The Rod of Rulership is an ancient artifact that embodies a turbulent history, originally crafted on June 7, 310, by the renowned Artificer Halfling, Redivus Branch. This powerful scepter served as a symbol of freedom and was pivotal in Redivus's leadership of the Unchained, an abolitionist faction fighting against tyranny. It inspired hope amongst the oppressed during a time of great strife. However, after Redivus's mysterious disappearance, the Rod itself faded from history, its tale lost to time.
Centuries later, the Rod was rediscovered in Coia, but its meaning had shifted dramatically. Once a liberating tool, it became intertwined with the ruling dynasty of the region, morphing into an emblem of governance and authority. As the political landscape of the Capital City evolved, the Rod's original purpose was obscured, leaving its storied origins forgotten by all but a few historians.
In 1248, a significant event unfolded, marking a pivotal moment in the Rod's continuing saga. From July 11 to July 12, the Dragonbone Vanguard stumbled upon pressure plates guarding elemental relics, triggering various elemental guardians. They valiantly battled Ice, Wind, and Fire elemental creatures in a quest that culminated in their discovery of insidious plots involving the Rod. Amidst their efforts to reclaim the Rod of Rulership, Garus activated a hidden trigger that summoned Abishai dragons and gargoyles, resulting in chaos.
On July 12, as the whirlwind of combat ensued, a blue Abishai invoked an incantation that enabled it to vanish with the Rod of Rulership. This sudden disappearance left the Vanguard in a state of bewilderment, unaware of the further impact this incident would have on the artifact's legacy. Lucy's unique ability to sense the Rod led the group to an Abishai camp, igniting a fierce battle that ultimately separated them at a cave portal, leaving Szarden as the last to follow, while Zen awoke in a peaceful hayfield, surrounded by strangers. The lore of the Rod of Rulership, once a symbol of hope, continues to evolve amidst these turbulent events.
