His Eternal Forge

Excerpt From the personal journal of Voah Sahnsuur

Unbeknownst to some and unexpected to many, the Holy City of Vastad is a city of music; resounding horns, pounding drums, clanging bells, gongs, chimes, droning hums of string and mantra, melodic voices of choral hymns and various other dolorous and exuberant sounds.

Massive tubular bells chime every time a blade is “exalted”, be it night or day, and the sacred sound emanates from the center of the city known as The Sanctus Fornaxh (Sacred Forge). One can hear their jubilant ringing over the crowds in the square and echoing forth across every corner of the city from South-March Gate in the Drums district to the North-Horn gate in the Helm district; and from Westrun Gate in the Sword district to East-Met Bay in the Shield district.

Temple of Vastad - Holy Shrine City Vastad

After leaving an offering of wood and coal to the Sacred Forge, Voah knelt at prayer, presiding over the nightly adoration of the Sanctus Incus (Holy Anvil) awaiting the sound of those melodious rings. The heat issued forth from His Eternal Forge blazed on the Arbiter’s skin like Kupen’s summer kiss even at this distance. Sparks and embers spit from under the Sanctus Malleus (Righteous Hammer) threatening to singe her knees.

The faithful voice of Voah Sahnsuur rose and spiraled like an angel’s, resounding among the consistent clangs of the dutiful smith’s work; through the capped teat of the domed cathedral, up and out into the night.

Come the morning, a new blade would be forged and etched with contra-maleficia runes and then her own sword would be sanctified anew in the water’s of the Fornaxh with Vastad’s blessings.

Since her latest visit on pilgrimage in the city, her rank of Holy Sword was challenged by many. Namely two heads from local paramilitary factions. Klarïon Anks of The Violent Red and Juni Bajad of Hungry Steel. These challengers she would face under spectated contest and judgement at the city’s famous arena known as The Crucible.