The Aohd Charm

Full Item Description
Aohd Charms are generally some sort of small vial that is worn on a chain around the neck. Most tend to be small pewter and brass vials originally used to hold small amounts of blessed water. More peasant versions tend to be made out of wood or animal horn, and though very rare there are bone and ivory vials that often appear as Aohd Charms and sell for great deals of money. The Charm is filled with the tears of elf maidens, who according to tales are most reluctant to shed tears through their long and ageless lives.

History
Before the advent for rapid transit and near instant communication, all sorts of strange ideas and notions were formed about unknown people. In Aterrizar there are elves and those of mixed heritage, but they are a distinct minority. The lands to the west are called 'the elven lands' with an air of mystery. Central to that mystery is the great city of Aohd, the gateway between the world of man and elf. Genuine elven goods command high to exorbitant prices at market, and well made counterfeit or well presented shams can also bring high prices. The Elven Green Tea Company has made a huge fortune by playing on this common perception.

Some less than scrupulous cons have also come from the misconceptions between man and the elusive elves. In many of the old tales from the west, the tear of an elf maid falling on the face of a slain man can bring him back to life. Other tales speak of elven lords cleansing the ill of plague, healing mortal wounds with whispers of ancient songs and springs of commonly found herbs and berries. It is certainly a fact that the elves, most ancient of races, are masters of magic and the natural order of the world. The most common of these cons is that the tears of an elf will protect a wearer from nightmares, curses, and prevent them from catching diseases from unclean prostitutes.

Of course this is patently false. The charm is not in the vial, but in the charisma of the charlatan selling them to naive commoners, gullibles nobles, and easily duped 'wise men'. The liquid inside is most often local water with a pinch of salt in it, and perhaps, if the seller is especially good a pinch of lavender oil or atar of roses.

Aohd
While not going into full detail here, Aohd is indeed the 'gateway' between the lands of man and elf, but there is nothing magical about it. Aohd was built along human construction lines and the bulk of the population is indeed human with a sizeable minority of elf half breeds. It is a trade port, though it is eclipsed by the greater port of Glenn on the Peninsula. There will be more forthcoming about this region in future submissions.

Magic/Cursed Properties
The Aohd Charm has no magical properties or protections.

Plot Hooks