I’m made of many materials; most notably gold or pearl. I’m used to gain entry. I can also be an ending to words to indicate a scanda, like water or Iran.

My essence is of life, yet can choke the living. My existence is omnipotent yet can be more valuable than sterling. I can catch ablaze yet can smother my flames. I can be dirty black or crystal clear, and my purity would remain the same.

I rise above the ground to watch the land, sometimes I hold a clock, sometimes a bell’s command. In stories, a princess may wait inside my wall, stone and shadow standing tall.

First part is like a swamp, but grasses and reeds over trees. Second is uniquely tied to the whole; back in the day, it meant soft. When together, I’m generally soft and squishy, large or small, and friends with hot cocoa.

A spear raised to the sky as if to challenge the heavens, The pride and the glory of the kingdom, Yet adorns the abode of heaven’s humble servants.