Steel short sword

Category: The Marketplace
Topic: Legendary Artifacts
Message #: 2335
Author: SHADOWTHEFT
Date: 3/28/2007 9:48:26 PM
Subject: a steel short sword

Hello. Your local Shadowtheft here to give you the intricate rundown on one of those "OMG COOL!" items you may have seen at a merchant event near you.

Why? Because sharing is caring.

As the subject states, the item up for inspection this time around is the steel short sword from the recent EG Auction. It is one of the two "steel" weapons that there was much speculation and discussion about.

So, let's get started.

Bonding

When you first become connected with the weapon, you become aware of its sentience.

You hold your steel short sword up in offering and mutter some prayers to Gosaena. After a moment of silence, a silver shaft of light springs forth from your steel short sword and bathes you in its glow. Images of the steel short sword from its moment of creation to the present flash before your eyes in quick succession. As the images and shaft of light fade away, you feel slightly drained but somehow more spiritually attuned to the steel short sword.

A faint voice in your mind says, "So, you think you've the skill to wield me, do you? Eternity shall tell..."

Loresong Information

(As sung by Dayzed Wsalamir)

The first thing that strikes you about the sword is the weight, which is about 4 pounds. In your best estimation, it's worth about 5,000,000 silvers. You can also tell that there is some type of metal in the structure of the steel short sword.

You sense a faint aura of magic around the steel short sword. From the pitch of the vibration you determine that the purpose of the sword is as some type of weapon. A sense of deep seated hatred clings to the steel short sword, as if it had been crafted with a specific purpose.

It has a bonus of -25 from a normal sword, and the way it vibrates in tune with your voice tells you that it requires skill in edged weapons to use effectively. This steel short sword seems to be the bane of all undead creatures.

This steel short sword provides an additional offensive bonus of +15 when employed against all undead creatures.

Connection

After you have achieved a spiritual connection with the sword, you are able to sense the presence within.

You remove a steel short sword from in your leather backsheath. You feel a familiar sensation touch your mind briefly.

You put a steel short sword in your leather backsheath. You feel a faint sensation of loss.

Bonding Achievement

After you have obtained the "experience" required to complete a bonding rank, the sword indicates that it is time to further that process.

A faint voice in your mind says, "Perhaps it is time for you to rest and PONDER over me a bit."

Bonding Rank 1

The sword aknowledges that you might have the potential to wield it, sharing its name and a fraction of its power.

You settle your thoughts on the steel short sword, sensing a familiar presence within. A faint voice in your mind says, "You have worked hard and well to earn my trust, Ryque. Perhaps there is more to you than I originally thought. My name is Agatai Zutanhe, remember it well..."

Bonding Rank 2

After time is spent with Agatai, he reveals more of himself.

You settle your thoughts on the steel short sword, sensing a familiar presence within.

A faint voice in your mind says, "You've proven your mettle, Ryque, and I find that my trust was not misplaced. Now, there is much I have to share with you..."

A faint voice in your mind says, "As I've told you, my name is Agatai Zutanhe, and you would do well to remember this."

A faint voice in your mind says, "The weapon you hold is not my true form, Ryque. Rather, it is a mask, a facade which only you can unlock through my trust."

A faint voice in your mind says, "On your command, I can shed this farce and reveal my inner self, your inner self, and unleash my true power. Our power. This will cost you a bit of your spirit, which must flow through me."

A faint voice in your mind says, "To do so, you must direct your voice toward me, and clearly address me. Tell me to fade, and my true form shall shine forth."

A faint voice in your mind says, "Remember, Ryque, these words, and speak them to me: "Fade, Agatai Zutanhe." Speak thus to me, and I shall..."

Releasing Agatai

[First Person]
You say, "Fade, Agatai Zutanhe."

Insubstantial wisps of glowing air slowly form around the blade of your steel short sword and obscure its form under a misty cloud of light for a brief moment. Suddenly, the luminescence flares, unraveling in long tendrils to reveal a dark transluscent blade, its edges blurring the air around it.

[Third Person]
Ryque says, "Fade, Agatai Zutanhe."

Insubstantial wisps of glowing air slowly form around the blade of Ryque's steel short sword and obscur its form under a misty cloud of light for a brief moment. Suddenly, the luminescence flares, unraveling in long tendrils to reveal a dark transluscent blade, its edges blurring the air around it.

Agatai Released

a slender black short sword with a black silk-wrapped hilt

Light filters dimly through the inky translucency of the sword's short blade, rippling across one ridged edge like the reflection of lightning on storm-tossed waves. Glossy black silk wraps the hilt in a criss-crossing pattern that reveals a scale pattern carved deeply into the ebonwood beneath. Slender arcs of smoky crystal and black metal form a spiraling guard that separates blade from hilt.

