Legendary items

 

Magic items are quite rare in the Old World, but they are not as rare as to be unknown. Some items, however, are a bit more special than others. The most special of all items fall into the "Legendary" category.

Such items have a set of starting abilities but have additional "hidden" powers that can develop during the course of play. This is a cool way of keeping items relevant for longer without making them too powerful when introduced.

Current known (others are certainly possible) legendary items: The rune-fang axe and the elven rune sword.

Mechanics: When the owning character progresses his story in a manner that fits the item, it will grow in power. 

Crow Feeder, for example, will grow more powerful if Wigmar furthers the cause of Northland. It could include something as boring as building up the province, but in the case of the axe, that's not really in its nature (turning back a Chaos incursion would be a better fit). And the elven rune sword would probably enjoy slaughtering dark elves since it was made for the Phoenix Guard...

Finally, it will be possible to invest a Fate Point into a legendary item once it is sufficiently attuned to its owner. This will unlock the item's final form.

Item highlight: Crow Feeder (Krähenfresser), Runefang of the Jutones (Nordland)

 

Crow Feeder is not a sword at all but a bearded axe in the Norscan style. The Electors of Nordland don't really talk about this much. For one, the Emperor holds this Runefang following the fall of Westerland. Secondly, the Princes of Nordland always carry sword and axe together, probably to make people not think too hard about this issue.

The axe was given to Wigmar by Emperor Lutipold during the Spring of 2500, basically confirming Lord Liberungen's ascension to the high office. This will, of course, have to be ratified by the Electorate when they assemble in Altdorf for Wigmar's marriage to Katarina Todbringer, but that should be a mere formality.

The axe bears a striking resemblance to the Axe of Khorne Wigmar threw away at Brass Keep. Almost like they were twins, separated at birth, with one turning twisted and evil. Perhaps there is some significance to this, or maybe it is a fluke - or just Khorne playing a prank.

Powers: The axe is made from an enchanted gromnil alloy (same as all Runefangs). 

It counts as a magic weapon, does +4 damage, increases the severity of crits by 1, and ignores all normal armor (special armor, such as magic armor, chaos armor, gromnil armor, etc., protects normally). 

If the weapon defeats an opponent without slaying him, the wielder must make a WP +0 test or immediately kill this unworthy foe. If the test is successful, the wielder MAY instead make a bonus attack at full WS against another enemy within striking distance.

If the owner of this weapon is defeated in personal combat, the axe will deem him unworthy, and he suffers WS -20/BS -40 until he has atoned by some extraordinary feat of arms. No known magic has the power to break this curse.

The axe probably has other powers as well that can be unlocked by furthering the cause of Nordland and exploring the legend of the blade itself.

Characters of Nordland and Middenland

 

MIDDENHEIM/MIDDENLAND

Boris X Todbringer: Elector-Count. Lord of Middenheim and Middenland. De-facto ruler of Nordland. In his 50s (same generation as the Emperor and von Liebwitz). Married twice, plenty of mistresses and dalliances. Could very well have more children than those known.

(Maria von Richthoven): Boris' first wife. Died in childbirth with Stefan.

(Annike-Elise Nikse): Boris' second wife. Died young in 2498. No children. Niece of Baron Werner Nikse of Nordland. Claimed to be a Slaaneshi cultist (no proof, but she may have been associated with von Wittgenstein, which would warrant some questioning if she was alive). 

Stefan Todbringer (b. 2470): Boris' oldest son and heir. Around 30 y/o at present. Sickly and sometimes simple-minded, but has improved somewhat under Doctor Luigi Pavarotti's care.

Katarina Todbringer (b. 2479): Boris' second (recognized) child. Born out of wedlock to an unnamed lady at court but raised as Boris' own from an early age. Often called the Princess of Middenheim. Engaged to Wigmar. Future Princess of Nordland. 

