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Post by Blackrat on Oct 1, 2008 15:42:23 GMT
I think there's >1  |
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Post by cardinalsin on Oct 2, 2008 8:36:43 GMT
Ok, but you get the corset.
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bravesirrobin
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Post by bravesirrobin on Oct 2, 2008 9:43:57 GMT
Artifact Descriptions
(All are subject to tweaking as I see how they play)
The Duellists Aid, Hearthstone Bracers, YJade, 3, Attunement 2x2
These bracers seem to have pictures carved into them of many different types of weapon. When one wears them they seem to harmonise with whatever weapons are wielded, resonanting with each strike and granting additional fluidity in defence.
They grant +3 dice to the pool used to calculate Parry DV. Additionally if the wearer is wielding two identical jade weapons that they are fully attuned to they may add the defense rating of both of the weapons into the pool used to calculate their parry DV. They also provide the standard jade bonus when fully attuned.
The Xanthic Twins, Pair of Reaper Daiklaves, YJade, 4, Attunement 2x4
Each of these magnificent swords has an intircate picture carved into it, each depicts a classic terrestrial hero in full battle armour, but the figures represent opposing aspects, one female one male, one ruthless one merciful, one earth one fire. The blades are light and balanced towards the hilt lacking somewhat in offensive power but blisteringly fast in defense. The two blades seem to resonate with each other, when attuned the wielder feels almost as if they sing to each other in a range below hearing.
The two reaper daiklaves are balanced slightly differently from normal ones meaning they lose a point of accuracy but gain a point of defense. They must be wielded paired and there is no off hand penalty for doing so. They eliminate the first point of DV penalty from any source (and do so seperately for each different type of penalty). They also reduce the flurry penalty by one die on each action in the flurry that involves wielding the swords. They also provide the standard jade bonus when fully attuned.
Crown of Kharadron, Crown, Jade, 3, Attunement 5
This beautiful crown is carved from Red and White Jade, with slight flecks of yellow jade and a hearthstone socket in the forehead. When attuned the eye of all is drawn to the magnificent beauty of the crown and it seem to lend it's wearer a supernatural aura of authority.
The crown adds two to appearance. It also allows the wearer to turn natural mental influence into unnatural mental influence. This costs 3 motes and may only be used if the target is subordinate to the wearer in a social unit that both characters are members of. There is a surcharge of two additional motes on this effect if the wearer is not fully attuned to the jade.
Calm Voice over Thunder, Mantle, Jade, 2, Attunement 3
Crafted mostly from Blue and White Jade this thin subtle mantle is worn on the forehead but when attuned can be felt to seep influence into the throat instead, as this is where it's power lies. It seems to add a sonorous hum to the wearer's voice, carrying it extra distance and lending it additional gravitas.
It allows the wearer to modulate their voice so that anyone they can see can hear their voice at any volume they desire. Their voice will not carry further if they do not wish it to, but anyone closer will hear it to be at least the same volume. It provides an automatic success to any social roll where the wearer is attempting to lead or otherwise use directness and authority. If the wearer is not fully atteuned to the jade then this mantle merely provides 1 automatic success on any performance roll where a leadership specialty would be applicable.
Would appreciate thoughts on how powerful these artifacts are and any possible loopholes which makes them too amazing.
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Post by cardinalsin on Oct 2, 2008 10:32:54 GMT
The duellist's aid seems pretty awesome. For 4 motes you get a permanent bonus of (without looking at the books) about 7 to parry DV. That seems overpowered to me.
The rest don't look especially b0rken.
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bravesirrobin
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Post by bravesirrobin on Oct 2, 2008 10:36:44 GMT
Remember the Duellist's Aid increases the pool - not the DV. With the best possible set up they could potentially increase your parry DV by 4 (your pool could go up by 7). They are a 3 dot artifact, and to get that much of a bonus you would need two additional artifacts - probably 2 dot ones.
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Post by cardinalsin on Oct 2, 2008 11:24:06 GMT
Hmmm... they still seem pretty awesome. +4 DV seems amazing to me. But perhaps it's nevertheless balanced (TBH I have no concept of how powerful a 3-dot artifact ought to be).
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bravesirrobin
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Post by bravesirrobin on Oct 2, 2008 11:35:18 GMT
I actually think those are the most balanced. Normal hearthstone bracers give +3 to the dodge DV pool and they are artifact 2. These give +3 to the parry DV pool - so far so good. For the extra dot they allow the potential to increase this bonus, but to do so requires more dots in other artifacts, so I'm not too worried about them. They're cool, but not borked IMO. There are charms which you guys already have in some cases which give bonuses of the same size, more or less.
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bravesirrobin
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Post by bravesirrobin on Oct 2, 2008 12:43:56 GMT
The other thing I'd like people to contribute thoughts on is attunment costs for these artifacts. I just increased most of them and now I'm second and third guessing myself...
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Post by Learned Hand on Oct 2, 2008 17:21:37 GMT
I kind of hate myself for saying this but... the crown is overpowered.
The appearance bonus and cap increase is two automatic successes to all social rolls - that's 4 dice. The Gem of Grace, which is also 3 dots adds 2 dice to most social rolls. Of course, the gem gives hearthstoney benefits, so possibly that effect on its own would be a sensible 3 dots for the crown.
The natural influence to unnatural mental influence effect mimics a terrestrial spell (Droning Suggestion), which should make it 3 dots on its own.
The truth-telling power is probably 2 dots on its own.
All together, I'd say its a 4-dot artifact.
Alternatively, you could make a crown and sceptre combo. Crown for the appearance, and a sceptre for the powers. Each could be a 3-dot with attunement of 4. I know by my arguments above that would make the sceptre powerful for a 3-dot artifact, but frankly I think the downside of having to wander around Nexus holding a sceptre more than makes up for it.
Also, really good ideas for all artifacts.
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Post by Blackrat on Oct 2, 2008 19:42:09 GMT
Umm, while I can see everybody's points above, pls could we stop pointing out the artifacts are overpowered until *after* the campaign's finished? Thx.  |
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Post by cardinalsin on Oct 2, 2008 21:15:36 GMT
I think Fox may be a overpowered... nah, I can't even joke about that.  |
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bravesirrobin
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Post by bravesirrobin on Oct 2, 2008 22:24:22 GMT
I appreciate the honesty, and I agree that the crown does seem overpowered. I just got really excited about the possibilities. I'm now wondering whether to simply dispense with some of the powers, or to make it a 4 dot artifact with a much higher attunement cost. Leaning towards the former.
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bravesirrobin
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Post by bravesirrobin on Oct 3, 2008 14:54:52 GMT
On reflection I have decided to downgrade the crown.
New plan is that it grants +2 Appearance. It also allows natural mental influence to be unnatural mental influence, this costs 3 motes and is only usable against people who are subordinates within a social group the character is a member of. Thoughts?
One can assume that sooner or later I might introduce an artifact which provides the other affect somehow, cos I think it is a cool idea.
I also adjusted attunment again. I am now happy with them. I think.
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Post by Learned Hand on Oct 3, 2008 15:00:41 GMT
The crown sounds like a sensible 3-dot.
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bravesirrobin
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Post by bravesirrobin on Oct 3, 2008 15:52:32 GMT
Cool. Have adjusted initial post, any issues with the other ones?
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