Targath metal’s properties in 4th Edition -- Updated
(Please examine and critique honestly).
On page 127 of the 3.5 Eberron Campaign Setting is a metal called Targath: “Targath is a soft metal mined on the northern coast of Argonnessen…Even a small amount of Targath worn or carried on the body grants a character a +2 resistance bonus on Fortitude saves vs. disease…” The price for Targath listed on page 126 is +3 gp for ammunition. Hence a small amount of Targath such as a sling bullet would cost less than 4 gp. This is cheap enough that any 1st level character could afford it, and the bonus is good enough to consider it.
But what does Targath do in 4th Edition?
Well after some thought, this is what I created for my games. Feel free to use it for yours :
Targath is a rich soft ore found in the northern mountainous regions of Argonnessen. It is conductive to certain magical enhancements particularly amulets , holy symbols, and rings. A few countries have minted Targath coins over the past millennium. Currently, House Jorasco mints a small amount of these coins which can be exchanged for 10 gold pieces. Earlier coins have a historical value to a collector and could be worth five times that or more to the right individual.
Halflings view Targath coins to have luck properties and often carry a favorite Targath coin hidden in the lining of their clothes or in the sole of their shoe. The halfling phrase, “I would bet my last targath on it!” expresses belief that an event is sure to happen. Dragonborn tend to cherish Targath items as part of their heritage. Some families in certain races such as Minotaurs and Tieflings tend to view Targath coins as unlucky if kept for long periods of time. Humans, Dwarves and many other races tend to vary greatly on their opinions about items made with Targath ore depending on how much they believe the stories about these coins increasing one’s luck be it good or bad. Generally speaking, about 50% of the Drow, Elf, or Eladrin races tend to view an object made of Targath with varying degrees of distaste due to various historic, political, religious, and folklore prejudices.
Regardless, the refined metal made from Targath ore is proven to be very effective in helping to prevent and cure diseases. This is one of the reasons House Jorasco has minted Targath coins which are often found in House Jorasco Healing Centers. Anyone having Targath metal on their person gains a +1 item bonus to all defenses vs. anything with the Disease keyword and a +2 item bonus to Endurance rolls involving disease. Also, it is commonly known that the undying of Aerenal and some forms of undead are very uncomfortable in the presence of Targath.
A process has been refined for creating Alchemical Targath (Adapt the chart on page 23 of the Adventurer’s Vault by substituting the words "Alchemical Targath" anywhere you see the words "Alchemical Silver").
Nonmagical weapons cannot be made of this soft material, but occasionally a magical weapon may have a layer of Targath applied to it. While one may think that a weapon of this nature has one use—to fight the Undying of Aerenal. However some weapons are constructed with a layer of Targath simply in order to augment the healing powers within the magic item or to increase its destructive ability against undead. A hit by a weapon with a Targath layer is believed to temporarily stop the regeneration abilities of Members of the Undying Court. Large quantities of such weapons are generally viewed as a declaration of intent to raid the Island of Aerenal or defend against it. The most common of these is the Targath Defender which was crafted in Argonnessen years ago, but others do exist.
Targath Defender Weapon
“Favored by the Dragonborn Defenders of Argonnessen and feared by the Undying of Aerenal.”
Level three +1
Level eight +2
Level thirteen +3
Level eighteen +4
Level twenty three +5
Level twenty eight +6
Weapon: Any
Enhancement: Attack rolls and damage rolls
Critical: +1d6 damage per plus, or +1d10 damage per plus against undying creatures.
Property: You gain resist equal to the enhancement bonus of this weapon to damage dealt by undying creatures.
Power (Daily): Free action. Regain hit points as if you had spent a healing surge.
Targath Diamond Amulet
“This intricate made diamond shaped amulet provides protection against the forces of destruction.”
Level five +1
Level ten +2
Level fifteen +3
Level twenty +4
Level twenty five +5
Level thirty +6
Item slot: Neck
Enhancement: Fortitude, Reflex, and Will
Property: Gain an item bonus to Heal Checks equal to the amulet’s enhancement bonus. Gain resist 5 disease, resist 5 necrotic, and resist 5 poison.
Level fifteen and twenty five: Resist 10 disease, resist 10 necrotic, resist 10 poison.
Level twenty five and thirty: Resist 15 disease, resist 15 necrotic, and resist 15 poison.
Targath Symbol of Hope
“This amulet makes it easier for allies to recover from debilitating effects particularly diseases. It is particularly favored by House Jorasco Clerics”
Level four +1
Level nine +2
Level fourteen +3
Level nineteen +4
Level twenty four +5
Level twenty nine +6
Implement (Holy Symbol)
Enhancement: Attack rolls and damage rolls.
Critical: +1d6 damage per plus or +1d10 damage per plus vs. undying.
Power (Daily): Minor action. You can use this power when you or an ally within 5 squares of you is under an effect that a save can end. You or the ally gains a +5 power bonus to saving throws against this effect. If the target has contracted a disease, then the target moves one step better on the disease track. Unless the target is dead, this power can be used on a disease in its final state.