Baron Heinrich "Todbringer" (b. 2470): Widely assumed to be Boris' illegitimate son. Why else would he be given the title of Baron? He has no right to the family name, however, as he is not formally recognized. A fine warrior with experience fighting greenskins in the Middle Mountains, Skaven, and now also Chaos. He may (or may not) be the oldest child of Boris, born out of wedlock right before Stefan, depending on what sources you believe.

Uther: Venerable Knight of the White Wolf. Accompanies Wigmar to Nordland.

Baron Emil Kärzburdgers Responsible for maintaining and manning the Brass Keep wall and the picket. Considerable gunpowder production (sells to both Middenland and Hochland). Very impressive - and very red - beard.

Emilline Kärzburdger: Baron Emil's twn sister. Quite attractive - if you like gingers.

NORDLAND

NOBLES

Baron Werner von Nikse: Cheerful and sociable man in his 40s. Uncle of Annike-Elise Nikse. Married for the 5th(?) time to a very young lady. The last in a long line of "Princes" from House Nikse to rule Nordland in the name of the Todbringers. Rather gracefully stepped down from his position to become Wigmar's Chancellor.

Dowager Baroness Ingrid Gausser (the elder): The matriarch of the Gausser family. Quite elderly but energetic. One of the few who can credibly trace her lineage back to the Jutones tribe (almost all nobles claim descent from the old tribes, but few have proof as good as this). Despite this, the Gaussers have been a marginalized House during the 2209-2500 Nikse era. Ingrid and her late husband (and later her son) have done much to reverse the Gausser fortunes, to the point where they are quite wealthy and well-connected both inside and outside of Nordland.

Baron Theoderic Gausser: The current Lord Gausser. Son of Ingrid. Spends much of his time outside Nordland.

Ostwind Gausser: Theoderic's son and heir. Apparently, the man is a fine sea captain that was ventured the width and breadth of the world. As such, he's rarely at home.

Ingrid Gausser (the younger): Theoderic's daughter/Ostwind's sister. Lady in waiting for Katerina. One of the most attractive young noblewomen in the Empire.

Baron(ett) Goderic Tant "von Beeckerhoven": Self-proclaimed lord of Beeckerhoven. Tries to pass as a Reiklander, but is probably from the hill country of southern Averland or Stirland. Rode to war with Wigmar. Missing a few fingers after Brass Keep.

PRIESTS, WIZARDS & SUCH

Magister Sabine Flamius: Magister extraordinaire. Originally a gold wizard, this weird lady has an interest in heavenly phenomena, including the Chaos moon. The only wizard of note in Salzenmund.

Wolf Lord Erich Granholm: High Priest of Ulric.

Wave Lord Otto Sider: High Priest of Mannan. Currently on a journey to Norsca. Mentioned only.

Wave Rider Aelfric Kalt: Acting High Priest of Mannan.

Lector Germund Vorstell: High Priest of Sigmar. A Southerner that tries to apply Southern logic to Northern peoples. Sigmar's temple hasn't really grown much on his watch.

Agata von Durch: High Priestess of Shallya. 

POLITICAL & MILITARY

Burgomeister Maximilian "Max" von Kirscheschlage: Mayor of Salzenmund.

Herr Antal von Rammel: The Silversmiths' Guild representative to the City Council. Which probably makes him the most powerful person in Salzenmund. 

Captain Sigrid Neiding: Commander of the Salzenmund Greatswords and Protector of the Crimson Gate. Owner of an eye patch. Quite fierce. Not corrupt, just dedicated to her job of collecting coins.

Grandmaster Artur von Pretzer: Leader of the Knights of the North Star, the only local order of (secular) knights. Their primary sponsors include the Silversmith's Guild and House Gausser.

OTHERS

Piotr Wagner: A peddler of mixed ancestry. Now a trader and spy for Wigmar in Salzenmund.

Ulli Jenk: An engineer encountered in Südtor. Well schooled in Altdorf, but too young to be very experienced. Recruited into Wigmar's service. If he can build a stone arc bridge, maybe he can build the largest canal project in Empire history?

Sister Superior Frobel: Head of the Adler Academy of Fine Learning. Mentioned only.

