Prince Artifacts

he Drum of Fortitude

The Drum was known among the people as The Drum of Fortitude. It’s an ancient relic, and its origins are somewhat shrouded in time. But among those who fought for the leaders that used the Drum of Fortitude, it was legend.As the legend goes, the night before warriors took off to war was often filled with bad decisions. Drinking, worrying, gambling and the like. Good leaders know that setting the tone sets the foundation for victory, and what better to set the tone than with a drum. And so the tradition became that in the nights leading up to war, the soldiers would come together after a hearty feast and a generous but not too hardy portion of ale to sit around the fire, bang the drum of fortitude, and tell their stories.

And the stories had strict moral requirements. They must be true (as far as the storyteller knew). They must be uplifting/inspiring. They must be formative. The idea was that as wave after wave after wave of bravery washed over the warriors, their mindsets would shift. They would be empowered, emboldened, and uplifted with the powers of positive thought. They could not help but achieve victory because their minds were filled with nothing but victory. They could overcome challenges because they had heard dozens of stories of people fighting against the most challenging of circumstances.

It also helped them to know the merit and metal of those they fought with. And it reminded them what they were fighting for. It was the power of being awash in stories of achievement, bravery, and wins. It was the power of being reminded they were surrounded by, preceded by, and would be followed by, descendent worth fighting for. And it was reminding them that they held the power to accomplish all these things within themselves already.

And while over the generations different generals and military leaders followed this tradition to a greater or lesser extent, it always formed the backbone of the military endeavors of these people. And thus it was in the generation that would come to be conquered by the Prince that the general heartily believed in the power of the drum of fortitude. He was the son and grandson of military leaders going back generations, and the power of the drum had been instilled in him from an early age. And he would go on to instill the same in his soldiers.

In the battle against the Prince, the great general fell and while it was a significant tragedy for the people, it was the final step in there submitting their fealty. And so when the Prince demanded a tribute to show that the people had truly been subdued and were willingly joining with him. The soldiers gave them the Drum of Fortitude, telling him their greatest stories, to show that he was getting people of great value.

The Sweck Dagger

Few groups fought as hard to resist joining or being conquered by the Prince as the Sweck did. When they were at last forced into the Kingdom of Argost, they became known as reluctant citizens. Often, they can be heard talking of succession, but the noble houses try to keep them in check and it’s understood that succession would mean a swift death.However among the Prince’s treasures is a dagger that was given to the Prince as tribute when the Sweck finally fell under his leadership. The dagger held within the Prince's treasures bears a weighty history that intertwines with the proud lineage of the Sweck people. Crafted with meticulous care by the finest artisans of the Sweck, it was not merely a tribute offered in submission, but a symbol of defiance shrouded in reverence. For generations, the Sweck had fiercely guarded their sovereignty against the encroaching grasp of neighboring powers, resisting assimilation into the dominion of the Prince with unyielding determination.History of the blade: 

It spoke of a great Sweck leader, Gareth, whose valor and cunning were matched only by his unwavering devotion to his people.

During a pivotal moment in Sweck history, when the forces of another tyrant in the distant past were on the brink of overwhelming their defenses, Gareth wielded the dagger with unparalleled skill and determination. With his back against the crumbling walls of their stronghold, he led a daring charge against the encroaching enemy, rallying his comrades with the rallying cry of freedom.

In the heat of battle, amidst the clangor of swords and the roar of battle cries, the blade danced with lethal grace, striking down foe after foe with the precision of a master swordsman. As the tide of the conflict ebbed and flowed, the fate of the Sweck hung in the balance.

It was in a decisive moment, as the enemy's forces bore down upon them with relentless ferocity, that Gareth seized upon an opportunity that would etch his name into the annals of legend. With a swift and calculated maneuver, he lunged forward, the gleaming edge of the dagger slicing through the air with deadly intent.

In a single, decisive stroke, Gareth struck down the enemy commander, turning the tide of battle in favor of the Sweck. The resounding victory that followed echoed throughout the land, inspiring hope in the hearts of his people and striking fear into the hearts of their adversaries. From that day, the blade became synonymous with the freedom, resilience and defiance of the Sweck people.

When the Prince was making his final approach and won, it was clear they would need to swear fealty. As the Sweck faced the inexorable tide of conquest, their leaders grappled with the harsh reality of their circumstances. With their backs against the wall, the decision to present the dagger to the Prince was not one of surrender, but a strategic maneuver born of necessity. Embedded within the blade was a legacy of resilience, a testament to the indomitable spirit of a people who refused to be subjugated without a fight. It spoke volumes of their resolve, encapsulating the essence of their struggle and defiance.

