The Heartwood Spear - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

The Heartwood Spear

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
brun01
May 15, 2006 16:57:50 The Heartwood Spear

This wooden spear is six feet in length, coming to an extremely sharp natural point at both ends, colored in the deepest burgundy; its surface completely smooth.

The Heartwood Spear was created by the halfling druid Nok at the 190th King’s Age, and is a massive longspear. The Heartwood Spear is rumored to be constructed from a piece of the Last Tree, one of the last intact remains of the Blue Age, and is harder than steel. The Heartwood Spear’s surface is perfectly smooth.

History
The Heartwood Spear was given to a Tyrian gladiator named Rikus by Nok in the Priest’s Defiance of the 190th King’s Age, when Ktandeo and the halflings from the Forest Ridge discovered that King Kalak of Tyr was going to accelerate his dragon metamorphosis to become a full Dragon, a stage akin to that of Borys of Ebe. It was for this reason that Nok gave the Heartwood Spear to Rikus — to kill Kalak before he could become another draconic horror and consume his precious forest.
Rikus was able to seriously injure Kalak with the Heartwood Spear, though it did not kill him. Later, Kalak was slain by the combined effort of Rikus, Sadira, Agis of Asticles, and the High Templar Tithian. Afterwards, Rikus honored his promise to Nok and returned the Heartwood Spear.
However, Sadira refused to return Ktandeo’s Cane, and Nok, armed with the spear, pursued her across the Tablelands. During their final battle near the Canyon of Guthay, Nok transformed the Heartwood Spear into an immense oak tree to keep the weapon from Sadira, but perished in battle afterwards.

Campaign Uses
The Heartwood Spear is a weapon of considerable power, one that has proven itself to be a killer of sorcerer-monarchs. Characters that learn about the spear and are able to discover its current location may have to seek out a powerful halfling with the knowledge to transform the oak back into the spear. If the characters are not halflings, this could be a very difficult task, specially if the do not seem worthy of it or seem to use it for personal gain.

Abilities
The Heartwood Spear is a +6 keen longspear of distance. It is so puissant that it tingles with energy in the hands of its wielder. The weapon ignores all armor, natural armor, and shield bonuses to AC (including any magic, psionic, or mundane enhancement bonuses to that armor. Dexterity, deflection, dodge, and other such bonuses still apply.). The spear has a special ability that functions only upon scoring a successful critical hit. Any armor worn by a hit opponent must make a DC 20 Fortitude or be completely destroyed.
• The wielder of the Heartwood Spear is completely immune to psionic powers. Though unaffected, the wielder becomes instantly aware of the location and intent of those trying to use psionics against him, regardless of distance. Psionic feats may still be used against the wielder.
• The wielder of the Heartwood Spear is completely immune to nature-based magic. This means all divine magic cast by clerics, druids, and rangers. Though unaffected, the wielder becomes instantly aware of the location and intent of those trying to use nature-based magic against him, regardless of distance.

Suggested Means of Destruction
• Smashed against the lands of the Obsidian Plains.
• The spear will rot if it ever draws the blood of a halfling.

So this is my first draft on it. I based my version pro PAoA and from PP. Feedback is very much appreciated.
#2
kalthandrix
May 15, 2006 18:37:46 On the first pass- it should make the wielder immune to arcane magic too- I will have more for this one and the others later.
#3
Pennarin
May 16, 2006 0:51:49 Yeah, the problem with your spear conversion, any spear conversion for that matter (my own included), is the inconsistency of its depicted abilities in the novels. The wielder seems virtually immune to psionics/arcane magic/druid magic, yet in some instances he's affected. Its quite frustrating.
#4
kalthandrix
May 16, 2006 8:12:28 Maybe saying that they are immune to the effects of magic that expressly target the wielder- ie hold person would not work, but reverse gravity (which effects the area) would- This would make them very resistant to all mgical effects, but still somewhat vulnerable to a knowledgeable opponent.
#5
Pennarin
May 16, 2006 13:40:33 Rikus was telepathically contacted by the Gaj while wielding the Spear, and Sadira was able to use magic against Nok in the forest while he wielded the Spear. There lies all the trouble. These could be intentionnaly ignored to make our lifes more simple.
#6
kalthandrix
May 16, 2006 13:44:48 But it is exactly this items ability to make one immune to psionics and magic that makes it more then just a magical spear and into the artifact that it is. To ignore these abilities would be strip away the Heartwood Spears reason for being- it was made to kill Dragons IMO.
#7
mystictheurge
May 16, 2006 13:58:29 What if it makes the weilder immune to the magical and psionic effects of Dragons (and maybe just plain defilers)?
#8
Pennarin
May 16, 2006 14:07:05
But it is exactly this items ability to make one immune to psionics and magic that makes it more then just a magical spear and into the artifact that it is. To ignore these abilities would be strip away the Heartwood Spears reason for being- it was made to kill Dragons IMO.

