Thanks
The Lore of the Shadow Keeper
The Shadow Keeper was once the being that allowed the passing of souls between the worlds. Not only did he pass the souls from The World to their Gods realms, but also to permit the unclaimed soul’s access to the Far Realm. In Sigil, the City of Doors there exists the Temple of the Shadows. Deep below there lies a labyrinth of unimaginable complexity, and at its very heart lies a chamber that contains gateways between all of the levels of existence. The gateways were called The Shadow Gates. Full understanding of this chamber and its workings is unknown save the inhabitants of the temple and of the Lady of Pain, the enigmatic ruler of Sigil.
A millennium ago the Shadow Keeper disappeared, and the entrance to the chamber of the Shadow Gates was sealed shut. It is unknown as to where the mysterious keeper disappeared too, however the passage of souls continued unimpeded by the missing master of the doors.
It was said that the Shadow Keeper Held four artifacts that would permit control of the shadow gates: a mask, an amulet, a sword, and a ring. All of which were required. It was also said that in the chamber lies a stone, The Stone of Binding, which would allow the Shadow Keeper to merge or split worlds together. It is rumored that it was the creation of this stone during the founding of The World that caused it to split into the three worlds that currently exist.
Finding the doorway to the chamber of the Shadow Gates may only be seen once every thousand years at the spring Equinox. Those seeking the Shadow Gates must be in the inner chamber of the lowest level of the Labyrinth of the Temple of Shadows in Sigil, the City of Doors. Only then may they enter into the secret Chamber of Souls.
The Moonbane is one of the artifacts, and the Cult of Orcus is after them for dire deeds. So Here's the aritfact I created.
Artifacts
Effecting the Story arch:
The idea behind these campaign artifacts it that there is enough to give the four primary players each an artifact. They will be geared towards them all, and the artifacts grow stronger along with the players. They are also items that forge the world around them, if the artifacts are not found by the players, then there are dire changes in the world because of them.
The cult of Orcus MUST have all four of these before the required date, therefore if the players leave them behind or fail to retrieve them the cult does whatever is necessary to recover them. This also puts the players in harm’s way, once they players have an artifact there will be additional plots and stories that drive them towards the ending goals.
These items are not designed to be given to the players all at once either, the sword is the first item that the players will receive during the level 1-3, the other artifacts are leveled appropriately (well they will be when I finish them, lol) so that the second one is received when the players are participating in a level 6-9 adventure, the third is retrieved during a level 13-16 adventure, and the final artifact is retrieved during the 21-24 adventure.
The players will lose all of the artifacts near the end of the story arch to facilitate them going after the artifacts and stopping the cult of Orcus from accomplishing its end game goals.
MOONBANE: Sword of the Shadowkeeper
The Sword of the Shadow Keeper (Moonbane) Artifact – Found on the Undead King in Fallcrest
Goals of the Sword of the Shadow Keeper:
• To protect the rifts between the worlds
• To be reunited with the other artifacts of the shadow keeper
• To obey divine immortals
This sword looks like it was crafted out of a piece of dark obsidian. Its blade is shaped perfectly with runes inscribed down each side of the blade running into the hilt. The hilt of the sword is steel and silver, with a look that it was made for versatility and not for display.
The sword functions as a standard bastard sword: Prof. +3, Dmg 1d10, weight 6 lbs, heavy blade
Critical: + 1d6 damage per plus
@ level 1 the sword functions as a standard + 1 weapon
@ level 6 the sword seems to grow stronger, becoming a + 2 weapon
@ level 11 the sword awakens, becomes a +3 weapon
The sword begins to communicate with the wielder, and urges them to a divine calling. To become a guardian of the inner sanctums of the eternal realms.
Critical: Changes to + 1d10 damage per plus
Property: Grants the wielder dark vision
Power (Daily): Move action. The wielder can teleport a number of squares equal to his full movement. This movement does not provoke an attack of opportunity.
@ level 16 the sword becomes a +4 weapon
@ level 21 the sword becomes a + 5 weapon
@ level 26 the sword becomes a + 6 weapon
Critical: changes to +1d12 damage per plus
Concordance
Starting Score: 5
Owner gains a level: +1d10
Owner kills an undead creature (max 1/day): +1
Owner casts an arcane or divine spell (max 1/day): +1
Owner completes a quest for an immortal: +2
Owner kills an immortal or a non evil elemental (max 1/enc): -1
Owner disobeys an order from an immortal (demi-god, angel, god): -2
Pleased (16-20)
“The gods themselves guide every stroke that is taken with this blade.”
The sword and the wielder are filled with divine power, ever stroke and the pulling of fate draws the blade to strike truer.
Property: Wielder gains a +2 to all opportunity attacks
Property: Whenever you roll the maximum results on any damage die for this weapon, roll that die again, and add the additional results to the damage total. If a reroll results in another maximum damage result, roll it again and keep adding.
