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Elrond Half Elven
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
322 Posts |
 Posted - 10 May 2004 : 23:13:08
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A while back I talked about weapons that featured disadvantages as well as the usual advantages. In my Ravenloft campaign all the weapons have a disadvantage. These 'gifts' from the Dark Powers Them selves. Note these weapons are not Anchored in Ravenloft they can easily be changed into other campaign settings. Use them in any way you feel like, change the history etc. But please give me feedback! If they are found wanting I will post more such weapons
Hanx
Elrond
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Once upon a midnight dreary, while i pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-
While i nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
-The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe |
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Elrond Half Elven
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
322 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2004 : 23:14:55
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Sarnor (Part 1 of Swift Death)
Description:
Sarnor is a light short sword; the pommel and guard are richly carved from the same piece of metal. Sarnor is a Shortsword +1. Once per week the user of the sword can ‘cast’ blur upon themselves. This power is drawn from the sword its self and counts as if cast by a level 3 mage i.e. for a 6 round duration. When Sarnor was brought into Ravenloft, the dark powers corrupted the blade. After the blur spell is used there is 25% chance that user of the sword will see all they’re enemies as if they where affected by the blur spell. This only affects the user and last for 6 rounds.
History:
A powerful Elven Bladedancer named Melkiiri had both Sarnor and Streea crafted from him. Melkiiri fought using the quick darting tactics commonly employed by blade dancers and as such required a pair of blades that could match his speed. Commissioning talented Elven smiths to craft the blades and a powerful Elven Mage to enchant them. The two swords only exhibit minor enchantments when used independently, their real power is exerted when used, in Melkiiri’s favored style, a blade in each hand.
Shortly after the crafting of Melkiiri’s blades the Bladedancer lead several very successful campaigns destroying evil. These campaigns varied from large-scale battles to small confrontations. No matter where the fight took him Melkiiri followed. Defeating evil at every step.
It must have been these victories that caught the dark powers of Ravenloft’s attention. For the moved the elf to that accursed land. Melkiiri was depressed when he was the evil that was allowed to roam unchecked in the lands and swore to remove it wherever it was encountered. It was pursuing this oath that Melkiiri came into Darkon. Melkiiri saw the destitution that lay in this land and felt almost powerless against the Secret police of Azillin. It was through the secret police that Melkiiri came into contact with the Darklord. Melkiiri eventually came to hear rumors of the Darklords dark nature and with a group of sympathizers attempted to over throw the rule of the lich. The rebellion was put down before it started and on rebels fled to the moorlands. But alias hearing of the Elves plans the lich was waiting to personally destroy the elf.
No tales tell of exactly how Melkiiri died, nor of what became of his body. Neither are there tales of how the two powerful swords he possessed where transported to opposite ends of the plane. And now Melkiiri’s tale is forgotten, and memories of the rebellion removed by the kargat, except from a few exiles, lost in the wilderness.
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Once upon a midnight dreary, while i pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-
While i nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
-The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe |
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Elrond Half Elven
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
322 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2004 : 23:15:57
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Streea (Part 2 of Swift Death)
Description:
Streea is the sister sword to Sarnor it is not unlike Sarnor in appearance, having engraved the same Elven Rune which marks the two. On its own however Streea acts as a short sword +1, which allows the user to cast Haste once per week. However the long dark fingers of the Dark Powers have touched the sword and as such any one whom attempts to use the haste abilities of the blade must make a saving throw verses magic with a –2 modifier or take 1d4 points of electrical damage.
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Once upon a midnight dreary, while i pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-
While i nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
-The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe |
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Elrond Half Elven
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
322 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2004 : 23:16:58
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Sarnor Streea (The Swift Death)
Description:
When Sarnor and Streea are used together both blades regain their formor abilities. Both act as +3 Shortswords of quickness. Additionally each blades unique power is boosted. Sarnor allows the user to cast ‘blur’ once per day. Streea allows the user to cast ‘haste’ once per day. Both spells count as though they are cast by a level 6 Magic-User. The powers of the plane of Dread have spread their net around the more powerful weapon and as such there is the same 25% chance for the user to be affect by the ‘blur spell as described in Sarnors description, save the effect lasts for the new improved number of rounds. The use of Streea’s ‘haste’ ability requires a save versus magic at a –6 penalty or take 1d6 points of electrical damage. Additionally due to the powerful oath sworn by Melkiiri if the character using both blades encounters what they perceive as ‘evil’ they must make attempts to destroy it. When the two blades are found the user must spend a single day attuning to them. Nothing else can be done during this day.