Aroo? Maybe you should reread my post so as to understand what I suggested we could ignore.
#9
Pennarin
May 16, 2006 14:11:10 Our conversion, Meth's and mine, sidesteped the inconsistencies by having the Spear produce a link between the wielder and a creature injured by the Spear, so that those that have been injured by it cannot affect with spells/powers the wielder. There's a supportive fluff and flavor element to this option as well.
#10
phaaf_glien
Jan 09, 2009 10:19:43 Pennarin, as to this thread, you mention immunities to psionics and magic being stymied by examples to the contrary.

The artifact's defenses powers are, I must aver, obviously applicable only in cases against offensive abilities. Just because one wields the Spear, does not mean he cannot be healed by clerical magic, hasted by arcane magic, or otherwise be the recipient of helpful psionic, arcane, or clerical abilities and spells. The Spear simply guards the wielder, if the wielder utilizes the Spear defensively, from all these things if they are on the offensive.

The artifact also seems capable of guarding not only the wielder, but also members of his party. Kalak's fireballs against the Heroes are blocked by Rikus' defensive use of the Spear, although it is possible that it only provides protection from only half the given spell's effects.

The item needs a more considerable and elaborate write-up. The PsAoA is, most unfortunately, I rather unreliable source. The only appeal is the PP, which I suggest be utilized heavily in this case, the PsAoA to be used only as a loose guideline.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 brun01 May 15, 2006 16:57:50	The Heartwood Spear This wooden spear is six feet in length, coming to an extremely sharp natural point at both ends, colored in the deepest burgundy; its surface completely smooth. The Heartwood Spear was created by the halfling druid Nok at the 190th King’s Age, and is a massive longspear. The Heartwood Spear is rumored to be constructed from a piece of the Last Tree, one of the last intact remains of the Blue Age, and is harder than steel. The Heartwood Spear’s surface is perfectly smooth. History The Heartwood Spear was given to a Tyrian gladiator named Rikus by Nok in the Priest’s Defiance of the 190th King’s Age, when Ktandeo and the halflings from the Forest Ridge discovered that King Kalak of Tyr was going to accelerate his dragon metamorphosis to become a full Dragon, a stage akin to that of Borys of Ebe. It was for this reason that Nok gave the Heartwood Spear to Rikus — to kill Kalak before he could become another draconic horror and consume his precious forest. Rikus was able to seriously injure Kalak with the Heartwood Spear, though it did not kill him. Later, Kalak was slain by the combined effort of Rikus, Sadira, Agis of Asticles, and the High Templar Tithian. Afterwards, Rikus honored his promise to Nok and returned the Heartwood Spear. However, Sadira refused to return Ktandeo’s Cane, and Nok, armed with the spear, pursued her across the Tablelands. During their final battle near the Canyon of Guthay, Nok transformed the Heartwood Spear into an immense oak tree to keep the weapon from Sadira, but perished in battle afterwards. Campaign Uses The Heartwood Spear is a weapon of considerable power, one that has proven itself to be a killer of sorcerer-monarchs. Characters that learn about the spear and are able to discover its current location may have to seek out a powerful halfling with the knowledge to transform the oak back into the spear. If the characters are not halflings, this could be a very difficult task, specially if the do not seem worthy of it or seem to use it for personal gain. Abilities The Heartwood Spear is a +6 keen longspear of distance. It is so puissant that it tingles with energy in the hands of its wielder. The weapon ignores all armor, natural armor, and shield bonuses to AC (including any magic, psionic, or mundane enhancement bonuses to that armor. Dexterity, deflection, dodge, and other such bonuses still apply.). The spear has a special ability that functions only upon scoring a successful critical hit. Any armor worn by a hit opponent must make a DC 20 Fortitude or be completely destroyed. • The wielder of the Heartwood