| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| EltonJ |
Posted - 15 Apr 2012 : 03:56:22
HELP!!
I started a campaign in Chessenta in the 3.x Era of the Forgotten Realms. It's a Sword and Sorcery campaign designed after Edgar Rice Burroughs and Robert E. Howard, and also with a big influence from John Norman. One of my prospective players wants to play a cleric of Sobek (or Sebek).
I'm using FR16 -- OLD EMPIRES -- as my primary source for the country, and I darkened it. But beyond that, the prospective player wants a gold khopesh as a cleric of Sobek. My question is . . .
Do the Mulhorandi still make weapons out of gold?
Would they be functional?
In your opinion, would a Cleric of Sobek who is part of the nobility up and leave Mulhorand and immigrate to Chessenta? |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 15 Apr 2012 : 21:50:47
quote:
Volo's Guide to All Things Magical
Gold: This well-known pure metal is the softest of workable metallic substances, and one of the best conductors among them. Despite its high value, it is relatively common and is favored for use in ornamentation in the making of magical items, often being used as an inlay in graven runes or inscriptions, where meld magics can keep it from being damaged or falling out through rough handling.
Gold has the important ability to hold multiple enchantments - even conflicting ones - and keep them from affecting each other or the stability of the gold-adorned item. It therefore makes all dweomerflow magics entering an item in which it is present (even in very small amounts) automatically succeed. In other words, saving throws for magical charge transfers are always made at the receiving end, if that end is an item having gold in its makeup. Items made primarily of gold make all item saving throws at the normal listings for metal.
For all we know this gold sword is in fact an alloy made from anything, whether it be sulphur or sunlight. It might be that it's gold plated onto bronze, perhaps using some kind of "thick" surfacing process, a fantastic analogue of anodized aluminum and galvanic (zinc-plated) steel on our world.
A more elegant explanation might be that it is in fact a blade of steel or silver, it appears gold because it's been subjected to a finishing treatment. Perhaps a secret process basically identical to bluesteel which makes metals impervious to corrosion and happens to colour them with a permanent golden hue.
It seems obvious that gold is too soft to serve on functional arms, unless it's enchanted or is actually a non-gold metal. Real examples of gold weapons were really only meant for ceremonial purposes, some were symbols of authority, many were ostentatious and garish displays of wealth, most were actually found in unplundered tombs and burial sites - they clearly weren't intended for war.
Assuming Volo's information (along with Elminster's amended footnote) is at all accurate, of course. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 15 Apr 2012 : 19:28:26
Of course, keep in mind that a golden weapon is going to attract a lot of unwanted attention. Once the character is outside of his home territory, a lot of very shady types are going to be interested in such a thing, and few of them will attempt to acquire it thru legitimate means. Even in his home region, shady types who don't respect his religion -- or whose greed exceeds their fear of the divine -- will be interested in getting a gold weapon, even if it means prying the character's cold, dead fingers from it. |
| Jeremy Grenemyer |
Posted - 15 Apr 2012 : 18:27:39
quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
Well if the blade was enchanted normal wear would not occur.
Pretty much what Kentinal said.
Just have it be a weapon blessed by the character's deity (and modified by magic) to behave like a normal steel weapon.
Were I you, I'd say the character can't have such a weapon to start, but must earn it through 1-3 levels of adventuring, mission fulfillment for the church or at the very least demonstrating piety and an ability to act within the strictures of the faith over that time. |
| EltonJ |
Posted - 15 Apr 2012 : 18:18:17
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
A gilded weapon would be the cheapest, most efficient way to have a gold weapon -- but even that's not ideal; the gilding would get damaged in combat and worn away by simple maintenance like sharpening the blade.
Another option, though... How about a variant of glassteel? Glassteel is a special form of glass that effectively makes glass that is as hard as steel. Surely, with that as inspiration, someone can think up a similar process for strengthening gold.
I love Glassteel!!
I see no problem with a golden glass as hard as steel. It would not be beyond the Mulhorandi to make such stuff. |
| EltonJ |
Posted - 15 Apr 2012 : 18:08:50
quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
In real world a weapon of gold will not last long, the metal is too soft to hold shape.
In FR clearly rules, science works different. The fact gold weapons were made in the past clearly might indicate they are still made for your time line. It of course is possible that current timeline Mulhorand weapons are now fashion from harder and less costly metals.
Depends on who you are talking to. In my campaign, Faerun is still subject to the Laws of Physics as we know them. Just that magic is governed by physics that scientists (those that study quantum events) are just beginning to acknowledge.
I'm one of those who loves science and likes his worlds to work with logic. To say that magic isn't governed by physics only shows ignorance. :)
quote:
The best solution might be inherited gold weapon, or one entrusted to the PC by the church.
The thing is, we've argued and argued over this last night. I said, "No you can't have a gold weapon because the Mulhorandi's technology nearly rivals that of the dwarves. You can have one that is electroplated but not totally made of gold."
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| Kentinal |
Posted - 15 Apr 2012 : 17:13:38
Well if the blade was enchanted normal wear would not occur. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 15 Apr 2012 : 17:10:22
A gilded weapon would be the cheapest, most efficient way to have a gold weapon -- but even that's not ideal; the gilding would get damaged in combat and worn away by simple maintenance like sharpening the blade.
Another option, though... How about a variant of glassteel? Glassteel is a special form of glass that effectively makes glass that is as hard as steel. Surely, with that as inspiration, someone can think up a similar process for strengthening gold. |
| Amarel Derakanor |
Posted - 15 Apr 2012 : 11:16:06
A golden khopesh would be highly valuable, considering the size of the sword. It would also be really unpractical (how many golden daggers have you seen or heard of in real life, for instance?). I think it is a lot more likely that a "golden" weapon would be made out of another material (copper, bronze, iron or steel, perhaps) and then gilded (with real gold or some imitation). Such a sword would still be worth a fortune, I suspect, and it would certainly attract the attention of enterprising individuals (i.e. thieves, murderers and other scum) if shown in public. As for your final question, why he would immigrate, the reasons could be many. Some ideas:
-He stole the sword and is now on the run.
-He is sent on a mission to Chessenta (by the clergy or the nobles).
Examples: As a diplomat or ambassador to improve relations and / or impose conditions. He is to accurately map the countryside for further use. He sent to spy on some individual(s). He is sent to retrive some artifact important to his cult, maybe from a tomb or ancient battlefield. Et cetera.
-He was banished (perhaps exiled) for some reason.
-He is on a trip to secure mercantile assets (put competitors out of action, make some deals with the local merchantsfor importing / exporting goods).
-On his own accord, he is to found a new temple.
-He is on the hunt after someone who wronged him in the past (revenge).
-He is in Chessenta to plunder the countryside, crush his enemies, and hear the lamentation of their women.
Hope this helps!
//Amarel Derakanor |
| Diffan |
Posted - 15 Apr 2012 : 10:47:30
Magic of Faerūn has statistics for Gold Weapons, but whether the mechanics fit with your campaign or not I don't know? Suffice to say, they're expensive, heavy, but I think deal more damage yet are easier to break (ie. Sunder). |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 15 Apr 2012 : 07:46:38
In real world a weapon of gold will not last long, the metal is too soft to hold shape.
In FR clearly rules, science works different. The fact gold weapons were made in the past clearly might indicate they are still made for your time line. It of course is possible that current timeline Mulhorand weapons are now fashion from harder and less costly metals.
The best solution might be inherited gold weapon, or one entrusted to the PC by the church. |
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