And here is the revised tale of Vyzza and Atria, and the new blade that results. Setup is the same, some of the steps are the same, but others are different, and as a whole I was much luckier with the dice this time, yielding a much better result. Here goes:
***
Somewhere within the borders of the nation of Andoran lies the lair of the Golden Dragon Vyzza. Like most Gold Dragons, Vyzza is known for her wisdom, but she is also renowned as a skilled weaponsmith, having learned techniques from Elves, Dwarves, and many other Ancestries to forge a wide variety of enchanted swords.
However, even remaining mostly secluded in her lair, Vyzza has still been able to keep abreast of current events. The undead sorcerer Tar-Barphon, the Whispering Tyrant, has escaped from his prison, established a base of operations in the Isle of Terror, and nearly took over the city of Absalom. Tensions between Andoran, a newly-freed democratic republic, and the demon-worshipping empire of Cheliax are rising and approaching the brink of war. She has even heard rumors of a cult of demon-worshippers on the move, attempting to set in motion a plot which might threaten all of Golarion.
Then, one day in 4720 AR, Vyzza received a visitor. A humble farmer, one who was guided to Vyzza’s lair in a dream. Atria wasn’t even the one who owned her farm, just one of the hired hands. And yet she held great passion and strength that shone through when talking to Vyzza, and a willingness to fight to defend her home.
She just needed a blade. One Vyzza could provide.
Wood 0, Fire 0, Earth 0, Metal 0, Water 0
Destiny: 20
Bones of the Blade
Of course, Vyzza couldn’t just make a sword out of thin air, and her hoard lacked any materials suitable for forging a blade for Atria. A special material was needed, and so Vyzza sent Atria out to steal some gold out from under the sleeping Red Dragon Daralathxyl, the ‘sixth king’ of the Five Kings Mountains. It was a harrowing, perilous journey, but eventually Atria returned with the gold - and with two traveling companions, “Mika” and “Lina”.
Rolled 4 Dice: 2 (Fire)x2
Wood 0, Fire 2, Earth 0, Metal 0, Water 0
Destiny: 20 - 4 = 16
Heat and Hammer
Now it was time to work the material into a blade. Vyzza, who was laughing internally from the irony of a Gold Dragon using the spoils of a Red Dragon’s hoard, did not need a traditional smithing fire, instead using her own draconic flames to heat the metal, while still keeping a careful eye on the delicate changes of color in the metal while hammering it into the desired shape. Thinking of the simple longsword Atria had started her journey with, Vyzza shaped the blade into a broadsword, her blows with the hammer engraving an elegant damascus pattern down the blade’s length.
Rolled 4 Dice: 1 (Wood)x3
Wood 3, Fire 2, Earth 0, Metal 0, Water 0
Destiny: 16 - 4 = 12
Bathe the Blade
Once the blade was hot enough and in the desired shape, it was time to quench it, so it was hard enough to withstand the trials that lay ahead for Atria. She doused the blade in blessed water from a nearby enchanted spring that glittered in the light. The steam released from the hot metal cast magnificent rainbows.
Rolled 4 Dice: 5 (Water) +1
Wood 3, Fire 2, Earth 0, Metal 0, Water 2
Destiny: 12 - 4 = 8
Stone and Edge
Once the blade was shaped and forged, it needed to be sharpened to a razor’s edge. Atria frequently peeked in during the process,but Vyzza was a Gold Dragon who had lived for millennia, to the point where some would consider her ancient. Vyzza had the patience, the endurance, and more importantly the tools. She used a simple whetstone which was one that she often used for such purposes
Rolled 4 Dice: 3 (Earth) +1
Wood 3, Fire 2, Earth 2, Metal 0, Water 2
Destiny: 8 - 4 = 4
The Power of a Name
Finally, it was time to finish the blade. Vyzza gave it a hilt and a crossguard, but it needed to be infused with magic to be any more than just a well-made sword. It also needed a name. Vyzza sat in human form with the blade in her lap, meditating for three days and nights. Atria, understandably, was confused and didn’t think it looked like a ritual at all… until an otherworldly creature, an Archon serving Iomedae itself, appeared to touch the blade with a conferred blessing from the Goddess.
Rolled 4 Dice: 6 (Energy)
Wood 3, Fire 2, Earth 2, Metal 2, Water 2
To Battle
Amber Justice is a golden broadsword which has an elegant Damascus pattern running down its length, making it look as if the whispering blade were made of amber. And while it is primarily a Wood element blade, it has enough harmony across all the elements to be a true Holy sword, able to cut through trees and powerful enough to fell a giant… though that power will only grow over time.
It will serve Atria well in her quest to protect her home…
***
And there you have it. My first true Holy Sword with this game. Like Vyzza, I laughed at the irony of a Gold Dragon (Lawful Good) forging a blade with gold stolen out from under a Red Dragon (Chaotic Evil), which was why I chose Fire as opposed to Metal in Bones of the Blade. And as a Wood Element sword, I feel Amber Justice fits Atria better than Lightseeker did, given that she was originally a simple farmgirl (Farmhand background as per PF2E rules).
I hope everyone enjoys, and hope to get feedback. :)