| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Kazzaroth |
Posted - 10 Feb 2006 : 17:19:28
Alright, as part of my inquiry in Elaine's thread, I decided to give the player the infamous Starym Moonblade. The background is that Scourge (the guy who created Victorious Blade of the People organization, also known as Eldreth Veluuthra) had a sister, which is not mentioned in history because Scourge shamed his sister and his sister shamed sameway (CG vs CE).
Sister taked new identity while Scourge never talked about her, not evne considering her anymore as part of Starym family. The sister had then a son and she told only these facts about his ancestory;
1) There is uncle who haves a moonblade (but sister was not aware of Darkmoon's evil, altough she was eldest daughter of Seldanna but she refused to wield the moonblade because sixt sense wanred her about it's nature)
2) That son's grandmother was treasure hunter and excelent business woman who was also competent battlemage. Grandgrand father was in Myth Drannor when it fell and he fighted against Army of Darkness and first wielder was a moon elf noble.
So, the player PC mother ahd told very little and she ahd died while defending Evermeet from Phaerrim invasion. At moment char knows that his uncle's moonblade resides in hands of a phaerrim near Myth Drannor ruins.
I had changed some rules of the blade, for sake to make it functional and so that player would not quess it is evil until very much later on. Also blade ahves a bluff check +14 incase when it gains sentience according Weapons of Legacy rules when it starts tell lies for sake of preservation of self and it will conflict whti the wielder only when it comes to humans and half-elves and if characther disagrees and succeeds will save VS weapon's ego, the weapon very much likely goes make 'justice' on the humans and half-elves by using Elfshadow who cna wield the item.
I know these stats or the sotry may not in perfect unison whit the realms lore, but I tried make compromise between old realm lore and for sake of plot what I had in mind whit the player. Anycase I take still suggestions (and good ideas) for plots regarding the item and I plan keep the weapon's true nature hidden long as possible from the PC and altough player may quess what it is, the characther itself must figure out this treachery and then it is up to the characther what he will do whit the weapon.
For criticism I ahve below the stats of the sword, transformed into as Legacy item.
Darkmoon
Progression Cost: Table 4-8
Rituals;
Least: 2,000 (Must visit place where Black Lotus died)
Lesser: 14,000 (Must establish, run succesfully for a full year a business where there is no non-elves in employment or work in in good standing whit Eldreth Veluuthra a year)
Greater: 41,000 (Must make a false loyalty vow to a elven aristocrat or council whit moonblade)
Omen: When striking any object/wielded weapon and shield and making a critical hit, weapon delivers Rusting Grasp spell onto the striked object whit save DC 11 or DC 10 + wielder’s charisma. The blade darkens any scabbard where it is holded over time.
Abilities:
5: +2 Longsword
6:
7: +3 Longsword
8:
9:
10: Constant Companion: Elfshadow (Can carry/use moonblade whit half BAB as wielder, no sentience at all and wielder haves complete control of Elfshadow and also cannot touch other objects and haves only 1/5 HP of the wielder and half of save modifiers whit no magic items included)
11: Inteligent Legacy (Major): Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 18 (note; Elfshadow gains sentience and now mimics all wielder’s qualities expect no spellcasting. Now Elfshadow is independent partially and can be controlled by the moonblade) Ego: 21
12:
13: Grace of Elven Court (+2 Dex, +2 Cha)
14:
15: +3 Human/Half-elf Bane Longsword
16: Treasure Seeker (Treasure Scent spell usable by command word and haves 100’ft radious and user must maintain concenration and can only move while concerating)
17: Teleport Whitout Error (Once per day, and only when in dire danger determined by the Moonblade)
18:
19:
20: Wail of Banshee (as 18 CL whit DC 22 or 18 + wielder’s Cha modifier) 1/day (note; Elfshadow delivers this attack) |
| 4 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Kazzaroth |
Posted - 12 Feb 2006 : 14:22:54
Well, problem is that Starym Moonblade becomes dormant IF it kills the LAST heir in line of Starym. Scourge and Black Lotus, the founders of EV are dead, and the PC mother is dead also, so PC at moment is (unkwowingly) the last moon elf form Starym noble house. If Darkmoon goes dormant ever because 'unworthy' wielder draws it, it loses all powers either permamently or goes deep coma. The weapon haves greed, strong self-preferance and it is still moonblad ein sense that only member of Starym family can wield it and it ignores any characther analysis when it comes to drawing it.
Of course the weapon is a plot device and PC shall struggle wills whit it and if he fails, the weapon domiantes him to do bad things and incase if PC leaves blade unguarded while he sleeps, the blade starts walk around after 11lvl and is wielded by elfshadow who is completely under sword's control and haves same skills like PC normally haves expect no spell use.
So, it can be intresting if party is hired to investigate on mass murders in village which had been caused by PC own sword who had 'loyally' sneaked back inside a scabbard. So, the main reason why sword does not kill the PC is that it afraids losing it's powers, so it 'obeys' him most of the time but if some storng conflict in goals wise comes, the sword tries dominate the characther and also often sword acts up by it's own (examply teleport whitout error just in beginning of dnagerous looking encounter is somewhat embarrasing to a PC towards his comrades plus the independant killings like I mentioned).
Of course if among EV appears a Starym family member, then darkmoon would get rid of it's old wielder and literally jump on the other Starym family member. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 12 Feb 2006 : 10:54:16
I'd have to agree.
The Darkmoon is both intelligent and possesses a significant ego -- the blade, rather than any wielder who does not share in the beliefs of the EV -- will determine its own course. In fact, I'd see it much as Wooly just said above... about the blade itself leading those who are not EV into a situation where the Darkmoon could be returned to the group. The Darkmoon is, in this regard, much like Sauron's Ring... in that "it wants to be found" by those to whom it belongs
However, it's your game, so you are free to do as you wish. If I were to attempt something like this, not that I would really because, like Elaine originally envisioned... moonblades are meant to aid the story and the plot... rather than a PC, I would require that the wielder spend more time "fighting" the blade for dominance than he/she would using it successfully in combat.
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| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 12 Feb 2006 : 06:21:12
I'm not sure that Darkmoon would allow itself to be wielded for very long by someone who didn't share the goals of the Eldreth Veluuthra. I can, in fact, see it leading an "unworthy" wielder into a situation where they would be slain by the Victorious Blade, just so it could return itself to their ranks.
Me, if I was DM'ing, any moonblade that made it into the campaign would be a McGuffin -- it would be a plot device, not something a PC could use. |
| Kazzaroth |
Posted - 12 Feb 2006 : 01:24:03
*bumb* |
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