Tolkienising weapons and armour!

[DM_Kev]

Ok, suggest item names and descriptions here please.

Remember that these items are the default NWN weapons and armour being converted to more tolkien friendly ones.

A few no, no's.

To ensure we maintain the low magic world, no item gets the ending '+number'. Think of something more original.

None of these items are 'magical'. So don't refer to this in item descriptions. The bonuses on items reflect their quality of craftmanship.

[Guyror]

(normal)
Crude (Weapon / Armour) = Crafted by an apprentice smith this item may be basic and crude in its craftmanship, but it is still effective. The item will no doubt function as it is required but will no doubt fail after excessive use, unless well maintained.

(+1)
Superior (Weapon / Armour) = Crafted by a journeyman smith, this item has strength and quality but does not show the markings of a mastersmith. The item will allow the wielder to use his own strength and agility to a higher level, inorder to make the most from the item itself.

(+2)
Masterwork (Weapon / Armour) = Crafted by a mastersmith, this item will show where and when the item was crafted and by whom. The item itself has been made from the finest metals and ores to create a masterpiece. The inner strength of this item allows the wielder to put alot more force into each bow, while the amazing balance, will allow him to strike blows with ease.

(+3)
Legendary (Weapon / Armour) = Once in a while a mastersmith will create an item of legendary quality. This has been made from the rarest of ores and metals, and the metal itself has been lovingly crafted into an item of exceptional quality. The weapon once wielded is so finely balanced that it feels as if it far lighter than it actually is, and can deal blows that strike deep and true every time.

[DM_Aule]

Something like that would certainly do... in fact I was going to have to create similarly named/described versions of the item for the crafting system, so we may as well use the same blueprints for "normal" items. I think armours will probably need another level or two, since for them higher enhancement bonuses are permissible...

While we're at it, what other default NWN items haven't we customised? It was pointed out to me the other day that healing potions still have their standard names and descriptions, and these descriptions mention Faerun in at least some cases. What about things like healing kits/thieves' tools and other default items, do their names and descriptions fit in? Perhaps we should have different types of healing kit rather than the +1/+3/+6/+10 varieties?

[DM_Kev]

Good stuff Guyror. Can you or anyone else think of a suitable description for +4 weapons? Something along the line of unique, as these weapons are exteremely rare.

Armours will be tougher to sort out, as under our rules system, they can go as high as +7. If anyone can think of something, feel free to do so.

All the other items Aule mentioned are possible if someone has the imagination to think them up :)

[Guyror]

For the +4 weapons:
Unique: The highest acclaim any smith can achieve is to create his life's work. Once in a life time he gets everything just right, the forge at the correct temperature, an exceptional piece of ore that forms perfectly. When this happens a unique item is created, it has no flaws and will never fail it's wielder. The blows strike with such strength and accuracy that anyone looking on will know the true majesty of the wielder. For mostly these blades are only wielded by kings or true heroes.

For Armour:

Crude: Crafted by an apprentice smith this item may be basic and crude in its craftmanship, but it is still effective. The armour will doubt function as it is required but will no doubt fail after excessive use, unless well maintained.

Basic: Some time has been spent to create this armour, however only limited resources were used, so it will never be anything fancy. The armour will function well, and gives the wearer some more mobility than its cruder versions.

Superior: Crafted by a journeyman smith, this item has strength and quality but does not show the markings of a mastersmith. The armour will allow the wearer to move more easily and the strength of the components absorb a few blows.

Exceptional: A journeyman will on occasions attempt to reach the status of a master, inorder to do this he needs to prove himself with an exceptional piece of work. These armours are made from the best materials a journeyman smith can find, plus he spends along time perfecting his skills. The end result is a fine example of smithing, but not quite masterwork. The armour allows good movement and will take alot of punishment before needing repair.

Masterwork: Crafted by a mastersmith, this item will show where and when the item was crafted and by whom. The item itself has been made from the finest metals and ores to create a masterpiece. The inner strength of this armour allows the wearer move as if he was hardly encumbered at all, but still allows him some mobility.

Exquisite: A mastersmith can on occasions be able to specialise in a specific form of armoursmithing. When this happens he can create more specialised armours that are exquisite in their creation. They use only the finest components and when completed allow the wearer to standout in a crowd. They are normally worn by the elite of society in times of need, and are a status symbol to the wearer.

