An ancient hero's equiptment [Archive] - Wizards Community

An ancient hero's equiptment [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
MasterRookie
08-15-05, 03:33 PM In my game I plan to have a campain or side goal of a rogue PC tracking down the items of his Great Grandfather the famous Sasuke Sagara. Sasuke was an Itinerant swordman from a japanese style culture who traveled the land adventuring. Along the way he picked different fighting diseplines becoming a level 10 fighter level 7 monk. He eventually came to the distant country the rogue lives in.

I've been working on the items so far I have:

a Keen edged Katana

a +2 Wakizashi

Bracers of armor +5

A Headband of the monk order to which Sasuke belonged (+4 will save headband)

and a ring of protection +1 already in the rogues possession

Each item was given to one of the Sasuke's decendants and eventually came to various final resting places through battle and being handed down the family tree.

Given Sasuke's fame and high level should I perhaps change some of these items to make them one of a kind artifacts.
MasterRookie
08-17-05, 02:07 PM anyone?
Callahan
08-17-05, 02:28 PM Well you've already covered the Katana, which is of course a favourite weapon of all mythological warriors and that of a devoted sword master.

The remaining arsenal of a Japanese warrior is a poll arm or his bow.

The fact that he is trained as a classic monk it suggest that he would want to be rather personal with his enemies. This means that he is unlikely to use many poll arms, armour or shields. So I suggest that you add the Bow.

I suggest a +1 long bow of Range and initiative.

The last is from the Oriental Handbook and grants a +2 luck bonus to all Initiative checks made while simply carrying the weapon.
Bit of a high end enchantment though(+20,000 gp).

Don't know if it helps but I also add some personalized touches when making powerful NPC weapons. I usually make unique enchantments that fit the user's personality.
MasterRookie
08-17-05, 02:37 PM Well you've already covered the Katana, which is of course a favourite weapon of all mythological warriors and that of a devoted sword master.

The remaining arsenal of a Japanese warrior is a poll arm or his bow.

The fact that he is trained as a classic monk it suggest that he would want to be rather personal with his enemies. This means that he is unlikely to use many poll arms, armour or shields. So I suggest that you add the Bow.

I suggest a +1 long bow of Range and initiative.

The last is from the Oriental Handbook and grants a +2 luck bonus to all Initiative checks made while simply carrying the weapon.
Bit of a high end enchantment though(+20,000 gp).

Don't know if it helps but I also add some personalized touches when making powerful NPC weapons. I usually make unique enchantments that fit the user's personality.

Hmm Yeah that helps a bit. So far I've had one item for each son or daughter, I can add another. I feel that these weapons I've listed are a bit underpowered for a level 17 npc. I'm having trouble finding good things to add besides enhancement bonuses. I was hoping I could get a list going.
Puca
08-17-05, 02:38 PM Given Sasuke's fame and high level should I perhaps change some of these items to make them one of a kind artifacts.
Actually, this kind of this is the reason Weapons of Legacy was made.
Youve describe the kind of background perfectly.
MasterRookie
08-17-05, 02:44 PM okay I assume weapons of legacy is a book about one of a kind items.
Callahan
08-17-05, 02:50 PM Well one thing I can think of off the top of my head is adding Ki channelling to his Katana.

This would allow the user to channel both his Adamantite and Lawful Ki strike abilities as well as stunning and quivering Palm (if he has them) through his weapon. Useful to have for a monk that's using his Katana in the main hand and his unarmed attack ass his secondary attack.
MasterRookie
08-17-05, 02:56 PM good thought. Although that doesn't really help the rogue finding this stuff it certainly is a logical ability.
Puca
08-17-05, 03:00 PM Yes, its a book.

Legacy weapons (items) are items with a history.

For game purposes, they scale along with the character.

So, at level 5, you have a +1 katana. When you get to level 7, it becomes a +1 Keen katana (or some such thing.)
Then you learn a bit about its history, perform a ritual of some kind (which cost money) and unlock, gain access to, bigger and better powers.
At high levels, they border on artifact-level power.

The concept seems to fit really well with what youre going for, and you can give a player a +2 item with an elaborte history that wont be discarded in three or four levels because its powers are obsolete.
Plus, learning the history and perfoming the rituals seems to fit in with the side-quest idea you mentioned.

Heres the excerpt. Its worth a look. http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20050701a
MasterRookie
08-17-05, 03:04 PM well yes. But I'm not sure about unlocking new abilitys sounds like a video game. I'd prefure to just give the weapon's some simple unique abilitys.

