Legend of Kirinith

The Sundering

Millennia ago, when great elven societies were among the major forces of the world, there was a Sundering. Certain elves were attracted to the dark teachings of the corrupt Lolth, seeking power, domination, and conquest. Their good-hearted brethren eventually found themselves forced to take up arms against their kin to stop their rampages and their dark teachings.

The Sundering Wars were long and terrible. The dark-hearted elves were not yet cursed to bear the mark of darkness on their skin, and one never knew which neighbor or friend might be working to further the will of the Spider Queen. How could such traitors be ferreted out but the rights of good elves be maintained?

This was the question elven sages, artificers, and priests sought to answer with the creation of Kirinith, The great magical blade is sacred to Corellon Larethian, the protector of elves. Her duty is to protect the elven race from danger, particularly from the rot from within. The wielder of Kirinith became the Azure Champion, a potent force for good against corruption. The first Azure Champions (they often died in the course of their service) ruthlessly hunted down Lolth-worshipping elves in positions of authority who used their power to sabotage light elf efforts from within.

After the Sundering Wars ended, Kirinith became lost. She seems to reappear from time to time, choosing a new Azure Champion when a great need arises.

Destruction of the N'ndasha Tel'Quessir

The Forest of the People stretched along the northern coast of a great continent, home to a great elven nation. It had stood from nearly the time of the Sundering until 500 years ago. Not a coherent empire, it was a largely peaceful mass of allied elven settlements with several magnificent cities serving as centers of culture and learning.

About 600 years ago, humans arrived on the coasts to the north. Elven leaders convened to discuss the new developments. Things became tense when humans began to harvest the great trees of the N'ndasha Tel'Quessir for lumber. But, being elves, swift resolution of the issue did not come.

Zoricha Deerchaser was a leader of a small band of elves given to defending the edges of the forest from such incursions. She somehow came into possession of Kirinith and became the newest Azure Champion. The blade immediately alerted her to the possible dangers the situation presented.

Deerchaser was, frankly, not well suited to wield Kirinith. In time, the blade may have granted her foresight and wisdom. But Deerchaser did not give her time. Too hotheaded, she stormed into a Council meeting, brandishing the blade as a symbol of authority, and demanding immediate action. Certain wiser heads suggested that perhaps the blade was warning that poor handling of the situation was the true danger, not simply the human presence. Deerchaser was incensed. Was she or wasn't she the Azure Champion? Convinced that her actions were for the betterment of the elven people, she led her now-infamous raid on a human fishing village.

Perhaps if the elven peoples had immediately rallied behind her, they might have been more successful and Deerchaser would have been vindicated. As it was, she received only censure from the Council for her actions. In anger, she took Kirinith and departed. The Council was still debating when Nargo the Wise and his armies poured into the N'ndasha Tel'Quessir. Twenty short years later, the elven people were decimated, the great forest was cut into three parts, and a human city was built on the razed ruins of the greatest center of elven culture.

And the Azure Champion and her sword never reappeared. How could the wielder of Kirinith fail to defend the elven people? Eventually, a rumor developed that the drow had somehow noticed the lone Champion, slew her, and took the sword as vengeance for her role in their banishment to the Underdark.

Recent Events

A recent quest headed by Stan of Lli'ira managed only to return a cursed replica of Kirinith. The actual blade was divined to be in the possession of members of House Dlargreth, an ancient, corrupt elven house thought long-banished. A further quest, headed by the Sehanite seer Loriel Mooneyed, sought the sword in the desert lands of the Ramadi. The sword disappeared from the desert before the group could obtain it; Loriel knew only that it was now within a forest somewhere. She also divined that the sword briefly lost its wielder, then regained a wielder. Since the only known way to separate the Blue Blade from the Azure Champion is through death, it is likely that a new Champion has been chosen.

Return to N'ndasha Euli.