Author Topic: Some Items of Power for a Character I am working on  (Read 2956 times)

Offline Radecliffe

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Some Items of Power for a Character I am working on
« on: June 12, 2012, 11:14:11 PM »
I worked up a couple of IoP's for a Champion of God character I am working on.  Obviously these are artifacts of St. George the Dragonslayer.  Basically the shield provides complete immunity to fire and supernatural toughness against any attack (melee or ranged) that the bearer is able to intercept with the shield. 

I made the spear more or less specifically for fighting dragons and dragon kind.  I know that is kind of limiting but it's a flavor thing but that is also why I only went with a -2 refresh and did not require a fate point for use.  I was also thinking of adding either Fear My Wrath (Incite Fear, ranged [-2]) or Righteous Strength (Inhuman Strength[-2]) to give it a little more oomph. 

Shield of St. George [-2] OR [-4] if the second Item of Power
Description:  According to legend this is the shield borne by St. George when he slew a great Dragon.  Currently in the form of a large heater shield embossed with a large red Cross.  Originally thought to have been a Parma shield in the style of the ancient Romans, the shield was reworked into its current form by Ignatius of Loyola sometime in the 1520's. 
Musts:  Your high concept must relate to your possession of this item.
Skills Affected:  Weapons
Effects:
[-0]Purpose:  The Shield of St. George must be wielded in the defense of the defensless.  The bearer must always be willing to come to the aid of those in need or it will fall from the bearer's hand and become disowned.  The bearer must perform a selfless act of valor to reclaim the shield.
[-0]It Is What It Is:  The Shield of St. George is a large shield constructed of wood, leather and steel.
[-0]Unbreakable:  As an Item of Power, this item cannot be broken except with a magical ritual predicated upon perverting its purpose.
[+2]One-Time Discount:  The Shield of St. George is large and cannot be concealed easily.
[-4]Stalwart Defender:  This shield grants the bearer protection far in excess of that of a normal shield.  It grants the bearer Supernatural Toughness.
[+3]The Catch (Line of Sight Only):  The bearer must be able to see the attack and be able to interpose the shield to receive the shield's protection. 
[-8]Holy Aura:  The shield surrounds the bearer with a holy aura, protecting him from harm.
[+5]The Catch (Protects from fire only):  The shield's arua can only protect the bearer from the harmful effects of fire.

St. George's Spear[-1] OR [-3] if the second Item of Power
Description:  St. George's Spear is a Roman Hasta with a shaft made of ash with a broad steel head and a bronze counterbalance.  The tip was originally iron but was reforged by Ignatius of Loyola in the 1520's.  The weapon is of superior make with a perfect balance so that it can be wielded one handed.
Musts:  Your high concept must relate to your possession of this item.
Skills Affected:  Weapons
[-0]Purpose:  The St. George's Spear must be wielded in the defense of the defensless.  The bearer must always be willing to come to the aid of those in need or it will fall from the bearer's hand and become disowned.  The bearer must perform a selfless act of valor to reclaim the spear.
[-0]It Is What It Is:  A weapon 3 Roman spear.
[-0]Unbreakable:  As an Item of Power, this item cannot be broken except with a magical ritual predicated upon perverting its purpose.
[+2]One-Time Discount:  St. George's Spear is very large and cannot be concealed.
[-1]True Aim:  This is a superior weapon.  As long as the wielder is worthy this spear provides a +1 bonus to all Weapons rolls.
[-2]Dragonslayer:  When wielded against any Dragon or Dragonkin it bypasses all supernatural defenses that creature may possess (toughness, physical immunity) nor may the creature benefit from any supernatural regenerative abilities (recovery) regarding wounds inflicted by the spear.

Edit:  Clarified IoP cost and Physical Immunity Catch. 
« Last Edit: June 13, 2012, 04:27:11 AM by Radecliffe »

Offline EdgeOfDreams

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Re: Some Items of Power for a Character I am working on
« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2012, 11:24:51 PM »
I think they both work pretty well as-is. I might consider making Dragonslayer only [-1], though, as it's a pretty darn specific power.

You should note that the Item of Power discount only applies once per character, no matter how many separate items he or she carries. Thus, a character using both the Shield and the Spear would have a total cost of [-5], as the items are currently written.

Finally, I'd suggest that the player of this character and the GM discuss exactly how that Catch will be handled. It sounds to me like ambushes would definitely bypass it, but what about a distracting maneuver invoked for effect to say he can't get the shield in position fast enough? What about AoE attacks or simultaneous attacks from multiple directions? I don't have specific answers for these; I just think it's an important conversation to have ahead of time so it doesn't become an argument during gameplay.

Offline UmbraLux

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Re: Some Items of Power for a Character I am working on
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2012, 11:32:01 PM »
I worked up a couple of IoP's for a Champion of God character I am working on.  Obviously these are artifacts of St. George the Dragonslayer.  Basically the shield provides complete immunity to fire and supernatural toughness against any attack (melee or ranged) that the bearer is able to intercept with the shield. 
One quick point - you only get an IoP discount once...no matter how many pieces your item may be in. 

