Obsidian, psionically or magiclaly "tempered"? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Obsidian, psionically or magiclaly "tempered"?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Silverblade_The_Enchanter
Jan 14, 2006 12:51:01 Real life obsidian is incredibly sharp, takes much finer edge than steel ever can and is used currently, for surgical tools, iirc.

Problem with obisidian is it's extremely easy to break, it's a form of glass. Glass breaks readily because it has so many fractures and flaws, even though cermaics can have high tensile strength as well as hardness.
On Athas, an obsidian tipped spear could slice an enemy up literally like a razor blade, but odds are the edge would be damaged if not the whole tip.
However...a psionic being could perhaps work the obsidian to remove these flaws, or a cleric of earth or magma?

I'd suggest that as a thing likely to happen,psionic weapon/toolsmiths using metacreativity? powers, or a cleric. I'm not sure of what the cost would be, but the game effect should be +1 damage bonus. Folk or creatures capable of doign that would be very valuable or revered.

Incidentally, obsidian only weighs about 1/3rd the weight of steel.
#2
ruhl-than_sage
Jan 14, 2006 13:00:23 Yah, obsidian isn't realistically protrayed by the mechanics of the game. The rules for it could be altered to make it much more likely to break but do more damage when sharp. Unfortunately you get into a huge problem with adjucating these details.

I do like the idea of a alchemical/magical/superior obsidian that isn't fragil, but hold the same edge. But, maybe it could have a an inherant wounding effect rather than doing extra damage. Something to spice things up and make it different from of extraordinary materials.
#3
Silverblade_The_Enchanter
Jan 14, 2006 21:02:32 Less hardness or hps for Sunder or the like?
#4
ruhl-than_sage
Jan 15, 2006 3:25:05
Less hardness or hps for Sunder or the like?

Yah, they tried to slip that one by us! Its not even listed on the materials chart.

Just kidding :D , they grouped it with stone. In truth though, it shouldn't be any harder than wood. That change is easy and a good one.

The problem I was refering to is the issue of how long it keeps and edge, thus gaining a greater effectiveness. And if its possible to sharpen it and how many times you can sharpen it. Then if you have a longsword and you can't sharpen it anymore could you effectively turn it into a short sword. Then the short sword into a dagger. Maybe someone could come up with good rules for this stuff, but I'm fine with it working the way it does now. I don't want to keep track of how many times I've hit someone with it or missed and hit their armor in order to determine if it's gone dull.
#5
zombiegleemax
Jan 16, 2006 13:39:16 Some rules about materials:

Wood: Bad with cutting...ok with peircing, not a lot of weight behind a strike and lack of a sturdy edge
Attack: -1 peircing, -2 slashing
Damage: -2 peircing, -3 slashing

Stone: Mediocre with either...however it does not compare with other materials when it comes to durability
Attack: -2
Damage: -1

Bone: One of the easily obtained materials on athas, it carries an edge and is well balanced. The downfall to this material is that it quickly looses it's edge and must be sharpened after combat and it's light, giving you speed, but not strength
Attack: -1
Damage: -1

Obsidian: Probably the best substitute for metal weapons on the face of athas. Light weight, sharp, and can slice an opponent in 2, the only downfall to the material is that it is easily broken
Attack: -1
Damage: +1
Critical: Acts as a Keen Weapon
#6
zombiegleemax
Jan 16, 2006 14:02:06 Wood: lowest chance to break during combat. when you roll the highest possible damage (ie if you have a d6 and you roll a 6) you must roll a 1 with a d20 to see if the weapon breaks.

