The Spear of Evathón (ceremonial)

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[Ridgen Sú'ufanán]

I've always wanted to design one of these

Changes in orange. Relocations in the colour of the IRON-FILLED BLOOD. Also, grammatical corrections by Cruci will be made in... EMERALD GREEN.

Note Seeker:

Art
In this thread we had a discussion about weapons versus weapons artifacts. As a result will you please move Thromgolins Coronol to the Weapon artifact list.  I would like it listed in the weapons artifact overview with the armour.

Also this spear of Evathon should be classified as a weapon even though it is only a ceremonial weapon.  The reason it is not an artifact is because it is not old, one-of-kind, or magical in nature.

Perhaps one day we will rethink how we classify artifacts but I think this will keep us in line with current thinking.  

Overview:
The Spears of Evathón, are prized objects in the possession of the Cyhallrhim Elves. They are used to mark the coming and going of major storms. Each of the spears is a truly beautiful work of art that is completely made of ice.

Description:
The Spear of Evathón, as it is called, is a traditional Cyhallrhim weapon - a spear completely made of ice. It can only be found on the continent of Cyhalloi, far to the northeast of Sarvonia, in the possession of the Cyhallrhim Ice Elves. The Spears are not functional weapons, and are only used for ceremonies, as they are somewhat fragile, and completely unsuitable for rough use.

The Spear is divided into two parts - the almost razor-sharp blade, commonly referred to as the head, and the shaft. The shaft is a fraction shorter than two peds, and the blade is a little bit over a palmspan. A frightening, yet beautiful design featuring something faintly resembling a Lindorm holding a dangerous-looking storm cloud in its forelimbs decorates one side of the shaft, and a pictorial design of a Cyhallrhim with a spear pointing down is present on the other. The reason behind this design is not clear, although researchers believe that it is based on an old legend concerning how the weather worked and how the ancient Lindorms had something to do with it.

Usage:
This ceremonial weapon is only used by the Cyhallrhim Ice Elves to mark the coming and going of major storms. It is passed down from generation to generation in a family of elves known as Frostmarkers. When a large storm approaches, the Frostmarker will plunge the spear into an area of ground that is roughly at the centre of the ice tower cluster, to warn others to stay in their houses for a set period of time. When the storm has passed, the spear is removed.

The Frostmarkers are trained in the art of water magic since the age of 12 - water magic plays a vital part in the care of the Spears of Evathón, as they were originally created by the same magic. This magic, elven as it is, is considerably advanced, and, to a minuscule degree, gives the Marker a somewhat better understanding of the weather, as the element water is connected to it. Frostmarkers are also taught about the weather patterns from an even younger age. The Frostmarkers are responsible for the care and 'marking' of the spears, which is, in fact, a rather important job. Poor Markers with an inability to predict the coming of a major storm are removed from his office and therefore, loses his authority among the Cyhallrhim. He or she would be replaced by one of his relatives.

Fighting Style:
The Spears of Evathón are entirely ceremonial. They are never used for combat, although they are more than capable of harming living beings. Should people ever decide to attack something with this Spear, thrusting would be the best option, although it would probably shatter with a few thrusts.

Origin/History:
The elf who had first fashioned this spear was known as Yílaér Dél'már, a very skilled magician, and the very first Frostmarker. It was modeled on the first spear that the Cyhallrhim have used, but with beautifully made designs on it. It would be incorrect, however, to refer to the Spear of Evathón as only one thing. In fact, Yílaér created multiple copies of it. Yílaér went on a journey all over Cyhalloi to deliver these to a tower in each Cyhallrhim settlement before returning to his own. Yílaér also took the time to explain how the weather worked to those who have agreed to put the spears to use. The spears were officially used circa 8110 b.S. and were also created at around that time.

The Spears are passed down from generation to generation in the Dél'már, Dós'entíná, Tár'exhonán and Efér'masýr families, just to name the very first ones to be entrusted with this artifact. They spread out amongst the main Cyhallrhim communities, to do their tasks as Frostmarkers. These people have great authority among the Cyhallrhim, although they are politically outranked by royalty. When they are not pondering over weather patterns or practising magic, they can often be found giving advice to royalty.

