Dawnstriker (weapon)

Creation


Orana Dawnstriker's arrival in the former kingdom of Lordaeron was no coincidence to Lady Sylvanas Windrunner. The Banshee Queen, having staunchly believed that the final attack on the Sunwell had all but extinguished her former people, was presented with living proof that the Quel'dorei were very much alive. Despite her loyalty to her new people, the Forsaken, Sylvanas still held some love for Quel'thalas, and it was perhaps this notion that drove the Dark Lady to overrule Varimathras and send Orana the Deathstalkers, Sylvanas' own band of assassins. With this new role came a gift from the Dark Lady; an enchanted blade that was aptly named 'Dawnstriker' after it's owner.

Prior to it's enchantment, the dagger was merely a straight-edged, dull training blade intended for Deathstalker initiates. On the Dark Lady's request, the dagger was sent to the Undercity's War Quarter, where Weapon Master Archibald was tasked with forging the blade into something more fitting for a rogue of Orana's skill.

The blade was lengthened, and various kinks hammered into it; the dagger's reach was increased as a result, and the blade would ensure that any lasting wounds inflicted were as detrimental to the victim as possible. Archibald's masterpiece, however, was the inclusion of several black barbs woven around the hilt and base of the blade, which he knew would help reduce the problem of mail and plate armour that so many Deathstalkers faced.

Pleased with his work, the dagger was sent on to the Undercity's main enchantress, Lavinia Crowe, for the next stage of it's journey. She was clearly impressed by the work completed on the dagger thus far, and began to impart her most powerful enchants onto the blade. The blade was given a mind of it's own, and Crowe's abilities enabled her to bind the dagger to it's wielder. A pristine pearl was encased in the base of the handle, bewitched with rudimentary healing properties and an inherent lust for blood; perfect for any Deathstalker, let alone the 'live one'.

Finally the dagger was ready, and presented to Orana by Sylvanas herself. As she took the hilt from the Dark Lady, the blade began to shimmer an eerie violet hue. Staring at the dagger in awe, it issued a single word into her subconscious; "Dawnstriker...".

Notable Features


"A good Rogue makes sure the first strike is always the last" - Orana Dawnstriker

Orana is a firm believer in the above phrase, and as such rarely carried a second weapon with her. She strikes fast, and she hits hard. This also leaves her off-hand free to hurl poisons, oils and punches at her opponent.

Armour always proves to be a problem to Orana if she is drawn into a prolonged battle; to counter this problem, Dawnstriker was forged with several blackened, enchanted barbs that may uncover a kink in the opponent's defences at any time.

Perhaps the greatest enchantment on the blade was it's fierce protection of it's owner; should Orana find herself nearing defeat, the blade will sense her waning strength and exhaust it's magic in order to heal her wounds.

The enchanted blade seemed to carry a penchant for blood; should Orana cause her opponent to bleed, it will take longer for the wound to heal.

Thus far the dagger has only 'spoken' to Orana once, and thus it's unlikely that it may do so again.

The 'Vessel'
Unfortunately, Orana lost the blade in a failed attempt on the life of a necromancer, and has since been wielding a variety of daggers and swords in it's stead, notably Magebane, the sword of her former friend Balen Blackstead.

Over a year later, Orana sent Vadid, a Forsaken who had pledged a life-debt to her, to retrieve the enchanted dagger, a mission he completed after an extensive search. Unknown to Vadid, however, the dagger falling into his hands was an elaborate plan by the necromancer to wreak revenge on the failed assassin, and the blade had been corrupted further by his experiments.

Vadid eventually found his mistress, handing the dagger to her via Nekko Dawnmist. The necromancer's experiments on the blade began to come to light as Orana began to act differently; she was more aggressive, her quiet disposition waned and she began to develop an startling proficiency for various spells. Attempts to combat the new Orana revealed that the necromancer was in fact controlling the woman's body, her spirit essentially sealed within her own weapon.

Those close to Orana began to learn of her predicament, but by this point the necromancer had grown accustomed to his new 'Vessel', and was able to fend off attacks with the greatest ease, his magical abilities matching perfectly to the physical prowess of his new host. Yet there was a weakness; whenever something of great importance to Orana was nearby, the necromancer's power waned; the emotional stimulus allowed Orana to regain control of her physical being, albeit for the briefest of moments. This usually occured when Xanithar Flameseeker was in the vicinity, though also occured when Rosaceae Dawnstriker and her child faced the 'Vessel'.

In the meantime, Vadid had been busy assisting Nekko in training and learning more about the various enchantments placed upon the dagger. The pair learned that the soul trapping enchantment, while effective, could easily be reversed should the enchanter utter the name of the lost soul.

Bearing this knowledge in mind, the pair faced off against the possessed Orana. Vadid was bested with a wave of a hand, and Nekko was left to draw the 'Vessel' into combat down the Dead Scar, taunting and coercing the necromancer further away from Silvermoon. The 'Vessel' continued to fire various spells into the dark, but the nimble rogue evaded his attacks. He had underestimated his opponent, and in his rage he snarled "curse you, Dawnstriker!".

The effect was instantaneous. Orana recovered complete control over her body, and she collapsed to the ground, the dagger skidding away across the tainted soil. After recovering, Orana wrapped the blade in the 'Vessel's discarded robes, and requested that her friend hide the weapon immediately.

Current Status
Hidden away by Nekko Dawnmist.