Volendrung

Volendrung, also known as the Hammer of Might, is an ancient artifact created by the Rourken clan. In appearance, it is a large ebony warhammer, although it may sometimes take the shape of a blade. For unknown reasons, Volendrung became a Daedra artifact of Malacath. It is enchanted with the power to paralyze foes and drain them of their strength, conferring it to the wielder. The hammer is prone to disappearing like its Dwarven creators.

The hammer originally belonged to the chieftain of the Rourken clan. When his clan refused to join the other Dwemer in the First Council, the chieftain threw his hammer across Tamriel, promising to settle where ever it landed. The hammer landed in western Tamriel, and the Rourken called the land Volenfell, literally “City of the Hammer”. This area later came to be called Hammerfell. The Rourken’s journey across Tamriel is depicted in many of the ruins of the region, Volendrung appearing as a shining star showing the way.

Sometime after the Dwemer disappeared in 1E 700, Volendrung ironically came to embody the power of Malacath, one of the Dwemer’s most bitter foes. The hammer was uncovered during the Imperial Simulacrum by the Eternal Champion in either Morrowind or Hammerfell (reports vary). In the events leading up to the Warp in the West, an agent of The Blades summoned Malacath seeking power, and a worshipper of the Prince gave the agent Volendrung in return for slaying a Daedra who had betrayed him.

Volendrung later came into the possession of Divayth Fyr of Tel Fyr, Vvardenfell. He kept it in a locked chest in his Corprusarium. A hobby of his was to invite thieves to steal from his chests to amuse him, as they would often fail. In 3E 427, the Nerevarine succeeded in unlocking the chest and liberating Volendrung. In 3E 433, the Last Dragonborn summoned Malacath and was tasked with freeing the ogre slaves of Lord Drad from his mines. In return, Malacath gifted the Champion with Volendrung.

Stats

Property	Value
Damage	2d6+4
Hand	2
Range	2m
Qualities	Crushing, Unwieldy, Shield Splitter, Concussive, Magic, Proven, Enchanted (Strike: Paralyze -20)*
ENC	5

*Target character must make a Willpower test with a -20 modifier or be Paralyzed for 1 round on Strike.