[Bard Judith]

I didn't intend to be so negative about this simple little weapon, but the more carefully I read this concept, the more difficulties I wound up finding.  So apologies if I seem as though I'm ripping it apart: do take the idea and think a bit more in depth about it, based on these comments, ok?



Does one have to risk frostbite in both hands to use this, or are the Cyhalloi elves naturally immune to severe cold, or do they, more practically, wear gloves (to which, somehow, ice cannot freeze) ?

Though Ava knows I'm no weapons expert, it doesn't seem as if an ice spear would be all that practical or 'powerful'.   In a throng, with a number of opponents, all someone else has to do is whack your weapon solidly with anything that's stronger than ice (a regular spear, a stick, heck, even their parka-clad arm) and your spear shatters.  There goes your 'reach' advantage.   It might be good for thrusting, but dreadful for blocking or parrying or 'slashing away' - and since ice has no resilience, the slightest twist or angle that isn't directly straight on target and your shaft will also break.     

(And for pity's sake, a LONG weapon is USELESS in 'confined spaces'!   You can't have it all, I'm afraid. )

 And how is this made?  By pouring molten....er, I mean, boiling, water into a spear-shaped mold and leaving it outside overnight?  Do you have to carry around several spares, in golf bag style?    And no, frozen water is not 'light'.    Shoving an icicle into a human body repeatedly will quickly melt the sharpest of ice edges....   oh, good grief.   Why not just make it out of metal in the first place?

Though it might be a nice improvisation to use the many icicles that I'm sure throng the wilds of frozen Cyhalloi as stabbing weapons in a pinch...

[Ridgen Sú'ufanán]

gloves. They do have gloves.

And these ice spears, along with the Cyhalloian ice blades, are made from magic. (well, Cyhallrhims are water magicians )

The ice isn't all that fragile, thin or hollow, in any case. It just follows the concept of Ice Blades. Magically supported, I guess. Better change the weight value though, to make sure it doesn't sound that fragile.

And concerning the confined spaces... I'll remove that... (silly me)

[Azhira Styralias]

Altario's Icelands tribe, the blue skinned Vertan, have a similar concept with the ice spear. They call it the ice harpoon. The difference is these harpoons are actually believed to be young ice monsters and the tribe uses the icicles before the creatures come to full maturity. This gives the ice a special, magically infused properties not found in normal ice. The orcen name for these creatures is "Kalta'nhk" or "Ice-biters". That entry is being done by Athviaro I believe. Both entries are currently incomplete awaiting finishing touches by their authors.

Ridgen, you are correct in that unless your spears are magically created or somehow unique from typical ice, then Bard has good points. The entry states that the ice elves have a means of obtaining metal weapons, so practically, an ice weapon is not very useful in a real battle situation. Perhaps consider giving these spears a ceremonial function instead.

From the in-progress Vertan entry:

The ice harpoons, called Hiljooru-ohm-Paltay (Lit. Monster's Fingers), are created in special caverns.  These caverns are believed to have once been the breeding ground of large monsters made of ice, Shicain-fey-Hiljooru (Lit. monster of ice).  These giants are said to be the offspring  of Pargis, the Ice God.  He created them to be warriors, who ruled the land before the time of the Ice Folk.  But, being a mean and malevolent race, they were destroyed by the mortals who made the Icelands Coast their home.  Still, Pargis tries to secretly create once more this army of ice behemoths.  In deep, dark caverns they are birthed from the ice itself, emerging from the ceilings as long stalactite icicles.  Given enough time, years if not hundreds of years, the ice giant matures and breaks free from the cavern ceiling to become a sentient presence, three to five peds in height with arms, legs and head.

Before the ice giant matures, these living icicles can be broken off and used.  The ice has the strength of the giant, and will not break easily, though this property will fade after a few days.  The formers melt the ice into the proper shape and weight.  Often, they inscribe prayers to Pargis onto the harpoons, in order to appease the god for the destruction of his children.  Others inscribe prayers to Aleshnir, Sea Animal Spirit, to ensure a successful hunt.

[Ridgen Sú'ufanán]

I will set to work reconstructing the entry then. Thank you for your input.

NB: how were the Ice Blades made then? Just curious.

