Items · Melee Weapons · Heroic
Lash of Saint Cyinso
This relic, while of little value against the living, is a formidable tool against the beasts from beyond.
Full Item Description
A lash of finely braided flax entwined with the beard of a saint. Fully extended it is six feet in length. It is usually stored in a fantastically detailed ebony case which itself is worth a king's ransom.
History
Saint Cyinso was renowned for his piety, and his beard, never cut, reached his toes. He was a staunch foe against the walking dead and beings from beyond, giving his life in combating them. It was only natural that on his passing, his beard would become a relic and strands of it spread far and wide. One such strand was kept at the shrine built in his name on the great pilgrimage route to the Peak of Sorrows.
It would have stayed a simple relic if it were not for a demonic attack upon the shrine. When the foul being violated the sanctum and began to slay the parishioners within, one of the children present - perhaps though divine inspiration, seized upon the holy relic and lashed out at the demon. One flick and the demon was cowed, leaving naught but a cloud of sulfurous stench. What was once a curiosity became legend. To better fit an item of reverence, and to protect it from damage, the strand was woven into a flaxen cord of the finest quality.
Magic/Cursed Properties
The lash, while of little use in punishing those of flesh and blood, will mete out great pain to those of unholy supernatural nature. Undead, evil spirits and all manner of deviltry are subject to significant damage if they so much as touch the lash. In the hands of child a demon will cower. In the hands of one filled with righteous wrath, the fell will be dispatched to the hells that spawned them. The lash itself cannot be damaged by those of infernal nature, and it is very difficult for any others to destroy.
For those universes where it exists, this item is heavily endowed with positive divine energy.
Its conversion into a true holy relic has given it a special aura that imposes onto it's bearer some of the qualities associated with the Saint. As mentioned Cyinso was known for his piety and beard length, along with his tireless pursuit of the undead and demon. Anyone who bears the lash will also be influenced in this direction, not cutting their hair and driven to combat beings from beyond. Other odd quirks could easily be added to the list - perhaps the Saint never ate meat, would not allow 'witches' (Any non-divine caster) in his presence, etc.
These may have actually had no basis in reality - they are the effects of the current worshippers misconceptions about the long dead saint. Maybe even hatred towards different races could be so imposed - though the saint in life did not hold such beliefs.
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A useful magical item.
This is really just a pretty average anti-undead weapon, but I love the backstory
The legendary beard of a Saint becomes a focus for his worship, but it takes an act of desperation to show it's true power - a power derived from beliefs of it's former owner rather than enchantments by some over-powered uber-mage
3/5 for a basically useful item
+1 for a good backstory
Total 4/5
I can only second that, plus I liked the implication that a child might be even more powerful with the lash than any holy figure. Short and sweet, I would say!
Yup. Echo likes.
Beard-y goodness if I've ever seen it, I agree with Manfred, I love that the lash is potentially more effective in the hands of child, and the way that the holder gains the attributes of Cyinso, or what they think those traits were. Nicely done sir.
I love the beard! It makes me smile.
Your post was off to a great start that had me happily reading the history. As I got into the magic (cursed?) properties, everything slowed down to mundane. I already knew all of it from reading "one flick and the demon was cowed", but it was explained in qualitative detail anyway. I would have liked to see as much flavor in the magic as existed in the history. 4/5
Simple, straightforward, unique. I like it.
A whip against undead, fashioned from a Saint's beard. What's not to like?