Serpentsbane Orb

The Serpentsbane Orb was an artifact created by Zao the drow sorceress. It was designed to capture and destroy the immortal spirit of Explictica Defilus, a naga who plagued the western Mainland during the Light Age.

Appearance

The artifact was a jet black sphere, approximately 5.5 inches in diameter. Unlike a sphere of annihilation, light reflected off the Serpentsbane Orb's surface, and the obsidian-like material was partially translucent.

Origins of the Orb

During the adventures of Zao, a sorceress from the underground kingdom of Veil, and her companions, they chanced to encounter Explictica Defilus. The naga was a twisted form of the fallen paladin hero, Sir Alris Ocedius, who had previously brought ruin to the region. In the 19th century LA, the naga had been working toward domination, gathering influence, personnel, and materiel necessary to conquer the northwestern Mainland.

After tracking the enemy to his lair and defeating several of his lieutenants, Zao and her friends- the exiled dwarf Calund Lavabelly and the itinerant tabaxi Rainbow After Rain- engaged and defeated Defilus. However, the naga's dark bargain allowed him to be resurrected within days. It became clear to Zao and the others that ending the threat of Explictica Defilus would be not as easy as simply slaying the monster.

In 1898 LA, Zao used drow black magic to construct the Serpentsbane Orb, a weapon with which she hoped to destroy Explictica Defilus. However, her plans were dashed as the master thief Rainbow After Rain, disgusted by Zao's plan, stole the Orb and took it through the Ruloi Caves to his homeland of Zatal. It was lost there after the tabaxi's death, and was not found for nearly a hundred years.

Use of the Orb

The Serpentsbane Orb was said to contain and annihilate the spirit of any creature placed within. However, an unintended side effect of the black magic used to create the orb meant that it was "eclipsed in the hands of darkness", according to cleric Calund Lavabelly. Any person not of the purest spirit would find themselves also a victim of the Orb's power, meaning it could only be used at the expense of one's own spirit.

Zao had been willing to sacrifice her life to end that of Defilus, but her companions would not allow it, citing Pelor's scripture: "darkness cannot drive away darkness; only light can do that". The group split apart, and the Orb was kept hidden with the tabaxi until the next century.

The Warriors of Faith

In 1996 LA, the Warriors of Faith found themselves in a time with a resurgent Explictica Defilus. Seeking a way to end the threat of the naga as their predecessors had, the five paladins followed the trail of Zao, Calund, and Rainbow After Rain. When the time came for the final showdown, however, their insight revealed that the Orb was not the way to end the threat. In an historic display of true paladinhood, the Warriors of Faith stymied their aggressive response and convinced Explictica Defilus to surrender. This eventually led to the redemption of Sir Alris Ocedius, and the subsequent golden age of Pitharas.

The Orb was never used.

It was presumed destroyed by the Aegis by 2000 LA.