[Seeker]

Cyhallrhim do have use of spears, swords and clubs. Some have bare-hand fighting ability, augmenting their skills with special gloves and spiked knuckle guards. Regular functional swords are made of finely honed bone.
Clubs
These weapons are rather primitive and are also constructed of ice. Some are made of wood, but they are not as heavy as the Ice Clubs.
Ice Blades
These weapons include large swords with thin, precise blades and short-handled daggers made entirely of ice. They are brittle, but their size (a fore for the daggers and much as a ped in length for the swords) makes them menacing. However, because of their construction, these Ice Blades are only functional in the cold stretches of Cyhalloi.
Spikes
These are odd weapons. Made of ice, they are usually the sharp broken ends of stalagtites and stalagmites, collected by the wielder and thrown like darts at an enemy or prey. These weapons are easily replacable, and a Cyhallrhim travelling south can pay a smelter to make him metal reproductions of his Spikes.

So obviously we have a precedence that ice weapons are used by the Cyhallrhim elves.  So Bard's critique is spot on and we need to figure a way for this all to actually work.
I think a ceremonial spear sounds great.  It doesn't have to be super strong to be a ceremonial piece.  But even if you wanted a real weapon we could use a  spell like Ice Enchantment or perhaps we need a new spell to strengthen and fortify the ice.

Another idea is to come up with a real physical reason why the ice is stronger in this area.  Perhaps the liquid of some plant or sap from an ice tree when frozen becomes really hard.

Just some ideas.

[Ridgen Sú'ufanán]

Thanks. keeping that in mind.

[Ta'lia of the Seven Jewels]

Hello Ridgen! *waves*

The only problem is, that the ice tree doesn't grow on Cyhalloi. A ceremonial icespear sounds good, but would there be any, if there was not a real weapon before? Maybe the ceremonial ones are sculpted more elaborate, so that they look nice and are maybe huge, but are not usable anymore, like ornate metal weapons.

If you don't want it to be ceremonial only :

Maybe there is a special way to freeze the ice, so that it is not too susceptible to breaking, giving it a special structure. I can imagine, that it might well be able to penetrate clothes, though it might be a one time use weapon.

You could enforce it, with putting something strong in it for a more permanent use, maybe the icecover of the spear or knife has to be redone every night.

An additive might work (as Seeker said) , if not the sap of the not available icetree, but anything else you could come up with.


The idea with a weapon out of ice is not new, so I suppose it does work somehow. Who has not heard of the perfect murder, a stab with a blade out of ice which will melt in the warmth of the dieing body? No weapon can be found...

[Cruciform]

The idea with a weapon out of ice is not new, so I suppose it does work somehow. Who has not heard of the perfect murder, a stab with a blade out of ice which will melt in the warmth of the dieing body? No weapon can be found...

Or if you force the victim to swallow several smallish ice sculptures shaped like caltrops, they're bound to choke on one or even inhale one. Their windpipe or throat will be punctured and they'll choke on the ice. With luck, it wouldn't be seen on any autopsies. Generally, freezing a body is also easier, because it makes time of death easier. You can take the body out of freezing and when the outside defrosts, the inside is still fully frozen.

*Sees people staring at him*

What? WHAT?


You know what I'd really like to see for this entry? An Origin/History section. I'd like to know just WHY they have these ceremonial ice spears. What rituals and holidays are they used during?

[Ridgen Sú'ufanán]

The Cyhallrhim Days of Darkness

I'm about to work on that...

[Ridgen Sú'ufanán]

And finished!

The idea with a weapon out of ice is not new, so I suppose it does work somehow. Who has not heard of the perfect murder, a stab with a blade out of ice which will melt in the warmth of the dieing body? No weapon can be found...

<--- loves that idea.

All comments welcome

[Cruciform]

Origin/History:
The elf who had first fashioned this spear was known as Yílaér Dél'már, a very skilled magician, and the very first 'marker'. It was modeled on the first spear that the Cyhallrhim have used, but with beautifully made designs on it. It was created and officially used ca. 8109 b.S., as a marker of the Days of Darkness - it is put up on the exact day before the first Day of Darkness and pulled out as soon as they have passsed, which leaves it standing for about a total of 14 days a year. There has only ever been one Frostbite Spear, passed down from generation to generation in the Dél'már family. Needless to say, it has never left Cyhalloi.

-------------
Note: Markers didn't exist in the first place, though. I hope you don't mind...