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Once upon a midnight dreary, while i pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-
While i nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
-The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31772 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2004 : 08:27:51
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These are wonderfully interesting items Elrond, and while there is a temptation for me to use them in my FR campaigns, I think I will leave them in the Realm of Dread.
Now, a few comments -
quote:
Melkiiri saw the destitution that lay in this land and felt almost powerless against the Secret police of Azillin.
I'm sure that the Lady Kazandra will be glad to here this. It means that the Kargatane are finally doing something right...
About Melkiiri's adventures in Darkon, was this before or after the Requiem?.
As an unusual twist, I could see these weapons having a greater effect in the Dread Domains than in Faerun. Perhaps you should alter them a little to take that into account, hmmm?. There are optional rules of course - in one of the RL tomes - that says something about weapons coming from another Material Plane having greater destructive capabilities while exposed to the corrupting influence of the Dark Powers in Ravenloft. However, once they are returned to their original plane, the extra damage qualities are then lost.
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Elrond Half Elven
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
322 Posts |
Posted - 15 May 2004 : 22:39:27
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Thank Thee Sage For your kind words
The game is set post Requiem.
I have devised another Magical Item which can be used in any Campaign setting. I feel this item would be great to use on the players to keep them on their toes! Here is goes:
Togreiths Ring of Wizardry
Description:
Togreiths ring of wizardry doubles the number of 1st level spells a character can cast. Unfortunately some of Togreiths personality transferred in the creating of the ring and every time a spell is cast (of any level) there is 5+level of spell% chance of a character becoming possessed by Togreith. Immediately all the characters 1st level spells are replaced with magical missile even those that have already been used to cast. These spells act as if cast by a 16th level wizard. Togreith will challenge any magical wielding character to a duel. Taking no heed of the answer Togreith will cast magic missiles at the character, followed by what other spells the character had memorized. If no magic using creatures are apparent the possessed character will appear rather flash-hearted and immediately urge the rest of the party to aid him in a search for a duel. The character will become very annoying. Each round the character is allowed a save versus spells success allows the character to regain control of their body. The character is aware of all actions.
History:
Togreith was a human wizard who lusted after power, he loved to flaunt his powers whenever he got the chance and as such chose only the flashiest of spells. Togreith suffered from a psychological feature known as megalomania and as such thought of himself being more capable than he actually was. On the first sight of another wizard Togreith would persistently harass the magic-user until he accepted to face Togreith in a duel. In these duels Togreith would often use his version of magic missile, this spell was suitably customized for the mages tastes. Sending a missile shaped bolt of energy towards his opponents. The spell made a loud whistling noise when it was cast and the missile its self cycled through many hues of colours.
It was almost defiantly this side of Togreith that got him into trouble. Many wizards took diskindly to the upstart mage harassing them, and constantly seeking to duel. Many attempts where made on Togreiths life by not so law-abiding magic users. Each attempt failed and only made Togreith stronger. While Togreith explored the tower of a rival he realized that many of his year had been ill spent dueling- he could create magical items to enhance and further his abilities. A long black wand caught Togreiths attention, and picking it up he focused his mind on the wand realizing instantly his mistake. Unfortunately the wand’s purpose was to travel through planes but due to Togreiths inability to use the wand it failed halfway through the transition. Unbeknown to Togreith his death was avoided as the mists of Ravenloft circled around his and drew him into the domain. Why the mists took Togreith none can say. But before his death in the accursed land Togreith fashioned a ring for himself. Unbeknown to Togreith some of his essence was transferred in this process and became part of the ring.
