Legendary Artifact

The Hands of Hermes

Created and held by Wesley Ballard.
A pair of black leather bracers affixed to fingerless gloves with intricate silver accents, fastened to the forearms with a set of straps and buckles

The air around the user's hands shimmer like a mirage before a handful of ornate, gilded daggers appear between his fingers. The bracers and the daggers they conjure are as beautiful and fleeting as the grace with which they are wielded.

This Artifact produces ephemeral projectiles that can be used as a throwing knife.

Attack by rolling Dexterity + Athletics, Difficulty 6. Successful attacks deal Contested Outcome +2 Weapon Damage.

You also gain the following effects:

  • Hail Storm: You may Exert your Mind to make an attack with against all targets within a 120 degree arc in front of you. Your full attack Outcome applies to each of them, but they may attempt to Dodge or Defend if they are aware of the attack.
  • Magic Quiver: Instead of throwing this Artifact, it is an object that produces an endless supply of temporary throwable objects. For example, bracers that allow you to throw ethereal javelins, or a sack of throwing rocks that doesn’t shrink when you withdraw one.
  • Not Quite Flying: You may Exert your Mind and use up your Movement to “follow” any attack using this weapon, traveling right next to its point of impact.

  • Created projectiles last only until they strike their target and cannot be shared or stockpiled.
  • The attack must be the primary form of attack for this weapon.
  • Reminder: additional Weapon Damage granted by this Effect does not stack with any other bonus to Weapon Damage. Instead the largest bonus is used.
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Community Artifacts

Suiryū Heijin

Created and held by Machida Yoshiyuki.
The Suiryū Heijin is a katana with a black blade, its ebony hue adorned by subtle water-inspired patterns, while the obsidian tsuba echoes the katana's aquatic theme, alluding to a serene pond's surface, and the deep indigo silk-wrapped hilt carries an unassuming sapphire, embodying the fusion of disciplined strength and calm potential. The sheath of the Suiryū Heijin is a study in understated elegance, crafted from polished ebony wood. Its surface is adorned with intricate inlays depicting sinuous water patterns in deep indigo and silver, reminiscent of the undulating movements of a serene river. A single sapphire, the same shade as the hilt's ornament, is nestled near the opening, a nod to the blade's aquatic inspiration.

In the midst of battle, as the Suiryū Heijin is wielded, the obsidian blade seems to come alive with a shadowy iridescence, evoking the fluid grace of a coiling water dragon. Outsiders witness a mesmerizing dance, where each swing of the katana is executed with a tranquil swiftness, deflecting attacks and delivering precise strikes as if guided by an unseen current. The wielder's demeanor exudes composed intensity, their movements weaving a serene yet formidable tapestry that mirrors the depths of a tranquil pond concealing untapped power.

When breaking the opponents weapon it appears as if a dragon bites and snaps it.

In the tapestry of time, the saga of the Suiryū Heijin unfolds in a realm where mystique intertwines with mundane reality. Born from the elemental depths, this katana emerged as a mirror to tranquil waters that had borne witness to centuries' rhythm. Crafted by skilled hands that whispered secrets of both blade and water, its ebony steel embodied the essence of a water dragon, a symphony of power and serenity entwined.

This Artifact can be used as a sword / axe. It is roughly the same size as a sword / axe but can be collapsed into A small blue dragon wrapped around their arm and concealed. Collapsing or expanding it costs a Quick Action.

Attack by rolling Brawn + Melee, Difficulty 6. Successful attacks deal Contested Outcome +5 Weapon Damage. The target's Armor is fully effective against this damage.

This item is a living thing. When targeted, it counts as a Living Creature in addition to its other target types. If destroyed or abandoned for more than two days, it dies and becomes unusable.

You also gain the following effects:

  • Blade Breaker: If you successfully Defend against a melee attack or if an opponent is unsuccessful at Defending against your melee attack, you may break your opponent's weapon.
  • Pin: If you Injure the target with an attack, the target is “pinned” to that location as long as your weapon remains in that spot. The target cannot remove the weapon.

  • If there is not enough free space to expand the object, it cannot be expanded. You cannot expand this Object as an attack.
  • Reminder: additional Weapon Damage granted by this Effect does not stack with any other bonus to Weapon Damage. Instead the largest bonus is used.

Blessed Silver Cross

Created and held by Father Gabriel Ward.
A silver cross that is meant to be attached to a rosary, used in prayers for many years.

