beloved weapon 1

Saiph and Azrael frequently traveled outside of Lunerest to explore other dimensions. Their long lives granted them much more time to see the world, and they had journeyed through all of Lunerest many years ago. Visiting other worlds allowed them to continue their quest for knowledge, though they would return once in a while to catch up on recent happenings in their homeworld. They both held the rank of specialized Knights, but the era of their active service had passed, so the Queens no longer asked them to stay in Lunerest. Instead, they would document their findings in other worlds to be stored in the Knight headquarters’ library. They were more than happy to help advance the knowledge of other knights, and dutifully spent time transcribing new documents every time they returned to Moonreach.

During their latest trip home, one of the veteran knights informed them of a new smith in Valorise who could make sentient weaponry. This piqued Saiph’s interest. His personal catalytic staff was crammed full of cutting-edge technology from various worlds, but there was always room to improve it even further. He observed automated servitors in otherworlds called robots and saw how they could greatly benefit their makers in their daily life. He wanted to incorporate something similar into his own staff, but never found something compatible with the complex arcane enchantments that his staff had accumulated over the years. Perhaps the breakthrough would be found in Lunerest instead of elsewhere - this was his home, and the place he started learning magic.

After wrapping up his routine duties, he paid a visit to Limekiln alongside Azrael. His companion had no need for new weapons, for his angel-blessed greatsword was irreplaceable, but he did not want to leave Saiph’s side for even a short while. As expected of a master artisan, Limekiln did not question the other Knight’s presence - he simply listened to Saiph’s request and looked through his plans for anything that might work.

To imbue his catalytic staff with sentience was a great undertaking. Limekiln needed special materials to make an enchanted weapon’s heart - something that held great significance to its future wielder. He left Saiph with cryptic instructions, but the mage knew what was required. There was a reason why Saiph could not find anything outside of Lunerest that would imbue his staff with sentience. It had to be something directly from Lunerest; a place close to his heart.

Saiph and Azrael set off on another journey, this time back to the hamlet where they both grew up and trained to become a knight. The town was as lively as ever, and new streets had popped up in their decades of absence. Saiph was glad to see his home thriving and filled with new faces, but he couldn’t help but feel a touch of melancholy at the same time, knowing that the people he once trained with were no longer in this world.

The knight barracks were much larger now, with additional wings built to accommodate their growing ranks. Even the workshop where Saiph built his staff had been moved to a new building, large enough to house all sorts of crafting equipment and enchanting devices. Saiph asked around for any old tools that might have remained since his trainee days, but they had all been replaced. It was unfortunate, but not surprising: almost a hundred years had passed since he was last here.

But one thing still remained – Saiph and Azrael visited the towering spirit tree that once grew outside the training grounds. It was only a sapling when they trained under its shade, a far cry from the majestic great tree it was now. Saiph made the stem of his staff with a branch from this tree long ago. It would be fitting for it to accompany his journey once again.

Saiph climbed up into the spirit tree and closed his eyes. He reached out with his mind to touch the tree’s consciousness, finding it just waking from a long nap. The tree remembered him, and agreed to grant him one of its branches. He opened his eyes again to find a branch extended towards his paws, which he cut off with the utmost care, knowing that the tree was giving him part of its own body.

The heavy wood felt familiar in his hands. It was a blessing from an old acquaintance, and a reminder of his humble origins. Surely, there was no other material more fitting to become his staff’s spiritual heart. With this thought in mind, Saiph bid goodbye to the local knights and returned to Valorise.

Limekiln listened to Saiph’s explanation and accepted the branch, satisfied with the thought and effort he had put into the selection. Now was the smith’s turn to shine – he bid Saiph return in a week to receive the completed staff.