OK, so, I have done two rounds of this thing so far, both set in the Pathfinder universe. Here's the first one, a blade forged in the past, to potentially be found and used again in the current timeline:
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Deep within the former nation of Lastwall, within its former capital city of Vigil, lays the ruins of a forge. This forge was founded by a skilled swordsmith who fought in the Shining Crusade, and his descendants upheld the tradition of making durable blades, often imbued with magic.
In 4516 AR, the Orcs of Belkzen were assaulting the borders of Lastwall, and the nation’s defenses were only barely holding against them. The forge continued operating, the latest descendant of the operating bloodline a former adventurer named Casina. Casina was well-known in her adventuring days - She began her journeying a master of the blade, and in her travels began to supplement her bladecraft with the spellbook, learning the ways of arcane magic. When she retired to the forge, she applied her arcane knowledge to the hammer, forging powerful magic blades for Lastwall’s Knights.
In the fall of 4516, a young warrior came to Casina’s forge. The young man had trained his entire life for war, and sought glory against the Orcs assailing Lastwall. He had a passion and drive that shone through as he talked to Casina, and a willingness to fight. All he needed was a blade.
Wood 0, Fire 0, Earth 0, Metal 0, Water 0
Destiny: 20
Bones of the Blade
While any blade made of simple iron and steel can hold enchantments, The strongest enchanted blades require something more. The young warrior brought Casina crystals from a secluded sea cave which glowed a brilliant blue.
Rolled 4 Dice: 5 (Water)
Wood 0, Fire 0, Earth 0, Metal 0, Water 1
Destiny: 20 - 4 = 16
Heat and Hammer
Casina took the crystals to the forge, along with steel, and set to work, carefully watching every tiny change of color as she hammered the metal into the shape of a blade. Years of experience and the instinct of forging guided the blade into the shape of a bastard sword with a series of dramatic curves running down its length.
Rolled 4 Dice: 2 (Fire) +1
Wood 0, Fire 2, Earth 0, Metal 0, Water 1
Destiny: 16 - 4 = 12
Bathe the Blade
Once it was shaped, Casina heated and quenched the blade to make sure it could withstand the battles the warrior would take it into. She used arcane instruments and spells to determine exactly when the blade was ready for quenching, and then doused it in melted salt that cooled the blade slowly and evenly.
Rolled 4 Dice: 3 (Earth)x2
Wood 0, Fire 2, Earth 2, Metal 0, Water 1
Destiny: 12 - 4 = 8
Stone and Edge
Once the blade was heated and quenched, it was time for Casina to grind and sharpen the edge. The warrior often peeked in on the process, but lacked the endurance and patience Casina did on this matter. She ground the blade on a chunk of petrified wood, said to belong to a species of tree that had long since gone extinct.
Rolled 4 Dice: 1 (Wood)
Wood 1, Fire 2, Earth 2, Metal 0, Water 1
Destiny: 8 - 4 = 4
The Power of a Name
The blade was nearly ready. Casina gave it a handle of wood wrapped in leather, a crossguard and set some leftover crystals in the pommel. However, it also needed to be given a name and infused with magic, otherwise it would just be an ordinary sword. She used an ancient ritual calling blessings from Gorum and Aroden to bless the blade, passed down from master to apprentice for ever since the forge existed. When testing it, the warrior accidentally struck the ground with it and caused a minor tremor, and so Casina called the blade Earthshaker.
Rolled 4 Dice: 3 (Earth)x2 -1
Wood 1, Fire 2, Earth 3, Metal 0, Water 1
To Battle
Earthshaker was a heavy bastard sword with dramatic curves running the length of the blade and a glittering blue gem in the pommel, with an edge said never to dull, and one that would never hurt the innocent. And while a magical weapon, it lacked the elemental harmony to be much more than ordinary.
In 4517 AR, the Belkzen Orcs breached the borders of Lastwall. No one knows of the final fate of that warrior or of Earthshaker. The forge continued down Casina’s bloodline, continuing to forge blades for Lastwall, until the Whispering Tyrant escaped his prison and destroyed the country in 4719 AR. The forge was destroyed in the carnage, and the last of Casina’s bloodline slaughtered by undead. Deep in the Gravelands, one might still find the remains of the forge, and possibly the secrets of forgework Casina left behind. And Earthshaker might still be laying around somewhere on Golarion, waiting for a new wielder to claim it…
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Honestly, my dice rolls in this one were kinda unlucky. Bathe the Blade was the only step I rolled multiples on that weren't of an opposed element to the step.
Still, I soldiered on, and I hope this is a good story for you all to read.
Enjoy!