Spear of Bitter Mercy
The Spear of Bitter Mercy is one of the more mysterious artifacts in Tamrielic lore. Little to nothing is known about the Spear, but it is believed to be of Daedra origin.
According to Reachmen myth, the Daedric Prince Hircine was said to wield the Spear when he took on the aspect of Alrabeg the Hunter. Other legends speak of a Nord hunter named Thane Icehammer, who unknowingly killed several were-creatures while on a hunt. Angered by this, Hircine thrust the Spear into Icehammer’s side, where upon the tip broke off and remained lodged inside him. Slowly, the magic of Hircine’s Spear corrupted Icehammer’s mind and he became bitter and angry. This eventually resulted in him murdering an acolyte of Kyne in a fit of rage, and fleeing to an ancient burial vault near Cragwallow, where upon he was sealed within as punishment.
Over time, the Spear resurfaced and according to some legends it was used by a mighty hero during the fall of the Battlespire. The hero was aided by the Spear in the defeat of Mehrunes Dagon and the recapturing of the Battlespire. Since that time, the Spear of Bitter Mercy has made few appearances within Tamriel. It was last reported to be in the hands of the Nerevarine, who received it as a reward from Sheogorath in 3E 427. The Nerevarine sold it to Torasa Aram, who put it on display in the Mournhold Museum of Artifacts.
Stats
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Damage | 1d6+4 (1d8+4) |
| Hand | 1.5 |
| Range | 2m |
| Qualities | Impaling, Unwieldy, Magic, Proven, Hunter’s Hide |
| ENC | 3 |
Special Qualities
Hunter’s Hide: When struck by a spell or another source of magic components, such as by an enchanted weapon, roll 1d10; on 4 or lower the magical effects are negated.