OUT-OF-CHARACTER
Name: Nirnaeth Arnoediad
Type: Tower Shield
Credits: Image 1
Consolidation Thread:
Description: The gods had not yet abandoned their folk. After years of death and destruction, they cast their light upon them. Nirnaeth Arnoediad was first granted to a knight of the Old Elves whose devotion to the divine and to his family never faltered, even beyond death. Towering and radiant, the shield stands nearly the height of its wielder and bears heavenly runes of protection and divine resolve. Its surface is marked by a great Willow Tree with golden leaves, a symbol of steadfast defence and unwavering faith, and a direct reference to the elves' holy tree of Elentir. At the roots of the tree sits a grieving mother reaching toward the heavens. A single golden teardrop is depicted in the centre of the mural, falling into the widow’s outstretched hands. Though centuries have passed and the lands of Malamac have grown dark and corrupted, the shield remains untouched by decay, its divine purpose lingering within its metal.
ATTRIBUTES
- Defence: Extreme
- Defensive Elements: The shield is enormous, large enough to cover nearly the entire body of its wielder. It strengthens the mind and spirit of those who stand behind it, instilling faith, resolve, and courage even in the face of overwhelming darkness. Those who bear no ill intent may feel its presence as a gentle warmth that slowly heals wounds and exhaustion.
- Offence: Extreme
- Offensive Elements: The shield can project a radiant barrier around itself that nullifies all magic within its radius. While active, no spell may enter or function within the shield’s protective sphere.
- Durability: Extreme
- Scarcity: Unique
- TvM Requirement: XvX
STRENGHTS
Magic Barrier: The shield emits an aura of radiance that nullifies all magic within it and prevents any magic from entering. This power can remain active for 3 posts and can be used once per thread.
Strengthened Mentality: The shield is not only a tool of physical protection but also one of mental fortitude. It aids the user against corruption and mental attacks, guiding them along a righteous path.
Lifted by the Gods: To a worthy wielder, the shield weighs little to nothing, making it easy to carry and wield despite its immense size.
A Mother's Embrace: A faint aura surrounds the shield, slowly mending wounds and easing fatigue for those nearby who carry no malicious intent.
WEAKNESSES
True Believer: Only those who carry the gods in their hearts and righteousness in their soul can wield this ancient artefact. Doubt alone is enough to cause the shield to grow impossibly heavy, rendering it unusable.
Magic Barrier: The shield eliminates all magic, including that of the wielder.
Mental Anchor: Wielding this shield is not a test of strength but of the mind. The sorrow and grief of the past flow over the bearer like a tidal wave of emotion, only relenting once their grip upon the shield is released.
Gods Bleed: Should the gods of the Elves ever perish, or should a weapon capable of harming them strike the relic, the shield would shatter and be forever lost to the void.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
In a time of prosperity following the wars that sank the old continent, the elves of Malamac flourished, and their devotion to the gods grew stronger with each passing generation. In recognition of their loyalty and sacrifice, the gods bestowed several sacred relics upon their people, tools forged from celestial materials and blessed with divine purpose. Among these gifts was the shield Nirnaeth Arnoediad. It is said that a grieving mother who had lost her husband and two sons during the wars that sank the old continent sat beneath the Elentir and wept for days. Without rest or food, she remained there, mourning her loss. Her world had been torn apart, and she was left with nothing but tears and fading memories. The gods saw this widow. They saw her suffering and swore to do better in protecting their people from harm. The following day, her youngest son returned, sent back from the beyond to protect his mother. To aid him in this task, the gods granted him the shield. From that day onward, Nirnaeth Arnoediad was passed down through his family for generations, until the shattering of the Elves of Malamac.