The rosary cross is engulfed in holy light for a split second before it reappears as an intricately engraved silver sword with a cross shaped handguard

When this ability refers to a major sin according to a catholic interpretation of the bible it includes but is not limited to:

Murder of an innocent
Assault of an innocent
Cannibalism
Theft for personal gain
Incest
Adultery

Atone refers to true and Deep regret and willingness to change

This Artifact can be used as a sword / axe. It is roughly the same size as a sword / axe but can be collapsed into Rosary cross and concealed. Collapsing or expanding it costs a Quick Action. Unless The sword is not used to harm those who have committed a major sin according to a catholic interpretation of the bible and have not atoned for it, this Artifact behaves as its mundane counterpart.

Attack by rolling Brawn + Melee, Difficulty 6. Successful attacks deal 5 Weapon Damage. The target's fully effective

You also gain the following effects:

  • Blade Breaker: If you successfully Defend against a melee attack or if an opponent is unsuccessful at Defending against your melee attack, you may break your opponent's weapon.
  • Shredder: If you successfully hit your target, the value of any Armor they are wearing is reduced by 2. This penalty lasts until the armor is repaired.

  • If there is not enough free space to expand the object, it cannot be expanded.
  • Reminder: additional Weapon Damage granted by this Effect does not stack with any other bonus to Weapon Damage. Instead the largest bonus is used.

Rock Heart

Created and held by Alaric Drake.

Heart consumed in the ancient, original form of Dragon
Communion.
Use while disrobed to turn one's human flesh into an ancient
dragon.

The last thing the partaker saw with human eyes was a sunset, its
colors faded and tarnished—a remote thing from eternity.

Exert your Mind and spend an Action.

You transform into an ancient dragon for 30 minutes. You have access to all of your Powers while you are an ancient dragon, and you can use your equipment. Your Battle Scars, Injuries, and physical Liabilities are carried over between forms. Reverting from your Alternate Form cannot cause your existing Injuries to kill you. Instead, you remain Incapacitated.

While transformed, your Brawn is increased by 1, your Dexterity is increased by 1, and your Perception is increased by 1. You do not suffer any Stress while transformed.

Your alternate form is its own deadly weapon. Unarmed attacks made in your alternate form deal +3 Weapon Damage (instead of the typical -1).

Your alternate form renders you unable to speak any human language and incapable of fine object manipulation. You can only hold or grasp objects in a crude, clumsy way.

After this Effect ends, you cannot move quicker than a walk (15 feet per Round) for one minute and suffer a -1 dice penalty for an hour.

If you become Incapacitated or suffer an Injury Severity 4 or greater, you revert from your Alternate form.

  • Reminder: Weapon Damage from multiple sources does not stack. Instead, the highest value is used.
  • Attribute bonuses from multiple sources do not stack. Instead the highest bonus is used.

Rod of Asclepius 5

Created and held by Vel.
A small rod about the size of a wand with a green snake wrapped around it. Its eyes are emerald.

The rod glows with red light, and the injury being targeted glows the same color.

The one who wields it feels the power of the symbol of Asclepius compel them to move towards the compulsions of the Hippocratic oath.

If the target is dead, and the wound is treated by this, the wound is restored.

The rod is focused on the wound in question. The participant gets a deep sense of the wound, and can stitch together flesh, and restore lost blood.

This rod was made by drawing on the symbolic power of the Asclepius, and the promises and powers inherent in that symbol.

The ritual making it involves
- The symbol of the Asclepius
- The Hippocratic oath
- Several references to healing miracles
- Images of people whose lives have been saved by the wielder

The ritual leans heavily on the power, and obligations associated with the Hippocratic oath. It forces the wielder to adopt the tenants and behaviors associated with healers and doctors in the shared cultural understanding.

Do no harm.

Help all who come.

The power of this rod draws on the individual, and when reversing the pain forces the user to experience it.

Exert your Mind and spend 2 Actions. Select a Living or Dead target within arm's reach. You must make a Trauma roll when you use this Effect. Its Difficulty cannot be reduced by any means. If you fail or Botch, you receive one Mind Damage and a new Trauma. Choose a specific Injury on your target that has not yet been treated with this Effect and roll Intellect + Medicine at Difficulty 6.

If you succeed, the Injury is reduced in Severity by your Outcome. If you reduce its Severity to 0, the Injury is fully healed. Otherwise, it is partially healed and will heal the rest of the way at its natural rate.

