Shadebriar Diadem
A Monarch's Madness
I used to be a king, you know. I had my own realm, subjects, treasury... I had it all. That fateful day in which the very light was ripped from this world, I found myself TRAPPED by the so-called Creators. I begged, I pleaded, I threatened the old portal-masters of this realm, but they would not budge. "Tis' too dangerous mi' lord! Can't risk the ROT getting through" he said. In a blind rage knowing that the way home was shut, I slaughtered the old portal-master and scattered his innards skywards as tribute to my ether-bound domain. Tethers, links, connections, MY connections, were severed from the Fey that day - and thus, I was trapped.
When that wretched darkness came, sparing nothing in its wake, I felt my heart wrench from its cavity, withering to be black as pitch. I felt my MIND begin to give, and my knees buckled in that horrid, fetid swamp. I grasped at the briars around me as they, too, wilted and perished beneath The Gloom's blight. I no longer thought of those sun-dappled linings of the clouds above... for there were no more clouds. I could feel when my mind FRAYED like the end of an ancient, forlorn rope - and thus, I WAS REBORN!
Old and Slightly Less Old
There have been two known instances of Dirrus' Shadebriar Diadem, while only the second version held any sort of actual power. The first was constructed near the outset of The Lightfall Cataclysm out of twisted, rotting, and withered briar wood. It is thought that this first version also boasted a polished, almost spherical emerald that would have been wrapped by vines to hold it in place near the center of the circlet. It has been admitted by the Frayed Sovereign himself that the original diadem no longer exists.
The second version of the Diadem was made in a similar likeness to the original, but out of melted down gold obtained through tribute. It has been rumored that the mad king made contact with Sceiron, one of the members of the ancient Astral Host, in order to gain his dark blessing in a grim ritual that would imbue the diadem with the essence of The Gloom. Those that follow this line of thought conclude that it worked, as the Frayed Sovereign has seemingly full control of the mists immediately around him.
Mechanics & Inner Workings
The second version of this item was created through a dark ritual that imbued the very gold it was made of with The Gloom. This seemed to provide the item's wearer the ability to control the mists and heavy fog - The Gloom - that covers the continent. It is also thought that the diadem allows the Sovereign to hold full control over a certain number of Silhouettes, typically used to sow chaos and destruction around the Elysian Bastions and ruined Orbits that litter the land. After the capture and subsequent interrogation of members belonging to the cult known as Nightstain, it has been discovered that the Frayed Sovereign is also able to see through the pendant of any humanoid wearing a Nightstain Pendant while they are in The Gloom - most likely while only wearing the Diadem.
Significance
The creation of the Shadebriar Diadem marked the point in history when Dirrus had been corrupted by The Gloom to the point of corruption. After the creation of the second version, there was a marked increase in hostile wraiths, shades, ghouls, and Silhouettes that roamed Vasara. The Frayed Sovereign is often credited as a potent aggressor to all sapient life on the continent, but can never seem to be found directly.
Item type
Magical
Creation Date
First Iteration: 47 After Lightfall
Second Iteration: 279 After Lightfall
Second Iteration: 279 After Lightfall
Destruction Date
While making the Second Iteration, the original was destroyed in 279 After Lightfall
Rarity
Unique
Weight
Original: 1 lb.
Reforged: 3 lbs.
Reforged: 3 lbs.
Dimensions
Circumference: 23 in.
Diameter: ~7 in.
Diameter: ~7 in.
An artist's interpretation of the first iteration of the Shadebriar Diadem.
An image depicting the second iteration of the Shadebriar Diadem, with a notable increase in emeralds present.
I like how the green object (usually associated with life) is connected to gloom, shadows, and corruption.