Unique Artifacts

History's greatest treasures, waiting in the world to be won.

Unique Artifacts scatters 33 one-of-a-kind historical treasures across the medieval world at the start of every game: the sword Skofnung, the Voynich Manuscript, the Mask of Agamemnon, a branch of the Crown of Thorns, and more. Each is placed in the hands of a fitting ruler, so they are out there to be inherited, gifted, plundered, or conquered. Real relics, with real bonuses, woven into the world.

What it does

• 33 hand-made unique artifacts, each based on a real historical treasure, with its own icon, description and character bonuses.
• Placed with fitting rulers at game start. Norse relics go to Norse kings, Byzantine treasures to the Greeks, Buddhist relics to Buddhist rulers, and so on.
• Part of the living world. Win them through inheritance, marriage, gifts, claims, raiding or conquest, just like any artifact.
• Fully localized in 7 languages, and built to the current game version.

Legendary arms and armour

Skofnung

The sword of legendary Danish king Hrolf Kraki, of supernatural sharpness, imbued with the spirits of his twelve berserker guards.

Ragnar Lodbrok's Trousers

These trousers exude the indomitable spirit of the fearless warrior and explorer, Ragnar Lodbrok.

Helmet of Vercingetorix

An iconic Gaulish helmet believed to have belonged to the Gallic chieftain Vercingetorix.

Mask of Agamemnon

A golden mask said to have been worn by the ancient Achaean king Agamemnon.

Mask of Aurelian

A masterpiece symbolizing Aurelian's resilience and leadership in turbulent times, a timeless tribute to his legacy and Rome.

Kakungu Mask

An African tribal mask of great cultural and ceremonial importance.

Regalia and treasures

King Alfred's Jewel

A prestigious jewel commissioned by King Alfred 'the Great' of Wessex.

Tara Brooch

An exquisite Celtic artifact, a token of status and beauty.

Pyxis of al-Mughira

The most exquisite Islamic pyxis in existence, carved in pure ivory with intricate craftsmanship.

Sasanian Silver Bowl

A precious silver bowl from the Sasanian Empire, depicting the conquest of Egypt.

Dilmun Seal

An ancient Mesopotamian artifact used for sealing documents and containers.

Caracalla's Cameo Urn

An ancient Roman urn adorned with intricate cameos depicting the Emperor Caracalla.

Laurels of Marble

A prestigious artifact symbolizing the honor of ancient Roman leaders, lending an aura of authoritative statesmanship.

Foghorn of Roland

The horn Roland sounded in the face of adversity, before his legendary sacrifice.

Dice of Fate

Two dice of mysterious make, holding the power to bestow great fortune, or capriciously thwart one's every endeavor.

Books and manuscripts

Book of Kells

A lavishly illuminated medieval Gospel manuscript originating from Ireland.

Book of Durrow

An illuminated 7th-century Gospel manuscript, rich with intricate Celtic artwork and calligraphy.

Voynich Manuscript

An eerily fascinating codex of intricate illustrations and cryptic script that confounds nearly every scholar who studies it.

Annales Laurissenses maiores

Year-by-year annals of historical events, with a particular emphasis on the deeds of the Carolingian monarchs.

Liber Cognitionis Occultae

An enigmatic, forbidden manuscript holding the secrets of esoteric knowledge and the dark arts.

The dialogues of Plato

A set of six recovered Platonic dialogues, each a different-coloured volume granting a scholar-ruler its own kind of wisdom.

Plato's Phaedrus

On persuasive rhetoric and effective communication.

Plato's Critias

On ideal societies, governance and responsible stewardship.

Plato's Protagoras

On virtue, knowledge and human nature, with insights into strategy and leadership.

Plato's Phaedo

On the immortality of the soul and the essence of reality, nurturing critical thought.

Plato's Symposium

On the nature of love and desire, building connections and fostering bonds.

Plato's Ion

On inspiration and creative expertise.

Sacred and mystical relics

Branch of the Crown of Thorns

A living testament to Christ's sacrifice, said to come directly from the bush from which the Crown was cut.

Bimaran Casket

A precious casket said to contain the ashes of the Buddha.

Dharmachakra

An ancient Buddhist symbol representing the wheel of dharma, or law.

Bark of Yggdrasil

A fragment of the world tree, a symbol of ancient wisdom and the interconnectedness of all existence.

Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus

An elaborate early-Christian sarcophagus depicting scenes from the Bible.

Rocky Valley Labyrinth

A prehistoric carving of mysterious origin, said to lead to the knowledge you crave most.

Aeolipile

A pocket steam engine built by Hero of Alexandria, a sealed cauldron whose boiling water spins on rising steam.

How it works

• Seeded at game start. A one-time generator places every artifact into a suitable ruler's inventory the moment your game begins.
• Culturally fitting owners. Norse legends start with Norse rulers, Byzantine wonders with the Greeks, Buddhist relics with Buddhist courts, and so on, with sensible fallbacks.
• Yours to pursue. Inherit, marry into, receive as a gift, press a claim, raid, or conquer. Every artifact is a real prize on the map.

Compatibility

Thirty-three treasures. One world. Go and claim them.