Sister Tennetz: Senior teacher at the academy and "envoy" to the new Prince.

Chancellor Otto Krogh: Headmaster of the University. Mentioned only.

Professor Stefan Elledan: A teacher at the Salzenmund University and "envoy" to Wigmar.

Dag Olhauser: Upstanding Salzenmund trader (and perhaps sometimes smuggler) in his 50s. A staunch supporter of Ulric's temple.

Khulnan: Male wood elf. Leader of the band of "wild" elves that kidnapped Rallane. Currently accompanies Wigmar.

Uysha: Female wood elf. A devotee of Atharti, the dark elven goddess of lust and revelry (totally not Slaanesh). With Wigmar.

Item highlight: Wizard's staff

 

Most wizards (and other powerful magic-users) are often seen brandishing long walking sticks, sometimes plainly made, other times set with gems or other items of power. There is a very specific reason why the staff is such a popular and iconic part of a wizard's inventory:

Powers: While wielding the staff, the risk of Tzeentch's Curse is NOT increased when over-channeling.

Individual staffs can have various additional powers. Some may provide bonuses to attack or defense (and are considered magical weapons) or provide bonuses when channeling a specific color of magic.

Staffs are attuned to a specific wizard but can, with some time and effort, be attuned to a new wielder.

Wizards are not penalized in any way for NOT using their staff. So it's perfectly possible for a wizard to go "undercover" by leaving their staff in the broom cupboard at home. 

Note: Some rare wizards have wildly different channeling items.

Item highlight: Gromnil armor

 

Gromnil armor is always of exquisite craftsmanship and is usually heavily ornamented, gilded, and so forth. Gomnil armor is VERY rarely made for human customers, and it's therefore quite rare to find armor that would fit non-dwarves. Furthermore, most dwarves would be very suspicious of any human wearing gromnil. He or she better have a good explanation of why they have it! However, if a rare dwarf-friend should be allowed to wear gromnil, this will increase his standing with all dwarves (a +10% bonus to Fel where appropriate).

Powers: Armor forged from gromnil has +1AP compared to equivalent steel armor.

In addition, it protects (through a combination of the material's strength and fine craftsmanship) against normal critical hits (i.e. doubles on the attack die) but not other sources of crits (e.g. weapon qualities that grant crits on '0s'). 

Some say that gromnil is more comfortable to wear and that it doesn't get as hot/cold as normal armor, but whether this is true or not is hard to say for certain.

Gromnil is never enchanted - the material itself isn't inherently magical either - but some sets of armor might be rune-marked (this is, for reasons unknown, quite rare). Since gromnil isn't magical, it can be used in conjunction with many other types of magical protection. For example, Wigmar's magical amulet stacks with his gromnil armor.

Gromnil is harder and has a higher melting point than steel, but claims that it is "indestructible" is obviously an exaggeration. If it was, gromnil would be the ultimate defense, impervious to any attack, no matter how lightly made.

Item highlight: Amulet of Warding

 

As magic items go, this protective amulet is about as common as they get. It's even possible to purchase such amulets from the Colleges if you have the connections and several thousand GCs.

Powers: The amulet adds 1 AP of magic armor to all locations. protects against both mundane and magical attacks. It doesn't stack with other magic armor, but it does stack with armor (even armor like gromnil that has enhanced protection but isn't actually magical).

Some powerful amulets have additional powers, such as protecting against poison and diseases and/or providing more than 1 AP (Wigmar has the common 1 AP variant)..

Item highlight: Dwarven Rune Axe

 

This axe was forged by the dwarf master smiths of old and inscribed by dread runes. While there are many (relatively speaking) such weapons, all are unique works of art, and priceless. Dwarfs will take offense at any non-dwarf (unless a dwarf-friend) wielding such a weapon.

Powers: The axe head is gromnil, so is immune to breakage from most sources (it's not literally indestructible, but all gromnil is nearly impervious to damage). 

The axe count as magic, does +2 damage, and scores crits on '0s' against orcs, goblins, and skaven.