The Crusader’s Relics are a set of Aedric artifacts, reportedly created by the Eight Divines and given to Pelinal Whitestrake, the Divine Crusader. The set includes a suit of armor, a shield, a mace and a longsword, which mold to the needs of the wielder and increase their proficiency in the School of Restoration. The artifacts were used by Whitestrake to banish Umaril the Unfeathered, an Ayleid Sorcerer King. In the battle, Umaril had dealt him a fatal blow, and with his death the relics were scattered and lost.
In 3E 111, Sir Amiel Lannus founded the Knights of the Nine with the intent of recovering the lost relics. The order grew in fame, and recovered many of the holy relics, but after the War of the Red Diamond the knights slowly disbanded, losing all but one of the relics.
In 3E 433, Umaril the Unfeathered returned to the mortal realm, having been reborn in the Fires of Creation due to his alliance with Meridia. The Fallen King led an attack on the Nine Divines by desecrating chapels with his army of Aurorans. Following the calling of a mysterious prophet, a pilgrim set out to retrieve the relics and reform the Knights of the Nine. The pilgrim succeeded, becoming the Divine Crusader reborn and destroying Umaril, body and soul. The relics are now held in the Priory of the Nine.
Using the Crusader’s Relics
The Crusader’s Relics are incredibly powerful artifacts, especially when combined. GMs should be wary of using more than one of them as material for anything but the end game of a high level campaign.
Armor/Weapon Quality: Aedric Favor
Due to this item’s nature only those who are worthy may wield it to its full potential. The eyes of the Aedra judge the wearer’s every action, past present and future. If a character who has not been deemed worthy attempts to use the item they will find themselves unable to do so: armor straps come undone and weapons slip from their hand as if they had a mind of their own. In game terms, this means the character may not even attempt to equip or use the item.
A character who has been deemed worthy to wield the Crusader’s Relics, and has managed to assemble the full armor set receives an additional bonus when wearing all the pieces (helm, cuirass, gauntlets, and greaves/boots): double the effects of all constant effect enchantments provided by the relics. GMs should take note that this is not an honor the gods bestow lightly.
Individual Pieces:
- Helm of the Crusader
- Cuirass of the Crusader
- Boots and Greaves of the Crusader
- Gauntlets of the Crusader
- Shield of the Crusader
- Mace of the Crusader
- Sword of the Crusader