Scepter of Truth
The Scepter of Truth was needed during a time when the royal line of the Kingdom of Dalriada wasn't certain who was actually of the blood.
Created hastily at the request of the King, no other functions were built into the scepter; if someone not of the royal family line touches the scepter they will feel intense pain, pain enough that they can no longer hide that they are clearly a usurper.
Description
A beautifully crafted scepter, a symbol of royal authority and strength in one of the richest Kingdoms known to any living race, the artifact fell out of favor with the royal family after the succession crisis that necessitated it's creation. The gold is of the highest quality and the diamonds as well.
The workmanship is something that many would consider master-level on the purely physical level but the magic added to it is seen as somewhat more impressive as it was kept so incredibly subtle that most people can't even tell that it is enchanted at all until the pain hits.
The workmanship is something that many would consider master-level on the purely physical level but the magic added to it is seen as somewhat more impressive as it was kept so incredibly subtle that most people can't even tell that it is enchanted at all until the pain hits.
History
When it was first created, the Kingdom had an issue where several people claimed that they were the rightful Prince, curses, magic and plain intrigue making it hard for the elderly, mentally deteriorated, King to tell his own son apart from the impostors.
To stave off a war of succession, the Kingdom sought the aid of master mages and craftsmen in secret. The King's most trusted of advisors commissioned the work before bringing the scepter to the capital. Once there the King's blood was extracted by a spell to be sucked into the main diamond of the scepter.
With the scepter attuned to his bloodline, it was passed from pretender to pretender as they were told that if they could stand to hold it then their blood was true and their claim would be upheld. None refused to hold the scepter but all those who tried to fool it found that it's magical senses were beyond them and they were not able to hide their failure.
Once the true heir was found to be able to hold the scepter without issue or pain, the pretenders to the thrown were rounded up and publicly executed. As far as the public knew, they had been found out by more traditional means and only the royals and the highest of nobility knew that whoever could hold the scepter during their coronation was a true heir of the line.
Over time however, the scepter used less and less use until it was given to a museum to be admired by the general public. If anyone in the know commented on the fact that none of the current rulers have ever held the scepter, no one would ever know.
To stave off a war of succession, the Kingdom sought the aid of master mages and craftsmen in secret. The King's most trusted of advisors commissioned the work before bringing the scepter to the capital. Once there the King's blood was extracted by a spell to be sucked into the main diamond of the scepter.
With the scepter attuned to his bloodline, it was passed from pretender to pretender as they were told that if they could stand to hold it then their blood was true and their claim would be upheld. None refused to hold the scepter but all those who tried to fool it found that it's magical senses were beyond them and they were not able to hide their failure.
Once the true heir was found to be able to hold the scepter without issue or pain, the pretenders to the thrown were rounded up and publicly executed. As far as the public knew, they had been found out by more traditional means and only the royals and the highest of nobility knew that whoever could hold the scepter during their coronation was a true heir of the line.
Over time however, the scepter used less and less use until it was given to a museum to be admired by the general public. If anyone in the know commented on the fact that none of the current rulers have ever held the scepter, no one would ever know.