Tuesday Magic Item – Weapons of the Arms-Sworn (A to Z)

“They are an odd lot, the arms-sworn.” said Voddick, “they managed to build a new society out of disaster and they have made it work for centuries.  Societies with easier births have fallen much sooner.”

“Perhaps it is because of that difficult birth that they have managed so well,” said Gollaon.  “Tempered metal is often stronger after all.”  He grinned at his friend.

“That’s right, throw my own proverb back at me,” replied Voddick with a smile and shake of his head.

“See, I have been paying attention, just not all the time.”

Weapons of the Arms-Sworn

Like the Arm-Sworn, these weapon are practical first, always well made and as they become heirlooms and are passed down from generation to generation, they begin to accumulate decorations and accoutrements especially if they have become part of someone’s story.

A newly created weapon of the Arms-Sword is a +1 weapon of the appropriate type, as it is used and become part of its owner’s story as it move from generation to generation it may gain additional bonuses or enhancements.

Each has an additional ability, tied to the Arms-Sworn caste it was made for.  Only one of the Arms-Sworn or someone who was gifted the weapon by one of the Arm-Sworn may access these abilities.  The ability may by used once a day by one who was gifted the weapon, while an Arm-Sworn may use it once a day plus one additional time for each five levels they have (to a maximum of five):

• Arrowsworn, messengers, scouts and hunters. “The arrow flies fast and true, I do the same.”  Their weapons are almost always missile weapons, the bow being the most common but crossbows and slings are not unknown.  The bearer or their mount gains a +15′ enhancement bonus to their ground speed and a +1 dodge bonus to armor class for 10 minutes.
• Axesworn, craftsmen and farmers. “The axe is both tool and weapon, it builds our homes and allows us to defend them.”  Usually dual purpose items such as axes, hammers or even the occasional bill hook.  The bearer gains a +1 morale bonus to attack rolls and to saves against fear for ten minutes or they gain a +4 competence bonus to a Craft skill for the duration of one task.
• Spearsworn, defenders, hunters and herders. “Spears keep away the wolves, both on four and two legs.”  While spears predominate, as you would expect, any weapon can be the one used.  The bearer gains 5 plus their level in temporary hit points and a +4 morale bonus to saves against fear, all allies within 30′ gain a +2 morale bonus to saves against fear, this lasts for fifteen minutes.
• Staffsworn, merchants and traders. “The staff is the symbol of the traveler and their defense.”  These are always staves or walking sticks.  The bearer is protected by an Endure Elements effect and they can gain a +2 shield bonus to armor class for five minutes while fighting with the weapon.
• Swordsworn, healers, teachers and priests. “Truth is balanced on the edge of a sword.”  These are almost always swords.  The bearer gains a +5 competence bonus on Diplomacy checks and is protected as though by a Sanctuary spell (DC 13 + bearer’s Charisma modifier) for half an hour.

Aura moderate abjuration and enchantment; CL 11th
Slot none; Price base 3,500 + weapon; Weight by weapon
Construction Requirements
Craft Wondrous Items, bless, quest, others as needed; Cost base 1,750 + weapon

For D&D 5E:

weapon (varies), uncommon or rarer (requires attunement)

First paragraph as above.

A newly created weapon of the Arms-Sword provides a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon, as it is used and become part of its owner’s story as it move from generation to generation it may gain additional bonuses or abilities.

Each has an additional ability, tied to the Arms-Sworn caste it was made for.  Only one of the Arms-Sworn or someone who was gifted the weapon by one of the Arm-Sworn may access these abilities.  The ability may by used once by one who was gifted the weapon, while an Arm-Sworn may use it a number of times equal to their proficiency bonus, these uses reset after a long rest:

• Arrowsworn, messengers, scouts and hunters. “The arrow flies fast and true, I do the same.”  Their weapons are almost always missile weapons, the bow being the most common but crossbows and slings are not unknown.  The bearer or their mount gains a +15′ enhancement bonus to their ground speed and a +1bonus to armor class for 10 minutes.
• Axesworn, craftsmen and farmers. “The axe is both tool and weapon, it builds our homes and allows us to defend them.”  Usually dual purpose items such as axes, hammers or even the occasional bill hook.  The bearer gains a advantage on their first to hit roll and saving throws against fear made in the next ten minutes or they gain advantage on tool use  for the duration of one task.
• Spearsworn, defenders, hunters and herders. “Spears keep away the wolves, both on four and two legs.”  While spears predominate, as you would expect, any weapon can be the one used.  The bearer gains 5 plus their level in temporary hit points and advantage on saving throws against fear, all allies within 30′ gain a +1 bonus to saves against fear, this lasts for fifteen minutes.
• Staffsworn, merchants and traders. “The staff is the symbol of the traveler and their defense.”  These are always staves or walking sticks.  The bearer is protected against adverse weather and they can gain a +2 bonus to armor class for five minutes while fighting with the weapon.
• Swordsworn, healers, teachers and priests. “Truth is balanced on the edge of a sword.”  These are almost always swords.  The bearer gains advantage on Charisma (Persuasion) rolls and is protected as though by a Sanctuary spell (DC 11 + bearer’s Charisma modifier) for half an hour.

Notes: The Arms-Sword are a group I conceived up back when I was first designing the Sea of Stars.  Their former cultures and ways of life shattered by the Sundering, they organized themselves into a voluntary caste system with the castes being decided by talent rather than birth.

Image “Treasures from Medieval York – The Gilling Sword” by vintagedept is licensed under CC BY 2.0.