The Dresden Files > DFRPG Resource Collection
Item Of Power Master List
Sanctaphrax:
I'm planning to update the document tomorrow, but I'd really like to get some input from somebody else first.
Deadmanwalking, do you feel up to doing another review?
That aside, here's another item:
SOLOMON'S GUARD [-3]
Description: When the old wise king Solomon passed from the land of the living, the guardian angel that protected him set aside its sword, its duty complete. The sword did not join its master in retirement but instead appeared to those who shared its purpose, to protect and serve. Solomon's Guard, also known as the Shining Blade, is a short sword of angelic make. Its blade is slightly longer than a man's forearm and made of a silvery material flecked with gold that is as strong, if not stronger, than steel. Three words are inscribed in Latin on both sides of the blade: 'Duty, Honour, Sacrifice'.
Musts: You must have a calling or destiny to inherit Solomon's Guard, one that coincides with its purpose. This is usually represented by a High Concept.
Skills Affected Alertness, Conviction, Empathy, Lore, Weapons.
Effects:
[-0] Divine Purpose. Solomon's Guard may only be swung with true selfless purpose in mind and heart. When swung without such purpose, the blow does not land (any attack roll automatically fails), the bond between sword and wielder is immediately broken until the wielder repents with an appropriate trial of faith, and the sword falls from the wielder's hand. Basically, you and your GM should look at the description above as a guideline for how to compel the high concept attached to the sword - your character might be tempted to use the sword for selfish reasons, and could receive a fate point to wither stay their hand or succumb to the temptation and lose the sword temporarily. If another takes up the sword and swings it selfishly, your character is still responsible for how the sword is used.
[-0] It Is What It Is. Solomon's Guard always takes the form of a sword, though the precise type of sword may change through the ages. Regardless of type, it's weapon 3.
[-0] Unbreakable. As an Item of Power, this item cannot be broken except with a magical ritual predicated upon perverting its purpose.
[+2] One-Time Discount. A sword is a tricky thing to conceal.
[-1] Angelic Origin. This blade was wielded by an angel and shared in that angel's nature, making this weapon a powerful holy symbol in its own right. Its very touch is like that of holy water, a cross, or another symbol of faith backed by the belief of the possessor.
[-0] Divine Light. Solomon's Guard is lit from within by a soft white light. It provides a diffused glow that is sufficient in strength to illuminate one zone of mundane darkness.
[-1] Duty. While wielding this weapon, you cannot be turned from your duty. When swung in keeping with its purpose, Solomon's Guard adds one to its wielder's Weapons skill.
[-1] Honour. The honour of this blade illuminates the wielder's path. In the presence of acts this blade finds to be dishonourable, it glows fiercely, alerting the wielder to danger. It provides you with a +1 bonus to Empathy when detecting lies, +1 to Alertness while Avoiding Surprise, and +1 to the Mystic Perception trapping of the Lore skill.
[-2] Sacrifice. When you wield Solomon's Guard in defence of others, the blade hardens your convictions into a brilliant aegis. This Power is identical to Supernatural Toughness with the Catch that you only benefit from it while defending others.
Deadmanwalking:
Well, since you ask...
General disagreement on Holy costing anything noted here. Any items not mentioned below look good to me except possibly for that.
MARCI'S ROLLER SKATES: I'm...not really following how (based on their description of being as embarrassing as possible) they add to Performance. I mean, athletics, sure, but...from description they're the opposite of impressive looking in the conventional sense. Unless you're using Performance for all rollerblading, not just perform-y stuff...in which case I disagree profoundly with that choice, as most rollerblading's clearly more Athletics than Performance.
JABIR IBN HAYYAN'S GRIMOIRE: I'm...slightly unclear on what Methods of Madness does. Does it add up to your Lore to a Potion or Item's Strength or what? The wording's just...less than clear. If it works how I think it does, it's probably significantly underpowered, actually, but I can't be sure sans clarification.
MOUSTACHE OF AUTHORITY: So...fake moustache, I guess? Assuming it really is an item.
THE PEACEMAKER OF JESSE JAMES: Blood Drinker interacts oddly with ranged attacks (specifically 'Drink Blood' one of it's more useful components fails to interact with them at all)...the item notes that its version works at range, but neglects to talk about using Guns instead of melee skills, or discuss whether it still works in close as well, and doesn't talk about whether it still helps with grapples, or, if not, if it gets anything to replace that trick. Additional clarification of some sort seems useful.
