Black Scythe

The Black Scythe, also known as the Usurper Blade, is an ancient and powerful cursed scimitar whose ultimate origins are shrouded in mystery. The blade rose to prominence in the hands of Sayid ibn Maimun, a member of Alexandria's First Stand. It is believed by many people both learned and otherwise that the blade is still active, and simply chooses to remain in the shadows because it is infamous and easily recognizable (which complicates its disruptive agenda).

History

The origins of the Scythe are unknown, but some obvious facts can be inferred. What is known is that it was initially discovered in one of the few remaining tribes of servitor Naga in the service of Arek and the Dark Fiend. Stylistically, the blade appears to be a Dark Naga artifact, as scimitars were popular weapons among them and its black and green coloring is consistent with their fashion. Its enchantments and its activities at the time suggest an ambitious purpose--that it was forged to overthrow the Demi-Pantheon in service of the chaotic Dark Fiend, or perhaps even dated from the First War.

Some say that Sayid's personal ambition, disregard for tradition and establishment, and disruptive life appealed to some secret agenda of the weapon. Others suggest that the blade was a force of primal destruction that meshed with Sayid's reckless nature and incredible martial prowess. In either case, when the blade fell into the hands of Sayid, the two began a long, active, and synchronous relationship, and it was his weapon of choice in the Peteran Civil War, Alexandria's Crusade, and, according to many, the Martyrdom. These events are the primary reason the blade is known to history at all.

After Sayid's death, the Black Scythe was moved into a secure vault and warded by Peteran abjurers. They ultimately underestimated the power of the Scythe, and over the course of the twenty years it orchestrated an escape. The blade tempted the Red Wizard Muhadeen, and he was lured by the blade and liberated it. Muhadeen's ambition was misplaced, for he was nothing more than a vehicle for the Scythe, and was quickly sent on the run and lost at sea.

Since its escape, the blade's history has been shrouded in mystery. Given the history of the blade and its role in the death of the Church's godhead, it is the subject of a significant amount of conspiracy theory. Some believe that it was recovered by Sahuagin and lost from the human political scene. Others have suggested it was stolen by Utrell pirates and played a role in Barbannan's Crusade. Not surprisingly, various sources have implicated the blade, at one point or another, in every Interregnums and myriad conspiracy theories. Whatever its fate or current activities, however, the blade has not been seen publicly seen since the death of Sayid.