Agatai's Power

When Agatai is in his released form, he has the ability to hasten your actions. This is seen in the form of a dual slash flare.

As you attack, your weapon shifts your strike slightly upward to take advantage of an opening in your foe's defenses!
You swing a slender black steel sword at an arctic puma!
 AS: +206 vs DS: +107 with AvD: +40 + d100 roll: +20 = +159
 ... and hit for 31 points of damage!
 Grazing blow to the stomach.

 Your surroundings blur for a moment as you attack an arctic puma from all sides.
 ... 50 points of damage!
 Deft slash!
 The arctic puma is spun around and hit hard in her lower back.
 It is knocked to the ground!
 The arctic puma is stunned!
 ... 60 points of damage!
 Quick, powerful slash!
 The arctic puma's chest is ripped open!

[You have 14 kills remaining.]
The arctic puma lets out a final caterwaul and dies.
Roundtime: 4 sec.

While released, the negative enchant penalty is lifted as well. Furthermore, an additional +5 is added to enchant per rank of Weapon Bonding Completed in both its sealed and released form.

Sealing Agatai

[First Person]
The blade of your black steel sword comes into sudden focus and its edges sharpen as its form slowly shifts from translucent to opaque. Faint wisps of softly glowing air dance around it, seeming to lend it substance as they sink into its surface.

[Third Person]
The blade of Ryque's black steel sword comes into sudden focus and its edges sharpen as its form slowly shifts from translucent to opaque. Faint wisps of softly glowing air dance around it, seeming to lend it substance as they sink into its surface.

Bonding Rank 3

The relationship deepens, and even more is revealed.

You settle your thoughts on the steel short sword, sensing a familiar presence within.

A faint voice in your mind says, "I sense you've advanced farther yet, Ryque, though you've still a ways to go. Listen now, and I shall show you something truly special..."

A faint voice in your mind says, "You've no doubt noticed that at times while you battle your enemies, I can hasten your actions and allow you to strike from all sides at once. You may call upon this ability at any time hereafter by merely WAVEing me at a target."

A faint voice in your mind says, "Note that this ability may not always have the same effectiveness, particularly when used against targets of significantly more skill than you, and also that using this ability will requiring you to spend a bit of your spirit."

A faint voice in your mind says, "Remember..."

Focused Attack

>wave sword at troll
Your vision blurs slightly as you attack an ice troll from all sides.
 ... 20 points of damage!
 Powerful slash just cracks the ice troll's shield arm!
 The ice troll is stunned!
 ... 25 points of damage!
 Hard blow to the ice troll's ear!
 Deep gash and a terrible headache!
Roundtime: 3 sec.

Ryque blurs slightly, seeming to vanish for a moment.
 ... 20 points of damage!
 Powerful slash just cracks the ice troll's shield arm!
 The ice troll is stunned!
 ... 25 points of damage!
 Hard blow to the ice troll's ear!
 Deep gash and a terrible headache!

Slash Flare Mechanics

The slash flares opperate on the slash crit table, ranks 1-7. The targeting appears to be random. In other words, the flare has two chances to inflict a rank 1-7 wound.

Slash resistance and slash weakness do apply.

While attacking, the dual slash flare "seems" to occur every 3-5 swings.

The focused attack, or "wave" attack, is very much like an immolation sword. However, instead of a pool of charges to draw upon, the cost is 1 spirit.

The attack always hits. There is no chance to miss. However, if the target is many levels above you, the attack will be much more ineffective (lower end of the crit spectrum, hence lower damage, etc).

The wave attack can be performed in any stance, however I have not yet determined if it is more effective in any one stance over another. It can also be performed while laying down, sitting, or kneeling.

Bonding Rank 4

The flare, the ability to target it, and the ever increasing enchant are pretty amazing. But, at this point, an entirely new world is opened up before you.

You settle your thoughts on the steel short sword, sensing a familiar presence within.

A faint voice in your mind says, "As your strength grows, so do I, a reflection of your immortal soul, and through me, you can wield power both great and terrible. Perhaps it is time for you to learn, Ryque..."

A faint voice in your mind says, "Recall when I spoke to you, Ryque, and told you of how to release my true self to grant you power. There is yet another release you may command of me..."

A faint voice in your mind says, "With a word, I can infuse you with a haste of actions to allow you to strike more often and move more quickly for one minute."