I like your idea about the reduced powers on Faerun. It is a strong posibility i think. Of course if the items did not alter much, it would perhaps still be a calling card for the mists to swallow them up again.
The joy of Ravenloft a campaign within a campaign. All at Candlekeep should have a home for it 
Hanx
Elrond
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Once upon a midnight dreary, while i pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-
While i nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
-The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe |
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Elrond Half Elven
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
322 Posts |
Posted - 15 May 2004 : 23:07:04
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I have yet more enchanted items which have undergone the corrupting effect of the Dark Powers. Two items follow. The first is a magical long sword.
Quortek Ktonos- Soul Slayer
Description:
Quortek Ktonos is a magical +2 Long sword with several special properties. When its user successfully hits the sword has a 15% chance of dealing an additional 1d4 points of ‘cold’ damage, this damage ‘heals’ the user but their hit points cannot go above their maximum. Secondly if a form of Undead is fought the sword cannot damage them, instead the ‘normal’ damage is effectively ignored. However there is 15% chance of the User of the sword receiving 1d4 points of cold damage, which are immediately used to heal the undead creature.
History:
A Drow Elf Necromancer named Dezti D’Eathe created the blade. Dezti was especially obsessed with magic, which stole the life force of its victim- necromantic spells along the lines of ‘chill touch’ and ‘vampire touch’. Darkon’s obsession sent him on a quest to create an extremely powerful spell that could drain the full life of its victim. After a failed assassination attempt Dezti realized just how potent physical weapons where- because he had surrounded him self with wards and protection hexes Dezti forgot just how sharp a sword was and so he decided to try an unite both his dark soul stealing magic and martial weapons.
Darkon’s initial attempts proved fruitless. Each time he attempted to enchant the sword he discovered a problem with his design. It was while watching a summoning ritual performed by priestess Dezti hit upon the idea of a blood sacrifice. After collecting several slaves Dezti headed up to his work chamber and during the ritual to enchant the item killed the innocent slaves. Dezti felt curious sensation almost as if someone was watching him. Upon leaving his workplace the drow realized that somehow he was transported to some strange land. Worse yet! His full work chamber disappeared behind him, all the drow had was the blade he had enchanted and a small traveling spell book.
The Dark Powers or Ravenloft saw fit to warp the blade, Dezti on fully became aware of the effects of this when he was engaged in a battle with skeletons, which he had sought to control. With Dezti’s death the blade was lost from knowledge.
The second weapon is a modified version of the Dagger which Jean Tarascon uses in the Night of the Walking Dead module. This will certianly make the final confrontation in the Module a little harder.
The Dagger of Tarascon
Description:
The dagger of Tarascon is a +1 double-edged dagger rich adorned with engravings and also features a large pommel stone. The dagger has two special properties firstly it enables the user to automatically strike first in any combat once per day. However when the blade was enchanted a ward was placed on it, these wards negate all damage the dagger would deal to a descendant of the Tarascon Family.
History:
Pierre Tarascon was in a state of discontent after his son was born, other than the plantation which he owned and ran there was very little to hand down to his son after his death. Thinking long about this problem Pierre came up with what seemed to be a simple solution having a small blade enchanted to pass on as a family heirloom. Pierre Tarascon commissioned a traveling wizard to enchant a dagger for him he intending the blade to be used more for ornamental use that in a combat and as such spent much money one engraving and setting a rich gem in the pommel.
Pierre was a thoughtful man and after hearing stories of family members turning on each other after a parent died he commissioned the Traveling wizard to enchant the blade further placing upon the dagger a ward which meant that no person could use this weapon to harm a member of the Tarascon family. However The Dark powers took heed to this and corrupted the blade so it could harm no living or dead (or undead) member of the Tarascon Family.
The easiest way to introduce these items into a Forgotten Realms campaign is have the players find the body of someone who escape Ravenloft but was killed in the process. Either that or already have them integrated into your campaign- an NPC already possesing the item.
Hope you enjoy
Hanx
Elrond
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Once upon a midnight dreary, while i pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-
While i nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
-The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe |
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Dark Designs
