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Obviously it's the McGuffin that the PCs are supposed to retrieve, but I don't see anywhere in the module that describes what the Star of Desna actually is. I'm sure that's something that my players will ask about when Keleri asks them to retrieve it.
I'm guessing that maybe it's a special magic Starknife? If so, does it have any special properties? If not, what else might it be?
Creative Director
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The Star of Desna is just a holy symbol, but one that's an heirloom and worth more than normal for its precious metals, jewels, and craftsmanship.
In an early draft of the adventure's design it was a magic item, but when it became apparent that it wasn't ever going to be used in the adventure, we cut that in order to make more space for other content. It might end up being a magic item we put into print elsewhere, but since it's only purpose in Doomsday Dawn is to serve as the McGuffin to going into the dungeon and the PCs don't get to use it or keep it, it's pretty irrelevant.
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Creative Director
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Thank you for this extra helpful detail! It makes sense since Desna was seen as creator of the heavens and is called goddess of the North Star.
The text that remains in the adventure says that it was originally inside a "steel lockbox" in Keleri's vault, so would you say that the holy symbol could fit easily in one hand ?
Yup; it's a fancy and expensive one, but it's still a holy symbol. It could fit in one hand or be worn on the neck as a pendant or whatever, just as normal holy symbols can be worn in the real world. It can even be used by clerics of Desna as a holy symbol to cast spells, in which case it does need to be held in hand as per normal.
My wife, who ran the first two modules of Rise of the Runelords, remembered that in 4707 AR the new cathedral of Desna in Sandpoint would be dedicated during the Swallowtail Festival, five years after the old church had burned down.
Keleri Deverin wanted to take the Star of Desna to that festival, the one at the beginning of the entire Rise of the Runelords adventure, to have it blessed.
However, I was unclear in my GM explanation when Keleri Deverin told the party, including my wife's goblin paladin, that she wanted to take the Star of Desna to the Swallowtail Festival. The paladin said he had heard about the new cathedral being dedicated there and congratulated Keleri on her generous plan to donate the Star to the new cathedral.
I decided to go with that interpretation. It made Keleri more likeable.
Hence, I imagine the Star of Desna as an ornament that would look good hanging on the wall behind the altar in the new cathedral. This is compatible with it being a fancy and expensive holy symbol of Desna.