On 21 April 1, the Rod of the Pact Keeper was first forged in the bustling foundries of Ironhold. This period, known as the Golden Age of Commerce in Coia, saw a monumental demand for magical security as the Bukhara Spire Gateways facilitated the transport of goods across vast distances. The rods were mass-produced as common implements, designed for utility rather than raw power.

These rods were sold in bulk to merchant caravans and aspiring warlocks who lacked the patronage of powerful entities. Colloquially known as "Broker's Batons," they served primarily as training tools or backup weapons, distinguishing them from the masterwork artifacts wielded by high-ranking cultists.

Among their users was Nicodemus Hartwick of the Dragonbone Vanguard, who famously secured a crate of these common rods. He distributed them to his network of spies and runners, including the resilient tiefling mercenary, Retta. Hartwick specifically taught Retta the critical value of these rods in the treacherous Shadowfell, emphasizing that their ability to refresh a wielder's stamina could be the decisive factor between life and death.

As the Civil War raged, quality control in the foundries plummeted. This era saw a significant shift in the crafting process, leading to a 20% chance that a given rod was forged using a shard from a corrupted Bukhara Spire. Such rods gained the rare "Echo of the Void" feature, allowing the user to gain temporary hit points equal to their Charisma modifier when regaining a spell slot once per day.

To this day, the Rod of the Pact Keeper remains a widely circulated magical item. While none are recorded as having been destroyed, they are commonly found in the hands of bandit hedge mages lurking in the ruins of Highborne Summit or discreetly sold within the shadowy back alleys of Rueside.