BisectedBrioche
2008-02-05, 09:45 AM
Just an idea that popped into my head. Basically its just a sword which heals whomever it is used to stab.
Paracelsus' Sword
History
This blade began life as a normal shortsword. One of many forged for the soldiers of a long forgotton human army in one of the longer campaigns against orc invaders. It is said to have been issued to a young doctor named Pantaleon with orders only to use it in defence of himself or his patients. And so the blade spent many battles sheaved never being wielded in anger and only meeting fresh air to be cleaned and sharpened. These short swords came to be known generically as medslices (or "doctor's swords" in modern common), then eventually medselsuses (due to mispronounciation) and finally as muckselsesus ("Never dirty"). One day as Pantaleon tended to the wounded a strange silence decended around the small shelter which had been set up to house his charges. His king had been wounded. No sooner had the doctor began to dress his regal patient's wounds a roar was heard as a band of orcs rushed towards the tent, eager to claim their kill. The king's guard tried to hold off the attackers so that he could be taken to safety, but they were cut down in vain as the hord surrounded the tent. For the first time in his career Pantaleon drew his weapon, he then stood between his liege and the legion. With no regard for his own life he held back many of the orcs. Finally he crouched bleeding, out of breath but still with his sword in hand when all of a sudden a lone orc charged from the throng (who had become uneasy after so many of their fellows were slain by such a poorly armed guard) towards the prone king. Panteleon met the charge and as the two came within striking distance the orc swung his axe into the man's side and the man thrust his sword into the orc's chest. No orc could have survived the blow, but neither could a man survive Panteleon's wound. Despite his injuries he managed to stand up and withdraw the sword from his victim. The sight was too much for the remaining orcs and they fled, moments later Panteleon succumbed to the wound.
When re-enforcments arrived the entire scene was described by both the king and the surviving patients. Under the orders of his majesty the blade was cleaned, polished and placed in a new sheath of fine leather, it became known as the Paragon Muckselsesus and ultimatly as Paracelsus' Sword because of an error made by a historian. As a mark of respect for the fallen doctor it was displayed in the chapel for 10 years until it was passed on to his son, who went out in the world to become an adventurer. Since then it has appeared in the hands of several notable people throughout history.
Appearence
While sheathed the sword looks like little more than a basic shortsword with a worn (but well maintained) hilt and a fine leather scabbard. However when it is withdrawn then it can be seen that instead of an edge there is a pure white glow surrounding the polished blade.
Abilities
Merciful The weapon deals an extra 1d6 points of damage, and all damage it deals is nonlethal damage. On command, the weapon suppresses this ability until commanded to resume it.
Paracelsus' Legacy The blade of the sword constantly emits positive energy, when this weapon is used to deal lethal damage it will instead heal whatever it is used to strike. On a successful hit the target will have up to 1d6 points of health restored, or 1d6*2 on a critical hit, the weilder may apply their strength bonus to the "damage" roll, no wounds will be visible when the sword is removed. The wielder may "strike" a willing target with a coup de grace (use the same rules but treat the damage as healing) if they wish. The sword will deal damage normally against non living targets, undead will also take an extra 1d6 points of damage from the positive energy. If the sword is stabbed into someone then it will not do them any harm (due to the slow release of positive energy) but will not heal them further, removing the sword causes no damage.
Paracelsus' Will 3 times per day the wielder of the sword may hold it above their head and speak the command word. When this happens the area around (20ft. radius) them is filled with positive energy. Living creatures heal 1d10 points of health per round while undead (and other creatures vunerable to positive energy) take 1d10 points of damage. This effect lasts for 2 rounds and follows the sword around if it is moved.
Paracelsus' Sword
History
This blade began life as a normal shortsword. One of many forged for the soldiers of a long forgotton human army in one of the longer campaigns against orc invaders. It is said to have been issued to a young doctor named Pantaleon with orders only to use it in defence of himself or his patients. And so the blade spent many battles sheaved never being wielded in anger and only meeting fresh air to be cleaned and sharpened. These short swords came to be known generically as medslices (or "doctor's swords" in modern common), then eventually medselsuses (due to mispronounciation) and finally as muckselsesus ("Never dirty"). One day as Pantaleon tended to the wounded a strange silence decended around the small shelter which had been set up to house his charges. His king had been wounded. No sooner had the doctor began to dress his regal patient's wounds a roar was heard as a band of orcs rushed towards the tent, eager to claim their kill. The king's guard tried to hold off the attackers so that he could be taken to safety, but they were cut down in vain as the hord surrounded the tent. For the first time in his career Pantaleon drew his weapon, he then stood between his liege and the legion. With no regard for his own life he held back many of the orcs. Finally he crouched bleeding, out of breath but still with his sword in hand when all of a sudden a lone orc charged from the throng (who had become uneasy after so many of their fellows were slain by such a poorly armed guard) towards the prone king. Panteleon met the charge and as the two came within striking distance the orc swung his axe into the man's side and the man thrust his sword into the orc's chest. No orc could have survived the blow, but neither could a man survive Panteleon's wound. Despite his injuries he managed to stand up and withdraw the sword from his victim. The sight was too much for the remaining orcs and they fled, moments later Panteleon succumbed to the wound.
When re-enforcments arrived the entire scene was described by both the king and the surviving patients. Under the orders of his majesty the blade was cleaned, polished and placed in a new sheath of fine leather, it became known as the Paragon Muckselsesus and ultimatly as Paracelsus' Sword because of an error made by a historian. As a mark of respect for the fallen doctor it was displayed in the chapel for 10 years until it was passed on to his son, who went out in the world to become an adventurer. Since then it has appeared in the hands of several notable people throughout history.
Appearence
While sheathed the sword looks like little more than a basic shortsword with a worn (but well maintained) hilt and a fine leather scabbard. However when it is withdrawn then it can be seen that instead of an edge there is a pure white glow surrounding the polished blade.
Abilities
Merciful The weapon deals an extra 1d6 points of damage, and all damage it deals is nonlethal damage. On command, the weapon suppresses this ability until commanded to resume it.
Paracelsus' Legacy The blade of the sword constantly emits positive energy, when this weapon is used to deal lethal damage it will instead heal whatever it is used to strike. On a successful hit the target will have up to 1d6 points of health restored, or 1d6*2 on a critical hit, the weilder may apply their strength bonus to the "damage" roll, no wounds will be visible when the sword is removed. The wielder may "strike" a willing target with a coup de grace (use the same rules but treat the damage as healing) if they wish. The sword will deal damage normally against non living targets, undead will also take an extra 1d6 points of damage from the positive energy. If the sword is stabbed into someone then it will not do them any harm (due to the slow release of positive energy) but will not heal them further, removing the sword causes no damage.
Paracelsus' Will 3 times per day the wielder of the sword may hold it above their head and speak the command word. When this happens the area around (20ft. radius) them is filled with positive energy. Living creatures heal 1d10 points of health per round while undead (and other creatures vunerable to positive energy) take 1d10 points of damage. This effect lasts for 2 rounds and follows the sword around if it is moved.