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Princess Matriax was spoiled. Her father was a famous general, but famous for not just his victories or tactics, but the slaughter he inflicted. He is feared by, well, damn near all that know of his history, which is widely known. He doesn’t hesitate at all to simply cave in the head of anyone he doesn’t respect when they irritate him on any regard.
His oldest child was his daughter Matriax. Not to be put off but his oldest child being a girl, she was trained extensively with a vast array of weapons, and all training quickly advanced to live steel, making her deadly and skilled. Her father told her instructors to train her to be prepared to fight in life or death situations, even if it killed her, and told Matriax that as well. Several instructors died training her, and her skill in combat is almost as great as her fathers.
However, being the pride and joy of a butcher means you get what you want. Her father didn’t treat her like a little girl as much as she was treated like a hand picked soldier. To be independent and show the world that she was in fact, a girl, she had dresses and jewelery and carriages and dances and perfume and makeup, all the trappings of a princess, when she was just a generals daughter.
No matter how ornamental, decorative, bejeweled, or well crafted, there’s just no way to get a battle axe to go with a ballroom dress.
She’d rather be naked than unarmed, so she had a purse commissioned. Fine chain mail, with rings smaller than a ladybug, and each lacquered in one of several different colors. Silver and gold coated accents actually come to vicious points. Since the princess is never short on capital, the swinging weight is significant, often that of a footman’s mace, or greater.
Princess Matriax met her end suppressing a rebellion in a boarder village. While the peasants were not well armed or organised, they did grossly outnumber the Princesses small troupe. Her own skill allowed her to slay two score of the peasants before she died, but her refusal to don any armour less attractive than a gown, and wield any weapon other than her purse, doomed her.
Magical Properties:
Muuuaagh HA HA HA! (
August 26, 2005, 11:59
I'm not a big fan of the "stuck in your hand curse" (as I've said in other posts) because I don't think they really encourage roleplaying very much. On the other hand, they are nasty, and encourage caution in the PC's which is usually a prelude to roleplaying. I like the bit about how it always come to hand, but I'd rather see that as something within the player (e.g. he's developed some strange compulsion that he gets to roleplay) rather than the item having the preternatural ability to entangle him.
I think that your item is quite original, but perhaps too much so. There seem to be acceptable guidelines for an adventuring world to maintain versimilatude, and it stretches that when we include items that tend to fall outside the traditional limit (such as pursues). What's to stop me from making a magical shoehorn that also doubles as a weapon, or makes you wear it in your shoes? These things are original, but original for a reason: They aren't very heroic or interesting, and thus are traditionally relegated to the category of comic relief or joke fiction.
i give it a two for now, and I'll up that if some of my objections are dealt with. I think it has potential.
August 26, 2005, 12:36
How is a curse that occasionally makes you fight with a decrotive sap untill combat is over, powerful? It's an annoyance, something to roleplay around and through, almost comedic, but if the roleplayer is getting into the atrifact possesion part where they ~want~ to use it, then it can lead to some great roleplay.
Too orignal? TOO ORIGINAL?!?! Well hell, why don't I just start posting up "Sword +3 - It's a sword, plus 3" ?!?! If you like stupid huge swords and bags of holding, stick to your GM manual and don't look for new ideas! Strolens as all ABOUT new ideas. If they're not orignal, they're not worth posting. Even old idead can be made new, with the right twist:
Really big sword:
http://www.strolen.com/items/viewitem.php?item_id=173
Bag of holding:
http://www.strolen.com/items/viewitem.php?item_id=123
http://www.strolen.com/items/viewitem.php?item_id=279
I'm glad you see potential, and per your confusion, I added a bit about how she died. There's your cursre origin.
August 26, 2005, 13:26
Sorry I thought that it was too original. Fear my ethernet chord of strangulation, created by the evil wizard Fangbar for a mighty king, who it strangled. Somewhere along the line we need to ask ourselves, "Is this an item I would include in my campaign?" It seems like this item is comic relief. You said yourself it is almost comedic. I don't think that's the mark of a great item (it's a gimmick whose worth fades within an adventure or two, not an enduring presence that shapes a campaign).
August 26, 2005, 14:43
No, actually, that's exactly what we DON'T need to be doing. If you're judging these on whether or not you can use them, then you're just shopping, not critiqueing.
And what's wrong with being comedic? Comedic can be quite fun, even enduring, if you have the right group. See, this isn't about making YOU happy, it's about ideas that are interesting.
August 26, 2005, 16:19
August 26, 2005, 22:44
I don't even know if having an origin for the curse even applies. I mean, no self-respecting woman ever lets go of her purse! After a while being grasped protectively by such a charismatic princess, even the most mundane thing might get used to being clutched protectively and used as a bludgeon, to the point of expecting to be treated likewise by every owner it falls into the hands of.
Terry Pratchett would be proud, Agar. Four outta five.
August 26, 2005, 22:53
Is that a Gucci?
Nope, its a Damascus Purse, folded hammered and clasped.
August 30, 2005, 9:09
"OK, you asked for it" - ** THWACK **
"Ow"
I think Agar that you have finally lighted upon the ultimate weapon - the dreaded Handbag of Death
Great comic potential - love it - 5/5
December 16, 2005, 15:07
Mostly though, I am docing you for not explaining this curse. Does it stay in your hand until you can have it removed? Does it cause rashes on your body? Does it make you like dressing like a girl?
This needs to be explained. Also, if you make it cursed, it is always a handy idea to also make it somehow enchanted. I am not taking this into account when I vote on this, but it is a good idea.
On the whole I like it, but I really insist that you explain this cursed property.
If you do, PM me, and I'll up your grade.
July 28, 2008, 13:12
June 8, 2013, 21:20