The Bronze Shield of Gorm
Kaladin Battlehammer's shield stands as his most distinctive possession and a powerful symbol of his devotion to Gorm Gulthyn. Received during his elevation to the rank of Vigilant Host within the Guardians of the Hallowed Flame, this shield represents both his sacred duty and divine protection.
Forged of dwarven bronze rather than traditional steel, the shield gleams with a warm, golden-brown luster that catches and reflects firelight with particular brilliance. Its round face measures approximately three feet in diameter—perfectly sized for Kaladin's stout dwarven frame while providing substantial coverage in combat.
The shield's most striking feature is the bas-relief emblazoned across its face: the sacred flame mask of Gorm Gulthyn, meticulously crafted with such attention to detail that the deity's stern visage seems to shift expression as shadows play across its surface. While the edges of the shield bear the marks of numerous battles and show signs of heavy use, Kaladin maintains the flame mask in an immaculate condition, polishing it daily to a brilliant shine as part of his devotional practice.
Surrounding the central emblem, concentric rings of dwarven runes spiral outward to the shield's edge. These ancient inscriptions contain prayers of vigilance, protection, and strength that date back to the earliest days of Gorm's worship. For those versed in divine magic, these runes sometimes appear to pulse faintly with inner light when Kaladin channels his deity's power.
The shield's rim is reinforced with strips of mithral—a subtle nod to Kaladin's homeland of Mithral Hall—providing exceptional durability without adding significant weight. The rear of the shield features a comfortably padded grip wrapped in leather that has darkened and conformed perfectly to Kaladin's hand through years of use.
In moments of spiritual significance or when facing unholy threats, witnesses have reported seeing the bronze take on a subtle glow, as if illuminated from within by the sacred flames of Gorm Gulthyn himself—a visible manifestation of the shield's role not just as physical protection, but as a conduit for divine power.
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