Power (Daily): Free action. Use this power when you hit with the weapon. Deal an extra 1d6 damage with the attack. This damage increase to 2d8 @ level 16, to 3d10 @ level 21, and to 3d12 @ level 26.
Satisfied (12-15)
“The guardian of the inner circle commeth!”
The wielder has proved to be a worth representative of the gods, for filling some of the swords desires.
Property: Wielder gains a +2 to all opportunity attacks
Power (Daily): Minor Action. You have combat advantage against the next creature you attack with this weapon on this turn.
Normal (5-11)
“The sword beckons me to divine mandate.”
The sword opens a commune with the wielders patron deity and entices them to go forward in finding the other artifacts of shadow to become a guardian of divinity.
Special: An open communication with the wielders patron deity, the sword, and the wielder. This happens the first time the player sleeps after the sword has awakened.
Unsatisfied (1-4)
“I am disappointing the blade, I feel remorse.”
Property: The sword loses one of its magical pluses
Angered (0 or Lower)
“I have failed it, the sword is not pleased.”
The wielder is not meeting the swords expectations, and it will not remain long in their possession.
Property: The sword loses one of its magical pluses.
Special: You take a -5 attack rolls and damage rolls to anything besides undead
I don't think 3.x ever had a version of the moonblade...
-Moonblades were given weak stats in Magic of Faerûn.
...It shouldn't be too hard to do and I would like to have a moon themed weapon in the game.
-Moonblades aren't actually in any way connected to the moon. They are named as such because they were created specifically for Moon Elves, as a way to determine what Elves were worthy of the throne of Evermeet.
Thanks for the help.
And L.K. your netbook is great!
-Moonblades were given weak stats in Magic of Faerûn.
-Moonblades aren't actually in any way connected to the moon. They are named as such because they were created specifically for Moon Elves, as a way to determine what Elves were worthy of the throne of Evermeet.
Hmmm ... I thought the 3.5 Forgotten Realms setting just said that the Dark Elves who worshipped Elistraee called their bastard sword a moonblade? Was it a specific type of magic sword instead?
Hmmm ... I thought the 3.5 Forgotten Realms setting just said that the Dark Elves who worshipped Elistraee called their bastard sword a moonblade? Was it a specific type of magic sword instead?
-There's a magic spell called Moonblade (Don't know if it was updated to 3e) that was specific if Eilistraee that created a magical sword sword made out of moonlight that fought and danced around and such, but those aren't Moonblades, as in the actual weapon. Same name, two different things.
Moon Blade
Evocation
Level: Moon 3
Components: V, S, M/DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: 0 ft.
Effect: A swordlike beam
Duration: 1 minute/level (D)
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: Yes
A 3-foot-long blazing beam of moonlight springs forth from you hand.
You call a swordlike beam of moonlight into your hand. Anyone who can cast moon blade can wield the beam with proficiency. However, if you are proficient with any type of sword, you can wield the beam as if it were any type of sword and thus gain the benefits of special skills such as Weapon Focus. Etc.......
Moonblade: These swords, sometimes called elf blades, are heirlooms of noble elven families. Only a few are known to exist, and these are jealously guarded. Still, rumors of dormant moonblades persist.
A moonblade is an intelligent sword (usually a longsword) with an enhancement bonus of +1 to +5. A moonblade always has a good alignment (usually neutral good). Etc......
Now, I'm not sure how easy it will be to convert the mechanics of previous moonblade properties, but maybe a starting point would be using the Artifacts section in the DMG?
Moonblade: These swords, sometimes called elf blades, are heirlooms of noble elven families.
-Moonblades should not be confused with the Elfblades. Or Cormanthyrian Elfblades, either. All different things. Very different.
-Moonblades should not be confused with the Elfblades. Or Cormanthyrian Elfblades, either. All different things. Very different.
That I didn't know, but I was para-phrasing the info straight from the Magic of Faerun source book.
And, just yesterday my friend showed me a Dragon article on how to craft/make Intelligent items, so maybe Moonblades aren't that far off.
-Moonblades were given weak stats in Magic of Faerûn.
-Moonblades aren't actually in any way connected to the moon. They are named as such because they were created specifically for Moon Elves, as a way to determine what Elves were worthy of the throne of Evermeet.
I think the term "Moon" from the Moonblades, is also related to the fact that they use a Moonstone to place the blade's magic powers in it.
That I didn't know, but I was para-phrasing the info straight from the Magic of Faerun source book.
-Moonblades: Weapons crafted to determine proper succession of the royal crown of Evermeet, as one was the "Kingblade".
-Elfblades: Three famous blades of Cormanthyr to determine rulership of the nation, as well as Spell Major and Arms Major.
-Cormanthyrian Elfblades: Keen +1 Longswords.