A faint voice in your mind says, "This power will cost you a bit more spirit than usual, and I can only produce such an effect two times in a single day, so call upon it with this in mind."

A faint voice in your mind says, "To release me to this, my final release, all you must do is direct your voice toward me and tell me to vanish. Remember, Ryque, this word, and speak it to me: "Vanish." Speak thus to me, and I shall answer thy call..."

A faint voice in your mind says, "Remember..."

Second Release

[First Person]
You say, "Vanish."

The blade of your black steel sword darkens slowly, the silken wrappings of its hilt snaking up your arm to form a sheath of inky darkness. Suddenly, the wrappings and blade vanish from sight, gusts of wind engulfing you and sending your hair and clothing dancing wildly along the unseen currents of air!

[Third Person]
Ryque says, "Vanish."

The blade of Ryque's black steel sword darkens slowly, the silken wrappings of its hilt snaking up his arm to form a sheath of inky darkness. Suddenly, the wrappings and blade vanish from sight, gusts of wind engulfing him and sending his hair and clothing dancing wildly along the unseen currents of air!

Second Release Mechanics

(BANKAI!!!!!!)

Second release is a 60 second period of substantial Haste, twice a day. The cost is 2 spirit.

First release must be achieved before second release. Meaning if you wish to go to second release from the get go, 3 spirit will be required.

I've tried weighing myself down, and holding overly heavy weapons in my offhand, and always, my minimum roundtime is 1 second while swinging.

Despite the messaging for the second release, the descriptor and show for the sword remain the same.

There is no message for the termination of second release. Performing an action that ends a hasted effect, like an mstrike, will end the haste effect as normal.

The haste effect will occur for the entire 60 seconds, even if Agatai is sealed and sheathed.

This ability, coupled with two weapon combat, the dual slash flare, and Weapon Bonding's 5th rank ability - a double strike, makes for a lot of "attacks" in a short period of time. The screen spam is insane.

Second Release Failure

If you attempt it a third time, like a foolish, power hungry mortal...

You feel a presence within your black steel sword ebb, but nothing else happens.

Bonding Rank 5

At last. With a solid bond between weapon and wielder, it's as though anything is possible.

Stories are told of how Tonis can rush through an entire army in the blink of an eye... perhaps with a deep spiritual bonding, mortal warrior and weapon can do the same.

You settle your thoughts on the steel short sword, sensing a familiar presence within.

A faint voice in your mind says, "We are one, Ryque, you and I. As I cleave the air in your sure grasp, your spirit flows forth and moves mountains. In this, our final meeting, your eyes shall open upon a new world..."

A faint voice in your mind says, "The final power which I will reveal to you now is one of unparalleled speed and precision, allowing you to strike every enemy near to you in the blink of an eye."

A faint voice in your mind says, "When this power is called upon, by a mere WAVE of me through the air, I lend such a haste to your action as to cause you to seemingly vanish, whereafter you may strike unhindered at all your enemies."

A faint voice in your mind says, "Calling upon this ability will cost a bit more spirit than usual, and it also requires me to be fully released to function. It will only work for the length of that haste effect, and will cause it to end."

A faint voice in your mind says, "This is my last gift to you, Ryque. Use it well, and always keep me near..."

The Final Ability

(Speed enough to rival Tonis)

The final ability comes at the cost of another 2 spirit. And can only be performed during second release, twice a day. The ability ends the haste effect. It targets everything in a room.

It is not group friendly!!!

Well, anyway, actions speak louder than words...

>wave sword
The world around you blurs weirdly, shifting into a rush of images and sound.

 An arch wight staggers suddenly, caught in an onslaught from all sides!
 ... 20 points of damage!
 Slash to the arch wight's shield arm.
 Strike trims off a few fingernails.
 ... 25 points of damage!
 Slash to the arch wight's right leg hits high!
 Kinda makes your knees weak, huh?

 An arch wight staggers suddenly, caught in an onslaught from all sides!
 ... 25 points of damage!
 Weak slash to the arch wight's lower back!
 ... 15 points of damage!
 Slash to the arch wight's left leg hits high!
 Kinda makes your knees weak, huh?

 An arch wight staggers suddenly, caught in an onslaught from all sides!
 ... 10 points of damage!
 Quick slash to the arch wight's upper right arm!
 Just a nick.
 ... 15 points of damage!
 Attack hits the arch wight's throat but doesn't break the skin.
 Close!

 An arch wight staggers suddenly, caught in an onslaught from all sides!
 ... 10 points of damage!
 Deft slash across chest draws blood!
 The arch wight takes a deep breath.
 ... 20 points of damage!
 Attack hits the arch wight's throat but doesn't break the skin.
 Close!