Targath Disrupting Weapon
”Created in the ancient days, this weapon is the bane of undead everywhere.
Level eight +2
Level thirteen +3
Level eighteen +4
Level twenty three +5
Level twenty eight +6
Weapons: Flail, Hammer, Mace.
Enhancement: Attack rolls and damage rolls.
Critical: +1d6 radiant damage per plus or +1d10 radiant damage per plus against undead or undying.
Property: This weapon can be used as a holy symbol. It adds its enhancement bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls, and attacks can be augmented by this weapon’s power when it is used as an implement. You do not gain your weapon proficiency to an attack roll when using a disrupting weapon as an implement.
Power (Daily<>Radiant): Free action. Use this power when you hit an undead or undying creature with this weapon. Deal +1d10 radiant damage per plus.
Targath Ring
”This ring is very handy in dungeons.”
Level fifteen
Item Slot: Ring
Property: Gain a +2 item bonus to Dungeoneering checks. Gain a climb speed equal to your speed.
Power (At Will): Standard Action. As the cleric’s Holy Lantern power.
Power (Daily): Standard Action. As the cleric’s Cure Light Wounds power.
If you’ve reached at least one milestone today, as the cleric’s Cure Serious Wounds power.
(Please examine and critique honestly).
On page 127 of the 3.5 Eberron Campaign Setting is a metal called Targath: “Targath is a soft metal mined on the northern coast of Argonnessen…Even a small amount of Targath worn or carried on the body grants a character a +2 resistance bonus on Fortitude saves vs. disease…” The price for Targath listed on page 126 is +3 gp for ammunition. Hence a small amount of Targath such as a sling bullet would cost less than 4 gp. This is cheap enough that any 1st level character could afford it, and the bonus is good enough to consider it.
But what does Targath do in 4th Edition?
Well after some thought, this is what I created for my games. Feel free to use it for yours :
Targath is a rich soft ore found in the northern mountainous regions of Argonnessen. It is conductive to certain magical enhancements particularly amulets , holy symbols, and rings. A few countries have minted Targath coins over the past millennium. Currently, House Jorasco mints a small amount of these coins which can be exchanged for 10 gold pieces. Earlier coins have a historical value to a collector and could be worth five times that or more to the right individual.
Halflings view Targath coins to have luck properties and often carry a favorite Targath coin hidden in the lining of their clothes or in the sole of their shoe. The halfling phrase, “I would bet my last targath on it!” expresses belief that an event is sure to happen. Dragonborn tend to cherish Targath items as part of their heritage. Some families in certain races such as Minotaurs and Tieflings tend to view Targath coins as unlucky if kept for long periods of time. Humans, Dwarves and many other races tend to vary greatly on their opinions about items made with Targath ore depending on how much they believe the stories about these coins increasing one’s luck be it good or bad. Generally speaking, about 50% of the Drow, Elf, or Eladrin races tend to view an object made of Targath with varying degrees of distaste due to various historic, political, religious, and folklore prejudices.
Regardless, the refined metal made from Targath ore is proven to be very effective in helping to prevent and cure diseases. This is one of the reasons House Jorasco has minted Targath coins which are often found in House Jorasco Healing Centers. Anyone having Targath metal on their person gains a +1 item bonus to all defenses vs. anything with the Disease keyword and a +2 item bonus to Endurance rolls involving disease. Also, it is commonly known that the undying of Aerenal and some forms of undead are very uncomfortable in the presence of Targath.
A process has been refined for creating Alchemical Targath (Adapt the chart on page 23 of the Adventurer’s Vault by substituting the words "Alchemical Targath" anywhere you see the words "Alchemical Silver").
Nonmagical weapons cannot be made of this soft material, but occasionally a magical weapon may have a layer of Targath applied to it. While one may think that a weapon of this nature has one use—to fight the Undying of Aerenal. However some weapons are constructed with a layer of Targath simply in order to augment the healing powers within the magic item or to increase its destructive ability against undead. A hit by a weapon with a Targath layer is believed to temporarily stop the regeneration abilities of Members of the Undying Court. Large quantities of such weapons are generally viewed as a declaration of intent to raid the Island of Aerenal or defend against it. The most common of these is the Targath Defender which was crafted in Argonnessen years ago, but others do exist.
Targath Defender Weapon
“Favored by the Dragonborn Defenders of Argonnessen and feared by the Undying of Aerenal.”
Level three +1
Level eight +2
Level thirteen +3
Level eighteen +4
Level twenty three +5
Level twenty eight +6
Weapon: Any
Enhancement: Attack rolls and damage rolls
Critical: +1d6 damage per plus, or +1d10 damage per plus against undying creatures.
Property: You gain resist equal to the enhancement bonus of this weapon to damage dealt by undying creatures.
Power (Daily): Free action. Regain hit points as if you had spent a healing surge.
Targath Diamond Amulet
“This intricate made diamond shaped amulet provides protection against the forces of destruction.”