I think the term "Moon" from the Moonblades, is also related to the fact that they use a Moonstone to place the blade's magic powers in it.
-Right.
-Moonblades: Weapons crafted to determine proper succession of the royal crown of Evermeet, as one was the "Kingblade".
That's interesting. So that Elaine Cunningham story I read the other day with the half-elf character, Arilyn--that character was in the line of succession?
That's interesting. So that Elaine Cunningham story I read the other day with the half-elf character, Arilyn--that character was in the line of succession?
Arilyn Moonblade is the grandaughter of Queen Amlauril Moonflower.
Arilyn's is not the kingblade and since one can't inheret two moonblades she is not part of the succession, even assuming the sun elves wood allow a half elf to take the throne
Arilyn Moonblade is the grandaughter of Queen Amlauril Moonflower.
Arilyn's is not the kingblade and since one can't inheret two moonblades she is not part of the succession, even assuming the sun elves wood allow a half elf to take the throne
Grand-niece, actually, not granddaughter.
That's interesting. So that Elaine Cunningham story I read the other day with the half-elf character, Arilyn--that character was in the line of succession?
-Read the books and find out.
Show
No, no she was not. The King of Evermeet had already been discovered long before she was born. Her Moonblade judged her a worthy wielder, however, and continued to function.
Grand-niece, actually, not granddaughter.
-No, it was granddaughter.
Amlauril --> Amnestria --> Arilyn
Arilyn's is not the kingblade and since one can't inheret two moonblades she is not part of the succession, even assuming the sun elves wood allow a half elf to take the throne
Even Arilyn's own family (ie. Amlaruil herself) most likely wouldn't like the idea of Arilyn being in line for the throne of Evermeet. The Moonflowers wouldn't even comfort Arilyn when they visited Evereska to pay their respects to Arilyn's mother (after she died).
ShowNo, no she was not. The King of Evermeet had already been discovered long before she was born. Her Moonblade judged her a worthy wielder, however, and continued to function.
Even Arilyn's own family (ie. Amlaruil herself) most likely wouldn't like the idea of Arilyn being in line for the throne of Evermeet. The Moonflowers wouldn't even comfort Arilyn when they visited Evereska to pay their respects to Arilyn's mother (after she died).
-She's a Half-Elf. She shouldn't (and rightly so) be allowed to even walk on Evermeet.
-(Lynnae not withstanding, of course).
LK, edit your sblock.;)
-Yeah, I saw that, thank you.
-She's a Half-Elf. She shouldn't (and rightly so) be allowed to even walk on Evermeet.
-(Lynnae not withstanding, of course).
I'm guessing Lynnae was the half-elf warmage that went with Seiveril on his Crusade?
I'm guessing Lynnae was the half-elf warmage that went with Seiveril on his Crusade?
-No, Lynnae is Rin's D&D character.
-No, Lynnae is Rin's D&D character.
Haha, ok.
Well, if I recall the Last Mythal series, there was a half-elf warmage on Evermeet that traveled with Seiveril and I think a few more that might make up for Evermeet's missing 1% population
Haha, ok.
Well, if I recall the Last Mythal series, there was a half-elf warmage on Evermeet that traveled with Seiveril and I think a few more that might make up for Evermeet's missing 1% population
-There is a very small select group of N'Tel'Quessir who have been to Evermeet before, or even live on Evermeet. They're usually very important people, like, say, a former King of Cormyr, or Khelben, but there's also all kinds of 'nobodies' who have access- the sea Captain Macumail, a bunch of Centaurs and other Fey/Sylvan creatures living on the island, and so on.
-I am all for the racial purity of Evermeet as an Elven-only enclave, however. Fey/Sylvan creatures not withstanding.
-She's a Half-Elf. She shouldn't (and rightly so) be allowed to even walk on Evermeet.
-(Lynnae not withstanding, of course).
:D
-Yeah, I saw that, thank you.
You're welcome.
-There is a very small select group of N'Tel'Quessir who have been to Evermeet before, or even live on Evermeet. They're usually very important people, like, say, a former King of Cormyr, or Khelben, but there's also all kinds of 'nobodies' who have access- the sea Captain Macumail, a bunch of Centaurs and other Fey/Sylvan creatures living on the island, and so on.
Yup, and that half-elven warmage (don't remember his name, but I remember the character) was just another nobody.
:P
-No, it was granddaughter.
Amlauril --> Amnestria --> Arilyn
Really? All this time, I thought Amlaruil and Amnestria were sisters.
Yup, and that half-elven warmage (don't remember his name, but I remember the character) was just another nobody.
:P
-I believe his name was Jeremy Hillary Boob, Phd.
Really? All this time, I thought Amlaruil and Amnestria were sisters.
-Nope. Amnestria was her second to last child, and her last daughter.
