OrichalcumRoseofWar

When I was studying Shogunate eara literary commentaries, I found a number of references to the "Tale of War and Peace". The commentaries refer to it as alternatively a folk narrative, a work of epic poetry, or a series of heartbreakingly beautiful sonnets. I came to believe that the Tale was a common story with versions in many different languages. This itself is not so unusual, common stories were of course much more frequent in the days when the First Age communication networks were still intact. More remarkably, the story was actually encouraged by the Dragon-Blooded, who were said to tell it as a parable about the price of pride, and the power of the United Many to stand againist the Strongest One.

Unforunately, the story seems to have disappeared midway through the Shogunate, and I had never been able to locate a copy. Still, whenever I passed through a town, I made a point of asking a local Storyteller if he had heard of the tale. One day, while I was passing through a small village far to the North, I met an old man who knew the story. His telling of it left me bitterly disappointed, for it was neither particularly beautiful nor epic. Still, I repeat it here for what it is worth: SagaofWarandPeace

Seeing my disappointment, the old man directed me to ruler of the region, who was said to be a great lover of old tales. I eagerly hurried to the local capital. It had been many seasons since I had had regular work, and I hoped this ruler might have a postion in his court for a well traveled scholar. What I saw at the court scared me out of any thoughts of employment. For I saw that the court was filled with frightening creatures, who resembled Great Snow Owls, but walked about as men. And the Hall of the King was made of mud, and the feathers of his children, and when I was brought before the court, I saw that the king glowed softly, as the moon.

And the King, who was very learned, reassured me, and we spoke at great length about the Tale. He told me many stories about War and Peace, not all of which he believed:

-The Fair Folk say Peace's workshop was in the part of Creation that fell to their invasion. Peace was within it when this hapened, and the Lunar is now an ancient Chimera, living in a gossamer palace within the deep wyld.

-Although Peace perferred to rely on diplomacy and compassion to keep the world safe, some say he had a savvier side as well. He had a device that instilled love in the hearts of all who looked upon it, thus making peace throughout all the world. This device was used by the Solar Deliberative to enforce world peace. Other stories claim the device was actually a terrible weapon that would destroy the entire world if it was ever used, and that the deliberative kept peace by threatening to unleash this weapon if any attacked it.

-Some claim that after the usurpation, Peace's creations were stolen by an Secret Army of the Gods, who took them to Heaven for safekeeping.

-War and Peace survived the usurpation and are as powerful as ever. They sit upon their thrones in Heaven, and look down upon the world. When Creation is on the brink of total destruction, War will come down and destroy the feuding armies, and then Peace will reign forever.

-Of all peace's creations, the Orichalchum Rose of War and Moonsilver Dove of Peace are the most powerful.

Stats

Orichalchum Rose of War:

When unattuned, the Orichalchum Rose of War appears as a delicate painted rose of thin gold. By holding it and making an Occult roll, any Mortal or Exalt can cause the Orichalchum Rose to omit any perfume he can dream of. If its owner pays 8 motes to attune the Rose, then it takes on the color and aspect of a real rose: the petals are soft and flexible, the stem is green, and the rose smells fresh regardless of the weather. Af the Orichalchum Rose is kept in one place, then the area up to 10 yards around it will be filled with lush plant life. If there are any plants in the area, they will prosper. If not, then Roses will begin to grow on stone, wood, or whatever is avaible. Alternatively, if a parent carries the Rose on their person, then all their children will grow healthy and strong, immune to all but the worst malnutrition, disease, or birth defects. This applies to children still in the womb and children living apart from their parents, but not children who have already reached adulthood. These properties alone make the Rose worth a king's ransom. It is not until its owner activates the Dance of Ephemeral Joy that the Rose's true power becomes apparent. Each petal on the rose reveals it self to be thousands of orchichalchum petals carefully pushed together into one petal. If Falling Rose Petal Style activates, the Martial Artist may use the Orichalchum Rose of War instead of the Dance of Flitting Death for his weapon. Unlike the Dance, the Rose may be used to parrying. Indeed, it may be used to parry any attack within the radius of the Dance, including attacks made againist others, attacks using arrows, and so forth. This also allows two parrys to be applied againist one attack: one parry from the Rose, and one from some other source. All attacks and blocks made by the Rose may not be enhanced or granted by Charms, except for Charms of the Falling Rose Petal Style.

Here are ths stats for the Rose:

Orichalchum Rose of War

Speed: +4

Accuracy: +4

Damage: +2 L

Defense: +3

Rate: Infinite

Minium Stats: Wits 4

Artifact Rating: 5

Comments

Fixed a small text issue you were having. Hope you dont mind? BTW love the weapon and the Art it used with. - Issaru

No, thanks a lot! I always feel a little bad when people take the time to deal with my text problems, but I appreciate that and the complement. -MeiRen