Aulaya, Ballista of Our Lady, is the personal greatbow of Alaïaam: youngest sister of Talea, the first Allorn Empress. After her passing, it proceeded as an heirloom down the Allorn lineage, residing in the hands of warlike Princesses who renounced the right to succeed to the throne. It continues in this way through available records until the Empire's division and collapse. There, Aulaya's wielder disappears from the historical record. It is unknown just what transpired, but Aulaya appears again shortly after Cataclysm in Solleria, purportedly rescued by the Goddess Sinnavei and given to a loyal Mistwatcher bannerman. Since that point, it has bounced between warriors as a gift for winning tournaments or a present to seek favor, much of its legendary portent and royal bloodline lost to the depths of time.
Lore
Aulaya is wrapped up in the history of the first generation of the Allorn imperial family, most of which was lost during the collapse of the Empire and the burning of important Estelley records (the records that the Elves possess now being a mere fraction of the complete historical transcript). Talea is known by all, and her younger brother Sanraan is remembered as the forefather of the Suvial people, but Aulaya is the weapon of the younger sister Alaïaam, third in line for the throne. Oral retellings suggest that she was blunt and mirthless for a Teledden, a muscled giant of a woman who seldom laughed, caring little for politics. Aulaya's appearance would back up this claim: a greatbow so large as to be wielded by a person at least four meters tall, it Magically adjusts its height down to fit the lesser mortals who have acquired it since Alaïaam's days. Not formed of wood, Aulaya has lasted the ages because it is cast in flexible silver metal which glimmers blue when light is shone upon it, once forged by a smith much like a blade could have been. Aulaya's length is decorated with etchings and brocade, the contours of which can be read as court Allorn runic script by a discerning linguist who has the patience to hold it at the right angles. Its string, too, is metallic. Since Aulaya cannot be unstrung, it is commonly worn across the shoulder or slung over it, or otherwise carried string-down in a hand. Although its power is great now, the tales of what it accomplished in Alaïaam's hands are greater; the one most oft repeated being her execution of an extortionate tyrant from a distance five days away as a horse rides merely by meditating for thirty minutes, praying, and loosing a single arrow into the endless depths of the sky.
Artifact Custom Kit
Aulaya is an Exist Artifact. As Aulaya is an artifact, there are several rules associated with Artifact Ownership, see Artifacts page. Aulaya provides the following Specials:
Aulaya Servitude: Aulaya's wielder may curse a Target person in Emote Range (this Curse is visually distinct and loudly telegraphed) with the Shattered Curse, making them hunger to drink on souls like an Exist parallel to Vampirism. This Curse lasts until the Target is cleansed with a Cleansing or Exorcism Ability or Mechanic.
Aulaya Imperium: Aulaya is a holy Artifact of Estelley, but also has secular significance for the Teledden, endearing them both to its wielder. This is useful when interacting with the Allorn Empire in progressions, permitting the wielder to escape otherwise hostile interactions with Allorn and some ex-Allorn entities. Additionally, the user may manifest blue runic Exist mutations.
Aulaya Raiment: Aulaya's wielder gains a supernatural sense of balance, such that they can stand atop rooftops without falling without the Parkour Pack, and additionally always counts as in armor even if they are not wearing any. They also gain the ability to conjure a blazing Elven blue-fire crown on their head, a ghostly echo of its original wielder's courtly outfit.