Quote
[-8]Holy Aura:  The shield surrounds the bearer with a holy aura, protecting him from harm.
[+5]The Catch (Fire Only):  The shield's arua can only protect the bearer from the harmful effects of fire.
I suspect this needs to be rephrased...it kind of looks like it's protecting against everything except fire.

Quote
[-0]It Is What It Is:  A weapon 3 Roman spear.
I wouldn't class a one handed Roman spear as weapon 3.

Quote
[-1]True Aim:  This is a superior weapon.  As long as the wielder is worthy this spear provides a +1 bonus to all Weapons rolls.
[-2]Dragonslayer:  When wielded against any Dragon or Dragonkin it bypasses all supernatural defenses that creature may possess (toughness, physical immunity) nor may the creature benefit from any supernatural regenerative abilities (recovery) regarding wounds inflicted by the spear.
The first may be a tad much - I'd suggest a situational +1.  The second...probably depends on the campaign.

Overall, the concept seems limited - but you've already pointed that out.  Have you discussed with your group?  What happens if you never see a dragon? 
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Offline Radecliffe

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Re: Some Items of Power for a Character I am working on
« Reply #3 on: June 13, 2012, 04:16:57 AM »
Yes, I know the IoP discount only counts once.  I was just using the same format as in the resource forum but I'll clarify the post to avoid confusion.  Thanks. 

Offline Radecliffe

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Re: Some Items of Power for a Character I am working on
« Reply #4 on: June 13, 2012, 04:42:42 AM »
I suspect this needs to be rephrased...it kind of looks like it's protecting against everything except fire.

Easy enough, done.

I wouldn't class a one handed Roman spear as weapon 3.

I figured that as a magic weapon is was a little better than most.  Maybe I'll change it to be a Weapon:2 when wielded one handed and a Weapon:3 when wielded 2 handed.  I'll have to think about it.  I'm not really worried about being TOO realistic though.

The first may be a tad much - I'd suggest a situational +1.  The second...probably depends on the campaign.

??? This is an item power taken right from the book.  The sword of the cross has the exact same power. 

Overall, the concept seems limited - but you've already pointed that out.  Have you discussed with your group?  What happens if you never see a dragon?

Well it is dragon and dragon kind too.  But if the GM doesn't think it will work out perhaps I will go ahead and change it to a more generic term.  But remember I did specify it has a steel blade so it would qualify as cold iron against the Faerie too even as a normal weapon. 

Offline Radecliffe

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Re: Some Items of Power for a Character I am working on
« Reply #5 on: June 13, 2012, 04:50:25 AM »
Finally, I'd suggest that the player of this character and the GM discuss exactly how that Catch will be handled. It sounds to me like ambushes would definitely bypass it, but what about a distracting maneuver invoked for effect to say he can't get the shield in position fast enough? What about AoE attacks or simultaneous attacks from multiple directions? I don't have specific answers for these; I just think it's an important conversation to have ahead of time so it doesn't become an argument during gameplay.

Oh definitely this is really just the prototype phase.  Ambushes would definitely bypass the Toughness power unless the character made his Alertness roll. Any sort of attack from behind as well.  I hadn't really considered AoE attacks though.  I guess it would depend on the type of attack.  I'll have to think on that one.

Offline Sanctaphrax

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Re: Some Items of Power for a Character I am working on
« Reply #6 on: June 13, 2012, 05:26:17 AM »
Looks good to me.

If you don't mind, I'll add these to the list.

Offline Radecliffe

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Re: Some Items of Power for a Character I am working on
« Reply #7 on: June 14, 2012, 04:16:53 PM »
Looks good to me.

If you don't mind, I'll add these to the list.

Sure, no problem.   ;)

Offline UmbraLux

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Re: Some Items of Power for a Character I am working on
« Reply #8 on: June 14, 2012, 09:33:16 PM »
??? This is an item power taken right from the book.  The sword of the cross has the exact same power. 
To me, a +X item is boring.  And it reminds me too much of the old Monty Haul days where you replace the +1 sword with the +2 sword then the +3...

Plus 1 doesn't say anything.  I want the Orkslayer!  The Sword of Air, Fragarach!  Bruncvik’s Sword!  Something with flavor. 

Perhaps it's just me.   ;)
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Offline Radecliffe

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Re: Some Items of Power for a Character I am working on
« Reply #9 on: June 14, 2012, 11:11:23 PM »
To me, a +X item is boring.  And it reminds me too much of the old Monty Haul days where you replace the +1 sword with the +2 sword then the +3...

Plus 1 doesn't say anything.  I want the Orkslayer!  The Sword of Air, Fragarach!  Bruncvik’s Sword!  Something with flavor. 

Perhaps it's just me.   ;)

That's what the Dragonslayer power is for.