This counts as a successful Makeshift Stabilization if the Injury was not already Stabilized; any Battle Scars caused by the Injury will remain.

If your Outcome is greater than the Severity of the Injury you were attempting to treat, you may apply any excess Outcome to other Injuries on the same patient.

If you begin healing an Injury on a target that has been dead for less than a minute, and your healing reduces their Wound Level to a non-lethal level, their life is restored.

Anyone who touches this Artifact will notice it warping their body and may drop it. If they choose to hold or use it, they immediately receive the following Battle Scar: Weak Stomach: The rod draws on the vitality of the one wielding it, causing them to have strong reactions to smells.. If they lose possession of this Artifact, the Battle Scar heals over the course of the next day.

Anyone who touches this Artifact will notice it warping their mind and may drop it. If they choose to hold or use it, they immediately receive the following Trauma: Committed to life: Whenever you see someone die, who you could bring back to life, you must make a self control roll to not immediately attempt to save them using this rod. This is rolled every someone dies near you and Passivist: You must make a self control roll to directly attack anyone in a way which will cause harm. If they lose possession of this Artifact, the Trauma heals over the course of the next day.

  • Unstabilized wounds do not degenerate during treatment.
  • You can target yourself if you qualify as a valid target by the other requirements.
  • Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.

The artifact can't be broken. There is a stylized "Heal the world for me- Vel" Inscribed on it.

The true owner can summon the artifact back to them as they need it, and it appears. No flash of light or noise, it is reached for, and it is where the owner wants.

The true owner can tell when someone else is using it, and is aware of the user's appearance, direction, and distance.

This is an enhancement built on top of other artifacts to enhance how strong they are.

The true owner can change the identity of the person who is the true owner by wiping away their signature, and writing the name of the new owner.

The ritual for making it involves using
- a variety of hard materials (iron, titanium, etc)
- a history book
- a family tree diagram

This Artifact cannot be broken. If this Artifact is lost and in no one else’s possession, it finds its way back to its true owner during the next Downtime.

By default, the creator of this Artifact is its true owner. The true owner may formally bequeath this Artifact onto another person within arm’s reach, after which they are its true owner. If the true owner dies or is destroyed, their ownership ends. If this Artifact has no true owner, anyone may spend one day attuning to it to become its true owner.

If the true owner of this Artifact ever dies, it immediately disappears. At least one week later, it will appear to A potential hero. Someone willing to live a hard life to make the life of other's safer and easier and reveal its power to them. They become its new true owner.

If this Artifact is in no one else’s possession, its true owner may Exert their Mind and spend two Actions to bring it to themselves.

  • If there is no available Next of Kin, it will wait two months and then appear to a random person. If multiple next of kin are appropriate, the GM will decide randomly.
  • "Cannot be broken" means that damage cannot render the Artifact's Effects unusable, nor can it cease to be used for its primary mundane purpose, if it has one.

The rod glows with green light, and the participant being targeted glows the same color. The energy has some kick back, causing a shadow of the harm of the poison on the wielder of the rod.

The rod is burns with purifying energy that drives the malady from the target. It draws from the symbol of the Asclepius.

This rod was made by a ritual focused on the symbol of the Asclepius, and experimenting with it. Vaccines, anti-virals, stories of miracle cures were all part of the creation process.

Exert your Mind (unless In a hospital, Clinic, or other healthcare setting) and spend 1 Action. Select a Living target within arm's reach.

You may cure any Non-Alien diseases, toxins, or poisons afflicting your target even if you have not diagnosed or fully understood it. You may cure diseases or poisons even if they are not treatable through modern medicine. During treatment, the malady you are treating does not progress or cause additional Damage or other effects.

  • Without some sort of diagnostic Effect, “fully diagnosing” a disease or poison will always require a roll of some sort, frequently Intellect + Medicine, but the specific roll and difficulty is at GM’s discretion.
  • You can target yourself if you qualify as a valid target by the other requirements.
  • Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.

Mach-1

Created and held by Dr. Luca Ascetta.
A small custom-made device the size of a lunchbox.

The drone lifts off into the air, and buzzes around the area. Loaded with scanners, it does its best to gather information about the area before returning to the owners feet and displaying its information on a small screen.

Expend a point of Battery and spend a minute. Investigate an area with a radius of up to 100 feet At the end of your investigation, roll Intellect + Technology at Difficulty 6.

