QUICKSPUR’S ALLY
CHAPTER 3
ITEMS OF LEGACY Illus. by D. Crabapple
changed the coat of arms depending on the wearer’s Quickspur’s Ally is a steel kite shield completely devoid lineage. (DC 20; Working Hands) of any coat of arms or identifying standard. The surWhen Sir Vernor rode into battle, Rendal rode face of the shield is pristine and seamless. alongside him, fighting all the same opponents and Nonlegacy Game Statistics: +1 heavy steel shield; dispatching them in stride. The two fought as a team, Cost 1,170 gp. While wearing Quickspur’s Ally, you knowing each other’s blind spots and guarding them can guide a mount with your knees without making perfectly. During one conflict, Sir Vernor rode ahead of his squire, driven by an eagerness to see the skira Ride check. Omen: The shield’s outer surface displays a beautimish won. Rendal was still tied up with two opponents fully rendered image that shifts to match your coat when he noticed several spearmen surrounding his mentor. The attackers had underestimated Rendal. Afof arms or the coat of arms of whomever else ter quickly defeating the two soldiers he wields it. If you have no faced, Rendal rode after Vernor, arcoat of arms, the shield riving just in time to see the knight becomes blank. driven through by many pikes. HISTORY The squire trampled some of the Rendal Feydrian did enemy spearmen under hoof and cleaved through the rewhat he was raised to do—he served the maining ones with his sword. knight to whom he had He then rushed to his tutor’s side. “Wear my shield,” Verbeen indebted by his father. Rendal’s parents were nor Arceldyn breathed as his last words. With no waylaid on the road by bandits, who were prepared to time to think, Rendal did Q uickspur’s Ally protects a champion as he was told. The shield slit the father’s throat for mere who wields it from harm silver. That’s when young Sir Vernor erupted with eldritch Arceldyn of the Celestial Order came power as the family crest upon them by chance, drew his sword, of the Arceldyns emblazoned itself on the surface. (DC 25; Family Bearing) and drove the robbers away. Arceldyn was in need of a place to sleep for that evening, and Rendal’s father Rendal had grown up never questioning why Sir Vernor visited his house in the forest, nor why the insisted the warrior stay at their woodcutter’s cottage. The knight agreed, lodging there for two days. knight extended so many kindnesses to the peasant So pleasant was the visit for all parties concerned family. He always stayed for dinner, talked about that Sir Vernor returned to the tiny house regularly the latest campaign, spent the night, and departed thereafter for brief visits, enjoying the calmness of a few days later, leaving many pieces of gold behind. rural existence. Rendal was born during these times, Rendal never knew his father and mother had tried before his two younger siblings, but he was the only to conceive for many years without success. When Sir one raised with expectations for becoming more than Vernor agreed to stay with the couple that first evening a woodcutter. When Rendal came of age, Sir Vernor after saving their lives, Rendal’s father and mother took the boy as a squire. (DC 15) spoke to Vernor at length about their inability to have Rendal fulfilled the role of squire as though born to children—Rendal’s father had suffered a terrible wound it, cheerfully mucking stables, currying horses, and earlier in his life. In the end, they asked Sir Arceldyn setting up campsites. No duty was too menial. The boy if he might be of service. The knight, caring little for the pompous women of the baronial court, agreed to also excelled at riding, sword fighting, and lancing quintains. He grew strong and hale, his hard work help father a child, with one provision—the first boy child would become his squire. These realizations and industrious nature making him an ideal squire. flooded into Rendal as he finished the battle with his While no covetous bone existed in Rendal’s body, blood father’s shield, bludgeoning his enemy into subthe boy was always fascinated by Sir Vernor’s magic shield. Whenever the knight strapped the shield to his mission. Sir Vernor Arceldyn of the Celestial Order had left instructions for his squire to be knighted arm, the Arceldyn family crest magically appeared on its surface. Sir Vernor told Rendal this minor magic upon his death. Rendal thusly gained his spurs. So
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