Six-Knucklebone Charm

The Six-Knucklebone Charm is a nearly weightless talisman made from six scripted bones tied with maroon leather. Elhume created it as a weapon against his son Pine, then bound the Patron of Feathers with a geas that compels her to retrieve and carry it. (Chapters 1656, 1683)

History

Retrieval under a geas

The Patron of Feathers enters a heavily suppressed chamber and finds the charm on a steel pedestal. Though its presence sickens her and burns her fingers, Elhume's geas forces her to pick it up. Its construction drives bound Aether along Nether principles, giving an Aether shape to captured Nether and producing a tool of pure unmaking. (Chapter 1656)

A weapon that consumes its bearer

By the confrontation with Elhume, merely carrying the charm has reduced the Patron of Feathers to a desiccated body of bones, feathers, and parchment-like skin. A blow to her defenses cracks the charm, drawing Elhume's immediate attention; an attempt to destroy it fails when Elhume reverses the attack through time. (Chapter 1682)

Escape and containment

The Patron of Blades takes the charm from beside the fallen bearer, and even brief contact turns his hand black. The rebel Patrons escape with the artifact, allow it to float rather than touch it, and seek a secure place where it can be sealed. It is not activated against Pine during its observed appearances. (Chapter 1683)

Abilities and properties

• It consists of six small knucklebones covered in minute script and tied together with maroon leather. (Chapter 1656)
• It is almost weightless, yet physical contact burns and rapidly withers even a Patron-level bearer. (Chapters 1656, 1682–1683)
• Bound Aether is forced along Nether principles within it, creating a tool characterized as pure unmaking. (Chapter 1656)
• It was made by Elhume as a weapon capable of killing Pine. (Chapter 1683)
• Damage creates a visible crack, but the charm remains intact and dangerous. (Chapters 1682–1683)

Ownership and custody