Baardensang, Scorned Disappointment, was initially commissioned by Emperor Cedromar as a gift to one of his favored champions, rumored to have been a Viridian Knight. However, this champion soon disappeared before the Emperor delivered the gift to them, and the weapons were left carefully abandoned by the side of the road somewhere in a box. It was said that the Artifact was re-discovered by a former Viridian, now Bloodcast Knight, in their deepest state of miserable disappointment, after visiting the ruins of the Viridian Castle destroyed in the Lo Occupation. It was carried by this knight for a time, until a chance meeting with the abdicated Emperor prompted the Bloodcast to place the weapons at the ruins, where they were eventually picked up by another Viridian Knight, repeating the cycle of wielders who carried Baardensang for a time, only to discard it in a similar manner.
Description
Baardensang is classified as a Weapon Artifact, meaning it cannot be wielded at the same time with other Weapon Artifacts by the same owner. It is not a single weapon, but two blades, one being a longsword and the other being a shortsword, both with similar designs and inseparable, as some unseen force keeps these two weapons together. Both weapons are made of Blacksteel with a brilliant silver shine, silver engravings of intricate Fornoss and Unionism symbolism on the blades themselves, and green leather binding and tassels.
Artifact Mechanics
Artifact Mechanics are split between Permanent Mechanics, Sparked Mechanics and Sparked Combat Mechanics. Permanent Mechanics are always available to the wielder of the Artifact. Sparked Mechanics and Sparked Combat Mechanics are only available if the Artifact has an Artifactspark. Sparked Combat Mechanics are noted separately, because this makes them easier to find, but they are no different from Sparked Mechanics in general. For more information on Artifactsparks, read the Resources Page. For Rules on Artifact ownership, see the Artifacts Page.
Permanent Mechanics
Baardensang allows its wielder to use a Beast-Form Transformation, which transforms their body into that of a bipedal beast person, similar to Howl Marken, but with patches of scales associated with Drakken Marken, making them larger, stronger, and faster, clad in their regular clothes/armor which magically perfectly fit. This change counts as a Transformation but does not count as a Disguise (which is pointless anyway due to Artifact ownership rules), and is always distinct from actual Marken. Also while using this Transformation during Divinium summoning, if the wielder is a Unionist or Fornoss worshipper, the opposite pantheon's Gods will treat the wielder as one of the faithful which unlocks additional dialogue options.
Baardensang's wielder can choose 2 Mechanics from the following options: Viridian Chapter Eulenurg, Hohenfels. Bloodcast Chapter Basileon, Forneik. These Mechanics are only active while Baardensang has an Artifactspark in it.
Baardensang allows its wielder to passively divine the safety of their significant other(s), if they are in a committed relationship. When said partners are in danger, a falcon will appear near Baardensang's wielder to alert them, and if they are in mortal peril, the falcon will cry loudly and urgently. This does not give information on where they are. If Baardensang's wielder and partner(s) are Unionists and Fornoss worshippers (in either direction, must be 1 of each), the wielder can use the falcon to lead them to their partner's location, but this must be loudly telegraphed by the arrival of a falcon near the partner, explicitly informing anyone near them of the imminent arrival of the wielder.
Baardensang as a weapon represents lost love that was transformed into a tool for the Viridian Order. Baardensang grants the wielder +2 Attack Stat (breaks cap up to 11) while using Attack Emotes on those of the following Knight Orders: Bloodcast, Aelrrigan, Lothar, Argentum, Senleya. Additionally, even when not attacking Characters of those orders, the wielder's Attack Dice Roll Minimum is set to 3.
Collectible Artifact
Artifacts are very cool, and make a Character super powerful. That being said, due to circumstances of Roleplay, a Character may end up holding onto an Artifact for months on end. This is generally not a problem, but we believe that Artifacts because of their uniqueness, should never be held onto in perpetuity by one Player. After a few months, it is time for the next player to be able to enjoy the artifact, and for this reason, Collectibles exist. After 120 days of non-consecutive Artifact ownership, an Artifact is automatically confiscated, and the Player who lost it is given a Collectible. Collectibles are thematically and aesthetically similar to the Artifact, meaning the loss of an Artifact does not visually detract from a Character's established design. However, they cannot hold Artifactsparks and only inherit the Permanent Mechanics from the Artifact they were generated from (including the rules limiting their use). On the other hand, Collectibles can never be stolen from their owner, a Collectible is owned forever, and there is no upper limit to the amount of Collectibles a Character can have, or wield/use at the same time. Collectibles may be traded away by their owner if they are unable to use the Permanent Mechanic due to the use limitation. To summarize this Artifact's Collectible properties:
Marty Will Fill This In
The Chivalric Blade Collectible inherits the Permanent Mechanic of Baardensang, but can only be used by Knights who remain loyal to the Emperor and their Order. While there are several Chivlaric Blades, each looks unique, though should be inspired by the appearance of Baardensang.