DECK OF TRICKS: Is odd, though I love the idea. I'm...not sure if that cost is right. I'd personally argue that three points of random powers are worth about -3 Refresh, not -4, with the basic Modular Abilities cost counteracted by the 'completely random' drawback (which seems worth +2 to me). Matter of opinion to some degree...but I can easily see this power's downside being as big a downside as the +2 version of Human Form under many circumstances. A Tarot version would also be cool. And such a version's existence might be noted. Also, the Evocation card should grant 2 Focus Items if the Fire Channeling version grants 4.
Mr. Death:
--- Quote from: Deadmanwalking on January 07, 2013, 12:05:33 AM ---MOUSTACHE OF AUTHORITY: So...fake moustache, I guess? Assuming it really is an item.
--- End quote ---
Nah, real one. Read Dr. McNinja, that's where I nicked it from.
Deadmanwalking:
--- Quote from: Mr. Death on January 07, 2013, 12:32:36 AM ---Nah, real one. Read Dr. McNinja, that's where I nicked it from.
--- End quote ---
I'm familiar with Dr. McNinja...but if it's not an item, it's not an Item of Power, just a power. Y'know?
Sanctaphrax:
Again, thanks.
--- Quote from: Deadmanwalking on January 07, 2013, 12:05:33 AM ---General disagreement on Holy costing anything noted here.
--- End quote ---
I more or less agree with your disagreement, for whatever it's worth.
--- Quote from: Deadmanwalking on January 07, 2013, 12:05:33 AM ---MARCI'S ROLLER SKATES: I'm...not really following how (based on their description of being as embarrassing as possible) they add to Performance. I mean, athletics, sure, but...from description they're the opposite of impressive looking in the conventional sense. Unless you're using Performance for all rollerblading, not just perform-y stuff...in which case I disagree profoundly with that choice, as most rollerblading's clearly more Athletics than Performance.
--- End quote ---
I'm not totally sure how that works myself. I didn't write the skates originally...
Apparently the skates are supposed to punish you, but they nonetheless give you awe-inspiring rollerblading tricks.
It's possible that I misinterpreted how the punishment is supposed to work, but if so I don't really think I can correct that.
I think I'll just add a note saying that the skates work beautifully most of the time and only occasionally torment their wearer.
--- Quote from: Deadmanwalking on January 07, 2013, 12:05:33 AM ---JABIR IBN HAYYAN'S GRIMOIRE: I'm...slightly unclear on what Methods of Madness does. Does it add up to your Lore to a Potion or Item's Strength or what? The wording's just...less than clear. If it works how I think it does, it's probably significantly underpowered, actually, but I can't be sure sans clarification.
--- End quote ---
Yes, that is what it does. I'll reword for clarity. It might be underpowered, but I'm inclined to err on the side of caution where Crafting is involved.
--- Quote from: Deadmanwalking on January 07, 2013, 12:05:33 AM ---MOUSTACHE OF AUTHORITY: So...fake moustache, I guess? Assuming it really is an item.
--- End quote ---
Yeah, this one isn't really an item. I had to change the write-up a bit so that it would be mechanically identical to a fake moustache and therefore acceptably item-like.
--- Quote from: Deadmanwalking on January 07, 2013, 12:05:33 AM ---THE PEACEMAKER OF JESSE JAMES: Blood Drinker interacts oddly with ranged attacks (specifically 'Drink Blood' one of it's more useful components fails to interact with them at all)...the item notes that its version works at range, but neglects to talk about using Guns instead of melee skills, or discuss whether it still works in close as well, and doesn't talk about whether it still helps with grapples, or, if not, if it gets anything to replace that trick. Additional clarification of some sort seems useful.
--- End quote ---
Yeah, that was crappily worded. The revised Power has nothing to do with blood, it just uses the same mechanics. It provides bonuses when its user wounds or kills people.
Forgot about the grapple thing, as it happens.
I'll try and fix that.
--- Quote from: Deadmanwalking on January 07, 2013, 12:05:33 AM ---DECK OF TRICKS: Is odd, though I love the idea. I'm...not sure if that cost is right. I'd personally argue that three points of random powers are worth about -3 Refresh, not -4, with the basic Modular Abilities cost counteracted by the 'completely random' drawback (which seems worth +2 to me). Matter of opinion to some degree...but I can easily see this power's downside being as big a downside as the +2 version of Human Form under many circumstances. A Tarot version would also be cool. And such a version's existence might be noted. Also, the Evocation card should grant 2 Focus Items if the Fire Channeling version grants 4.
--- End quote ---
Good point about the Evocation card. Will fix.
I really have no idea what the correct cost for the random Powers is. I guess I'll go with your suggestion unless somebody argues otherwise.
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