Crown of Vaka
“Throughout my life, the moments, and people who have defined me… they have all been illuminated by sparks.” - Guts, First Oracle of Battle
Crown created by the creator goddess Vaka on the eve of her death and bestowed upon Guts, First Oracle of Battle. Gifted to Orazio Aster, First Oracle of the Heavens upon the First's death, he used the Crown in concert with the Belt of Vaka during the later years of the Dawn War. After his defeat at the hands of the Mad King Bertrand Dwendel, the king used the power of the Crown to exert his iron will over the entirety of the continent of Apollyon. Ultimately slain by the savior King Kallus Aulani, Sixth Oracle of the Dark and Steward of the North, who used the Crown in service of the people for the first time in over two hundred years. Now wielded by Clad, The Unbreakable Oracle of Battle, the Crown radiates with an intense magical aura in full exultation, working in concert with it's wielder to avenge those who killed the Creator, at any cost.
Dormant
Show Dormant FeaturesBattle Ready
While wearing this crown, you may add a +2 to all initiative rolls.Chosen
When wielded by a spellcaster, this item acts as a focus, and grants a +1 to all spell attack and damage rolls.The First's Protection
This item has 1 charge. Expend one charge to deflect any attack that would hit you until the start of your next turn. Regain expended charges after a Long Rest.Awakened
Show Awakened FeaturesBattle Ready
While wearing this crown, you may add a +5 to all initiative rolls.Chosen
When wielded by a spellcaster, this item acts as a focus, and grants a +2 to all spell attack and damage rolls.The First's Protection
This item has 2 charges. Expend one charge to deflect any attack that would hit you until the start of your next turn. Regain expended charges after a Long Rest.Hawk's Strength
While attuned to this item, your Strength score becomes 20. Additionally, you gain an additional +3 to all Strength and Constitution checks and saving throws.Exalted
Battle Ready
While wearing this crown, you go first in the initiative order.Chosen
When wielded by a spellcaster, this item acts as a focus, and grants a +3 to all spell attack and damage rolls. Enables spellcasting above 9th level.The First's Protection
This item has 3 charges. Expend one charge to deflect any attack that would hit you until the start of your next turn. Regain expended charges after a Long Rest.Hawk's Strength
While attuned to this item, your Strength score becomes 30. Additionally, you gain advantage on all Strength and Constitution checks and saving throws.Blessing of the First
While attuned to this item, the wielder gains one Legendary Resistance to use at will. Expended resistance regenerates after a long rest.Never-ending Resolve
When you take a hit that would bring you below zero hit points, roll 1d100+100 and regain that number of hit points. Once you use this ability, you must complete a long rest before using it again.Hidden Ascendant Ability - Undeath
If you have become Ascendant*, when you are struck by an attack that would instantly kill you, you are instead reduced to zero hit points.*Ascendant or the Oracle of the End
Known Wielders
Guts, First Oracle of Battle Kava Vakarian, The Bloodbear, Second Oracle of Battle Orazio Aster, First Oracle of the Heavens Bertrand Dwendal, The Mad King King Kallus Aulani, Sixth Oracle of the Dark and Steward of the North Clad, Twenty-Sixth Oracle of Battle
Item type
Unique Artifact
History
Guts, First Oracle of Battle was born in the village of Lakius alongside the other Original Oracles. After their ascension and subsequent destruction of their home, Guts fought during the War of the Gods at Vaka's side. One of The Nine - Vaka's inner circle and original wielders of the Artifacts of Vaka; he travelled far and wide after the death of the creator, helping wherever was possible. Ultimately killed by his best friend, his powers and the Artifact passed on to Kava Vakarian, Second Oracle of Battle. Before the death of the Bloodbear, the Crown was given to Orazio Aster, First Oracle of the Heavens for safekeeping. With it's power combined with the power of the Belt of Vaka - Exalted, he used it to defeat a number of Gods during the Immortal War, including Surtr and Odr. As the war wound down, Orazio settled into the life of a protector and ruler, acting as leader of the Apollyonic Grand Reserve and King of Apollyon, spreading the influence of the Grand Reserve into the cold north from the capital of Ljustad.He brought stability to the White Wastes for a number of years, and eventually married. After decades more of peace, a rebellion began in the north. A cruel dictator, Bertrand Dwendal, quickly gained popularity with the more affluent members of Apollyon with promises of pockets lined and lilies gilded. As this threat grew, Orazio was left worried about betrayal at any time. Determined to put a stop to the treachery, he arranged a meeting with the future Mad King. Days before the summit, and just after the birth of his first grandchild, Djin Aster, Second Oracle of the Heavens, he decided to name Djin as his predecessor, to ensure the future of Apollyon in case the worst would come to pass. As he arrived at the meeting, he was met with not only an entire battalions worth of soldiers, but three gods; Sif, Njord, and Ullr, having made a deal with Dwendel, ambushed the Oracle of the Heavens, eventually killing him after quite the battle. As he was defeated, the Mad King claimed the Crown from his corpse, and his reign of terror began.
For the next 15 years, he ruled Apollyon with an iron fist, repressing the Vakarian races, while exalting the Mystrals. His reign would come to an abrupt end, however, when the young Oracle of the Dark, Kallus Aulani, confronted him alongside the new Oracle of the Heavens, Djin. After their swift victory, King Kallus renamed Apollyon to New Apollyon in the spirit of new beginnings, shedding the capital's name as well, renaming it to Mavella. The two of them fell in love, and ruled New Apollyon as benevolent Kings, attempting to care for every citizen, rather than the few with coin in the bank.
Then, one day, a new group appeared before the Kings, asking for passage to Norður, The First Sister. As this group completes their assignment of clearing out an old keep, they uncover a conspiracy to retake the throne, led by the mysterious Thordak Cinder, leader of the Mad Kings army. After this Team of Many Things captured the traitors, the Kings kept their word, and delivered them to Norður. Suddenly, the city is under seige. Out of nowhere, an enormous dragon attacks the city. While the city's magical defenses hold him back for a moment, it is ultimately useless as the dragon transforms mid-flight, assuming the shape of a familiar figure: Ullr, Winter's Harbinger. His target: the Crown of Vaka. He crashes into the castle, attacking Kallus and Djin in an attempt to take the Crown for himself. After nearly defeating the pair, the Team of Many Things reappeared, saving the Oracle Kings, and killing Ullr, sending his soul to Hel, and causing Bresari Xeadas, The Oracle of Frost to ascend.
In the wake of the Battle of the Bright Castle, Kallus saw the future in the Team of Many Things. Realizing that his time had passed as the Crown's steward, he gifts it to Clad, Twenty-Sixth Oracle of Battle, as the Team sets out on their quest to reunite all the Artifacts of Vaka and revive the Goddess.