Stone: Better then Obsidian but worse then bone or wood, this material you must roll a d20. If you roll a 3 or lower, the weapon breaks

Bone: probably the best material for not risking breaks and still keeping a fine edge, bone weapons must roll a 2 or lower to break

Obsidian: the wrost when it comes to breaking down when you need it, this weapon always seems to fail when you need it most. whenever you deal 75% (4 for d4, 6 or higher for d8, 9 or higher for 2d6 ect...) or more of the maximum damage that the weapon allows, you must roll a d20. with the result of a 4 or lower, the weapon breaks

I also work in penetration from 2e into my game..so this can prove quite dangerous to a character and his weapons.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Silverblade_The_Enchanter Jan 14, 2006 12:51:01	Real life obsidian is incredibly sharp, takes much finer edge than steel ever can and is used currently, for surgical tools, iirc. Problem with obisidian is it's extremely easy to break, it's a form of glass. Glass breaks readily because it has so many fractures and flaws, even though cermaics can have high tensile strength as well as hardness. On Athas, an obsidian tipped spear could slice an enemy up literally like a razor blade, but odds are the edge would be damaged if not the whole tip. However...a psionic being could perhaps work the obsidian to remove these flaws, or a cleric of earth or magma? I'd suggest that as a thing likely to happen,psionic weapon/toolsmiths using metacreativity? powers, or a cleric. I'm not sure of what the cost would be, but the game effect should be +1 damage bonus. Folk or creatures capable of doign that would be very valuable or revered. Incidentally, obsidian only weighs about 1/3rd the weight of steel.
#2 ruhl-than_sage Jan 14, 2006 13:00:23	Yah, obsidian isn't realistically protrayed by the mechanics of the game. The rules for it could be altered to make it much more likely to break but do more damage when sharp. Unfortunately you get into a huge problem with adjucating these details. I do like the idea of a alchemical/magical/superior obsidian that isn't fragil, but hold the same edge. But, maybe it could have a an inherant wounding effect rather than doing extra damage. Something to spice things up and make it different from of extraordinary materials.
#3 Silverblade_The_Enchanter Jan 14, 2006 21:02:32	Less hardness or hps for Sunder or the like?
#4 ruhl-than_sage Jan 15, 2006 3:25:05	Less hardness or hps for Sunder or the like? Yah, they tried to slip that one by us! Its not even listed on the materials chart. Just kidding :D , they grouped it with stone. In truth though, it shouldn't be any harder than wood. That change is easy and a good one. The problem I was refering to is the issue of how long it keeps and edge, thus gaining a greater effectiveness. And if its possible to sharpen it and how many times you can sharpen it. Then if you have a longsword and you can't sharpen it anymore could you effectively turn it into a short sword. Then the short sword into a dagger. Maybe someone could come up with good rules for this stuff, but I'm fine with it working the way it does now. I don't want to keep track of how many times I've hit someone with it or missed and hit their armor in order to determine if it's gone dull.
#5 zombiegleemax Jan 16, 2006 13:39:16	Some rules about materials: Wood: Bad with cutting...ok with peircing, not a lot of weight behind a strike and lack of a sturdy edge Attack: -1 peircing, -2 slashing Damage: -2 peircing, -3 slashing Stone: Mediocre with either...however it does not compare with other materials when it comes to durability Attack: -2 Damage: -1 Bone: One of the easily obtained materials on athas, it carries an edge and is well balanced. The downfall to this material is that it quickly looses it's edge and must be sharpened after combat and it's light, giving you speed, but not strength Attack: -1 Damage: -1 Obsidian: Probably the best substitute for metal weapons on the face of athas. Light weight, sharp, and can slice an opponent in 2, the only downfall to the material is that it is easily broken Attack: -1 Damage: +1 Critical: Acts as a Keen Weapon
#6 zombiegleemax Jan 16, 2006 14:02:06	Wood: lowest chance to break during combat. when you roll the highest possible damage (ie if you have a d6 and you roll a 6) you must roll a 1 with a d20 to see if the weapon breaks. Stone: Better then Obsidian but worse then bone or wood, this material you must roll a d20. If you roll a 3 or lower, the weapon breaks Bone: probably the best material for not risking breaks and still keeping a fine edge, bone weapons must roll a 2 or lower to break Obsidian: the wrost when it comes to breaking down when you need it, this weapon always seems to fail when you need it most. whenever you deal 75% (4 for d4, 6 or higher for d8, 9 or higher for 2d6 ect...) or more of the maximum damage that the weapon allows, you must roll a d20. with the result of a 4 or lower, the weapon breaks I also work in penetration from 2e into my game..so this can prove quite dangerous to a character and his weapons.