The Sword of the Predecessor

The Great Burning was one of the single most destructive events ever caused by mortal hands. Over 1,000,000 km2 was scorched to ash and dead trees, and thousands of lives were lost, both innocent and in defense of the lands. This oversized sword was a weapon used by the General of the Earth Guardians, the earth spirits charged with defending the Earth Gate. The General perished in the last stand against the dragons before they would reach the perimeter of the Earth Gate’s hidden domain, replaced by her subordinate, Anton thereafter. The sword is said to be made from a shard of the Earth Gate itself. Its material has a texture like polished wood yet is stronger than most metals. It is covered in Ember Root, the same material the dragons now are inexorably tied to, petrified like stone over the length of the blade.

Gifted by Anton to the denizens of Leefside, this sword was to be planted at the border between their town and the Vale. As long as the sword remains, an agreement is to stand in place, bound by oath.:

Oath of the Border

The Vale’s influence shall not cross any further past the border placed, and in kind, the town shall not destroy or encroach any part of the Vale.

Oath of Sanctuary

Diplomacy between the Vale and the denizens of Leefside is ongoing, and attempts at coexistence are at hand. Denizens of Leefside are allowed to enter the Vale with the intent of conference with the older spirits and are allowed sanctuary within the Vale as long as they are unarmed and peaceful in intent. The Vale Guard still holds authority to prevent all from entering places in the Vale, per their prior commands/guards. However, this does not prevent the miasma from affecting visitors, as the miasma’s presence is an innate property of the area, and the Vale Guard holds no control over who it affects. This part of the oath only recognizes that the Vale Guard shall not descend upon them with violence as long as the mortal/outsider spirit upholds the previous tenets.

Oath of Concord

If this sword is ever removed/returned/hidden/destroyed/tampered with by the Denizens of Leefside, it shall be demarcated as an end to this agreement and, furthermore, connotate an intent by the town to engage in conflict with the Vale, upon which the Vale shall operate in kind.

The Sword of the Predecessor has been placed outside of town. The roots around it have grown into the ground, connecting with the earth itself. It is now impossible to move it from it’s place. Taproots reaching into the ground anchor it in place and connect it to the leylines of the Earth Gate. The material itself is incredibly hard to damage and would require special equipment or processes to do so, meaning there must be wholehearted intent to damage or tamper with the sword, leading to a voiding of the agreement as per above.