Tuesday Magic Item – Unity of Purpose Shield

Voddick recocked his crossbow.  “I have not seen such implacable foes since we fought the animate dead of the Laccini necrourgists.”

Gollaon released another arrow and made a face as it only embedded into a shield.  “I suspect such discipline is sorcerously enhanced.”

“I feared as much,” said Voddick slotting another bolt.  “So, victory of death is it?”

“For them, yes.  We can always flee,” answered Gollaon with a grim smile.

Unity of Purpose Shield

These heavy shields are emblazoned with the symbolism of the group, usually a state, that had them made.  Each group manufactured shares a similar appearance and iconography.

A Unity of Purpose Shield is a +1 heavy shield that provides the bearer with a +1 resistance bonus to Will saves against mind-affecting abilities.

However, its central power can only be triggered when at least six Unity of Purpose Shieldbearers act as a unit and accept an order, then these abilities trigger:

• The members of the unit not effected by mind-affecting power unless half of more of the shield-bearer are effected by the power.
• The unit has a single pool of hit points and the unit lives (and dies) as one.  The first order of the day also generate a pool of temporary hit points equal to three times the number of members of the unit.  When the battle is over, the hit points are averaged between the members of the unit, with each member receiving a minimum of one hit point.
• The unit cannot deviate from its assigned  task until it is given a new order by its commander or half or more of its members make a Will save (DC 18).  This save can be made once a minute and once made, it stays made until the unit change course or completes its task.

Aura moderate abjuration; CL 5th
Slot shield; Price 3,157; Weight 15 lbs
Construction Requirements
Craft Magic Arms and Armor, aid, shield other; Cost 1,500 + 157 for the shield

For D&D 5E:

Armor (shield), uncommon

First paragraph as above.

While holding a Unity of Purpose Shield the bearer has a +1 bonus to AC.  This bonus is in addition to the shield’s normal bonus to AC.

However, its central power can only be triggered when at least six Unity of Purpose Shieldbearers act as a unit and accept an order, then these abilities trigger:

• The members of the unit not effected by mind-affecting power unless half of more of the shield-bearer are effected by the power.
• The unit has a single pool of hit points and the unit lives (and dies) as one.  The first order of the day also generate a pool of temporary hit points equal to three times the number of members of the unit.  When the battle is over, the hit points are averaged between the members of the unit, with each member receiving a minimum of one hit point.
• The unit cannot deviate from its assigned  task until it is given a new order by its commander or half or more of its members make a Wisdom or Charisma save (DC 15), bearer’s choice.  This save can be made once a minute and once made, it stays made until the unit change course or completes its task.

 

Notes: A good bridge between the semi-cursed items of February and the more militant items of March.  Compare and contrast with the Sarpathian Shield, which is built on a similar theme.

Image found on Wikimedia Commons and is in the Public Domain.