The Giant’s Sword (Petrichor 365)

The Giant’s Sword is a mystery, it was not there when Port Imperial was established then, one day, it was.  It is a sword scaled for use by a giant of the tempests, a good nine feet (2.75m) of blade and hilt emerge from the stone into which the remainder of the blade is embedded at a slight angle.  It was quickly roped off by the Imperial forces and signs posted, in multiple languages, warning people not to touch it.

They were quickly ignored.  The first few people who tried to pry it free were found either electrocuted or frozen to death, possibly both, and it claims at least a life every other week as someone tries to wrench it free or break the stone around it or use magic to shift it.  All have failed and those who have tried have been, at best, horribly injured.

Guard duty at the Giant’s Sword is used as punishment duty for the Imperial forces stationed at Port Imperial and there is usually at least one guard and sometimes as many as three posted to the small shelter nearby.   Next to the shelter is a rack of modified boat hooks on long poles to retrieve the bodies of anyone foolish enough to tamper with the sword.  The guards warn off people from interacting with the sword but, unless children are involved, rarely actively intervene to stop people, they know the sword can take care of itself.

During the day and early evening, there are inevitably one or more entertainers hanging around waiting to spin tales and sing songs about the sword, none of which can be verified, except for the gruesome deaths of those who have tried to move the sword.  A cart or two of souvenir sellers haunts the area by day, selling replica swords and other knick-knacks to those who come to see the Giant’s Sword.  Pamphlets showing the horrible deaths of those who have tried to take the sword (hand-colored ones are extra) are quite popular.  Several of the inns nearby charge a premium rate for their rooms that have a good view of the sword.

The blade of the sword is made of some blue-grey metal, possibly godsforged steel, and the grip looks to be some sort of carved ivory perhaps mammoth.

Notes: The giants, as a major force, were shattered and mostly wiped out by the dragons after the Gods War on the Blasted Plain of Yotenschlachfeld.  Though there are rumors of giants in the deep lands of Petrichor. 

Edit: Added the tourist trap notes, those had always been intended but I had forgotten to put them in.

Petrichor 365.  Previous entry: Seramis Threadneedle, Portmaster.  Next Entry: Fort Ajzure.

Image from goodfreephotos and is in the Public Domain.