This is a broadsword with a golden hilt in the shape of a curled dragon. Down the spine of the blade are runes in ancient Romanian that say "Victory or death". This blade has been passed down through the Dracul family line since the 900's when it was forged by Tanik Dracul.
You gain the following benefits as long as you are wearing this Artifact and you are engaged in combat with melee weapons.
Your attacks with melee weapons deal +3 Bonus Damage. Armor is fully effective against this damage.
You also gain the following effects:
Zephyren collects blades almost obsessively, perhaps because they are some of the least detectable weapons. Or, he does it instinctively because a bird is never complete without its talons. In result, he's also the most proficient with blades.
On weapon usage:
People have guns (even in Canada, they're just quieter about it), but Zephyren legally cannot own one, and traveling with those can be such a pain for those with licenses anyway. He very much prefers a quieter option too. Also, blades are far more versatile (he wants to toss a bunch of vegetables in the air one day and try to slice them all). Never bring a knife to a gun fight? Think again.
On blade proficiency:
Fighting isn't the only thing Zephyren uses blades for. If anything he's rarely had to fight outside contracts; he mostly uses knives in the kitchen, and since he has been cooking from a very young age, there's no surprise that this is what he's the most comfortable with. In any video games, he predominantly uses a knife or sword. Don't ask how he's gotten through Resident Evil; let's just say he had to face a lot of corpses up close.
On bird talons:
Thankfully Zephyren has never been attacked by a bird, but from what he's read, talons can be really sharp. They have to grip onto things after all, even if it means they'd puncture their target.
You gain the following benefits as long as you are engaged in combat with knives and daggers.
+2 dice to all rolls with knives and daggers. You may Defend against firearm attacks from any range using knives and daggers.
You also gain the following effects:
An entirely new, and elegant form of blade dancing. Through controlling the sword with his mind and years of assassin training Gideon has inadvertently created a new school of sword fighting. Unfortunately, it's not exactly like anyone else could ever practice it. Though given it has been further enhanced by a gift it's perhaps not surprising that this school will never spread beyond its initial practioner.
You gain the following benefits as long as Gideon is wielding a weapon controlled via telekinesis and you are engaged in combat with Swords.
+2 dice to all rolls with Swords. You may Defend against firearm attacks from any range using Swords.
You also gain the following effects:
Though no matter how impressive his bare knuckle boxing abilities might be they pale in comparison with Tommy's mastery with simple light blades, the precise slashes rip through flesh cloth and padding alike, in a clash of blades his usually comes out on top be it due to grievous injury to the other party or impeccable showmanship that ends with an embarrassed, disarmed and flustered opponent.
You gain the following benefits as long as you are engaged in combat with Knives.
Your attacks with Knives deal +1 Bonus Damage. Armor is fully effective against this damage.
You also gain the following effects:
Your graceful movements with a spear are almost dancelike, flowing like velvet and striking like a snake.
You gain the following benefits as long as you are engaged in combat with Spears.
Your attacks with Spears deal +1 Bonus Damage. Armor is fully effective against this damage.
You also gain the following effects:
Being incredibly capable with the gladiatorial weapons of your time, you know all the best techniques for killing, disarming, or defending yourself as quick as possible. Because if you didn't? You'd find yourself derezzed in a milisec flat.
You gain the following benefits as long as you are engaged in combat with Hardlight Blades.
+2 dice to all rolls with Hardlight Blades. You may Defend against firearm attacks from any range using Hardlight Blades.
You also gain the following effects:
The ninja is a master of a wide variety of martial weapons. They kill quickly and quietly.
You gain the following benefits as long as you are engaged in combat with melee ninja weapons.
+2 dice to all rolls with melee ninja weapons. You may Defend against firearm attacks from any range using melee ninja weapons.
You also gain the following effects: