Chosen heroes rose up to accept the artifacts of their patrons to combat the tide of death their adversaries harnessed. Powerful archmages harnessed the surging arcane powers of the war to forge incredible objects of potent strength and ability, further arming every side of the conflict. Relics of the Age of Arcanum were further enhanced, creating unheard-of magical capabilities.
When the battle climaxed in a wave of aberrant destruction, leaving much of civilization in ruins, many of these artifacts were buried among the ashes with their wielders. Others were passed down through bloodlines for generations, a sign of respect and importance within their culture. Some were locked away, the fear of their power giving temples reason to keep them from mortal hands, while a handful still see use to this day by great warriors or proven killers.
These mighty echoes of the last great war, and the divine banishment that followed, are known as the Vestiges of Divergence.
The Vestiges of Divergence are ancient and powerful artifacts from the Calamity. During the Age of Arcanum, siphons were placed at nexuses of ley lines across Exandria to gather raw energy for the crafting of powerful artifacts, including Vestiges.[2] Since the Calamity, these items have been scattered around the world—lost to the history books, passed down as symbols of power through various bloodlines or government positions, or stolen and unrecovered for hundreds of years.[3] According to Kamaljiori, the androsphinx mate of Osysa, some Vestiges have been destroyed over this epoch, while others lie scattered across the Planes of Existence, and some are sealed or hidden.[4]
The Vestiges are legendary artifacts that grow in power with the experience, force of will, and strength of character of the bearer. Many Vestiges, if sealed away or left without a worthy attuned individual for a period of time, will revert to their dormant state. A vestige in its dormant state still imbues power to the attuned, but with time, perseverance, and personal growth, the Vestige can regain access to some of its lost abilities by reaching its awakened state. Eventually, through extreme personal challenge, evolution, and achievement, the Vestige can reach its full potential in its exalted state. This is the true power of the Vestige, the state in which it was originally utilized in the Calamity against battle-ready gods.[1]
Over the course of their adventures, the adventuring party Vox Machina found and retrieved eight of these powerful items throughout Exandria and the various Planes of Existence bordering the Prime Material Plane. The Mighty Nein have also recovered one, Star Razor. Many other Vestiges have been claimed by other individual, and others still have been lost to the ages.
While the Vestiges were often created by the Prime Deities, there are darker counterparts to them created by the Betrayer Gods called the Arms of the Betrayers.[5]
Vestiges found by Vox Machina
Official art of Vox Machina's Vestiges, by Kent Davis.[art 1]
Cabal's Ruin
This cloak of dark leather and gold trim seems to occasionally shimmer with small sparks of blue energy across the shadowed lining. Previously used by an assassin to eliminate the Den of Druja, Cabal's Ruin was worn by Mistress Asharru before it was stolen by Anna Ripley. It is currently in the possession of Percy de Rolo.
Deathwalker's Ward
This beautiful, black leather armor is covered in intricate scrollwork, the mantle bearing the black feathers of the Raven Queen. Previously worn by Purvan Suul, a champion of the Raven Queen, it was interred with his body in a tomb beneath the Marrowglade Loch. It is currently in the possession of Vax'ildan, who wore it as he followed the Raven Queen into the afterlife.
Fenthras
This gorgeous longbow made of everbark from the Feywild seems to flex and shift like a living entity. Previously the personal weapon of the archfey Saundor, it is currently in the possession of Vex'ahlia.
Mythcarver
This incredible silvered blade once belonged to the White Duke himself, and many more master bards before him. It resonates with nearby musical tones. The sword was entrusted to the sphinx Kamaljiori, who bequeathed it to Scanlan Shorthalt.
Plate of the Dawnmartyr
Beautiful silver scrolling and priceless, cut rubies adorn this set of brass-and-gold armor. Worn by the High Priest Duana of the Dawnfather as she fell in the Battle of Ghor Dranas. Once a treasure of the Sutan bloodline, it was lost in a card game to the fire giant Juuraiel. It is currently in the possession of Pike Trickfoot.
Spire of Conflux
A powerful relic made from Melora's breath, passed down from generation to generation of Ashari leaders. For a time, the Spire lay within the stomach of a goristro named Yenk, who devoured the staff along with its wielder. It is currently in the possession of Keyleth.
Titanstone Knuckles
Carved from the heartstone of a ruined earth primordial, these gauntlets bestow immeasurable might to the wearer. Taken from the corpse of its previous owner, the Knuckles were worn by Kevdak, Thunderlord of the Herd of Storms, before being claimed by his nephew, Grog Strongjaw.
Whisper
Forged with a mercurial metal pulled from the Far Realm, light dances and shifts across this curved blade. Lost to the depths of the Ozmit Sea aboard the wreck of The Shrew, the dagger was recovered by Kynan Leore. It is currently in the possession of Vax'ildan, who took it with him as he followed the Raven Queen into the afterlife.
Vestiges found by others
Circlet of Barbed Vision
Upon wearing this circlet of gnarled onyx, black barbs dig into the wearer's head, imparting power as it twists the wearer's appearance to amuse the Spider Queen. It was robbed from the Blightstar by a group of rookie adventurers, who were inspired by the circlet to name themselves the Crown Keepers. The circlet is currently worn by Opal.
Condemner
This shadow-touched heavy crossbow once served as the weapon of choice for the legendary assassin Todora. It is currently in possession of Ixrattu Khar, a tiefling vampire and member of the Remnants.
Kiss of the Changebringer
This beautiful, glittering emerald is set within the center of a silver chain, humming with power and possibility. It was claimed by a group of Aurora Watch soldiers after being found in the depths of Bazzoxan.
Pyremaul
Forged from deep red iron, this massive hammer is set with a brilliant fire opal that shimmers with eternal flame. It is rumored to be in the possession of Grand Legate Phaestor, the fire giant ruler of Vulkanon.
Star Razor
Forged by a union of acolytes of Melora and Sehanine, Star Razor carries the blessing of the fiercest full moon and starlit night. Sundered and reforged by Dulgrim Smeltborne of Uthodurn, the blade was broken again in a battle in the ruins of Molaesmyr. Its pieces were scattered, eventually reunited and reforged again by Umagorn Smeltborne. It is currently in the possession of Fjord of the Mighty Nein, who did not know about the Vestiges until Allura Vysoren identified his weapon as one.
Wreath of the Prism
This loop of golden thorns is inset with dozens of gems representing the five colors of Tiamat. It is currently in the possession of Arkhan the Cruel, who found it in the Vault of Shumas in Marquet with the assistance of Percival de Rolo and Keyleth, among others.
Undiscovered Vestiges in Exandria
From Critical Role: Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting
From Explorer's Guide to Wildemount
- Danoth's Visor
- Grimoire Infinitus
- Hide of the Feral Guardian
- Infiltrator's Key
- Stormgirdle
- Verminshroud
From Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 See Critical Role: Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 110.
- ↑ See "Duskmeadow" (1x57) at 2:57:55.
- ↑ See "The Sunken Tomb" (1x44) at 0:10:05.
- ↑ See "A Name Is Earned" (1x49) at 4:42:30.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 274.
Art:
- ↑ Official art of Vox Machina's Vestiges, by Kent Davis (source). Used with permission.