-Nope. Amnestria was her second to last child, and her last daughter.
Wow, weird... all this time I was under the wrong impression. This changes the entire way that I look back at those novels. Makes Arilyn's story even more poignant for me.
In the interest of not provoking further one-word posts, I'll avoid trying to formulate a bullet-proof question and simply state that I'm interested in what the various characteristics of the different blades might be, and would enjoy seeing a discussion about them. Here. In this discussion topic designated for discussing moonblades.
-Moonblades have varying powers. No two are alike.
For example, Arilyn's moonblade can create an Elfshadow. Other various blades offer protection from fire or have spell resistance, etc. Though I don't think the Magic of Faerun book made them out to be the great weapons they are, I think they're all at least Intelligent items. Were you looking for a way to make them in 4e or just a general borad idea of what they do with no game mechanics?
I guess the latter in service to the former. I think that was the original poster's intention, or part of it, maybe--to "stat up' the Moonblades. The recent article on intelligent weapons should come in handy.
Maybe we could start with a list of the places where the Moonblades abilities are described, both in terms of older rules sets (gaming sources) and via narrative (fiction sources). As I mentioned, I just read one of Elaine Cunningham's Arilyn and Danilo story called "The Bargain" in the Realms of Valor anthology. So that would be a source, though in this case, none of the blades abilities are particularly evident (because they weren't really necessary for that story, I imagine).
There was also a Moonblade in the Baldur's Gate game. Can't remember the abilities.
Ah, Xan's moonblade. Did we ever really know? Seems like it was only equippable by Xan himself, but I really can't remember.
-Note that, unless Mr. Xan's Moonblade appears in the Baldur's Gate novel, it doesn't exist in the canon Forgotten Realms.
Alas, no. Xan met an untimely end in the Cloak Wood by being decapitated by a large spider. There was no mention of him using a Moonblade OR him even being a wizard. I blame Philip Athans. I will, however, stat Xan's Moonblade and canon be damned.
-Never read the book, never played the game. I'm just happy my 50/50 guess was right, and that Xan was a man, and not a woman.
The book was "meh" mainly because so many cool NPCs were either killed off, not mentioned, or vaguely referenced. The game though was (and still is) alot of fun as are the expansions. I also like the books of lore/info your character can pick up and read through out the game. Neat stuff.
So, I know from my recent reading that wouldn't include Elaine Cunningham's "The Bargain," but it sounds like it should include her novel Evermeet: Island of Elves and some (all?) entries in her Songs and Swords series.
Which particular novels in Songs and Swords give significant, non-redundant narrative descriptions of the physical appearance and powers of one or more of the Moonblades?
Which gaming sourcebooks provide significant, non-redundant information about the physical appearance and powers of one or more of the Moonblades?
What other sources should be on such a list?
Which particular novels in Songs and Swords give significant, non-redundant narrative descriptions of the physical appearance and powers of one or more of the Moonblades?
first and third.
third only because one of the blade's abilities at the end of the first is replaced.
spoiler
the feature that allows Danilo Thann to touch the blade disappears and is replaced by the ability for the sword to glow green when the wood or wild (can't remember which) elves of... Calimshan? I think?... are threatened.
-Moonblades aren't actually in any way connected to the moon. They are named as such because they were created specifically for Moon Elves, as a way to determine what Elves were worthy of the throne of Evermeet.
More specifically... Whether or not they were worthy of being the Leader of their noble house. Moonblades were heirlooms and symbols of the Noble House. The blade tested the heir and would reject those it felt were unworthy.
The 2nd Ed supplements Cormanthyr and Fall of Myth Drannor have information and history on Moonblades that can be adapted to 4th ed. (Both of which can be found in the Old Edition Downloads btw).
-I believe his name was Jeremy Hillary Boob, Phd.
Yes, that was it.
Ah, Xan's moonblade. Did we ever really know? Seems like it was only equippable by Xan himself, but I really can't remember.
That's correct, only Xan can use it. To top it all off, Xan is a single-classed mage with lowish physical stats, so the moonblade winds up being rather ineffectual anyway (send him into melee combat, and odds are he'll just get killed).
Note (to all) that I am talking about the BG CRPG, not the novel.
The book was "meh" mainly because so many cool NPCs were either killed off, not mentioned, or vaguely referenced.
And if they were mentioned, their descriptions weren't particularly true to the game.
The game though was (and still is) alot of fun as are the expansions. I also like the books of lore/info your character can pick up and read through out the game. Neat stuff.
Seconded, on all points! I should mention though that I first played the game about a year after it came out. Someone picking up the game for the first time now might find it rather dated, thanks to the relatively slow pace as well as the graphics.
spoilerthe feature that allows Danilo Thann to touch the blade disappears and is replaced by the ability for the sword to glow green when the wood or wild (can't remember which) elves of... Calimshan? I think?...