NPCs · Mythic/ Historical · Domestic/ Craft
LLorryn of The Singing Steel
LLorryn of The Singing Steel was known as LLorryn of Rydlin in his lifetime. During that lifetime he crafted thirteen of the famed Singing Blades, as well as numerous other charms and magic items. All are known for his trademark, the ringing sound caused by the magic flowing through them.
This is a magesmith of note, a historical figure known for a number of magical blades. See the linked article below.
Appearance
By all accounts LLorryn was a great looking man of strong chin, blue eyes, fair skin, and black hair. He was not burly like many Smiths, but of moderate build. It is said he was one of those blessed men who became better looking with age, most distinguished and confident.
He is also known to be friendly, witty, and charming by most accounts. He is on the invitation list of many parties and events. He is known to be an accomplished, though amateur, musician. He was the subject of four documented duels by husbands.
History/Background
The years of his exact lifespan was lost to due to the end of the Arcturan Empire. What we know is pieced together from second and third hand accounts.
He was born outside of Pith, south of Rydlin, to a guild city family. When he was young, younger than one is normally apprenticed, he was apprenticed to a talismongering shaman of the hill people, from whom his mother had come. After several years he came down from the hills and managed to get a smithy apprenticeship through his father's connections and his own skills.
All the smiths in the area of Rydlin are masters of Rydlin Steel, with its superior qualities and distinctive looks. LLorryn by all accounts was accomplished even by this region's smiths standards. He was capable of great works - how much of this was attributable to his magic and how much to his skill is up to debate.
He produced his first mystic weapon - a long knife called Singer - as his master work. This first of the Singing Knives was purchased by the Prince of Rydlin at the first faire it was exhibited. This item has been in the hands of most Lords of the region for centuries. It is has the same properties as the The Singing Blades.
He set up his shop in the South End of Rydlin. He worked out of this small forge his entire career. It was said to have wonderful afternoon shade under two generous trees. He created a number of excellent, though un magical, items of utility and items of art. He also made many, many charm talismans of grat strength. (Most of these charm talismans are now family heirlooms in the region, though many have found their way into the neighboring regions due to soldiers marrying into the area and taking brides out of it).
In these early years, He produced what is now known as the Mydan Mandala, due to its association with the Holy Mydan.
It was his fame that caused Captain Jodiaus of Mythren to commission a magic blade. It was for this Captain that he produced the first Singing Blade, Truth. One does not have to tell the tales of Captain Jodiaus, famed war hero and savior of two kingdoms. The telling of those tales brought much business and fame to LLorryn.
He was commissioned by The then King of Dyanzor to create a Princely Blade. The commission was paid by the Just Deposer, King Mathius the III and given to his son. LLorryn was often invited to the palace and other noble events because of his service to The Dom/ Kingdom.
He continued to produce Singing Blades as they known, as well as dozens upon dozens of lesser known Singing Knives and other magical hammers (The Bell Hammers as they are known), over his remaining lifetime. His production of charms and talismans fell off in his later career due to this increase and the other social demands on his time.
Per the bard Talcus, he was found dead on his anvil one summer solstice day. He was untouched by violence. He had given his life to his craft, and his life came due as payment.
Special Equipment
The Ringing Hammer
This was a sturdy work hammer, shaped more like a Dwarven work hammer rather than a more common one. This was his "staff", the focus for his magical prowess. It was said to make a distinctive ringing noise each time it was struck. The Ringing Hammer was buried with him in his crypt, somewhere north of Rydlin in Benthius.
Campaign uses
While you can make various Singing Blades, most of his work that players might encounter are going to be the magic knives. He might of made some magic arrowheads or spear heads in his career as well.
If you do opt to make the weapons available to your campaign, then most of the named ones are known items and have current owners.
This write up is also about Rydlin Steel and its source. You can now add well crafted blades with a distinctive look to your campaign by including this or similar area in your world.
Scrolls
Twists, chapters, and details meant to stream with the submission — not general discussion.
Rydlin
Rydlin
An area known for its exceptional steel work. It is named after the main city in the region.
To insert it into a campaign: any area known for exceptional steel work.
Rydlin Steel
Rydlin Steel
It is a stronger and harder steel than normally available. The steel has a slight blue sheen to it. This comes from additional materials the locals add to their steel and the minerals found with the local iron. The steel will have a slight Damascene pattern, which is often enhanced by the 'proper' techniques the smiths of this region use.
Items made of it are more durable than normal and will hold a hard edge (and harder to sharpen). Assign bonuses as appropriate for your system. Rydlin smith produced superior materials as well, so they get expert, if not master craft bonuses.
Science Note: Molybdenum and Vanadium added to steel produces a blueing of the metal and great strength. It is used by custom knife makers today to create exceptional blades.
The Singing Blades
Each of these are Middle Swords (elongated short swords, consider them narrow broadswords)) made of Rydlin Steel, and of a size and mass common to the era. (Count as broadswords that do a point or step less damage, but are a 1lb lighter).
These blades are known for the 'hum' and ringing noises they make.
The Basic Magic of The Singing Blades is enhanced speed of strike. Flashing Lightning is how it is often described.
Each of the 13 blades has its own name and its own history. The 12 surviving blades are Blue, Flute, Harmony, 'Hercules' (translation of local myth to one known by the reader), Justice, Lightning, Storm, Thunder, Truth, Return, Wind, and The Princeblade. All but Blue have known owners. Most have had one or two owners who were colorful.
Supposedly these give slight mystic charm bonuses based upon their names and domains. The results are mixed, but the bards assure people it happens. It is know that they are spell foci for spells of their named domain.
Click the link for the full write up of The Singing Blades .
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This article links to 3
- Singing Knives MoonHunter linked by MoonHunter
- Swords. Why does it always have to be swords? MoonHunter linked by MoonHunter
- The Singing Blades MoonHunter linked by MoonHunter
Links to this article 2
- Singing Knives MoonHunter linked by MoonHunter
- The Singing Blades MoonHunter linked by MoonHunter
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Are you still working on this or is it finished? It just completely changed in format in the last several minutes.
Ooops sorry. I thought I had pulled it off the page. It is now safe. I am not changing anything anytime soon.
Though I may add something about the blades and the hammers
'In these early years, He produced what is now known as the Mydan Mandala, due to its association with the Holy Mydan'- I wish to know more of this Mandala and this Holy Mydan
Molybdenum!- I love you for using that reference! Where was that found again? Wakanda? I know its real too, but it was a cool metal in Marvel(tm) Universe wasnt it?
Everything connects nicely here. There are certain parts that elevate from the cliche. I like most of the names. Nice work!
Mydan - Insert Holy name and artifact as needed. When the LLorryn made the item, it was just a nicely crafted holy item. Someone else made if famous.
RE: Molybdenum http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molybdenum
Real element. The one you are thinking of is Vibranium:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibranium
Wacky double post
I love learning something new
One of the better NPC's here. 5/5
Ah, the more elegant forms of steel come to the surface. This is a solid post that serves as an NPC, a historical figure, a new item and a new metal working technique. Nice work Moon, and I like the scrolls and cross-reference links.
Updated: updated some links and one sentence
You know, these could have a nice freetexts, say, Rydlin Steel or somesuch...
I have been thinking about that. I was also thinking about breaking the scroll portion up when Stubs become socially acceptable.
This submissions has been updated with the use of stubs instead of clumsy scroll links.