The Sword of Sylvia
The Sword of Sylvia is a holy weapon crafted by the Paladin Sylvia to cull demonic forces. It may only be wielded by a female-identifying or non-binary heroine.
Artifact entries are often intentionally sparse and incomplete. This is either by virtue of exposure to very few characters OR keeping the information confidential to prevent unwanted attention. Root around at events to learn more.
Backstory
In the age before the Mage Wars, in a time known as The Long Ago, a great hero of light arose, Sylvia, Paladin of The Green Goddess. Sylvia faced many trials in her battles against the demons and other forces of darkness that assailed her world. In her quest against evil she learned of the EverWar, and the Ebon Gate that had brought the demons to Osterra.
Sylvia forged a blade like no other to fight the demons. She led many adventures and armies to battle. The Sword of Sylvia became a beacon of light, a rallying point for the people of Osterra. In a long campaign, they fought the demons and their army of corruption back to the portal, where the demons were forced to make their last stand. The fighting was ferocious, the demons pulled every dastardly trick they had, but it seemed that the realm, at last, would push the demons back through the portal-- when the portal came to life. Lord Foul, The Despoiler, the demon prince otherwise known as Orzalon in his moment of defeat had called through the portal to his demonic realm for reinforcements, and they did beckon the call .
The eerie sound of the portal and the sight of the grim visaged reapers crowding to spill through into their reality was too much for the defenders of Osterra; many broke as their victory seemed snatched away from them. Orzalon gloated that this had been his plan all along. To lure Sylvia and the forces of light to this moment.
Sylvia never stopped moving forward. She knew what she must do. She cleaved through demons with her sword. She knew no fear, her Iron Will set her on a single course. She let out a Rallying Cry, of light and hope “For Osterra!”, that cut through the din of battle, through the chaos of the rout. She stood before Orzalon, and the portal full of the demonic host about to break through, that would be the end of her fight, and make Osterra a spawning ground for evil, a bridgehead to the multiverse for the forces of darkness. But instead of despair, a defiant smile came to her face, and Orzalon’s expression changed as she pivoted and kicked him. Surprised with the force of the kick he stumbled and fell back into the portal.
Sylvia screamed “FOR THE GODDESS AND THE LIGHT!” and launched herself at the orb that was the power source of the portal and drove her sword through it. SHE WAS THE LIGHT, and for a moment hung in the air angelic and glowing. Time stood still, the scales of darkness and light hung in the balance and one person’s actions and selfless act had tipped them. Then a crack appeared in the silvery orb and there was a deafening explosion. At that moment Sylvia became one with the light, one with her sword, one with The Green Goddess. In the explosion, the stones of The Ebon Gate were scattered to the corners of the realm.
All that was found of Sylvia after the battle were remnants of her sword, broken in three pieces. Her faithful gathered the pieces and laid them to rest in a great tomb. It is said that her spirit even now resides in the shards of her sword of light, The Sword of Sylvia.
Its place has been lost for eons, the darkness of time had hidden from the realm, until adventurers found an ancient map.
Written by Skip Lipman
Art by Denise LoPreto
Once its shards were reforged, a tournament was fought for the right to bear the Sword of Sylvia into battle. It has since resided with The Grove, a faction of powerful women and followers of The Green Goddess. It is encouraged by this Faction for the sword to change hands-- even outside of the Grove-- to inspire all women to heroics.
Sacrifice
To rid the Realm of the Greater Demon Ferdinand's Cursed Armor, the The White Ravens journeyed to the World Forge deep within Osterra to disintegrate it. It had proven too powerful for even the sum of Mages in Osterra to make undone. This was their last hope.
Ignatius, the Heart of the World, stood guard. An elemental efreeti of staggering power, he offered to permanently destroy Ferdinand's Armor, but demanded payment of an artifact of equal value. Doing nothing, the Armor would forever remain a threat, and ignoring Ignatius would be at the Osterrans peril-- he threatened to subsume the world in lava.
The Grove conferred with the spirit of Sylvia and decided the Sword of Sylvia could perform one final sacrifice for the good of the Realm. As the Sword was first forged to banish demons, so would it be its final act, as well.
At the Rites of Spring 2025, the Realm journeyed to a remote outpost in Grove lands. Led by Odinel Groverunner, the Osterran Expedition to the World Forge made their way successfully to the Sword, navigating its protections and curious talking hyenas. After cautionary words from Rivella Mundi, Dame Terra Monteforte presented an offering to the Green Goddess in the form of a beautiful purple gem. She was then able to separate the Sword from the entangling vines. Oona reminded the Expedition of the lore of the Sword and sent it forth with the Grove's blessing. The initiates of the Grove were, after all, merely caretakers of the Sword. Dame Terra left the outpost to carry it to the World Forge.
Subsumed within the core of Osterra, the destruction of the Sword at the World Forge in exchange for the destruction of Ferdinand's Armor brought balance to the energy of the realm.
Qualities
The Sword of Sylvia drives demons back from the holy energy within. It is said that it can unleash a devastating lighting strike. Spells, when amplified by the Sword, bypass even Greater Demons' resistance to magic, causing them to run in fear. The Sword’s qualities can only be utilized by a worthy female-identifying or a non-binary heroine.
Physical description
The Sword of Sylvia is a one-handed holy sword with a blue blade. In the blade are etched golden runes.
In-game stats (if known/applicable)
The Sword of Sylvia is a relic weapon of great power that does 2 points of Holy Magic damage when wielded with one hand. It also allows the user to cast Lightning Bolt 2x per battle.
Prerequisite:
Phys Rep
Spellball. When you are ready to prepare the spell, speak the invocation line loudly with drama and articulation.
Invocation: “I (state your name or title) summon the power of The Sword of Sylvia!”
Once you have stated the invocation, the spell has been cast and you may throw the spellball. You may take up to three steps, without speaking before you throw. When you are ready to throw, yell “LIGHTNING BOLT!!!” as you throw.
Limitations
Lootable.
Lightning bolt may only be cast 2x per battle.
If you speak to anyone after the invocation the spell is lost. If you take a hit by any weapon before you can throw, you take the damage from the spell. If you hit your target they are struck by a bolt of lightning. Counted as 2 magic hits, armor is not effective against lightning bolts, shields may block a lightning bolt, but are destroyed by the blast. Lightning Bolts can also be used to destroy objects, and 4 Lightning Bolts will destroy a normal gate. You are advised to graphically explain the effects and call other player’s hits when you use The Sword of Sylvia and cast its special Lightning Bolt spell