I just wanted to share a weapon that I have introduced in book 5 of my series: The Bones of Mynh. All of my unique weapons are either of divine or abysmal origin. Only followers of God may employ the former. Anyone may employ the latter but the weapon will endeavor to corrupt anyone who wields it. The Bones are just one such item that appears in my novels.

The Bones of Mynh- Legend has it that a mighty warrior of great notoriety came to power in the deep south of Kallendaros. Mynh was his name, and he was a terror on the field of battle. His strength (given him by the Infernal Lords) was feared by all who faced him, and he tirelessly swung a great axe with terrific force against any foolish enough to cross blades with him. Near the ancient city of Southdeep, more than 800 years ago Mynh met his end at the hands of Ferian Lafare, one of the Valar. Zealots that worshipped Mynh and his infernal masters sought revenge against the Valar and South Deep for slaying their champion in battle, so the Infernal Lords granted their plea. The zealots clove Mynh’s body into twelve pieces as an offering to their dark masters. Fashioned from the fresh bones of the dead warrior were a dozen crude die. Each die held a memory of hatred for Mynh’s killers and a passion for battle. When cast upon open earth the bones sink and take root, spawning skeleton warriors that bear the tattered mail and cruel weapons of the man they fleetingly resemble. The cold of the grave clings to them, as does the ripe smell of fresh earth. Their sockets blaze a cold blue, while frosty steam lingers around their exposed, shock white bones. They have but a single purpose: to slay their enemies, especially the Valar. They fight as graceful, powerful warriors, each possessing a fraction of Mynh’s incredible power, usually finding that more than sufficient to best most foes. While their mere sight can cause terror in any who see them (especially their summons), their weapons inflict draining damage that grants the individual skeleton warrior strength while sapping it from the victim. All stolen strength, if a skeleton warrior is destroyed, is inherited by remaining warriors. They are particularly susceptible to Eldain or Bronin weapons. Such a summons can only be used once per day, though the summoner need not expend the die at once during the course of a day. The Bones of Mynh are thought to be held by the leader of the Unseen, an elite cabal of assassins that resides in the land of Parun, across the Iron Keep Mountains.

So you can run out of skeleton warriors? About how many can you create at once if you used all 12 dice? So if you defeated all but one of the skeletons, that one would have all the strength and power of Mynh? It would be an interesting concept that perhaps, if this happened, it would resurrect Mynh. Why did your Valar allow this?

I would also advise renaming the Valar, as some people might not think it is appropriate using one of Tolkien's well-known names. It is like using Balrog or something.

The Bones of Mynh summon a warrior for every bone cast, and they are destroyed when the skeleton is beheaded, which returns the warrior to dust. the Bones may only be summoned once per day, and even if that warrior is destroyed it does not destroy the Bone in question, which returns to the pouch that holds it. All of the warriors may be recalled when the holder of the pouch fills it with the earth from which the skeletons arose.
The Valarym did not intend for the Bones to become animate with demonic power. They defeated Mynh and scattered his cult, but some vengeful followers offered up his mutilated body as a sacrifice to the Infernal Lords. The Bones have since then been indwelt with demons that mimic or mirror the base qualities of Mynh while he lived. Mynh himself could never be resurrected for two reasons in my realm's theology: #1: the power of genuine resurrection belongs to God. #2: When a man perished he is ushered to Paradise or Infernus Hallux to await judgment; there is no return for the deceased. That is where Mynh, and all of the dead, wait for either Messiah or judgment.
As for the Order of the Valar, or the Valarym; I hadn't read Tolkien's history of Middle Earth when I wrote Dragonsong five+ years ago, so it was an established story before I learned he had used the same name. My Valar are a sect of priests/prophets that live in Orizon, a secluded city on Kallendaros. I originally named them the Enlightened about ten years ago, but decided that sounded too New Age and went with the Order of the Valar. When I learned about the same name, I opted to keep mine since I did it in ignorance and liked the name; it had grown to fit them. With Dragonsong published and the Valar in it, the damage is already done.
Hope that clears up things! Thanks for the interest!

Okay,they sound great! So, the Valar aren't exactly like the Valar of Tolkien?

Far from it! If I recall, the Valar of Tolkien's world were far from human; aside from the gifts God grants this sect of men, they are completely human, with the ability to make mistakes, sin, die and be killed by the enemy. The Valarym swear what is called the Binding Oath which essentially erases their former life and commits them (consecrates/sanctifies) to God's use; they go and they do what He wills. One of my primary villains of the past, Malifest, was a Valarym turned Necromancer who was forced into the Deeprealm by his former comrades.

Are they mortal?

NH! Tell me you pronounce NH! Do you?

I like the names Southdeep, Mynh, and the Valar.
I always liked the idea of skeleton armies, but I wondered about the joints, and your idea of them shining blue is a perfect answer.

Hmmm...
The Valarym are entirely mortal. In my first three books several of the Order are killed in battle and the like. Though after the Binding Oath they age far more slowly than a common Human would. One of my Valar lived to be about five hundred years old or so before passing away from old age.

I'm assuming NH is in reference to Mynh? No; I'm afraid Mynh is pronounced like "mint" except drop the "T". I'm glad you like the names; naming things is one of my favorite things to do while writing, whether it is people, places or unique objects, I just find it very enjoyable.

If you want to peek around Andurun come and visit thecanticlesofandurun.blogspot.com. I'll be here for a while longer until I have my website sorted out...

I think Icelanders pronounce NH. I like unfamiliar sounds. Sorry if I scared you. I do like Myn too.

Don't worry; I wasn't scared! I like unusual sounds as well; I think that's one of the pleasures of writing fantasy: you can create outlandish names and words, and since it is "your world" they fit and sound organic no matter how outrageous. I do have oddly pronounced names such as the C’tchul (pronounced Zed-gel); a monster name.

The skeleton warriors sound very much like the cauldron-born and the Hunters in the Prydain Chronicles. Did you do that on purpose?

The Order of the Valar is named after an Eldritch (angel) named Valarius, who was commanded by God to visit the Human race (Humans are essentially Israel in my novels) and institute the Order of the Valar. He gave them the Binding Oath and the laws of the Valar and was honored by having their Order named after him.
The Bones of Mynh must rest in their satchel for a full day, i.e. 24 hours. I suppose I should add the addendum that the summoned soldiers may be left out of the satchel if they are not destroyed, but every day you permit them their freedom there is a chance they will cease obeying the carrier of the Bones.
I have not read the Prydain novels and know essentially nothing about them. As for the cauldorn born there is a distinct similarity. I just fancy the concept of a summoned creature working on behalf of the villain; the idea of its very appearance could bring an element of terror and the reality of the supernatural forces at work out of mortal sight.

I think I'd leave them in the satchel...