Cold Iron

Most of the movies you see with Trojans and Greeks wielding longswords is pure nonsense. During the bronze age, weapons were short and heavy. To make a weapon too long meant you couldn't wield it.

Then came iron, which was lighter and stronger, but still brittle in its pure form. A longsword made from cold iron would likely break after a few hits. It didn't take long for smiths to enhance the craft, add carbon to the mix, and make steel as we know it today. Well, maybe not today, but you het the idea.

It has always been my belief from what I have studied, that the myth about fairies being harmed by iron came about as follows. If I had the will, I would write and publish on the subject.

There were several invasion in Ireland. You probably recall the stories of the intelligent and graceful Tuatha de Danaan taking out the barbarian fomorions (or was it firbolg...oh well, don't feel like looking that up at the moment). This was during the end of the bronze age. The next wave, the ones that conquered the Tuatha (now the legendary elves or faeries) brought iron...the first iron weapons, and kicked their asses. Quicker, stronger, longer, deadlier weapons...yeah..that's some allergy!

So of course, fantasy games being based on legends and not fact, the game designers believed that cold iron can be made into viable in game weapons. I say no...unless they are enchanted!

And so here they are, your new enchanted cold iron weapons, the bane of most fey and outsiders. Between these and your adamantine weapons, there will be few creatures you can't take on....except lycanthrope, who have a large DR/silver rating.

None of these weapons are intelligent. I just don't see weapons used against outsiders and other magical creatures having sentience, and the dwarf didn't have that kind of power anyway.

Celene has at last reached the moment all Paladins wait for. After years of playing Celene, she finally has a Holy Avenger...Nancy knows what it is, so I won't bother posting it.

Kel gets the Defender, the +4 longsword that enables him to change any or all of those plusses from weapon bonuses to AC at the start of each round.

Thaylias' Demonslayer is a +3 Bastard sword, which is +5 against demons, causing demons an additional 2d6 damage per hit

Thunderer acts as a +2 light mace (a simple weapon useable by all players), but is really a rod of thunder and lightning. It has many special abilities, and if Drama doesn't have the book to look it up, I will post it subsequently.

The Sylvan Scimitar was originally put in for Kel's elven side, but I hadn't really considered how good it would be for Oakshade, so unlike the others, Kel actually got a choice of two fine weapons. This one is a +3 scimitar which, when used outdoors in temperate clime, adds cleave and 1d6 damage

Allie's Sneak is a gray colored shortsword, a Sword of Subtlety, which is only +1 normally. When performing a sneak attack, hoewever, it grants +4 to hit and damage.

Shanti's weapon proves that I can use other source books when I get off my ass and look through them. The Mindfeeder Spear is +3, and when it scores a successful critical hit, it grants power points equal to the damage done. These must be used within ten minutes, or are lost. If anoother crit is made within that ten minutes, she doesn't get both bonuses, but she takes on the higher amount.

These weapons were intended to draw out the plot, add more adventure, and to be fun, not to mention adding to your wealth, which is apparently less than average (I have made the mistake of giving too much in some past experiences, and this is always an easier correction). They were not originally intended to replace your main weapons, since they have a particular purpose. It occurs to me, however, that at least Shanti and Celene will wish to do just that, and maybe some of the rest of you as well. Oakshade has had the same 2 swords for years now, so he will also.

All in all, I hope you like them, as it should even the odds a bit more against the Maralith.

If only you survive the Eldritch Giant!