The Legends speak of the mighty Sceptre of the Sun, used by the archpaladin Nistar BIblade in his battles with the White Wyrm of Nevaskarty, long before he founded the (short lived) Empire of Seasfar. The sceptre had passed through many heroes (and villians) hands before Nistar held, and lost, it. Nistar lost the sceptre during a shipwreck in a "wonderous land inhabited by a hauntingly beutiful people who weild the very forces of the gods". Nistar took this a sign that he had been visited and launched a crusade from which he never returned. Modern scholars belive that Nistar, who was slightly "touched" at the best of times actually washed ashore somewhere in Seriathior (it was from the south that he returned to Seasfar, his home and seat of his empire). Since those days, many a would be hero has quested after the sceptre, with no success. Nistar hid it while being pursued by a force of creatures out of Darkfell Castle. His writing state that he catched it in a cave, "facing the boundless and bountiful sea, watched over by the very forces of history." (Yes, he was a loon.) Some scholars think that the creatures of darkfell took it, and that it disappeared into that realm. Others think that it was recovered by him and used on his holy mission, and so passed away from the realms of man. Others think that it was found years ago, and is gathering dust in a treasury somewhere, its purpose and powers long forgotten.
In appearence, the sceptre is striking. Over a foot long, the entire sceptre was carved out of a single gemstone, mixing ruby and topaz to catch the same hues as the sun. The head is shaped like a dancing flame. The whole thing is about 2 inches in diameter. Even with out its historical and magical signifigance, the sceptre would be priceless for as a gem.
the characters begin to search for the sceptre in order to find thier missing companion - Martin. The characters will be forced to research the history of the gem, and then retrace Nistar's trek to its hiding place.