Legendary: Once in a while a mastersmith will create an item of legendary quality. This has been made from the rarest of ores and metals, and the metal itself has been lovingly crafted into an item of exceptional quality. The armour once worn is so finely balanced that it feels as if it far lighter than it actually is, and can allow the wearer to move with such ease that he can wear the armour all day without get tired. These armours are worn by chieftains and leaders, but also by the lucky and heroic few.

Unique: The highest acclaim any smith can achieve is to create his life's work. Once in a life time he gets everything just right, the forge at the correct temperature, an exceptional piece of ore that forms perfectly. When this happens a unique item is created, it has no flaws and will never fail it's wielder. The armour that is made is a wonder to behold, rarely does a blade strike it true, but just glances off. The wearer is given such freedom to move that he can perfom complex actions without getting restricted or encumbered by the armour. Only a few true hereos gets to wear armour such as this, and they are mainly kings and warleaders.


For the healing herbs:
Depending upon the number and rarity of herbs you have in the pack, depends upon the strengths of the kit.

As for other things that have not been tolkeinised:
There are still a few potions of bark skin around.
Bracers of Armour, could be changed to something. Perhaps Armbands of the Valar. Bringing protection to the wearer with different Valar bringing different levels of protection.

[Argon Balros]

another idea for +2 Knightly Longsword
any of these would work for +4 weapons i think


Divine (insertweapontype here)
Ancient(insertweapontype here)
Valar blessed(insertweapontype here)
Kingly(insertweapontype here)
lordly(insertweapontype here)

equaly some of these names would suit a +3 weapon and have +4 weapons called legendary as legendary weapons should be rare

[Steve-Law]

I think some generic things like Bracers of Armour, are perfectly fine. They wouldn't tell anyone they were from Middle Earth but it is also a "normal" world after all with basically medieval culture/technology (at least it is to most inhabitants). I also think Argon had it dead right in the other thread. For the majority of items the actual "name" is mostly an OOC reference. (Jach calls his +1 Heavy Flail "Betty" (after a dwarf maiden he once knew ;) that's not in the description anywhere :)

Up to a certain level characters are not of the calibre to be great heroes with great artifacts of the gods and legends or whatever/wherever about their person. We should keep the majority of crude/basic and even superior items (those without other magical properties) with generic names.

Even the basic +1 AC cloak has an unusual name (can't remember how to spell it so won't even try you know what it is ;) but wouldn't any old cloak give *some* added protection (i.e. +1) (without having to be made by elves or spun from some rare material by virgins at midnight during an eclipse while singing prayers to the Valar....)?

To be honest I think there should be more "mundane" items (same range of quality but *without* the Tolkienised name) just so that those fewer items that do have a special name are all the more special, cherished and noticable.

Just something to consider, but I'm probably in the minority again.

[Silverleaf]

"Worn Out Walking Boots"

[These old walking boots are replicas of the standard shoe of the common folk of Arda, even if the colour has started to fade. Made from cheap tanning leather, they cost usually any where from 15 to 20 gold and can be found in any local tanning store. This particular pair have a distinct smell which suggest a non-elf has worn them.]

"Bark Wood Cloak"

[Made from the bark of a tree, this thick yet light weight cloak protects its wearer from most weather effects, including wind, rain and snow. It is often worn by common travellers.]

"Mithril Bracers"

[Perfected by dwarven craftsmiths, mithril bracers are the epitome of the lightest form of protection. The mithril from which it is made greatly aids a warrior in shielding attacks when his blade is down.]

"Hood"

[A simple home-spun hood made from wool. Mostly they are used to protect travellers from weather effects such as rain and snow, although others use it to hide their identity.]

[Silverleaf]

Dang it this was a double post. Sorry.

[Silverleaf]

[+1 Weapon]

"Steel ..."

(This weapon has been made from steel instead of the standard metal. It is harder to break and is slightly more powerful than your average metal weapon.)

[+2 Weapon]

"Triple Folded ..."

(This weapon has been uniquely designed to be triple folded while being forged. This greatly increases the weapon's potential damage in combat, and makes it virtually unbreakable.)

[+3 Weapon]

"Mithril ..."

(Few of these items have been made, and even more so have been bought. Used by only the very rich, or the very best of thieves, this weapon has been made from the most powerful metal available, mithril. It is light of weight and very powerful, allowing a wielder to easily break through stone with it.)