Talonblade

Talonblade is a straightforward melee weapon with no hidden mechanisms, relying on its masterful craftsmanship for effectiveness. However, the sword is said to carry a lingering connection to the souls of the battlefield from which its metal was taken, adding an almost mythical quality to its reputation. Its sharpness and balance make it deadly in the hands of a skilled wielder, while its layered steel provides exceptional durability.

Forged during a time of great strife, Talonblade was crafted using the broken swords of warriors who fell in an ancient battle. The blacksmith is said to have imbued it with a spiritual essence, a process that remains a mystery. The layering technique used in its construction not only gives the blade its unique rippling pattern but also strengthens it against shattering. The intricate silver filigree on the cross guard was added later, signifying the sword’s role as a symbol of honor and loyalty.

Talonblade's origins stretch back nearly a millennium to a time of war and chaos in the Commonwealth of Edria. It was forged during the aftermath of a devastating battle, where thousands of soldiers fell, leaving the field littered with broken swords and unburied dead. A master blacksmith, whose name has been lost to time, scavenged these remnants to forge a weapon unlike any other—a blade meant to honor the fallen while harnessing the strength of their sacrifice.

The blacksmith's process was both reverent and experimental. The steel fragments were meticulously reforged and folded repeated to create a blade of extraordinary strength and resilience. It is said that the blacksmith performed a solemn rite during the forging, invoking the spirits of the battlefield to imbue the weapon with their lingering willpower. Whether this ritual had any tangible effect remains a mystery, but the whispers of the dead have long been tied to the sword's mythos.

Rise to Prominence

Talonblade first came into the hands of the Ward family during the Second War of the Roses. The sword was wielded by Sir Ewan Ward, a distant ancestor of Artemus Ward, who served as a commander loyal to the Crown. Sir Ewan's bravery in battle, combined with the awe-inspiring presence of Talonblade, earned the Ward family a noble title, elevating them to the rank of Earl of Hawkport.

The sword became a symbol of the family's loyalty and honor, its intricate silver filigree and the rose motif on the cross guard were added later to commemorate their role in securing peace during the war.

Legacy and Darkness

While Talonblade is celebrated as a symbol of the Ward family's honor, its legacy is not without shadows. Over the centuries, those who wielded the sword have reported hearing faint whispers, particularly in times of great stress or conflict. These whispers, believed to be the ancient battlefield's restless spirits, have led some to regard the blade with a mixture of reverence and fear.

The most infamous tale comes from the 1700s Arcane Renesiance when a Ward patriach, driven by ambition and the perssure to uphold his family's legacy, succumbed to madness. Some believe that Talonblade's connection to the spirits amplified his inner turmoil, while others dismiss it as a tragic coincidence.

The Modern Era

Despite its storied history, Talonblade has seen little use in recent generations, with the Wards serving primarily in political and diplomatic roles. Artemus Ward, the current Earl of Hawkport, has kept the weapon as a treasured family heirloom, displayed with pride yet rarely drawn.

As the apocalypse unfolds, the weapon has regained its purpose, passed to Chauncy Ward, the eldest son, who wields it with the same sense of duty and honor as his ancestors. The whispers, faint and enigmatic, remain a part of the blade’s legend, a reminder of its origins and the sacrifices it represents.

Talonblade is more than just a weapon; it is a symbol of the Ward Family’s legacy. First wielded during the Second War of the Roses, it helped cement the family's reputation for unwavering loyalty to the crown. However, its history is not without darkness, as tales suggest that the souls of the fallen on the battlefield linger around it, occasionally whispering to its wielder.

For the Wards, Talonblade represents the weight of duty and the cost of honor. It is passed down from generation to generation, usually wielded by the family’s head or their chosen successor in times of war. Currently, it remains with Artemus Ward at Guardian Solace, though it serves as both a weapon and a reminder of the burdens his family bears.