Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 warlockofsiberys Mar 11, 2008 22:00:20	I need help coming up with some background info for a new game I have planned. First, my friend wants to play an Aundairian (sp?) swashbuckler/fighter swordsman, who was an army officer and a well known duelist after the war, who comes from a long line of famous duelists from Aundair, lives by the sword yadda yadda, rich boy with a pointy metal stick sums it up. Anyway, aside from crazy thoughts about how this guy is going to carry his sword collection around with him, we where talking about how famous swords could be fitted into Eberron, which led me to thinking about who makes those really good swords. While I cannot name any historical real-world swordsmiths, I'm certain that some must have existed, people who where sought after by lords and rulers and whatnot for the blades they can make. So, what I would ask of you in the community is to help me flesh out some ideas of famous Eberron sword-smiths, real characters or names and histories of people whose swords carry their names. They don't have to be uber-artificers, this is really going to have no actual game effect, imagine it like gun makers. Glocks and SIGS are both pistols, they're both good, they both do the same job of shooting bullets, but people know there is a difference. Thank you in advance.
#2 RedRider Mar 12, 2008 8:30:06	While I cannot name any historical real-world swordsmiths, I'm certain that some must have existed, people who where sought after by lords and rulers and whatnot for the blades they can make. It's only a matter of time until someone mentions Masamune and we're up to our ascots in katana debates, so there you go. Annoyingly I can't think of any famous western weaponsmiths off the top of my head, but I'm sure some weapon geeks can help us in that regard. To give you one, already made: Golan Dol, from Keith Baker's website.
#3 cloud_divider Mar 13, 2008 22:51:27	You might want a specific smith (which would be just fine - invent one), or you could also pick a specific area/region. Rather like Toledo, Spain, which was fairly well renowned for their swords back in the Renaissance. Golan Dol is a good candidate; given his history, a weapon forged by him would definitely be a treasure (masterwork + art object combined...it may not be especially ornamented, but the "collector's value" is what makes the difference). A Monet of Steel, as it were. I'm not sure I'm personally all that fond of 20th level NPCs around (regardless of actual NPC or PC class levels). Even a 5th or 10th level craftsman would be quite renowned, considering how relatively rare they would be. Someone like Dol would essentially be one of the greatest smiths that ever lived! His swords would be treasures for centuries! For Aundair, Lathleer, Larunor, or Askelios might make good candidate cities. Larunor and Askelios both have mountain ranges nearby (the Blackcaps and the Starpeaks, respectively), which could conceivably contain useful metal deposits. Most importantly, all three names sound good. I can imagine a young noble being bequeathed with an Askelios steel blade on his coming of age. I can also imagine a rivalry between the smiths of both regions, and perhaps some drama as a result of the Last War - perhaps the greatest works of the Grand Forge of Askelios were taken as plunder when Thrane invaded, and have long since been lost (and the smith in question killed). It'd certainly explain why you might run across a fine Askelios-forged rapier in a dingy pawn shop in Sharn - perhaps it passed hands from a Thranish soldier as a war trophy to a Cyran (now refugee) who had to sell it in Sharn. Perhaps only someone well-trained would be able to identify the weapon (and its worth). To tie it into the other thread about fancy materials, perhaps the ore mined in one of those areas has trace amounts of adamantium or mithral, not enough for the full-on bonuses, but just enough for them to gain a reputation as especially strong/sharp/especially pretty patterning on the metal. Going by some of the descriptors in Five Nations, I could easily conceive of some weaponsmithing traditions that utilize arcane magical techniques in their craftsmanship...
#4 Nived Mar 14, 2008 1:02:35	Other than the one mentioned already I don't know of any legendary swordsmiths in Eberron, but there are a few ways to go about this. What culture would you like the swordsmith to be from? Humans, Dwarves, Hobgoblins, and Elves all seem like they'd have their legendary craftsmen in the ways of swordmaking. New or old, are you looking for a sword to be made by the greatest living swordmaker, or do you want an old sword whose history of creation is as important (if not more) than the men who wielded it in the past? Some ideas off the top of my head. A master human swordsmith from 3,000 years ago who was captured and practically enslaved by Karrn the Conquerer, not only was this smith said to have crafted Karrn's swords but those of his generals and most trusted officers. None know what happened to him after Karrn's death but many of the swords he crafted can be found in museums, royal collections, and as treasured heirlooms of old Galifar nobility, they are said to never loose their edge. Fairly 'mundane' for magical swords, they are not fancy looking, strictly utilitarian in form. This swordsmith made instruments of conquest, they had one function, to kill the enemy. The simplicity of this swordsmith's design is still the tradition in Karrnath today. Not all Valenar are warriors, some seek to emulate their ancestors in other ways, some make instruments of war. One family of elves traces their patron ancestor back to a slave in a Giant forge, one who was keen enough to learn the mystical arts of magical weapon creation from the feet of the old giant masters. During the elven rebellion he did not fight directly, but instead forged the weapons carried by the ancestors your more typical Valenar revere. This family has been perfecting their craft for generations, however as is the tradition of the elves they seek to emulate their ancestors, so their deepest desires lie in creating perfect replicas of weapons their ancestors created. Thus there is neither a wide variety of weapons created by this family and the quality of a piece may vary from generation to generation, detecting who in the line created a particular weapon you find is truly difficult. Still they do make amazing beautiful, recognizable (by the elves) weapons, and many are truly powerful. Contrast that with Scions of House Cannith who are always trying to innovate. Master swordsmiths of House Cannith (whom only create swords by commission for very wealthy patrons) are always trying to outdo themselves, their peers, and their forefathers. The true master swordsmiths of House Cannith only make swords by commission, each one customized to suit the specific needs of the buyer. Everything from the grip length to the enchantments are specially balanced for the specific client. In contrast to licensed Cannith swordsmiths, or even up and coming heirs, each sword made by a master of house Cannith is a individual work of art, and always imprinted with the personal seal of the sword maker. So on and so forth.