Spear is completely immune to psionic powers. Though unaffected, the wielder becomes instantly aware of the location and intent of those trying to use psionics against him, regardless of distance. Psionic feats may still be used against the wielder. • The wielder of the Heartwood Spear is completely immune to nature-based magic. This means all divine magic cast by clerics, druids, and rangers. Though unaffected, the wielder becomes instantly aware of the location and intent of those trying to use nature-based magic against him, regardless of distance. Suggested Means of Destruction • Smashed against the lands of the Obsidian Plains. • The spear will rot if it ever draws the blood of a halfling. So this is my first draft on it. I based my version pro PAoA and from PP. Feedback is very much appreciated.
#2 kalthandrix May 15, 2006 18:37:46	On the first pass- it should make the wielder immune to arcane magic too- I will have more for this one and the others later.
#3 Pennarin May 16, 2006 0:51:49	Yeah, the problem with your spear conversion, any spear conversion for that matter (my own included), is the inconsistency of its depicted abilities in the novels. The wielder seems virtually immune to psionics/arcane magic/druid magic, yet in some instances he's affected. Its quite frustrating.
#4 kalthandrix May 16, 2006 8:12:28	Maybe saying that they are immune to the effects of magic that expressly target the wielder- ie hold person would not work, but reverse gravity (which effects the area) would- This would make them very resistant to all mgical effects, but still somewhat vulnerable to a knowledgeable opponent.
#5 Pennarin May 16, 2006 13:40:33	Rikus was telepathically contacted by the Gaj while wielding the Spear, and Sadira was able to use magic against Nok in the forest while he wielded the Spear. There lies all the trouble. These could be intentionnaly ignored to make our lifes more simple.
#6 kalthandrix May 16, 2006 13:44:48	But it is exactly this items ability to make one immune to psionics and magic that makes it more then just a magical spear and into the artifact that it is. To ignore these abilities would be strip away the Heartwood Spears reason for being- it was made to kill Dragons IMO.
#7 mystictheurge May 16, 2006 13:58:29	What if it makes the weilder immune to the magical and psionic effects of Dragons (and maybe just plain defilers)?
#8 Pennarin May 16, 2006 14:07:05	But it is exactly this items ability to make one immune to psionics and magic that makes it more then just a magical spear and into the artifact that it is. To ignore these abilities would be strip away the Heartwood Spears reason for being- it was made to kill Dragons IMO. Aroo? Maybe you should reread my post so as to understand what I suggested we could ignore.
#9 Pennarin May 16, 2006 14:11:10	Our conversion, Meth's and mine, sidesteped the inconsistencies by having the Spear produce a link between the wielder and a creature injured by the Spear, so that those that have been injured by it cannot affect with spells/powers the wielder. There's a supportive fluff and flavor element to this option as well.
#10 phaaf_glien Jan 09, 2009 10:19:43	Pennarin, as to this thread, you mention immunities to psionics and magic being stymied by examples to the contrary. The artifact's defenses powers are, I must aver, obviously applicable only in cases against offensive abilities. Just because one wields the Spear, does not mean he cannot be healed by clerical magic, hasted by arcane magic, or otherwise be the recipient of helpful psionic, arcane, or clerical abilities and spells. The Spear simply guards the wielder, if the wielder utilizes the Spear defensively, from all these things if they are on the offensive. The artifact also seems capable of guarding not only the wielder, but also members of his party. Kalak's fireballs against the Heroes are blocked by Rikus' defensive use of the Spear, although it is possible that it only provides protection from only half the given spell's effects. The item needs a more considerable and elaborate write-up. The PsAoA is, most unfortunately, I rather unreliable source. The only appeal is the PP, which I suggest be utilized heavily in this case, the PsAoA to be used only as a loose guideline.