You learn the following information about the area:

  • You can tell the age of any structure or natural formation in the area. This includes trees and plants growing in the area.
  • You can locate the source of any Alien energy or the presence of any Alien effects on the area. Specific information about the function of these effects beyond their general type is not forthcoming.
The quality and specificity of information gained depends on your Outcome.

You cannot investigate the same area more than once per day.

  • You can target yourself if you qualify as a valid target by the other requirements.
  • Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.

Stock Legendary Artifacts

Assault Helmet

Expend a point of Battery and spend an Action.

You automatically detect all people wielding weapons within 300 feet of you for the next hour. This includes any who come within range during the duration. You have a sense of how many valid targets are nearby, as well as their distance and direction.

  • This Effect does not satisfy the line of sight targeting requirement for other Effects.

Dazzle Glasses

This Effect activates whenever you are recorded. It does not require an Action or Exertion. Select a Non-Sapient Object within 20 feet no larger than a duffel bag (35 liters). Your target should be intuitively based on the triggering event. Roll Perception + Culture Difficulty 6.

If your Outcome is 4 or higher, the target will be completely destroyed and can no longer function, though it may still be repaired. If your Outcome is less than 4, the target will be partially damaged, and any attempts to use it will suffer a dice penalty equal to your Outcome.

  • When triggered, the Effect activation resolves immediately after the triggering Action. It is not Reaction speed.
  • The penalty from an object being damaged will stack with itself if a target is hit multiple times, but the object is destroyed when it reaches a total penalty of -4.
  • You can target yourself if you qualify as a valid target by the other requirements.
  • Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.

Winter Fang

A massive bow made of solid ice.

This Artifact can be used as a bow. It is roughly at least twice as large as a bow and cannot be concealed on your person or disassembled for storage.

Attack by rolling Dexterity + Athletics, Difficulty 6. Successful attacks deal Contested Outcome +3 Weapon Damage. Attacks do not require a successful called shot to do damage.

You also gain the following effects:

  • Infinite Ammo: This weapon never runs out of its standard ammunition.
  • Leave No Trace: Your projectiles crumble or vanish after impact, leaving no meaningful trace of your assault beyond the wounds they leave. If your attack would kill or incapacitate your target, they make no sound, even incidentally, for the next Round.

  • This Artifact cannot be disguised or morphed with other Effects like Shape-Changing object.
  • Reminder: additional Weapon Damage granted by this Effect does not stack with any other bonus to Weapon Damage. Instead the largest bonus is used.

Wipe Memory

Exert your Mind and spend an Action. Select a Location within within arm's reach. All Sapient targets within 20 feet are affected. This Effect cannot be used unless the target is looking directly into the device with uncovered eyes. Roll Charisma + Influence at Difficulty 6. The target may resist by rolling Mind at Difficulty 7.

If the contested Outcome is positive, the most recent 1 hour from your target’s memory is either replaced with new memories or forgotten entirely. This is recorded as a Condition. The level of detail and completeness of the alteration depends on your Outcome. If you fail, the target realizes that you are attempting to alter their memories.

The period is chosen either by time (i.e. “last Friday night”) or by reference to a specific event (i.e. “when the murder occurred”).

  • You do not gain mind-reading through this effect, so your ability to alter their memory is limited by your knowledge of what they might know.
  • The target's roll to realize their memories have been altered can be made a maximum of one time per day.
  • You can target yourself if you qualify as a valid target by the other requirements.
  • Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.

255TE "Lancer" Rife

A metallic disk that, with the press of a button, expands into a futuristic-looking rifle.

This Artifact can be used as a rifle. It is roughly the same size as a rifle but can be collapsed into a metallic disk and concealed. Collapsing or expanding it costs a Quick Action.

Attack by rolling Dexterity + Firearms, Difficulty 6. Successful attacks deal Contested Outcome +5 Weapon Damage.

You also gain the following effects:

  • Silencer: The report of any shots you fire may be made silent at will.

  • If there is not enough free space to expand the object, it cannot be expanded. You cannot expand this Object as an attack.
  • Reminder: additional Weapon Damage granted by this Effect does not stack with any other bonus to Weapon Damage. Instead the largest bonus is used.
  • Rifles are +1 Difficulty to use in melee range. Sniper Rifles are +3 Difficulty to use without a tripod or in melee range. Setting up a tripod takes an Action.