Dawnstriker (weapon)

Lore


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 initiate Orana into 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. It was 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 dagger issued a single word into her subconscious; "Dawnstriker...".

Stats


"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.

Current Status
Unfortunately, Orana lost the blade in a failed assassination attempt, and has since been wielding a variety of daggers and swords in it's stead.

Unknown to Orana, the dagger has been found by Vadid, a Forsaken Warrior and one of her former companions. While the dagger is unwieldy in his hands, it is more than receptive of his attempts to reunite the blade with it's mistress.