In oriental adventures is there a "Specific" Magic katana sort of like the flametounge longsword or the assasin's dagger in the dmg.
peanut35
08-17-05, 03:04 PM you could always thrown in the Monk's Belt, which might suit the Grandfather for purposes of both his monk fighting and his sword fighting, so that might be a nice addition, and usuable by the rogue, definately. AC bump, unarmed damage, and could be difficult to find, as it is just a rope belt. If you want flavor, you could add another special ability, say, throw on +2 str or something, to make it special, and maybe instead of a hemp rope-belt, you could make it a silk belk in the color of his monestary, if you associate a color with his monk upbringing.
MasterRookie
08-17-05, 03:07 PM Yes but with the power of a monk of several levels higher the hero would have had no use for his katana. I want to keep the combination of diceplines.
Puca
08-17-05, 03:08 PM But I'm not sure about unlocking new abilitys sounds like a video game.I dont play video games. So, it just sounded pretty cool to me. Huge flavor.
MasterRookie
08-17-05, 03:25 PM Does a katana normally count as a monk weapon. If not that can be an ability.
Sluagh
08-17-05, 03:26 PM well yes. But I'm not sure about unlocking new abilitys sounds like a video game. I'd prefure to just give the weapon's some simple unique abilitys.

The idea is that, as the character interacts with the weapon over time and learns more about its history, they also build a personal connection with the weapon, understanding how to use it better and tap into its latent powers. That way the character can have a signature weapon through their career that grows in power with them, rather than continually replacing weapons that were powerful at lower levels, but insufficient as they go up in level.

To go with that idea, to understand the weapon there are Knowledge (history) checks made to discover more about it and rituals enacted to strengthen your bond to it.
MasterRookie
08-17-05, 03:39 PM What about the creation of a weapon though. Surely Sasuke's sword had to start as just a weapon made in a forge. That still leaves the problem of deciding these abilitys. They would have to be abilitys that aren't evident. If a sword is keen then its going to act like a keen weapon weather you know it or not. If a weapon becomes a bane weapon of a the type of creature you just killed when you touch the runes on the blade is another matter.

