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A walking stick, of oaken wood, the handle iron-bound. Looks very unassuming. There is nothing special about it. Slightly curved as these sticks usually are.
The true appearence is that of a sword, a common broad sword. This appearence is but seldom seen, for it at all times maintains its facade. While the sword has no great powers it can be still very dangerous. One may look as a simple pilgrim and still be armed. There are obvious evil uses. In most cases, the wearer is considered unarmed, and so can access many places where a weapon is not accepted, so this makes it an interesting weapon for assassins.
Those that can see through illusions can see the sword through its guise, if somewhat unclear.
Fighting with the sword may look silly to the audience, and may mislead your opponent into using wrong tactics. A sword can stab and cut, things a wooden stick should be not useful for (even a very hard one, as this seems). Ask you local DM for possible bonuses. These are not listed for strongly depending on a given situation, and being void once your enemy knows it is a sword.
History: Rarely mentioned, as it is not a legendary weapon. Still, an occasional assassination with a weapon like this is known of, and smarter guards of important people may not be fooled…
Seldom created, the process is relatively easy compared to other enchanted weapons. There exist probably more of this kind.
Magical Properties:
Basically the only power it has is that of illusion: it masks its true look into a boring average walking stick. This illusion has multiple layers, so a simple _Dispel Magic_ will not help. More castings or more power will uncover the swords true look. In a few days, the illusion will “regrow”, looking the usual way again. Truly powerful effects could destroy its magic, making it an ordinary sword.
While the sword has no special bonuses, it is magical, and may thus harm certain creatures as other magical weapons. It may have also special effects on illusory creatures and illusions.
The sword does not protect the wearer, nor anyone else, if its blade is touched. If you do not use the handle, you may cut yourself just as with any other sword.
March 7, 2003, 2:32
March 7, 2003, 2:57
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.
August 28, 2003, 4:27
Now in general you do not use the point of a longsword, but instead most people tend to slash their oponents using the side of the blade. Therefor, it is not to problametic if the point becomes dull and blunt. It is the sides you use for fighting.
Hmmm, you know what would look realy silly? Lets just put the walking cane in a scabard ;+))
August 28, 2003, 6:04
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...
August 28, 2003, 11:43
August 29, 2003, 8:28
But then again..... If you are the GM, it is your ruling.
August 29, 2003, 19:03
The one detail I couldn't remedy is perhaps the mischance of somebody stumbling into and slicing their pants/leg. Ooops.
September 3, 2003, 8:07
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...
July 24, 2004, 11:47
July 25, 2004, 0:25
Actually a weapon that would work for this is a longbow. If unstrung, it can function as a walking staff. Once strung, it still can work as one, but just not as well.
January 5, 2006, 13:27
I see one problem however. With the idea of it being used to switch with a real club as mention earlier. The weilder would know what it was when they picked it up. If not then they would not be able to determine who to cut or slash or pierce with it. As soon as someone not familiar with it They would see the ruse.
You trip and fall and it tumbles from your hand. A passerby helps you up and picks up the ctick cutting their hand and seeing the weapon. What would happen then I wonder?
January 5, 2006, 13:49
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. :) )
April 22, 2013, 20:50