A shield of odd design, created not only to parry, but to destroy the foe's ability to attack.
Many years ago, as war raged in the south, a king came to the current Master of the Clan Ironspirit, known to him as the greatest of all blacksmiths. 'Create for me, O Master of Soul and Steel, Create for me a thing which will bring ruination to the ability of the Southlanders to make war upon me.' Master Bren, the then-Master of the clan, looked upon the king, then, as he responded, 'Such a thing I will give you, though it may not be as you wish. Return to me in one week hence, upon the birth of the moon, and I will give you your thing.'
The King went then, dismissed by the Master, and Master Bren sat himself down to think. Three things he kept at hand as he meditated: His own blade of Judgement, a new sword, and a sword old and worn and useless. In a day, he was ready to proceed, and in the next rising of the sun, his thing was done.
When the King returned, gave he it to the King, with the instructions, 'Your own smiths can make this again, and again, and again. Each man shall have one, and facing him, every sword must fail, even Judgement.' Though he did not understand, the King ordered it so, for the words of the Master rang true and convictioned in his ears, and delighted was he when the Southren swords shattered against the shields of his men...
A 'type' of shield rather than an artifact, Notcher is a simple, rather thin, curved wooden shield, with a steel rim around the edge, and a series of comb-like, raised metal strips across the body of the shield, both vertical and horizontal - Any blade that meets this shield edge on is rapidly notched and worn into uselessness, as the thin, fragile edge batters against the hard, sharp corners of the shield.
In battle, a series of 2-3 successful parries with a Notcher will degrade the worksmanship of a weapon one level -> Masterwork -> Normal -> Poor -> Broken. This shield is heavier than an average buckler, and may require special training.
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- Class of Items-Weapons MoonHunter
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- 30+ Dwarven Gifts Alongside Cheka Man linked by axlerowes
- 30 Gifts of the Nekron Alongside Cheka Man linked by Cheka Man
- 30 More Shields Alongside Cheka Man linked by Cheka Man
- 30 Problems With Swords Alongside Cheka Man linked by Cheka Man
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In Arcanum, a computer game by Black Isle, swords used to degrade in quality when used against golems and their likes.
You should have seen the players avoid any close confrontation with enemies like them.
Give the Notchers to simple opponents - henchmen, your average Joe Orc, etc.
What is to be kept in mind is that the Notcher is powerful in numbers. A sole foe can block perhaps once before being slain by a mighty PC. But when 30 Notcher-equipped orcs threaten, most PCs will hesitate before bringing their precious blades to bear.
Also, if the PCs are NOT familiar with this handy shield, let them first get their swords blunted, as they butcher the UberBaddie's henchmen, only to discover that with such bent pieces of metal, they can but scratch their nemesis' armor.
Pretty good, pretty good.
Nothing magical- I like that.
Well done.
4/5.
This is one of the items that should be in the
'Perfectly Normal Weapon's thread'
http://www.strolen.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2378
It is a 'non magical item' that has campaign purpose, explanation, and is not just something pulled from the equipment list.
But I guess it's unique enough to justify a post of its own.
5/5 Very good and realestic.
Better against some weapons, but heavier, more expensive, and harder to manufacture. The zero-sum principle is maintained.
Solid item.
re: Echo - Yes and so are some of those mundane items. Those that have more to them than the generic description list aspect.
Plain old good stuff. We need more items like these.
non-magical, and because of that it's awesome!
it will become a permanent fixture in my world
Non-magical and undenyably useful for a PC or DM and well balanced on the power curve. Add in a little artistic flair and as Emril says- BAM! Great submission.
Good backstory, and an item that makes those hordes of minions a much bigger nuisance - though it might recuire more paperwork of the DM.