CELDORIATH’S CLARION
Illus. by D. Martin
Celdoriath’s Clarion appears to be an elven scout’s horn, albeit an ornate and highquality one. Outriders, rangers, and other advance units of elven armies carry such horns. Used to maintain communication and summon aid over long distances, these instruments are usually simple affairs made of horn or brass. Celdoriath’s Clarion clearly belonged to a wealthy or influential scout, or one who was rewarded for some great service to the elven people. Elf kings and nobles give only their most loyal scouts silver trum- Celdoriath’s Clarion awaits a ranger pets, and then only in who proves worthy of its heroic legacy recognition of some truly heroic act. Few such instruments are ascribed magical properties in the elven histories. Clearly, Celdoriath’s Clarion is something extraordinary. (DC 15) Celdoriath was a ranger serving as a scout in the forces of the elven king Aldonar, the ruler of an enormous forest realm. Though he was merely a low-ranking soldier in his king’s army, Celdoriath was in love with King Aldonar’s daughter, Indiriel. More significantly, the princess loved Celdoriath in return. Her father refused to allow her to marry so far below her station, however. Resigned to love from afar, Celdoriath abandoned his hopes of marrying Indiriel and threw himself into his duties. He spent three months tracking an orc horde along the borders of the forest during a
CHAPTER 3
HISTORY
ITEMS OF LEGACY
This delicate-looking, spiraled silver trumpet is inlaid with intricate Elven script, which translates as “giving succor” and “friends shall answer the call.” The mouthpiece is pale ivory, and an emerald-studded, leather baldric allows the horn to be slung over the carrier’s shoulder. Nonlegacy Game Statistics: Celdoriath’s Clarion; Cost 2,500 gp. You gain a +5 competence bonus on Perform checks made with this instrument. Omen: Any music played on Celdoriath’s Clarion is clear, sweet, and hauntingly beautiful. Furthermore, the instrument never tarnishes or shows any sign of wear during regular use—it remains as bright and unsullied as the day it was created.
fierce winter blizzard. Three elves under his command froze to death, but Celdoriath was able to gather enough intelligence on the orcs’ movements and deployment that the regular army routed them with minimal casualties. In recognition of his service, Celdoriath was awarded a silver trumpet and the honorary title “Knight Guardian of the Realm.” Along with this honor, however, he was reprimanded and discharged from King Aldonar’s army for the reckless sacrifice of his three subordinates. The king could not ignore Celdoriath’s heroic deeds, but he didn’t want the scout to rise to a high enough rank to petition for Indiriel’s hand in marriage. (DC 18; Watcher’s Vigil) While he was disgusted and embittered by his king’s actions, Celdoriath could not bring himself to leave his home or the woman he loved. With no formal military rank, he signed back on with Aldonar’s army as a mercenary, performing the same duties he had always carried out. Now, however, he was looked on as little more than a dog that might turn on its master at any moment. Mercenaries were disliked at best in the elven military, and Celdoriath’s presence was tolerated only because of his skill and the renown he had won from the incident with the orcs. Though he was sneered at by the officers, most of whom were drawn from the nobility and were perfectly aware of the real reason Celdoriath was discharged, the ranger’s keen mind and knowledge of woodcraft won him friends and allies among the enlisted soldiers. Three years into his tour as a mercenary, Celdoriath was on patrol deep in the heart of an uninhabited region of the forest. There, a huge section of ground collapsed inward, revealing a subterranean cavern out of which boiled thousands of drow and their arachnoid servants. Surrounded and cut off from any hope of escape, Celdoriath raised his silver trumpet to his lips and blew a long, clear blast. Much to his surprise, not only was the call answered, it was answered in force—a brigade of elf mages had been training in the region, and with their potent magic, they were able to contain the drow assault and drive the dark elves back underground. (DC 25; Prayer of Thanksgiving) After saving the kingdom from certain destruction twice, Celdoriath could no longer simply be brushed aside by King Aldonar. Reluctantly, the king restored
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