by Various (Kindred of the East | Resources)
Hello all. This is the first installment of the Artifact articles for the KoE. If you’ve ever cracked open the KoE book to make a character and wanted to have an artifact, you’d cry at the lack of examples they give. The Dharma books added a few to the mixing bowl, but still not enough for my tastes. So, here we are. Here are the first 10 original artifact, created by myself and other forumites. Hope everyone enjoys!
Many decisions can be made by the flip of the coin, as is the tradition with many compulsive gamblers. This small artifact takes that to the next level. Head or Tails is said first and then the person who chooses the side that appears is the winner. This magic item allows for you to always win. To the common looker it is a normal coin with both a head and tail side, but with a thought the coin will appear on the side the owner chooses. Only one success on a Willpower roll (difficulty 4) is needed.
This helpful charm appears as a bracelet or other jewelry piece that holds fast to the skin. While it is in contact with the skin, the wearer will create no smell, or scent. Any type of scent tracking ability or machine cannot trace them; even the scent of the Wyrm is covered. This useful item has saved more than one shen from a Hengeyokai attack.
Ever wonder what the shen of the old days did before cell phones? The Message Gem is a left over magic item of convenience from those days. Selecting this item gives the character 2 stones, one for themselves and one to give to someone else. These gems will give the two bearers telepathic communication if within 20 miles of each other. The only problem with it is that to speak, the wielder must concentrate and so cannot engage in combat or any other things while talking with the stones. These stones will sometimes be turned into necklaces, bracelets or other jewelry for easy carrying.
This single sword, with a slightly longer blade than a normal katana, is quite powerful in terms of defense. The sword knows its owner, someone who has used it in more than 3 battles, and will only be wielded by him or her. Anyone, besides the owner, that touches the handle will be shocked by 4 levels (not dice) of Electrical Damage, which can be soaked like normal by those who can soak Aggravated damage. The sword may be claimed by another if it separated from its owner for more than 10 days, then is just a normal sword until it has bonded with the new owner.
Many magic swords are tainted by their usage. Certain swords become so bloodied with the deaths of others that they can enchant others to be uncaring. By spending 1 point of Yin, this seemingly ordinary sword fills the wielder a deep apathy. This adds 2 dice to any roll involving Courage or Intimidation and adds that same bonus toward Fire, Wave and Shadow Soul for the scene. This bonus also has a downfall, however. It totally removes any emotion or feeling from the wielder, causing him to make logical decisions instead of sentimental ones. This has grave effects, if it’s more logical to kill you best friend and use him for bait for the demon you are stalking. A favorite among Bone Flowers, but not their companions.
Originally owned by a powerful shih, these swords appear as normal Wakisashi, except for the symbols of Yin on one and Yang on the other all along the blades. They are unbreakable, however, never dull and inflict Strength + 3 (instead of Strength + 2). They are incredibly attuned to the elements of their symbols (Yin to Metal, Yang to Wood) and can cut through any thickness of their attuned element with the simple expenditure of a Yin chi to cut through metal or a Yang chi to cut through wood. This ability lasts for only the nest swing of the sword, however, becoming quite costly if cutting through too much. Each sword may also be purchased separately as Level 2 Artifacts.
An old alchemist forged several rings of power, each bound to a specific type of weapon. It makes whoever wears the ring beyond even the greatest of weapon masters with that type of weapon. By placing the ring on your finger, it effectively doubles the character’s Melee rating to a maximum of 8 and they cannot botch any rolls. This raised rating, however, work only for the specific type of weapon (which is chosen by the ST). The ring itself is a simple silver band, with no engravings or markings. The ring will not give you its powers if you stole it, or otherwise were not chosen by fate to use it.
Created by Heaven as a creature of protection, the Stone Dragon lived for many centuries, protecting humanity before the Wan Xian were even a thought. But their sudden extinction sponsored the need for the Wan Xian’s creation, but their essence was not lost for good. Contained in a bracer, sculpted as a Black Dragon with a large ruby in its mouth, there are 12 in all the Middle Kingdom. It may still give its protection if the Kuei-jin spends 2 Yin chi as well as a Willpower point, but must also control the power with a Yin vs. P’o roll (Difficulty 7). If that roll fails, the Kuei-jin lapses into Wave Soul automatically. If it succeeds, the Kuei-jin’s skin turns a gray, stone color and is now allows more protection from damage. The character will take only half Lethal Damage, while now taking only Bashing damage. This also allows the Kuei-jin to soak Aggravated Damage with his Stamina + 2 at normal difficulty.
Wielded almost exclusively by akuma, Yomi’s Chains are a representation of the evil that can exist on both planes at once. Appearing as a flat disc the size of a hand, it is laden with cryptic symbols that denote the unknown language of the Yama Kings. To use, the wielder must infuse the disc with 3 Chi and throw it at the target (normal Dexterity + Athletics roll). If it hits, the disc enters the victim’s chest and large chains come up from the ground and begin to drag the victim downward into an opening portal. In three turns it will drag them completely into Yomi, unless they are able to acquire 10 successes (difficulty 7) on an extended Strength roll. If the victim fails his resistance, they will normally wake up in their own rooms with scars of memories that can never be forgotten and that has lead many of them to become akuma or commit suicide. The fate of these begins are sad ones indeed, but little is known as to what they see down in hell or what hell they even go to.
Whether or not this is a true work of Marasame is much debated. Some point to a very odd design on the handle that might date it much older. Whether it is authentic or not matter little though as it has obvious power. The last recorded location of this sword was in the personal collection of the Gray Mandarin. She allegedly had the spirit of the last Kamuii who owned the Kasumi-to bound to its blade. In the chaos and turmoil that followed the Second World War it disappeared after a successful raid by Daitya forces. It has changed hands several times since has been declared lost.
If anyone else has any additional artifacts that would like to submit, please forward them to kote@noctunis.net and they might end up in the next issue! Thanks everyone!