If they didn't exist in the first place, then implement them. Flesh out the reason for them to be there more. Remember the focus questions. Who, What, Where, When, and Why.

You've got a who. That's good, but I want to know more. Why is it only in the Dél'már family? Does the next in line to hold the Spear have to do any training? Is it like a priesthood, or is this their only duty?

You have a what. It's used to mark the Days of Darkness. Why? Do the elves believe it brings luck or safety? And if it's only in one family, then it's only in one part. Why isn't it practiced more widely? If it is practiced widely, shouldn't their be a ritual with the placing of it? And if there's a ritual, there'd be a training period for the priesthood that would undoubtedly be required.

You have a where. That's pretty straight forward. It's in Cyhalloi. 'Nuff said.

You have a when, that's good.

I'd still like to see all the why's fleshed out a little more, however. I'd like to see some flare in the way that the History of it is written. At the moment, it's just information. You've told us the basics of "Yes, this is what it's for." Tell us more, Ridgen.

[Ridgen Sú'ufanán]

Updated. Would that suffice?

[Cruciform]

Notes in the colour of DANGER and LOVE (but that's not The Beatles remixlish album from 2006).

Please note that it is not my intention to sound angry at any point. I'm just trying to help your writing to shine a little more. Don't take it too personally. I'm trying not to sound angry.

I'll have a note right here: unless you're dealing in hundreds and thousands and millions, write out your numbers as words. 99 becomes ninenty-nine, for example.

Origin/History:
The elf who had first fashioned this spear was known as Yílaér Dél'már, a very skilled magician, and the very first 'marker'. It was modeled on the first spear that the Cyhallrhim have used, but with beautifully made designs on it. Well, it would be incorrect to refer to the Frostbite Spear as only one thing. In fact, Yílaér had created four different ones. Each one was handed to a different family, including his own. (The tone here is a little too personal. This is an article, not a letter. The use of "Well," and "thing" make the sentence there a little awkward. Perhaps say something like, "It would be incorrect, however, to refer to the Frostbite Spear as a single artifact."
As for Yílaér creating four of them, this seems a little... odd. If you'd like to keep it this way, change the sentence to something more like, "In fact, Yílaér created four copies." or something to that extent. The word "different" paints the wrong image. However, my suggestion would be to begin the tradition with Yílaér, and have some sort of branching so that more spears are created as the tradition spreads to different communities. You don't need to specify how many there are or who ends up with them, but make it clear that the tradition becomes large over time. That's my suggestion.)

(Here, there should be a line break as you're launching into an entirely different topic; that is, you're going from the idea itself to the time it started, so to speak.)

They were created and officially used circa 8109 b.S., as a marker of the Days of Darkness - it is put up on the exact day before the first Day of Darkness and pulled out as soon as they have passsed, which leaves it standing for about a total of fourteen days a year. This is so because the Cyhallrhim believe that the Spear would protect them from misfortune and help with the 're-emergence of the sun'.

The/Their four spears are passed down from generation to generation in the Dél'már, Dós'entíná, Tár'exhonán and Efér'masýr families, all four families being the royalties of the four tallest ice towers in the one community that Yílaér grew up in. They spread out amongst the main Cyhallrhim communities, to do their tasks as 'markers'. Needless to say, it has never left Cyhalloi.
(Good, but why is it stuck in royalty?)

The Markers are trained in the art of water magic since the age of 12 - water magic plays a vital part in the care of the Frostbite Spears, as they were originally created by the same magic. The Markers are responsible for the care and annual 'marking' of the spears, which is in fact a rather important job. In each Cyhallrhim settlement (So there must be more than four, meaning that non-royals must be present, like shamans or some such for these rituals, am I correct?), there are little areas that are marked to show where the Spears are to stand ("little area" is an awkward term. Don't be afraid to describe the area. Is it in an ampitheatre so that people can watch the ritual?), and every year, on the coming of the Days of Darkness, the Spears are taken out and set into the corresponding markings by the current marker. It's not much of a ritual, but is nevertheless an important one.

Everywhere that you've written "marker", as in the person who actually sets the spear, you need to capitalise the M so that it's obvious you're talking about the person. I really like this entry, Ridgen, but it does need to be fleshed out in some parts and prettied up a little. Good work so far. *Salute*

[Ridgen Sú'ufanán]

There. That should do it.

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