Guðhjarta

Guðhjarta (Gudhjarta)
Artifacts
Name	Guðhjarta (Gudhjarta)
Origin	Fornoss
Tier	Legendary Tier III
Type	Weapon

Guðhjarta is an Artifact both with a storied history in legend, as well as in recorded history. Both Artifact of myth and folklore are an actual weapon wielded by Velheim warriors. It is a war-pick with a Bronze hilt decorated with intricate root shapes. The main damage part of the weapon is made of bright white glowing antler pieces, said to be chippings from the horns of Elkonur, the Urlan god of the Fornoss faith. Guðhjarta has been wielded by Velheim warlords throughout the ages, and even seen conflict during the Skagger Wars, until it was eventually lost when the Skaggers made peace with the Regalian Empire and integrated. While Guðhjarta is a glorious Fornoss artifact with many stories, it is equally one that is feared by the Velheim people, as because of its glory, it invokes a lot of greed and murderous thoughts in those who are not of strong Soldi.

Origins

There are perhaps several dozen origin stories related to Guðhjarta, however the most common version comes from a tale in which Elkonur was battling a monstrous Spirit from Volaheim who was attempting to break into a Helbolwen to feed on the dead and consume their strength. Elkonur easily defeated this creature, called Dreikar, though Dreikar acted on the trickery of Svol, who was after Elkonur's horns, having made a trap for him and causing Dreikar to chip a few off. Svol made off with the chips of the horns, and had Guðhjarta made, believing it capable of slaying Bard, thus giving his master Rand free reign to act out his will on the Fornoss faithful. Svol then tricked Odal to try and slay Bard, however in turn Odal was bested in combat by the Iron Lord. Thus, Bard took Guðhjarta as a prize, though the weapon soon vanished from his possession.

Guðhjarta's divine history stops here, though there are still many more stories of Svol attempting to retake the object from mortals, only to be foiled in slapstick banana-peel slip manners (Players are welcome to create such stories on their own). Guðhjarta ended up in mortal hands around 30 BC, and switched hands fairly frequently as one Skagger warlord was challenged by a subordinate and killed, allowing them to take the full price in Holmgang (a challenge in which the winner would take everything owned by the loser). Guðhjarta was used in combat numerous times against Regalian armies, so much so that it gained the name of "Ivory Tear" among Regalians due to its habit of producing widows. The weapon, despite its god-like durability and ease of cutting through practically any material, could not stem the tide of manpower, and struggles from within the Skagger Horde, eventually disappearing from the historical narrative a few years after the remnants of the Horde submitted to Regalia.

Appearance

Guðhjarta is ostensibly a fusion of savage and refined elements. Its base is a war-pick hilt and rod made of Makat Bronze, a material related most to the Vola gods of Fornoss, and supposedly first forged in Ellador. The hilt is entwined with a thick wire of the same material, which is used both to form a handguard, and to secure the more savage, naturalistic elements, the glowing pieces from Elkonur’s antlers in lieu of forged blade pieces. The antler shards are secured along the top, down one side, and one last piece as a savage spike pointing back toward the wielder. While the god has obviously since regrown these parts of his body, the power of these separated pieces remains potent. They glow, and trail small particles of light.

Artifact Mechanics

Guðhjarta is a Fornoss God Magic Artifact. There are rules associated with Artifact Ownership, see the Artifact Page. Artifacts also provide Mechanics.

Permanent Mechanics

• Guðhjarta shares a connection with Elkonur, the Winter Hunter. Spirits (including any Spirit-Type Mystech) and non-Godsrot Undead cannot Curse, Possess, use Mind Control (or any equivalent), or use any emotion alteration/influence/reading on the wielder.

Artifactspark Mechanics

• Choose 2 Free Packs from the following Categories: Bruiser Point Buy, Cleric Point Buy, Athletic Point Buy
• Guðhjarta's wielder physically cannot die or become Undead, they are always held from the threshold of death. Any lost limbs magically re-appear 24 hours after being lost, and when the user reaches 4HP in Combat, they can, without an action, heal themselves +2 HP. This can only be used once per Combat.
• Guðhjarta can cut through almost any material, including doors, grates, and gates, but not solid walls. When the wielder makes an out of combat Dice Roll using Strength, they can re-roll a failed result, but only once per roll.

Legendary Artifactspark Mechanics

• Choose 1 Free Pack from the following Category: Cleric Point Buy
• Gudhjarta was made with the original purpose to kill a God. When making a Melee Basic Attack, the wielder can choose to make it automatically succeed, as if the target had the Marked Status Effect. The target also receives the Bloodied Status Effect, which lasts until the end of combat (unless removed). This can be done twice per Combat Scene, but never to the same target.

Int Evolism Mechanics

This artifact has been corrupted by Int, of the Evolism Pantheon, changing it from a Fornoss God Magic Artifact, to a Void Magic Artifact. These Mechanics last until the corruption is undone (either by removing the Spark, or taking the Artifact from the Evolist who corrupted it).

• Choose 2 Free Packs from the following Category: Magic Point Buy, Adapt Point Buy, Theurgy Point Buy
• Guðhjarta's Permanent Mechanic no longer applies to Spirits and Undead, but instead applies to anyone except Void Spirits. The only exception to this is certain NPCs/Gods, and Custom Kits with Cursing Mechanics.
• Guðhjarta now empowers its wielder with unnatural vigor and strength. The wielder's Max HP is 14, not 10, and their Attack Stat can no longer be reduced by any means.
• Guðhjarta's corruption empowers those it usually hinders. Any Spirit-Type Mystech fighting with the wielder on their side gain +2 Attack Stat and +2 Defense Stat (breaking cap up to 11/9). Additionally, when one of these Spirit-Type Mystech allies are KO'd, the wielder heals +2HP.

---

Accreditation
Writers MonMarty Artists MonMarty Processors HydraLana	Last Editor Birdsfoot violet on 07/6/2024.

---

» Read more