ElectricPaladin's Artifacts/AvalancheFist

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Avalanche Fist (Artifact •••)

Crushfist Form: Spd -5; Acc +0; Dam +5L; Def +3; Rate 1 Smashfist Form: Spd -3; Acc +1; Dam +5L; Def +3; Rate 7

An avalanche fist is a crushfist that takes the form of an articulated gauntlet that protects its wearer's arm from the fingertips to the shoulder. A series of straps made of some unidentifiable material that appears to be leather, but is as indestructable as any magical material, fasten the weapon to a pair of rings that rest easily against the wearer's chest and back, which are in in turn fastened to a less ornate shoulder gaurd on the wearer's off-arm. The gauntlet, the rings, and the off-hand shoulder gaurd are made of a magical material; most jade avalanche fists are made primarily of black jade. The avalanche fist has a highly mechanical appearance, with jade bolts studding its surface on the shoulder, elbow gaurd, and hand of the primary arm. In this form, the weapon behaves as an ordinary smashfist, albeit an unusually large one with a slightly higher damage bonus than usual.

With a thought, an avalanche fist can be commanded to assume its alternate shape. With a hiss, armor plates change position, sliding across the surface of the weapon and the jade bolts slide into the gauntlet, pressing pressure points on its wearer's arm and enhancing his strength. In this form, the weapon behaves as a powerful crushfist. Furthermore, while the white jade bolts are engaged, the avalance fist adds its weilder's permanent Essence to his strength for the purposes of breaking and lifting, clinch rolls, and damage rolls. This strength enhancement stacks with all other enhancements, including those from Deadly Beastman Transformation, but does not apply to charms. The stiffness of the gauntlet while it is in crushfist form prevents the weilder from using it as a slow smashfist, and also prevents the use of any other weapons. Essentially, in its crushfist form, an avalanche fist is only useful as a crushfist or to perform stunts and feats of strength, but not those that would also require speed or manual dexterity.

An avalanche fist is compatible with any martial art that favors crushfists or smashfists. An avalanche fist requires the commitment of seven motes to function. Causing an avalanche fist to shift from one form to another is a reflexive action. An avalanche fist has settings for two hearthstones.