DEDICATED JUDGE – Origins 2009

I found my long-lost Dedicated Judge cert from Origins 2009. This rare and valuable piece of paper grants gives a character a minor relic or artifact in the then-new campaign.

When the Arcanis Quickstart rules were out and the Legends of Arcanis (nee CSE) campaign started, the rules for magic items weren’t available yet. Even when the A:RPG book came out, it doesn’t include magic items. Thus, the first ruling on the Dedicated Judge cert has an alternate use of the cert; and the latest campaign guide lists only this option of getting an heirloom item of fine quality. The campaign guide says that once “the full rules book is released”, the certificate could be used with its original intention. However, when the Forged in Magic books came out, their magic-item terminology is different from that on the cert, and thus it’s still not clear how to use it. I chose not to take a fine heirloom when I could instead wait for the rare promised magic item, and several of us have waited years for a ruling on this point.

Has any full ruling ever been issued on using the cert’s original granting of a magic item? Based on a search here & the latest campaign guide & FAQ, I see nothing but occasional requests for rules from others like me.

The full text on the cert is,

You will be able to begin play with one of the following:
– Minor Relic of the First Imperium
– Artifact of the Coryani Civil War
– Artifact of the Eloran Nations
– Artifact of Khitan

I propose the following rule in an effort to help the campaign staff and encourage discussion by them. I’m going by the spirit of the original certificate combined with the new rules and being reasonable:

The character can have one of the following:
1. A magic item (not a rune but a named item) of Tier 1 of Imperialis, Coryani, Eloran, or Khitani origin. If a backstory is given for the item, it must be of one of the aforementioned four cultures; this includes former provinces of the Coryani Empire (Canceri, Milandir, Altheria, & Toranesta-Myrantia) and tributes in the League of Princes (Capharra, Eppion, Lhyllifel, etc.), but it does not include the Hinterlands, Ssethregore (nor Yahssremore), Dar Zhan Vor, Eryundell, the Sealed Lands, or other locales or cultures. If no backstory is given for an item, there is no restriction. The item may be a relic but need not be.
The player must have a copy of the rule book in which the item appears and must present it to the Chronicler upon request. Items described only in modules but not in books are not eligible.
-or-
2. An heirloom item (weapon, armor, or gear) of Fine quality. This alternate use is as per the Legends of Arcanis campaign guide.
With either choice, the character’s name and item should be written on the certificate.

I look forward to seeing the long-awaited ruling from the campaign staff.