The land of Coia faced a growing threat with the rise of the lich Ariel Bannister in Emberfield and the looming danger of Velsharoon's undead cults. This surge in necrotic forces created an unprecedented demand for effective anti-undead weaponry. Carpenters across settlements, including Ironhold and Rueside, dramatically shifted their focus from furniture making. They began mass-producing defensive implements specifically designed to combat the encroaching darkness.

On September 7th, one such stake was crafted, designed to function identically to a standard wooden stake for incapacitating undead. It was carved from the dense, pale wood harvested from the Nader Apple Orchard. This orchard had recently been a site of significant conflict, caught between Tiefling refugees and the Knights of Ubba.

Unknown to its maker, this specific piece of wood possessed a unique, inherent property. The tree it came from had roots that unknowingly tapped into a dormant, corrupted ley line. This magical connection led directly to the ancient Bukhara Spires, imbuing the stake with a potent, secret feature.

Should this stake deliver a killing or paralyzing blow to an undead creature, it would absorb a fraction of the necrotic energy. This act would transform it into a one-time use magical talisman, granting its wielder resistance to necrotic damage for one hour. Afterwards, the enchanted wood would crumble to dust, its power expended. Currently, this unassuming yet potentially powerful stake rests in storage, placed within a barrel near a town gate.