#5 kinger Mar 14, 2008 14:01:44	Don't forget Dhakaan as a source of ancient relics. I expect the hobgoblins had some revered sword-smiths of their own. Though his name has been lost to the ravages of time, there is frequent mention of the Anvil of the Empress, a weaponsmith of great repute that served the ancient Dhakaani queen Ibijiaam. Legends speak of warriors cleaving mountains with Anvil-forged swords, and ensnaring the seas with Anvil-forged chains. Details of this mythical artisan vary depending on the source, but there are usually commonalities. The Anvil is always described as a hulking, thickly-muscled example of hobgoblin health, though he is always described as being unattractive due to a series of burns across his body from assorted forging accidents. There is always an element of strong friendship between the Anvil and his Empress, and many tales imply the Anvil served as her consort on more than one occasion. While legends always speak of the deeds done by other warriors wielding the Anvil's weapons, it is usually mentioned that the Anvil was a capable warrior in his own right. Most stories point out that the Anvil was no magician in any way, shape, or form, but neglect to explain how he could craft such wonderous weapons were that the case. Relics of the Anvil are typically beautiful pieces of worked adamantine or Byeshk. The most famous works of the Anvil are Thunderous Dawn, an adamantine greatsword wielded by many an aspiring warlord of Dhakaan, and the Wheeling Heavens, a dire flail.
#6 tyr_13 Mar 14, 2008 19:39:57	How about Leuterit? He was supposed to be a Viking smith of some fame. Another Norse smith was Ulfberht, and legend has it that he was the first to create full steel blades as opposed to pattern welded ones. Do you think adamantine is pattern welded a lot? Ingelri was another one. Other famous Japanese smith besides Masamune-sama would include Motoshige-sama, Sadanori-sama, Mihira-sama, the list could go on. In fact, here is a link to an antique Japanese sword page. http://www.nihontoantiques.com/ Wieland is a legendary German smith. Tomaso, Antonio, and Giovanni Angelo were all famous Italian armor workshops. Wilkinson sword company was famous for their fighting knives in WWII. Caliburn was the name of the sword or the smith of the sword that Arthur draws from the stone. For most of history the idea of the individual 'artist' didn't exist in the modern sense, so people in general aren't as famous as peoples, locations, and workshops. The Celts were famous for their swords (their secret was good iron and good design), as is Toledo. German knife makers were famous in the Americas. Excalibur was supposedly forged by an Avolian elf. So it might be better to say, "this is one of the famous Igran rapiers," or, "a fine Star Peaks spear."
#7 vegetalss4 Mar 20, 2008 5:38:02	sorry thriple post
#8 vegetalss4 Mar 20, 2008 5:39:01	sorry thriple post
#9 vegetalss4 Mar 20, 2008 5:39:34	how about using something from here to stat out the swords
#10 mystrich Apr 06, 2008 13:52:39	how about using something from here to stat out the swords That fits with the setting really well, actually, given the inability to create high level magic, seems like better and better quality would have been a major part of the last war.
#11 rageofthemodrons101 Apr 25, 2008 17:23:34	Of course, your "Living Arsenal" is going to want some exotic weapons on his belt that are either just for looking cool or doing extreme amounts of damage. I suggest looking at one or two from Secrets Of Sarlona or Complete Warrior. I know PCs who rely on crazy weapons from time to time. Just look at a warforged scout (the race) Swashbuckler with an Elven Thinblade and an Elven Shortblade.:rolleye2: Srlona, while may seem strange and random, can actually be a good source of weapons. The Tashana Shifters may carry weapons from Frostburn. Riedran villans are 7th heaven when is comes to crysteel and sentira weapons/armor. A number of psionic weapons can serve as Inspired/Chosen loot. Syrkarn is chock full of giant weapons and equiopment, in case one of your PCs is half-giant or Eneko for the size up. Otherwise, just find some excuse for medium weapon to be lying around. In Adar, all sorts of monk/ninja-like weapons can be found and purchased. Sarlona also have the Dream Merchants, which can be used to acquire any weapons from distant lands with contacts all over the world