was made by arcane hands; perhaps the desperate attempts of a wizard to preserve his consciousness as the Ruination approached. Another more fantastical theory is that the stone and consciousness may be of extra-terrestrial origin, perhaps having fallen from the stars years ago. Others firmly believe that it is of holy origin, the theory usually attributing it to Ellene.
Origin aside, the consciousness the stone possesses is highly unusual. It is a quiet, vague consciousness that communicates more in feelings, gestures and acts. Generally, it does not act as an advisor or guide to the royalty who wield it, and it has little to offer in the way of advice. It is known to occasionally "speak" telepathically to its user, but its "voice" is said to sound very unnatural; often described as "creaky", as if listening to the sounds of the ice sheets shifting in a way that makes words. By all accounts, the consciousness seems to be a fairly kind one- it is described as almost playful at times, playing little jokes on its owner with its ability to light up the stone. It is known to dull when hearing of sadness or cruelty, and light up more brightly in apparent elation when hearing good news. Notably, the stone was said to have been its brightest in the hands of leaders who did great good for the country, and dull and dark in comparison when under the control of unmotivated or foolish leaders.
If the stone was the work of an ancient person attempting to save their consciousness, the process likely went awry. This would explain the strange nature of the stone's personality, and its seemingly stunted ability to act or learn as a fully conscious being could. The magic involved in such a task or ritual is complicated, expensive and dangerous. It would be very easy to make a mistake with such complicated magic, the result of which can likely be seen in the Ghost of Isvamelle. The consciousness or spirit does seem to slowly change over the millennia, going through periods of being more playful or more sombre, but it never seems to explain its reasoning.

Symbolism

Isvamelle Arakhei has become a symbol of the city of Isvamelle and more importantly, a powerful symbol of the Veridian Throne. Outside of Veridian borders, the sceptre is the most recognisable symbol of Virias's royalty, due to its likeness being included on their flag. Almost all Sedian children would instantly recognise an image of the sceptre, though many would have no idea what the actual crown or throne of Virias looked like.
During the coronation of each new head of royalty in Sedia, the final transfer of power is symbolised by the passing of the sceptre. The sceptre is passed to the successor at the very end of the event, to show the completion of the passing of power. If the sceptre must be moved by anyone other than the King or Queen, it must be done so by two people, preferably knights or others who have sworn their loyalty to the crown. The sceptre must be handled with a cloth by the two bearers; touching the sceptre is forbidden to anyone other than the current sovereign. Even the direct family of the King or Queen may not handle it, and doing so is considered an unforgivable act.
The sceptre is so central to the symbolism of the royal family that its likeness makes up the royal seal, and is on the Veridian flag.

The likeness of Isvamelle Arakhei, as seen in the Royal Seal and the Veridian Flag

Item type

Unique Artifact