I like the idea of adding abilitys to your own weapon, but discovering abilitys within an old one I'm not to interested. Unless the weapon is being restored to its original power after it was lost for some reason.
Puca
08-17-05, 03:42 PM No, not really.
Follow the link above to the excerpt. That will probably be easier than me trying to paraphrase.
MasterRookie
08-17-05, 03:48 PM hmm. Actually that does sound cool. I have a way to suplement it with another Idea someone had.
peanut35
08-17-05, 03:59 PM there is always the idea behind the Samurai (From OA), or the Kensai from Complete Warrior. This is more along the lines of a signature weapon, or similarly to the Weapons of Legacy, but the powers are solely those in the DMG and of the appropriate value, and you can meditate to add new abilities of your choice, up to restrictions based on the class and your level.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MasterRookie 08-15-05, 03:33 PM	In my game I plan to have a campain or side goal of a rogue PC tracking down the items of his Great Grandfather the famous Sasuke Sagara. Sasuke was an Itinerant swordman from a japanese style culture who traveled the land adventuring. Along the way he picked different fighting diseplines becoming a level 10 fighter level 7 monk. He eventually came to the distant country the rogue lives in. I've been working on the items so far I have: a Keen edged Katana a +2 Wakizashi Bracers of armor +5 A Headband of the monk order to which Sasuke belonged (+4 will save headband) and a ring of protection +1 already in the rogues possession Each item was given to one of the Sasuke's decendants and eventually came to various final resting places through battle and being handed down the family tree. Given Sasuke's fame and high level should I perhaps change some of these items to make them one of a kind artifacts.
MasterRookie 08-17-05, 02:07 PM	anyone?
Callahan 08-17-05, 02:28 PM	Well you've already covered the Katana, which is of course a favourite weapon of all mythological warriors and that of a devoted sword master. The remaining arsenal of a Japanese warrior is a poll arm or his bow. The fact that he is trained as a classic monk it suggest that he would want to be rather personal with his enemies. This means that he is unlikely to use many poll arms, armour or shields. So I suggest that you add the Bow. I suggest a +1 long bow of Range and initiative. The last is from the Oriental Handbook and grants a +2 luck bonus to all Initiative checks made while simply carrying the weapon. Bit of a high end enchantment though(+20,000 gp). Don't know if it helps but I also add some personalized touches when making powerful NPC weapons. I usually make unique enchantments that fit the user's personality.
MasterRookie 08-17-05, 02:37 PM	Well you've already covered the Katana, which is of course a favourite weapon of all mythological warriors and that of a devoted sword master. The remaining arsenal of a Japanese warrior is a poll arm or his bow. The fact that he is trained as a classic monk it suggest that he would want to be rather personal with his enemies. This means that he is unlikely to use many poll arms, armour or shields. So I suggest that you add the Bow. I suggest a +1 long bow of Range and initiative. The last is from the Oriental Handbook and grants a +2 luck bonus to all Initiative checks made while simply carrying the weapon. Bit of a high end enchantment though(+20,000 gp). Don't know if it helps but I also add some personalized touches when making powerful NPC weapons. I usually make unique enchantments that fit the user's personality. Hmm Yeah that helps a bit. So far I've had one item for each son or daughter, I can add another. I feel that these weapons I've listed are a bit underpowered for a level 17 npc. I'm having trouble finding good things to add besides enhancement bonuses. I was hoping I could get a list going.
Puca 08-17-05, 02:38 PM	Given Sasuke's fame and high level should I perhaps change some of these items to make them one of a kind artifacts. Actually, this kind of this is the reason Weapons of Legacy was made. Youve describe the kind of background perfectly.
MasterRookie 08-17-05, 02:44 PM	okay I assume weapons of legacy is a book about one of a kind items.
Callahan 08-17-05, 02:50 PM	Well one thing I can think of off the top of my head is adding Ki channelling to his Katana. This would allow the user to channel both his Adamantite and Lawful Ki strike abilities as well as stunning and quivering Palm (if he has them) through his weapon. Useful to have for a monk that's using his Katana in the main hand and his unarmed attack ass his secondary attack.
MasterRookie 08-17-05, 02:56 PM	good thought. Although that doesn't really help the rogue finding this stuff it certainly is a logical ability.
Puca 08-17-05, 03:00 PM	Yes, its a book. Legacy weapons (items) are items with a history. For game purposes, they scale along with the character. So, at level 5, you have a +1 katana. When you get to level 7, it becomes a +1 Keen katana (or some such thing.) Then you learn a bit about its history, perform a ritual of some kind (which cost money) and unlock, gain access to, bigger and better powers. At high levels, they border on artifact-level power. The concept seems to fit really well with what youre going for, and you can give a player a +2 item with an elaborte history that wont be discarded in three or four levels because its powers are obsolete. Plus, learning the history and perfoming the rituals seems to fit in with the side-quest idea you mentioned. Heres the excerpt. Its worth a look. http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20050701a
MasterRookie 08-17-05, 03:04 PM	well yes. But I'm not sure about unlocking new abilitys sounds like a video game. I'd prefure to just give the weapon's some simple unique abilitys. In oriental adventures is there a "Specific" Magic katana sort of like the flametounge longsword or the assasin's dagger in the dmg.
peanut35 08-17-05, 03:04 PM	you could always thrown in the Monk's Belt, which might suit the Grandfather for purposes of both his monk fighting and his sword fighting, so that might be a nice addition, and usuable by the rogue, definately. AC bump, unarmed damage, and could be difficult to find, as it is just a rope belt. If you want flavor, you could add another special ability, say, throw on +2 str or something, to make it special, and maybe instead of a hemp rope-belt, you could make it a silk belk in the color of his monestary, if you associate a color with his monk upbringing.
MasterRookie 08-17-05, 03:07 PM	Yes but with the power of a monk of several levels higher the hero would have had no use for his katana. I want to keep the combination of diceplines.
Puca 08-17-05, 03:08 PM	But I'm not sure about unlocking new abilitys sounds like a video game.I dont play video games. So, it just sounded pretty cool to me. Huge flavor.
MasterRookie 08-17-05, 03:25 PM	Does a katana normally count as a monk weapon. If not that can be an ability.
Sluagh 08-17-05, 03:26 PM	well yes. But I'm not sure about unlocking new abilitys sounds like a video game. I'd prefure to just give the weapon's some simple unique abilitys. The idea is that, as the character interacts with the weapon over time and learns more about its history, they also build a personal connection with the weapon, understanding how to use it better and tap into its latent powers. That way the character can have a signature weapon through their career that grows in power with them, rather than continually replacing weapons that were powerful at lower levels, but insufficient as they go up in level. To go with that idea, to understand the weapon there are Knowledge (history) checks made to discover more about it and rituals enacted to strengthen your bond to it.
MasterRookie 08-17-05, 03:39 PM	What about the creation of a weapon though. Surely Sasuke's sword had to start as just a weapon made in a forge. That still leaves the problem of deciding these abilitys. They would have to be abilitys that aren't evident. If a sword is keen then its going to act like a keen weapon weather you know it or not. If a weapon becomes a bane weapon of a the type of creature you just killed when you touch the runes on the blade is another matter. I like the idea of adding abilitys to your own weapon, but discovering abilitys within an old one I'm not to interested. Unless the weapon is being restored to its original power after it was lost for some reason.
Puca 08-17-05, 03:42 PM	No, not really. Follow the link above to the excerpt. That will probably be easier than me trying to paraphrase.
MasterRookie 08-17-05, 03:48 PM	hmm. Actually that does sound cool. I have a way to suplement it with another Idea someone had.
peanut35 08-17-05, 03:59 PM	there is always the idea behind the Samurai (From OA), or the Kensai from Complete Warrior. This is more along the lines of a signature weapon, or similarly to the Weapons of Legacy, but the powers are solely those in the DMG and of the appropriate value, and you can meditate to add new abilities of your choice, up to restrictions based on the class and your level.