If we go for weaker magic, there has to be none effect like this. If you use it as a walking stick, it will be sharp as one. You have to sharpen it regularly (or look stupid, if you ask a smith to sharpen it for you).
Or just add a minor protective power, as you suggest. Go to Comment
Certainly. But still, a masked assassin might prefer to use the point, and maybe have not enough space or time to swing the sword, just stab.
A good actor might actually fake it: put very little pressure on the sword, but still look like you are. Especially, if you combine this with poison to be sure.
This brings me to another forgotten topic: sound. Metal sounds different from wood, right? I guess as an illusion-enchanted item, this is taken care of. But a Dispel Magic may really do something: temporary cancel this effect. The guards may not notice it... and the wearer too... Go to Comment
So the sound is masked, agreed. And yes, the blade is not protected from slashing by accident... watch your own feet by the way!
But there is something else yet...
Situations can happen where one person hits another with a club, without wanting to kill or harm badly (a master his lazy student, for example). What if through misplacing (or Evil intent), the walking stick or whatever is replaced with this item? A single hit could kill the unlucky, or at least seriously harm him/her. If arranged well, this may be a way to kill someone, or frame for murder. Things can turn ugly around this one... Go to Comment
Much would depend of course on the mastery of its creator. A powerful variant could make people touch intuitively the flat sides of the blade, and mask the cold feeling of steel, etc, etc.
However, as I imagine a "common" weapon at hand, those that already know it and are somewhat attuned, will be able to see the sword inside of the stick, if unclear. Now comes the random person, a finds there is something weird about that stick (cutting itself, or being fought with).
_My_ take on would be this: if a person has a chance to take a careful look at the stick, with all the suspicion, even better if it can be touched, it could see through the illusion to a small degree and get a glimpse of the sword. This would not persist, but could recognize it later easier. If the person does not have a chance for a careful evaluation of it (for example in combat when it is wildly swung here and there) the sword will stay hidden.
But that is my take on, you may choose your own.
(Oh, and: accidentally picking up a stick, a hero may choose it if there is nothing else to defend with, and find it surprisingly durable. Could be fate. :) ) Go to Comment
I would not put much trust in infinity, if I were you. Fine, it produces magic without an end. But all those power-hungry mages seem to forget an important question:
Maybe there is a special power, unknown (or not?) to the current wielder, perhaps even long forgotten...
If the wielder sings a warrior's song (of the mace' original culture), he gains a nice bonus at the end of each verse he sings fully.
The culture may be long gone, but surely legends remain, of mighty warriors, singing their song of battle, merrily decimating the enemy. Such a song may remain, too... Go to Comment
Hmmm, a not-too-powerful magic improving life for common people. It is true: magic can be a substitute for technology.
Sooner or later, a similar design will be created: square. Rectangular shapes are often used, too.
A horrible use might be against a creature made of living wood. Is it secured against such a thing? Probably not. The creature would have to be restrained or unable to move, though. Go to Comment
Well, it does emanate some of its power even when it is not worn by anyone, so I'd be careful even of wearing it around.
And yes, it is intended to be powerful, and unique... and bringing many, many complications with it. :) So be careful if you use it, and have the means prepared for getting rid of it. Worst case, you can still use it as a legend and tease your players with it's existence. ;) Go to Comment
Personally, I see it as a godly artifact, a symbol of nature that doesn't need to be recharged in any way. But... if all things are balanced out, there will be less life somewhere else. You could create massive changes in the natural world, just by moving the ring. Go to Comment
Say the heroes can work as diplomats with that Underworld races, and they can succed as such, but...
To what end? Gods probably know about this threat, but they themselves have a hard time to solve it. Failed? Sorry, End Of World Now, in your cinema and everywhere.
It seems that defeating such a creature is impossible.
- convert every being capable into a believer, to give gods more power (if possible). So it might be defeated, or somehow restrained, or something.
- find some alternate source of Reality etc., for the beast to consume. It better be unlimited, if such thing exists. May be a philosophical problem. Say that reality and order, as we imagine it, is created in our mind (that is true in some ways: we don't see the world as it is, we twist our view to our needs). Would require a large group of people to give up something, up to dreams or even sanity. Then comes the task of convincing IT somehow to agree. Or perhaps to force it asleep, and somehow fuel what our minds produce, to ITs mind. So it will dream of consuming reality, which is born in our minds and dreams. Gods see the world as it is, so this human weakness/deformity may actually be usefull! Just don't forget to care of those thousands of raving lunatics you produce this way... Go to Comment
Taxes can come in various guises. Part of the reason the collector is so greedy, is he only collects food or wool or whatever they produce, never gets actual cash. If a lords lands are particularly large, not all peasants have to work, but all pay taxes in some way.
An uncaring lord may well give that responsibility to someone the village not trusts.
And if you don't like it, replace him with anyone else. Greed is not limited to tax collectors... ;-) Go to Comment
From http://sinclair.quarterman.org/glossary/glossary.html
A freeman is not a noble and not a serf. A freeman was usually a tradesman or craftsman such as a fisherman, bargeman, fishmonger, leather worker, miller, or the like. A serf could become a freeman by serving as an apprentice to a freeman; by buying his freedom, or by being the son of a freeman.
There can be easily other conditions, such as serving in the army for some time, being the tenth child of a serf, being granted freeman status after some exceptional deed, and so on. Google for more data on history pages. Go to Comment
Items (Melee Weapons) (Combat)
If we go for weaker magic, there has to be none effect like this. If you use it as a walking stick, it will be sharp as one. You have to sharpen it regularly (or look stupid, if you ask a smith to sharpen it for you).
Or just add a minor protective power, as you suggest. Go to Comment