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{{Greyhawk item
The '''''Orb of Sol''''' is a "holy artifact of great symbolic importance to the [[Aerdi]] people,{{cite lgj|6|102}} dedicated to Good which has magical powers related to sun and light.
 
The creation of the original thirteen [[death knight]]s is tied to the history of the ''Orb''.
 
The ''Orb of Sol'' is possessed by [[Saint Benedor]] who uses it in his crusade against [[death knight]]s.
{{Item
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|name    = Orb of Sol
|name    = ''Orb of Sol''
|type    =  
|type    = Artifact
|price    =
|price    =
|body    =  
|body    =  
|caster  = Artifact
|caster  = 20+
|weight  = 5 - 10 lbs
|weight  = 5-10 lbs
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}}
== Description ==
The ''Orb of Sol'' is a golden sphere, otherwise smooth except for runes engraved on its surface. 


== History ==
== History ==
According to legend, the origins of this ancient artifact predate the Great Migrations of prehistory. That the Orb was carried across the Flanaess by the Aerdi tribes a millenium ago is a certainty, for there are many contemporaneous accounts of its use in the halfway lands by such migrations-era luminaries as Orelon the Wan and the much revered high-priest Lothan (one is particularly drawn to the translated histories of Nezirdas of Rel Deven). Of the apocryphal period before the migrations, only fragments of narrative exist. It is believed that the Orb was a gift from the Gods to the heliotheocratic Oeridian peoples of central Oerik to inspire their defense against predatory neighboring tribes who worshipped daemons and other monstrous fiends. Many later legends connect its use to the priestess Johydee who reportedly used the powers of the Orb against the depraved enemies of the Aerdi tribes while they were scrambling to escape the all-engulfing wars of the Suel and Baklunish in the Far West. It was carried in battle against dark Ur-Flan necromancers and Suel Wizards alike before the founding of the Great Kingdom. Over the centuries, its appearances became increasing rare and its verity passed into legend. It has become such a powerful symbol of Aerdi unity that few realize today that it was an actual object, its true value and purpose now lost to the mists.
=== Beginning of death knights ===
Lord [[Kargoth]], when mortal, sought to strike against his former order, the [[Knight Protectors]]. Rather than attacking a main stronghold or fortress of the order, he chose to attack a small temple near [[Rel Deven]] (the temple of Lothan), since it was where the ''Orb of Sol'' had been secreted away. He planned to steal it, draw the knights out, and defeat them using the ''Orb''.  Thirteen others followed him on the mission, though did not know his plan or his pact with [[Demogorgon]].{{cite lgj|6|102-103}} 
 
Kargoth had been taught evil magic to twist the power of the ''Orb'', and used words of power to magically force open a ''gate'' to Demogorgon's layer of the [[Abyss]], through which came [[Arendagrost]], who went on to cause destruction and chaos throughout the region.{{cite lgj|6|102-103}}


== Description ==
When he opened it, however, an earthquake shook the temple, Kargoth's hands were burnt until they began smoking, and great, holy fire leapt from the ''Orb'', throwing Kargoth against the wall and burned him and his thirteen compatriots to death. Other Knight Protectors came with Benedor (who was the new commander of the order) and came to investigate the "smoking ruin" that was all that was left of the temple.  He obtained the ''Orb'' still at its place in its chamber, and the dead former knights, though Lord Kargoth was nowhere to be found. He witnessed the thirteen former Knight Protectors rising as [[death knight]]s there in the chamber, though they escaped at the time.{{cite lgj|6|102-103}}
Its physical description is fairly uncomplicated, though remarkable in its own way. It is a perfect sphere of golden metal (approximately 5 inches in diameter) inlaid with subtle runes throughout its entire surface. Careful study of the runes reveals the markings to be <em>Holy Words</em> written in dozens of languages, including Ancient Suel, Old Oeridian, and the tongue of the Olman. The large majority of these runes are so obscure as to be utterly lost to translation. Some scholars have posited its origins as perhaps Pelorian. Others think it beyond the creation of any one god. It emits a soft yellow glow at rest, but shines fiercely when its powers are activated. It is depicted in this latter state in the heraldry of the kingdom, usually with undulating rays of power. The Orb of Sol is incredibly light, weighing only 5-10 pounds, leading many to suspect that it is hollow or contains some hidden compartment. Over the ages, however, no breach has ever been found on its surface.
 
When St. Benedor stopped an attempted invasion of [[Delaric]] in [[209 CY]] by newer death knights leading an "undead army", he once again "unleashed the ''Orb of Sol'' and the artifact destroyed Lord [[Farian]], immolating the death knight in curtains of strange white flame"{{cite lgj|7|97}}


==Rumors/Legends==
== Powers ==
Centuries of neglect by Aerdi rulers allowed the Orb to fall out of the public consciousness. Pagan beliefs in an all-powerful Sun Power gave way to a polytheism of more closely involved, practical, urban and societal gods. By the time of the creation of the Great Kingdom, the Orb of Sol had little more than symbolic value. In -24 CY, the Court Mage Schandor had the Orb secretly transported out of Rauxes to a resting place at the Temple of Lothan near Rel Deven which was then under the protection of House Cranden. There it remained under token watch for centuries. In 203 CY, it was recovered by the young St. Benedor (then chief among the Knight Protectors of the Great Kingdom) and used in his crusade against the newly sired Death Knights in the years following their creation. In 213 CY, after more than a decade in his possession, it is presumed that St. Benedor lost the Orb in a great battle against the villainous Lord Kargoth. Neither one is thought to have recovered it since, though various rumors have emerged over the centuries. The valorous saint was permanently blinded by the battle, though the Lord of the Death Knights was himself banished from the prime material plane for a time. St. Benedor was rumoured to have rediscovered the location of the Orb of Sol in 504 CY, but these reports also reached the other Death Knights and a chase between these fiends and the Valrous Knight ensued. No one is thought to have recovered the Orb and St. Benedor has not been sighted in the Flanaess since. It is rumored that the Orb passed into Almor some years ago under the protection of the Prelate, but if so, it likely remains buried under the ruins of Chathold. The Death Knights continue to search for the object they believe will end their everlasting curse, for it was the Orb which burned them and left them low to the mercies of the beast, Demogorgon.


==Powers==
== See also ==
The reported ambient powers of the Orb work at all times, but to activate its special abilities requires the knowledge to decipher its runes as well as great wisdom. The Orb will scald any inherently evil being in direct contact with the sphere. It is often hot to the touch, regardless. Some of the known and reputed powers of the Orb of Sol include (most are activated through invocation of combinations of the holy words written on the sphere):
* ''[[Bilious Sphere]]''—an "obscene parody of the ''Orb of Sol''".{{cite lgj|7|91-92}}


* Powers
== External link ==
* need to be
{{External link disclaimer}}
* listed
* [http://www.canonfire.com/cf/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=184 ''Orb of Sol''], at Canonfire.com, by [[Gary Holian]].  The original author of the source material for the ''Orb of Sol'' gives his own in-depth history, powers, and legends about the ''Orb'', published at the same time as "The Death Knights of Oerth, part 2." (Jan 2002)..


== References ==
=== Notes ===
<references group="note" />
=== Citations ===
<references />
=== Bibliography ===
*[[Gary Holian|Holian, Gary]]. "The Death Knights of [[Oerth]]." ''[[Living Greyhawk Journal]]'' #6 ''([[dragmag|Dragon]]''' #290). Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
:———. "[[Demogorgon]]'s Champions: The Death Knights of [[Oerth]], part 2."  ''[[Living Greyhawk Journal]]'' #7 ''(''[[dragmag|Dragon]]'' #291. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2002.
{{index}}


[[Category:Artifacts]]
[[Category:Artifacts]]

Latest revision as of 10:24, 16 June 2025

The Orb of Sol is a "holy artifact of great symbolic importance to the Aerdi people,[1] dedicated to Good which has magical powers related to sun and light.

The creation of the original thirteen death knights is tied to the history of the Orb.

The Orb of Sol is possessed by Saint Benedor who uses it in his crusade against death knights.

Greyhawk Item
Orb of Sol
General information
Type:Artifact
Rules
Caster lvl:20+
Weight:5-10 lbs

Description

The Orb of Sol is a golden sphere, otherwise smooth except for runes engraved on its surface.

History

Beginning of death knights

Lord Kargoth, when mortal, sought to strike against his former order, the Knight Protectors. Rather than attacking a main stronghold or fortress of the order, he chose to attack a small temple near Rel Deven (the temple of Lothan), since it was where the Orb of Sol had been secreted away. He planned to steal it, draw the knights out, and defeat them using the Orb. Thirteen others followed him on the mission, though did not know his plan or his pact with Demogorgon.[2]

Kargoth had been taught evil magic to twist the power of the Orb, and used words of power to magically force open a gate to Demogorgon's layer of the Abyss, through which came Arendagrost, who went on to cause destruction and chaos throughout the region.[2]

When he opened it, however, an earthquake shook the temple, Kargoth's hands were burnt until they began smoking, and great, holy fire leapt from the Orb, throwing Kargoth against the wall and burned him and his thirteen compatriots to death. Other Knight Protectors came with Benedor (who was the new commander of the order) and came to investigate the "smoking ruin" that was all that was left of the temple. He obtained the Orb still at its place in its chamber, and the dead former knights, though Lord Kargoth was nowhere to be found. He witnessed the thirteen former Knight Protectors rising as death knights there in the chamber, though they escaped at the time.[2]

When St. Benedor stopped an attempted invasion of Delaric in 209 CY by newer death knights leading an "undead army", he once again "unleashed the Orb of Sol and the artifact destroyed Lord Farian, immolating the death knight in curtains of strange white flame"[3]

Powers

See also

Disclaimer:Any lore presented through the following links does not necessarily adhere to established officially published content, and the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of this wiki.

  • Orb of Sol, at Canonfire.com, by Gary Holian. The original author of the source material for the Orb of Sol gives his own in-depth history, powers, and legends about the Orb, published at the same time as "The Death Knights of Oerth, part 2." (Jan 2002)..

References

Notes

Citations

  1. ↑ Living Greyhawk Journal #6 (Dragon #290, Dec 2001), p.102.  
  2. ↑ a b c Living Greyhawk Journal #6 (Dragon #290, Dec 2001), p.102-103.  
  3. ↑ Living Greyhawk Journal #7 (Dragon #291, Jan 2002), p.97.  
  4. ↑ Living Greyhawk Journal #7 (Dragon #291, Jan 2002), p.91-92.  

Bibliography

———. "Demogorgon's Champions: The Death Knights of Oerth, part 2." Living Greyhawk Journal #7 (Dragon #291. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2002.

Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index

The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.

Topic Type Description Product Page/Card/Image

Orb of Sol Item Artifact, Dragon magazine #290 102, 103
Orb of Sol Item Artifact, Dragon magazine #291 97, 98
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