- Classification
- Eta, Mu, Nu, Rho, Omega
The Abyssal Shard, a menacing artifact of legend, was wrought in the crucible of Hell by a tormented blacksmith, who channeled his accumulated pain, rage, and skill into its creation. The sword possesses terrifying abilities that transcend the material realm - it can consume the souls of those it vanquishes, augmenting its power and sharpness, while also exhibiting elemental affinities. The Abyssal Shard resonates with the emotions of its wielder, potentially enhancing their physical prowess, yet exacting a toll on their vitality. The weapon's sinister origin story is intertwined with the themes of betrayal, retribution, and a grim determination to survive. Despite its storied past, its current status is shrouded in mystery and speculation, with its known location guarded by a select few. Tales of this formidable weapon persist, blending the lines between fact and folklore, its legacy echoing ominously through the ages.
Special Abilities
The Abyssal Shard is an artifact of chilling power, possessing the ability to consume the souls of those it slays, and subsequently enhancing its destructive capacity with their strengths and talents. Upon consuming a soul, the sword's power amplifies temporarily, manifesting as heightened sharpness, the capacity to pierce magical defenses, or even the projection of energy waves. The sword is hypothesized to channel both psionic and magical energies, contributing to its exceptional abilities. It exhibits an affinity with elemental forces, evident in phenomena such as heat radiation or a shroud of ethereal flames or icy mist enveloping the blade. Intriguingly, the Abyssal Shard resonates with the emotional state of its wielder, particularly amplifying feelings of anger, hatred, and desperation, potentially bolstering the wielder's physical strength and endurance. However, this formidable power comes with a significant cost: prolonged use of the Abyssal Shard tends to physically and mentally drain its wielder, a likely consequence of its soul-consuming nature.
- Soul Consumption
- The Abyssal Shard possesses the terrifying ability to rip the souls from those it slays, absorbing them to empower the blade. This not only augments its destructive capabilities but also imbues it with some of the strengths or talents of the consumed soul.
- Power Augmentation
- The sword's power increases for a time after it has consumed a soul. This augmentation can take the form of increased sharpness, the ability to pierce magical defenses, or the projection of powerful energy waves.
- Psionic and Magical Energy Channeling
- The sword can possibly channel psionic or magical energies, or potentially both. This energy may be responsible for some of its other extraordinary abilities.
- Elemental Connection
- The Abyssal Shard appears to have a connection to elemental forces. Some reports have detailed the blade radiating heat or being surrounded by a shroud of ethereal flames or icy mist.
- Emotional Resonance
- The sword resonates with the emotional state of its bearer, especially feelings of anger, hatred, and desperation. This resonance may empower the wielder's physical strength and endurance.
- Draining Effect
- Prolonged use of the Abyssal Shard tends to drain the wielder physically and mentally, which may be a side effect of its soul-consuming nature. This implies a potential cost or drawback to wielding such a powerful artifact.
Status as of 21st Century
In the modern era, the Abyssal Shard is rumored to be stowed away, shrouded in consecrated cloths imbued with holy water to mitigate its malignant aura. The confidential whereabouts of this accursed artifact is preserved by a close-knit circle of custodians, their identities concealed to prevent any attempts at acquisition. Despite these measures, the sword seems to exhibit an inexplicable sentient quality, influencing the subconscious of those privy to its secret. Whispers of cryptic dreams and uncanny visions plague these individuals, suggesting the sword's possible yearning for a new master. Conversely, a sense of foreboding permeates the air, with some speculating that these strange phenomena could portend an impending disaster of unimaginable proportions.
Status as of Post World War III
In the aftermath of World War III, in the year 2056, historical accounts or even conjectural references pertaining to the Abyssal Shard have become inexplicably scant. While there's speculation that the artifact was operational during the brutal war, the concrete evidence is limited, if not nonexistent, and a flurry of contradictory narratives further muddles the understanding of its role. Amidst the tumultuous upheaval of the war and subsequent post-war chaos, documentation tracing the journey of the Abyssal Shard past 1989 has been regretfully lost, consigning its fate to the realm of mystery and conjecture. Despite exhaustive efforts, the current location and status of this ancient and formidable weapon remains an enigma, fueling both apprehension and intrigue among scholars and enthusiasts alike.
History
The legend of the Abyssal Shard traces its roots to a renowned blacksmith who lusted after his neighbor's wife. His fixation grew so overpowering that he murdered his neighbor in an attempt to claim the wife for himself, only to be slain by the wife he had so desired, his sins condemning him to the depths of hell. In hell, the blacksmith was subjected to unspeakable torture until he managed to escape from his demonic tormentor. His desperate flight brought him to an environment of solid steel rocks and molten pools, offering no refuge, but giving him the materials he would need to resist his persecutors.
The blacksmith, refused to surrender to the waiting demon, who had all of eternity to watch him suffer. After enduring this torture for months, the blacksmith finally turned and made a desperate gambit for freedom. Using a chunk of white-hot metal, he plunged it into the demon's head, his own hand searing and melting in the process. With the demon vanquished, the blacksmith understood he needed a weapon to defend himself against the inevitable onslaught of other demons. Relying on his skill in the forge, he crafted a grotesque hammer, the Wicked Nethersbane, from the demon's head and spine and the searing rocks around him.
With the Nethersbane, he forged the Abyssal Shard from the claws and ribs of the demon, his bone hands molding the hot materials with a malicious fury. He inscribed the blade with symbols of power he had seen in hell and then, imbued the sword with the remaining essence of his tormentor. The Abyssal Shard was a weapon of vengeance, capable of slaying any being in its path.
His escape from hell came when he challenged the demon guarding one of the gates leading to the mortal realm. Underestimating him, the demon allowed the blacksmith the first strike - a fatal mistake. The Abyssal Shard pierced the demon, growing stronger with the absorbed essence, and unlocking the gate back to the mortal world.
On his return, the blacksmith discovered his 'stolen' wife had remarried. In a fit of rage, he killed her new husband, incinerating him instantly. However, his ghastly appearance - his hands bone-claws, face charred and cracked, and his eyes burning with betrayed rage - horrified his former love. The wife's new family, descendants of holy men skilled in combatting evil, defended her from the monstrous blacksmith. Calling upon divine aid, they struck down the blacksmith, whose immortal soul returned to hell.
The Abyssal Shard was left behind, to be hidden away by the holy family, its ominous power contained within cloths soaked in holy water, shielding it from mortal contact.