Artifacts/TenebrousKiss

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Tenebrous Kiss

Artefact ••• (Celestial Rank)

This reaver daiklave was a gift from the Architect of Broken Flesh to his deathknight the Dragon in Iron and Jet, his first such, since it was the blade that was thrust into the his heart at the moment of his Black Exaltation. Angular in design, chisel-tipped and with a strangely waved blade, it also boasts an unusual fan- or petal-like structure over and around the hilt. It is a potent symbol of the power of the Deathlords, although far more powerful weaponry exists within their ghost-watched arsenals.

Apart from its obvious uses, Tenebrous Kiss also has a power over shadow, capable of pulling it into solid form and working it into various shapes. Each shape has a cost in motes that the attuned Exalt must pay in order for it to work, the shadow thus created flows out from the fan-shaped structure which slides smoothly open when needed, shaping the darkness into whatever form required by the Exalt.

• Shadow Shield: For 4 motes the shadow swells up and out, protecting the wielder of Tenebrous Kiss from his enemies. This shadow shield subtracts two successes from every melee or ranged attack made against the character for the remainder of the scene. This use is a free action.
• Darkness’ Edge: The shadow flows up and over the edge of the blade, giving it especially jagged edges that inflict terrible wounds on those struck. By spending two motes on an attack any 10’s rolled for damage count double. This use is a free action.
• Shade Bind: Streams of shadow leap out from the sword, wrapping around the target’s limbs, preventing his movement. The character spends five motes and makes a Dexterity + Melee attack at his chosen target, who may only dodge and not parry the shadowy ropes. With even one success the target is bound and helpless, although he may break free with a Strength + Athletics total of 10 + the wielder’s permanent Essence. The shadow-rope persists until the character stops committing the motes to the effect, or the target breaks free. This usage is a dice action.

Tenebrous Kiss requires the commitment of seven motes of Essence, and has a single hearthstone setting, mounted just below the fan-structure on the hilt.

                          Speed    Accuracy    Damage     Defence  Minimums
    Tenebrous Kiss          +1        +3        +8L*          +1      S••
      * drains motes equal to permanent Essence of wielder upon wounding target