To the Sweck, the dagger represented more than just a ceremonial offering—it was a poignant reminder of their tumultuous history and the sacrifices made to preserve their identity. Each etched line and intricately carved motif bore witness to their valorous stand against the forces of oppression. Its significance resonated deeply within the collective consciousness of the Sweck, serving as a beacon of hope amidst the shadows of adversity.

Even as they begrudgingly accepted their place within the Kingdom of Argost, the memory of the dagger continued to fuel their aspirations for autonomy. It remained a potent symbol of their enduring spirit, a silent promise that one day, they would reclaim their independence and forge their own destiny anew. And though talk of succession may be met with swift reprisal from the noble houses, the legacy of the dagger endures as a testament to the unyielding resolve of the Sweck people, echoing through the corridors of history as a beacon of defiance against the forces of tyranny.However, it cannot be said that the Sweck didn’t surrender with a bit of a dramatic flare. As the blade was handed to the Prince, a bonfire was convened nearby and the Sweck heraldry burned as an act of defiance. Observers said that some looked on stoically, others with great anger even as a tear rolled down their cheeks. It’s said that onlookers chanted something in an ancient dialect of the Sweck people that roughly translates to “Though you’ve beat us in battle, you’ll never claim our history.” Despite the theatrics, the Prince saw the gift of the blade and their surrender as complete enough that it was time to continue on and move forth with his continued efforts to unite the region under his banner.

Mortar and Pestle: The Mortar and Pestle was the very first trophy that was given to the prince after he annexed an area.

This area had two groups that were constantly in conflict. The farmers/agrarian types who were constantly looking for more land to usurp, etc. for their activities and the hunter gatherers who seasonally roamed the land living in harmony with the world around them. Their clashes were becoming more frequent, and as unexpectedly as this was, by usurping the entire area the Prince demanded peace and fealty from both groups. This calmed the troubles between the two and allowed the hunter-gatherers to continue living their lifestyle without as much interference.

These people had an incredible gift for herbs/alchemy. They could grow anything, and in fact, they did. Over time, the herbs and spices they grew would come to be known for their amazing flavor, aroma, and in many cases healing and even magical powers. Some of the herbs they cultivated had the potential to give individuals trying them for the first time a mystical experience, reaching states of consciousness otherwise outside their reach.

They were often called upon to heal those outside their group, and in fact did, but the greatest and most poignant story of healing came from within their own ranks. These people were known for a long lifespan, in large part due to their healthy life, constant exercise and use of medicinal herbs. However, as the conflicts escalated with their neighbors, their most powerful and treasured shepard was wounded. And the wounds were so bad that it was believed that he would perish.Among their most gifted healers was a woman who put herself at great peril to gather specific herbs to create a recipe that could heal wounds, restore the spirit, and allow the body to rebuild itself. The results were nothing short of magical, although in reality, the process took months and the king was never quite himself. But he did in fact live, continue ruling benevolently for decades, and married the healer. In time, both the recipe and the mortar and pestle she used to mix the herbs that would save the king became a treasured item passed down in their family and ultimately reached an almost relic status among the group.When the items were given to the Prince, it was a sign of the highest honor. He was also provided with the recipe that she used to heal. And those same herbs can be gathered and mashed up in the mortar and pestle to recreate that original mix, and it would empower the item back to its magical status. Those herbs can also be used to release the prince as part of the overall ritual.

Below is the four part recipe:

Flowers of listonia, from which the essence of life itself flowers. Strengthens the body, bones and blood and empowers all systems of the body to work at their peak functions even when damaged to provide healing from the most savage and troubling of injuries and illnesses.

Herfestus root, an incredibly rare and difficult to procure edible root that is considered a delicacy in some parts of the world, but known for its ability to stimulate the will to live by binding the spirit to the corporal. Can be given to those dying, fading away, or trying to leave this existence to help them through a fight. Can also be given to fortify the spiritual aspects of survival in difficult situations.

Lightdrop, a common flower in small parts of the forest where light breaks through the canopy and touches Maldervian moss. Unimpressive to the eye, often passed over by those hunting for food, healing or aesthetics. A dose of lightdrop is the single most effective medicine that this herbalist has found to raise the spirits, create optimism, and a sense of positive attachment to the future. A powerful healer of body and spirit.

Crystalline vines of the gates, as the common name is known, which is known to have profound healing ability.