Cryptforge Relics: Graveborn Guard

Item Lore Description

Graveborn Guard – A weathered wooden shield reinforced with eldritch runes, its centre adorned with a grinning skull that radiates a sinister aura. Cursed enchantments linger within, warding off attacks while whispering forgotten incantations to those who dare wield it.



The Graveborn Guard is a shield forged from the remnants of an ancient, cursed fortress, its wooden frame weathered by time and dark magic. At its centre, a grinning skull is etched into the wood, a grim reminder of the warden who once protected the cursed land. The shield is bound with eldritch runes, glowing faintly in shades of violet, whispering forgotten incantations to those who dare to wield it. Those who use it are granted a measure of protection, but at the cost of becoming linked to the souls trapped within the skull, hearing their anguished wails in the quiet moments of battle.

Though its structure is old and worn, the Graveborn Guard holds immense power, capable of absorbing magical and physical attacks alike. When struck, the shield shudders with a pulse of energy, repelling enemies with a force that temporarily weakens their resolve. However, it is not without its curse: the longer it is held, the more the wearer becomes attuned to the spirits trapped within, slowly losing their will to the shield’s whispers. Some say that the Graveborn Guard will eventually consume its wielder, binding them to the shield forever, but few have wielded it long enough to know for sure.




Why It Fits Seamlessly in the Games

The Legend of Zelda, Elden Ring, and Sea of Thieves all share a deep connection to ancient curses, undead lore, and eerie relics. The Graveborn Guard seamlessly fits into these worlds because of the way it taps into these themes:

  • In Zelda, it can easily be imagined as a forgotten relic, perhaps hidden within an ancient temple or guarded by a cursed king. The shield's wooden texture and cursed nature match Zelda’s rich history of magical and haunted relics, like the Mirror Shield or the Hylian Shield. The glowing runes and skull centrepiece evoke the dark magic of Ganon and his minions, making it a natural fit for any Zelda dungeon or dark forest.
  • In Elden Ring, the Graveborn Guard could be a cursed shield found in the ruins of a long-forgotten kingdom, with its soul-bound curse tied to the undead guardians who once stood watch. The magical runes and eldritch design align perfectly with the game’s dark fantasy and necromantic themes, where forgotten relics have a life of their own, linking the dead with the living.
  • In Sea of Thieves, the Graveborn Guard could belong to an ancient pirate lord who once ruled over cursed seas. Skeleton crews, cursed treasure, and ghostly ships already populate the game, so the shield could easily fit into the supernatural pirate world, carried by a pirate captain who never truly died. The shield’s dark magic would make it the perfect tool for any pirate willing to delve into the cursed world of the dead.

How It Works

The Graveborn Guard works as both a defensive and magical tool:

  • Protection: It grants the wielder protection from physical and magical damage, with the runes absorbing a portion of incoming attacks.
  • Curse Mechanics: Every time the shield absorbs damage, the wielder’s resolve weakens, creating a sense of tension. The spiritual link to the trapped souls grows stronger, occasionally manifesting in whispers or visions that the wielder must resist.
  • Recoil Effect: When the shield is hit, it releases a pulse of energy that repels enemies, slowing them or temporarily weakening their attacks. This effect helps maintain balance in combat by giving the wielder a chance to retaliate or retreat.
  • The Graveborn Guard is both a powerful relic and a dangerous curse, and its effects are felt with every use. The longer it is wielded, the more the wielder becomes attuned to the cursed spirits, and the more the spirits take hold.


Why it fits Seamlessly


Graveborn Guard is a perfect fusion of ancient protection, dark magic, and curses, making it a seamless addition to the worlds of The Legend of Zelda, Elden Ring, and Sea of Thieves. Its eerie design, with the skull at its centre and glowing runes, ties perfectly into each game’s themes of the undead and ancient, forgotten power. 

This cursed shield not only enhances the lore of these worlds but also offers unique gameplay elements, granting protection while slowly drawing the user deeper into its dark influence. It’s a fitting relic for any adventurer brave enough to wield it. 


Sketches




The 3D Model is available on my Sketchfab


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