Latest revision as of 17:10, 8 June 2010

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Maidens Ride The Stars (Starmeral Artifact 'Scarf') [Artifact ●●●●●]

Melee bonus: Speed +3, Accuracy +3, Damage +3L or +5B, Defense +5, Rate +0
Scarf 'Spear': Speed +6, Accuracy +2, Damage +6L, Defense +2, Rate 2
Long-Range 'Spear': Speed +9, Accuracy +1, Damage +10L, Defense -3, Rate 1

10-mote commit

[Abilities]

• Starlight's Travels Are Endless: The scarf's full 'length' is a hundred feet, although it normally compresses to a more manageable size. It is also quite prehensile, guided by only Den Bao's will, and can be used to lash around and adhere to objects, catch onto rooftops, and so on. When used in this manner, the scarf can extend fifty feet in one turn, and its grip is nigh-perfect; so long as the surface is even slightly uneven it can support up to five hundred pounds, usually enough for Den Bao and another person, and 'reel in' its full weight limit at the rate of 25 feet a turn. It can also be used for swinging, anchoring objects, and so on.

• Joy Takes A Million Forms: The scarf effortlessly and instantly transforms to fit with whatever attire Den Bao is wearing at the moment, all while maintaining its capabilities. Thus, it could appear to be a mere mess of bandages on the shoulders of a poor beggar-monk, or a fine silk stole around the shoulders of a overindulgent official.
  

• The Maidens' Swords Lay Bare: While it does not appear to actively do so, the scarf augments and enhances Den Bao's unarmed strikes and overall physical capabilities. They allow him to parry melee weapons and other harmful effects unarmed, and even lash out with the scarf itself, although this attack method is much more blatant and gives away the scarf's magical nature. The 'spearing' attack the scarf uses can be unleashed well outside of normal melee range, up to 20 feet away, but has a Rate of 1 as opposed to its usual melee Rate of 2.

• Hidden Stars Enshroud Their Own: So long as Den Bao is attuned to the scarf, all attempts to determine his actual physical location, be it through normal or magical means, have their difficulty increased by 3 when he wishes not to be found.

• Completion Before Eternity: The End should not be until all that one does is complete. Thus, the scarf defends its wearer until that day comes. All incoming attacks have their difficulties increased by 2, and all damage inflicted is reduced by 1 health level, to a minimum of 1.

Maidens Ride The Stars has many forms, but when at 'rest', it appears to be a lovely green cloth scarf, roughly six inches wide and five feet long. Close observation via magical means reveals the numerous flecks of glittering material woven within the scarf from end to end. Specifically made for Den Bao, seeing that he had enemies everywhere, the 'weapon' has been by his side almost all of the time, and has come in handy on countless occasions.

Holding Fast The Unknowable (Starmetal Hearthstone Bracers) [Artifact ●●]
5-mote commitment, fits on both forearms and holds a single Hearthstone placed within

[Abilities]

• Holding Fast: Instead of providing three additional Dodge dice, the bracers only provide two, while also providing two additional dice in situational rolls when the wearer is attempting to hide or withhold something (such as an item with Larceny or their state of mind with Socialize).
  

• Starmetal Bracer Function: +1 to weapon attack, defense and initiative

This item appears to be finely-woven strands of metal that look to be little more than a series of bangles fitted around the wearer's arms. The hearthstone 'socket' is cleverly hidden with a nest of wires on the underside of the right bracer.

Expanded Backgrounds

Allies ●●●

His almost monomaniacal focus on maintaining the Celestial Hierarchy has made many gods wary of him, especially within the Bureau of Humanity. However, a few appreciate his hard work (mainly because he managed to restore some of their lost glory) and treat him fairly. Most are relatively minor gods with little pull but open ears, but one in particular is a fellow by the name of Nine Minerals Kleshnikov, a jovial and extraordinarily friendly spirit overseeing nine interlocked healing mineral springs in the South. Bao's hard work (and underhanded dealings) restored three of them to their rightful owner when a young, but powerful upstart attempted to muscle Kleshnikov out of his role, and the spring god has been grateful ever since. As his springs' numerous outlets are clustered in the southwestern Threshold area, from Steel Lotus to Chiaroscuro, the godling hears much through the waters, and is more than happy to impart interesting tidbits to Den Bao as needed, as well as lend whatever help he can in 'restoring order'.

Artifact ●●
Artifact ●●●●●

A Sidereal without tools to assist him in his duties is a poorly-equipped one, indeed. Both items were favors hard-won from the Bureau of Secrets for a pair of important investigations leading to the apprehension of gods dealing with unsavory types in Creation. (Both were Bureau of Humanity patsies, but were the best Den Bao could do given the sheer amount of red tape the Bureau is capable of generating to evade deeper investigation.)

Celestial Manse ●●

The only reason he doesn't have a larger manse is because many Sidereals find him to be too much of a lightning rod for trouble to have direct dealings with him. Nonetheless, he managed to get his hands on a spacious place he could call home.

Connections (The Forbidding Manse of Ivory) ●●●
Connections (The Bureau of Heaven) ●●
Connections (Threshold Tributaries) ●

INFO LATER

Salary ●●●

Much as with his Manse troubles, he's yet to find a way to have his pay grade increased, even considering all he's done. Even he is aware of the problems his dogged nature brings, but he would like to believe that his superiors would realize that all he does is for the good of Creation. Maybe in time they'll come around... but until then, he can be patient.

Savant ●●●

He is of Secrets. It's almost mandatory for him to have retained much of his First Age teachings. While it does not always come in handy, he nonetheless keeps his mind sharpened, refreshing whatever he can on occasion with a visit to the Forbidding Manse.

Sifu ●●●

The Peerless Master Whose Name Is Fire is a Secrets of some age and skill. He's taught many, even some Essence-users outside of Sidereal circles while on a century-long 'vacation' he took to study and refine his own Essence. He is devoid of hair safe for his eyebrows, which are like two lines of flame etched along his brow. He is firm in nature, careful in tutelage, and has a (half-true) reputation for eagerly bedding his students. (Den, for the record, politely refused the only advance the Master made.) He is learned in the Wood Dragon, Infinite Viridian Radiance and House of Secrets Celestial Styles, and is learned in the Citrine Poxes of Contagion and Sapphire Blade of Severance Sidereal styles.