New Ability: Blade-Naming

[Camdin]

Blade-Naming
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"I will give you a name," he said to [the sword], 'and I shall call you Sting."
--The Hobbit
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When a character successfully performs a combat action which the Narrator deems particulary heroic with an unnamed weapon, she may allow that character to name their weapon in honour of the event. The memory of their own heroism and the successof their valour inspires them to further greatness. In essence, this allows players to create "lesser" heroic weapons through their actions.

In order to name a weapon, the weapon must currently carry no name or be unnamed to the extent of the character's knowledge. The character must expend 1 point of Courage and make a TN 15 Bearing test. If the test is successful, that character from then on recieves a +1 bonus to the appropriate Armed or Ranged combat test when using that weapon. Other characters that know the weapon's history likewise recieve this bonus when they wield the weapon. It otherwise follows all other rules for heroic weapons set down in the Core Rule Book.

If the weapon is already enchanted and the character names it, the +1 bonus stacks with any current bonus from the enchantment provided that it does not increase the bonus to greater than +5. If a characer should later discover that the weapon already carried a name and a history, the bonus remains -- they have added to the great legacy of the weapon and heightened its ability to inspire greatness.

[Ineti]

A good idea, but I think I would make the Bearing TN much harder.

Otherwise, everyone's going to have "Narathppft, the mighty Rock of the Anduin!"

[Camdin]

TN 15 perhaps then? TN 10 is rather low for something like this, now that I think about it ...

[ben hur]

Interesting, to be sure!

I think it'd do better as more of a suggestion than a optional rule. To quote Pirates of the Caribbean, it should be "more like guidelines, anyway"

So what'd I do is reword it to say that characters sometimes name weapons, making them heroic weapons, and this usually takes a test (such as the TN 10 Bearing test you described) and given a 'flavor bonus' (usually rather small) to a certain skill or skills.

[Grimbar]

TN 15? That means they need to roll a 12 with a +3 modifier. Isn't that a little steep? What about instead of a higher TN you can only name one unnamed weapon each time you perchase the ability?

[Jason Durall]

Originally posted by Camdin
Blade-Naming
--------------------
"I will give you a name," he said to [the sword], 'and I shall call you Sting."
--The Hobbit
---------------

This special ability is available to all player-characters. When a character successfully performs a combat action which the Narrator deems particulary heroic with an unnamed weapon, she may allow that character to name their weapon in honour of the event. To do so, the character must expend 1 point of Courage and make a TN 10 Bearing test. The character must then make some form of annoucement and call the weapon by name. If the test is successful, the weapon is thenceforth considered to be a heroic weapon and takes that name. That character from then on recieves a bonus to the appropriate Armed or Ranged combat test. Other characters that know the weapon's history likewise recieve this bonus when they wield the weapon. It otherwise follows all other rules for heroic weapons set down in the Core Rule Book.

The amount of the bonus depends upon the level of success attained from the Bearing test. A Marginal success provides only a +1 bonus to Armed or Ranged combat tests, while a Complete success provides a +2 bonus. A Superior success provies a +2 bonus to Armed or Ranged combat tests as well as a +1 bonus to Inspire and Intimidate tests. An Exceptional success provides a +2 bonus to Armed or Ranged combat tests and a +2 bonus to Inspire or Intimidate tests.

Hmmm... I like the idea, but the example is a bit off. For example, Sting was already enchanted. I am certain that it had a name, but it is lost to history.

Some questions arise:

Can this only be used on non-enchanted weapons? If not, what happens if you learn the weapon's real name?

Does the bonus you get from naming a weapon stack with an existing enchantment?

What happens if you name the weapon and fail the roll? Can you re-attempt to make the name stick later, with another heroic action and attempt? Or is the weapon forever "mundane"?

Also, can you use Courage on the Bearing test in addition to the point spent? If so, then a TN of 10 is too low.

Is this an edge or ability, or just an action anyone can take? If it has no penalty, I can't imagine why characters wouldn't all have a few weapons with names.

[Phantom]

Not trying to be critical here, but Heroic Items have long and distinguished histories. A weapon shouldn't become Heroic by just slaying a small number of Orcs (example) in one battle, no matter how heroic the situation.

[Camdin]

Good questions and comments, all. This is something that just came to me out of the blue today, and I wanted to jot it down before I lost the idea.

You all bring up good points. I will have to think on this a little more before I call it done. Thanks!

[Camdin]

Ok ... I took your comments and questions into account, and rewrote how this works. The bonus is now only +1, and the Bearing test is higher. I also took into account previously enchanted weapons and weapons that have names that are unknown to the character at the time.

[mcb]

In general I love this Idea. I have been trying to get my player to do similar things with little luck.

What about this idea. I agree that killing a few orcs should not grant a player a hero weapon but on the other hand. A hobbit that kills a troll single handed (generous use of courage ) might be a worthly event to grant his weapon heroic status.

So rather than making the Bearing Test a fixed TN have a TN based on the Curcumstances and how well roleplayed the situation is.

Examples: TN of 20 for just a couple of orcs. 15 for defeating an overwelming number of orcs. TN 10 for single handedly defeating a troll or similar Fell Beast. Maybe give a -2 or so to the TN for a well roleplay transision into the naming sequence with a name appropriate to the event/foe/character. +2 or other penelty to the TN for bringing it up as an afterthought just to munchkin their character. I'm sure we could come up with more modifier if we liked.

If they fail then they should not be allowed to try again for a significate amount of time, say 3-6 month of game time, maybe more, maybe never. The weapon would have a name from the first attemp but the heroic status would not have been granted.

Just some ideas
mcb

[Tharkun]

Doesn't this decrease the incentive for Craftsman to strive for the Masterwork ability?

Just a thought...

Tharkun

[Camdin]

Hmm ... I hadn't considered that, but its a great point. As I mentioned earlier, this just came upon me in a flash of inspiration.

This may just be a case of giving away too much for too little cost. Thanks for the input guys. Its much appreciated.

[Tharkun]

Not a problem. It just so happens this topic came along at a time I'm all too familiar with Craftsman.

You see, I have this dwarf in my group that feels after playing only one game his character is being slighted because some of the other players Order Abilities are cheaper to acquire. He doesn't think the req's are justified.

But, I've tried numerous times to explain the value of having the ability to craft minor magical items and how the world at large isn't a lush garden of such things...

It takes time to become a Master... ;-D

Tharkun

[Camdin]

I have a player experiencing similar regrets for taking the Noble order. However, they are in the wilderness at the moment so none of her order abilities are really coming into play. However ... in the social situations I plan to have the characters in soon she will certainly find her time to shine!

[Tharkun]

Interesting. I too have a Noble in the group and we're adventuring in the forests of Rhudaur. He's actually the party leader and has been doing a pretty good job of it. What he lacks in survival and tracking, he makes up for in his Inspire and Combat support. There's plenty of ways to get characters involved.

Of course it helps having players that don't want everything right now... ;-)

What's your setting and time period? Fill free to PM me on the side if you'd like.

Tharkun