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Claw of Xynakt: (KLAW uv ZIN-act) Before 400 DR (origin/creation); 979 DR (received present name) - present
The Claw of Xynakt has been one of the banes of many lives in Serôs for centuries, and while many know of it, none know its true origins. Many believe it fell to Serôs from the surface-world “in a ship made of glass” while others suggest it was created from the bones of Dukars slain by morkoth (as the origin proffered by Xynakt himself). More than 900 years old, it has borne its current name for nearly four centuries.
The Claw provides a variety of powers, but the tales are all so varied and having the Claw lost for 200 years tends to stretch the truth of memories and stories. At the least, the Claw provides powers similar to those of the Dukars but with added power. It defends its wielder almost on its own, allows for spell absorption and reflection, and emits arcane energies all its own. Any other uses of the Claw remain hidden in arcane lore or memories undisturbed in this century.
Secret: The Claw of Xynakt is far older than any morkoth is willing to admit, for to do so is to diminish its importance within the legends of Xynakt the First Arcane. Its origins are lost to the currents, though the tritons at the Tower of Volar in Abydos recognize it as something older than any civilization currently extant in Serôs today. Previous wielders (which the morkoth do not acknowledge) include an ancient koalinth shaman, a drow matron who long ago brought her people into Serôs, and a power-mad duke of Aryselmalyr, though its most famous wielder was the First Arcane.
Elminster’s Notes: Ye must bear careful witness of the Claw and its current bearer, for while he does not wield its power to its greatest advantage (or corruption), its three previous bearers found more than enough mischief to wreak with it. Regardless of his attached name, Xynakt was not the first to wield the Claw, only its most adept and most infamous. If ye would know more of the Claw and its potentials, seek out Qos of Myth Nantar for his wisdom, though ye shall need patience to gain answers from that one.
See Also: Dukur Orders, Keros the Wanderer, Persana’s Blade, Qatoris, Claw of Xynakt

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