Guðhjarta is an artifact both with a storied history in legend, as well as in recorded history. Both artifact of myth and folklore and 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. 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 Regalia and integrated. While Guðhjarta is a glorious Old Gods 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 do not own it in a culture that prides strength above all.
Lore
There are perhaps several dozens of origin stories, however the most common version is that Elkonur battled Dreikar who attempted to break into a Helbolwen to feed on the dead and consume their strength. Elkonur easily defeated 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 Old Gods faithful. Svol then tricked Odal in attempting to slay Bard, however in turn Odal was bested by Estrid. Despite not being as powerful as Odal, Estrid was aided by Tove who disguised herself as Estrid, and made several more quirky copies of herself to confuse Odal. For her aid, Tove requested Guðhjarta as prize, which Estrid granted, though Tove would soon lose Guðhjarta in one of the silliest ways: she left it on a rock when she passed by a creek she wanted to swim in, having completely forgotten her ownership of such a powerful artifact.
Guðhjarta's divine history stops here, though there are still many more stories of Svol attempting to retake the object from mortals, while Tove always accidently foiled it in slapstick banana-peel slip manners. (players are definitely recommended to come up with silly stories of the clever fox trying to steal it, and the idiot Tove preventing it on accident). 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 Skagger Horde submitted to Regalia.
Artifact Custom Kit
Guðhjarta is a God Magic Artifact. As Guðhjarta is an artifact, there are several rules associated with Artifact Ownership, see Artifacts page. Guðhjarta provides the following Specials:
Renhjarta: Guðhjarta's wielder is by default of good Soldi, the divine power of Elkonur's horns radiating into their soul. However, it also imbues an unnatural greed in other Old Gods worshipers who see it.
Storhjarta: Guðhjarta's wielder cannot be killed or turned Undead so long as they wield the weapon (though they can be Knocked out), as the weapon itself keeps them from the threshold of death.
Dødhjarta: Guðhjarta's mere presence imbues a sense of uncomfortable dread or unpleasant heat for any Undead nearby, especially the Draugr Undead of the Old Gods variant.
