The Lyre of Orpheus

by Loki Carbis

The magical item known as the Lyre of Orpheus is not actually a lyre . . .or at least, it is not always a lyre. It has been documented appearing as a number of different musical instruments, although only ever stringed ones. It is, however, the very same musical instrument that Orpheus carried with him on his ill-fated attempt to rescue Eurydice from Hades in 1286 BC. Later, it was owned by the Roman Emperor Nero, and was recorded in legend as the fiddle he played while Rome burned in 64 A.D. It is also very likely that this was the instrument owned by the legendary Thomas the Rhymer, the bard who spoke only truth. Since then, it has been identified as a violin, a banjo, a double bass, and most recently as a guitar. Theoretically, the Lyre could take the form of any stringed instrument, from a harp to a piano.

All the indications suggest that the object is even older than the more than 3,000 years it is known to have existed. The true origin of the instrument is unknown to any mortal, but in the more metaphysical planes of existence, both the instrument and its creator are well known; it is likely that Hades was aware of the true nature of the Lyre even if Orpheus was not. The creator of the item is a demon named Traxas, who crafted the instrument himself in the forges of Hell millennia ago. Traxas is the only individual anywhere who is immune to the effects of the instrument. He suffers no curse but receives no bonuses while the Lyre . . .

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Article publication date: August 9, 2002

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