 XXXXXXXX staggers suddenly, caught in an onslaught from all sides!
 ... 20 points of damage!
 Slashing blow to chest knocks XXXXXXXX back a few paces!
 She is stunned!
 ... 25 points of damage!
 Crossing slash to chest catches XXXXXXXX's attention!

 XXXXXXXX staggers suddenly, caught in an onslaught from all sides!
 ... 15 points of damage!
 Downward slash across XXXXXXXX's right thigh!
 Might not scar.
 She is stunned!
 ... 20 points of damage!
 Slash to XXXXXXXX's lower back!

 XXXXXXXX staggers suddenly, caught in an onslaught from all sides!
 ... 5 points of damage!
 Deft slash across chest draws blood!
 XXXXXXXX takes a deep breath.
 ... 15 points of damage!
 Deft swing strikes XXXXXXXX's neck.
 Maybe not fatal but it's sure distracting.
 He is stunned!

 XXXXXXXX staggers suddenly, caught in an onslaught from all sides!
 ... 10 points of damage!
 Wild slash bounces off the back of XXXXXXXX's hand.
 ... 30 points of damage!
 Rapped the knuckles hard!
 Left hand sounds broken.
 He is stunned!

 XXXXXXXX staggers suddenly, caught in an onslaught from all sides!
 ... 20 points of damage!
 Deft slash to XXXXXXXX's left leg digs deep!
 Bone is chipped!
 He is stunned!
 ... 10 points of damage!
 Feint to the left goes astray as XXXXXXXX dodges!
 You scratch my back...

 XXXXXXXX staggers suddenly, caught in an onslaught from all sides!
 ... 40 points of damage!
 Slash to XXXXXXXX's left eye!
 Vitreous fluid spews forth!
 Seeya!

 * XXXXXXXX drops dead at your feet!

Spells fall.

The world around you suddenly snaps back into focus!

I don't have a third person capture. =C

"Encouragement"

Agatai tends to encourage you in his own way under certain circumstances...

While stunned: A faint voice in your mind asks, "What are you doing?" A faint voice in your mind asks, "Are you truly this weak?" A faint voice in your mind asks, "Don't you want to win?" A faint voice in your mind asks, "Why should I help you, if you can't even help yourself?" A faint voice in your mind asks, "Do you want to die?"

While dead: A faint voice in your mind says, "Clearly, I was mistaken in you." A faint voice in your mind says, "Dead again, how disgusting." A faint voice in your mind says, "Perhaps I should find another, more able, companion."

Comments

It didn't really feel right to just plop this on a level XX Warrior and roll in the Bonding Ranks, so I created a character from scratch, and used the sword from day one.

That's right, even with the -25 enchant, I used the short sword from level 0 on up. It definately added to the experience of having to prove yourself. So, here he is:

You see Ryque the Rescuer.
He appears to be a Human.
He appears to have come of age and average height. He has piercing black eyes and pale skin. He has short, unkempt white hair. He has a narrow face, a straight nose and high cheekbones.
He is in good shape.
He is holding a silver-etched black steel longsword in his right hand and a slender black short sword with a black silk-wrapped hilt in his left hand.
He is wearing a faceted black diamond suspended from a dull steel chain, a silver-tooled leather backsheath, a high-collared black velvet longcoat with brushed silver buttons, a silvery chain-fringed breastplate of translucent black glaes, a fitted black velvet shirt without a left sleeve, some pale linen hand wraps, a thin leather sword belt with a brushed steel buckle, some fitted black pants with steel-buckled straps trailing down the left leg, and some scaled leather combat boots.

After all is said and done, the steel short sword becomes quite the powerful weapon. Against the living, it is a 0x short sword while sealed, and a 5x short sword while released. Against the undead, it is a 3x short sword while sealed, and an 8x short sword while released (demon killing!).

From what I understand, a loresong is supposed to come around eventually.

It would be neat if the sword's descriptor and show changed during second release, and if there was some messaging at the end of the second release about being physically exhausted and out of breath.

But, as it stands, this is an extremely well made weapon with many features and lots of flare (pun intended).

I hope to see more released in the future via storyline.

A big thank you to Naos for coding the short sword (and katana). And a big thank you to Yukito's player for giving me the chance to obtain this item. Props to Kubo Tito too.

~Eugenides, The Legend
~Gaerit, The Urban Legend
~Grunthur, The Anfelt Legend
~Ryque, The Up And Coming Legend

---

Reahal frustratedly exclaims, "Don't any of you have any culture? Music! Make some music!"