Level five +1
Level ten +2
Level fifteen +3
Level twenty +4
Level twenty five +5
Level thirty +6
Item slot: Neck
Enhancement: Fortitude, Reflex, and Will
Property: Gain an item bonus to Heal Checks equal to the amulet’s enhancement bonus. Gain resist 5 disease, resist 5 necrotic, and resist 5 poison.
Level fifteen and twenty five: Resist 10 disease, resist 10 necrotic, resist 10 poison.
Level twenty five and thirty: Resist 15 disease, resist 15 necrotic, and resist 15 poison.
Targath Symbol of Hope
“This amulet makes it easier for allies to recover from debilitating effects particularly diseases. It is particularly favored by House Jorasco Clerics”
Level four +1
Level nine +2
Level fourteen +3
Level nineteen +4
Level twenty four +5
Level twenty nine +6
Implement (Holy Symbol)
Enhancement: Attack rolls and damage rolls.
Critical: +1d6 damage per plus or +1d10 damage per plus vs. undying.
Power (Daily): Minor action. You can use this power when you or an ally within 5 squares of you is under an effect that a save can end. You or the ally gains a +5 power bonus to saving throws against this effect. If the target has contracted a disease, then the target moves one step better on the disease track. Unless the target is dead, this power can be used on a disease in its final state.
Targath Disrupting Weapon
”Created in the ancient days, this weapon is the bane of undead everywhere.
Level eight +2
Level thirteen +3
Level eighteen +4
Level twenty three +5
Level twenty eight +6
Weapons: Flail, Hammer, Mace.
Enhancement: Attack rolls and damage rolls.
Critical: +1d6 radiant damage per plus or +1d10 radiant damage per plus against undead or undying.
Property: This weapon can be used as a holy symbol. It adds its enhancement bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls, and attacks can be augmented by this weapon’s power when it is used as an implement. You do not gain your weapon proficiency to an attack roll when using a disrupting weapon as an implement.
Power (Daily<>Radiant): Free action. Use this power when you hit an undead or undying creature with this weapon. Deal +1d10 radiant damage per plus.
Targath Ring
”This ring is very handy in dungeons.”
Level fifteen
Item Slot: Ring
Property: Gain a +2 item bonus to Dungeoneering checks. Gain a climb speed equal to your speed.
Power (At Will): Standard Action. As the cleric’s Holy Lantern power.
Power (Daily): Standard Action. As the cleric’s Cure Light Wounds power.
If you’ve reached at least one milestone today, as the cleric’s Cure Serious Wounds power.
For example, it's invaluable to House Jorasco for its role in fighting disease. However, it's also mined exclusively on Argonnessen. This implies a brisk trade between the Seren and Jorasco, yes?
Unfortunately, it's also part of the standard equipment of Blood of Vol priests—so we have to ask where they are getting it. My bet? The lore of the Blood of Vol concerning bloodborne and what we would think of as genetic illnesses is unparalleled. I'm betting that House Jorasco trades the stuff to the Blood of Vol for training and assistance with anemia, leukemia, hemophilia, and a host of other diseases.
The alternative is that the Blood of Vol gets it directly from the Seren, though this seems unlikely given the traditional hostility between the House Vol and certain dragon factions.
Mechanically, I like most of your ideas... there are only a couple of things that really jump out at me:
- disease isn't a damage type, so effect such as "resist 10 disease" won't have any effect.
- at least one targath artifact—or even just a lump of the stuff—needs to provide some sort of bonus to the defense (currently either Fort or Will, depending on the disease) against disease infection, and a bonus to the Endurance check used to move on the disease track.
—Siran Dunmorgan
[1] My on-again-off-again Eberron mega-adventure is "SLAVES of the TARGATH MINES!"
- disease isn't a damage type, so effect such as "resist 10 disease" won't have any effect.
- at least one targath artifact—or even just a lump of the stuff—needs to provide some sort of bonus to the defense (currently either Fort or Will, depending on the disease) against disease infection, and a bonus to the Endurance check used to move on the disease track.
It is hidden among all the other words, but there is an extra effect for carrying around a lump of Targath:
...Anyone having Targath metal on their person gains a +1 item bonus to all defenses vs. anything with the Disease keyword and a +2 item bonus to Endurance rolls involving disease...
I did not realize that no damage has the disease type, I wonder if things will stay that way?
Maybe I will leave it in just in case things change.
I guess it is good that I lumped resist disease along with resist necrotic and resist poison both of which seem likely to also appear with the same type of creatures.
Property: Gain an item bonus to Heal Checks equal to the amulet’s enhancement bonus. Gain resist 5 disease, resist 5 necrotic, and resist 5 poison.
Level fifteen and twenty five: Resist 10 disease, resist 10 necrotic, resist 10 poison.
Level twenty five and thirty: Resist 15 disease, resist 15 necrotic, and resist 15 poison.
Targath Body
Heroic Tier
Prerequisite: Monk
Benefit: When you roll an Endurance check to check disease
progression, roll twice and use the higher result.
You treat your monk unarmed strike as though it were a silvered weapon.