Fin Guards

From: Humangutan Vulpodon 862

Sleek guards of hardened sea turtle shell or similar material. Protects the delicate lower fins from jagged terrain or aggressive creatures.

Lore

• Origins: Coastal and aquatic races with prominent fins developed these protective guards over time as a survival necessity. Early versions were likely bulky and rudimentary, but centuries of craftsmanship turned them into elegant, form-fitting armor.
• Variations: Different cultures utilize various materials: hardened sea turtle shells, strong coral, even the scales of certain fish. Design might reflect clan symbols, rank within a tribe, or specific underwater roles (hunter, explorer, etc.).
• Scarred Veterans: Experienced divers or warriors often bear battle-worn Fin Guards, the wear and tear a badge of honor, signifying confrontations with hostile sea creatures or survival of hazardous environments.

Uses

• Protection: Primary purpose is to prevent damage to vulnerable lower fins that are essential for powerful swimming and quick maneuvers. They shield against cuts from sharp rocks, spines of hostile creatures, and other underwater hazards.
• Improved Agility: The sleek design often boosts hydrodynamics, slightly improving the wearer’s speed and agility. They might even incorporate small blades or spikes as secondary offensive measures.
• Symbolism: In some cultures, Fin Guards carry a certain status. Warriors decorated with fin guards command respect, while plain guards can denote simple fishermen or common divers.

Specific tier 1 Stats:

• +1 Armor Class for the lower legs/fins
• +1 to Agility checks related to swimming
• Possible reduction in movement penalties on rough aquatic terrain

Skills:

• Athletics (for maneuvers utilizing fins)
• Nature or Survival (knowledge of creatures that target lower fins)

Cost: 25 – 75 gold pieces (depending on material and craftsmanship)

Requirements: Biology that includes prominent, vulnerable lower fins

Tags: Armor, Uncommon, Aquatic, Protective

Additional Notes

• Accessibility: Found primarily in coastal markets, from aquatic civilizations, or crafted by those with the know-how.
• Environmental Impact: Ethical versions focus on shed turtle shells or materials sustainably sourced from creatures already hunted for resources.
• Roleplaying Flavor: A character constantly adjusting their Fin Guards might signify nervousness or inexperience in dangerous waters.

Where They Might Be Sold

• Coastal Bazaars: Thriving markets found at the fringes of land and sea. Merchants trade in a multitude of goods, both mundane and exotic. Here, Fin Guards might be displayed alongside nets woven with mermaid tales (or so claims the seller), pearls infused with whispers of the sea, and ancient harpoons.
• Subaquatic Societies: Merfolk settlements, villages of seafolk, or even nomadic tribes traversing the ocean have a deep need for Fin Guards. The blacksmiths there wouldn’t simply be artisans, but protectors of the community, ensuring each warrior, scout, and hunter has the means to survive.
• Temple Offerings: In regions where sea deities or protective ocean spirits are revered, weathered Fin Guards may be left as votive offerings at coastal shrines or submerged temples. This is a mark of gratitude for safe journeys or a plea for protection before undertaking a perilous expedition.

How They’re Sold

• Practical Need vs. Symbolism: In coastal bazaars, Fin Guards might be seen as tools for survival, their price fluctuating based on availability of materials and skill of the crafter. However, in seafaring societies, the exchange could be steeped in ritual. A single perfect shell offered for a pair of Fin Guards, symbolizing respect for the cycle of life.
• Stories as Currency: Fin Guards bearing marks of past victories may not be for sale outright. Instead, a compelling tale or the promise of future service bartered from a visiting adventurer might earn these coveted items.

Environments & End Results

• Exploration of Coral Kingdoms: Divers wearing Fin Guards navigate treacherous labyrinths of coral, facing vibrant reefs teeming with dangers, and seeking lost cities built by ancients who embraced the water’s depths.
• Defense Against Predators: Hunters protected by Fin Guards spear vicious deep-sea leviathans, ensuring sustenance for their villages, sometimes risking their lives in the depths to claim trophies that enhance their status and reputation.
• Pilgrims of the Currents: Mystics or ascetics wear Fin Guards on perilous underwater journeys to rumored sites of enlightenment hidden beneath the waves. Their guards may carry inscribed prayers or protective runes.

Saṃsāra Considerations

• Attachment & Renunciation: The desire for sleek, heavily reinforced Fin Guards can mirror a misguided craving for security in the ever-changing tides of existence. Those seeking deeper truths could favor simple guards, relying less on armor and more on harmony with the water’s flow.
• Predator & Prey: Saṃsāra reflects the balance and sometimes cruelty of life. A hunter wearing Fin Guards can become the hunted, mirroring the cycles of survival within the vast ocean.
• Impermanence of Victory: Even the strongest Fin Guards can’t prevent all harm. Their scars represent lessons learned, a reminder of the fleeting nature of worldly dominance, aligning with the concept of release from illusion central to Saṃsāra.

Activation perception: sensory and extra-sensory perceptions they might activate, along with their positives and negatives:

• Primary Senses
  • Touch:
    • Perceived: Users feel the smoothness or texture of the guards against their skin, the firm structure offering a sense of support.
    • Description: Fin Guards will feel solid and reassuring, their weight grounding but not cumbersome. The material will likely feel cool to the touch due to their aquatic origins.
    • Positives: The sensation can instill confidence and readiness for entering potentially hazardous waters.
    • Negatives: Users inexperienced with fins or guards might find them slightly constricting at first, requiring a period of adjustment.
  • Proprioception (Kinesthetic Awareness):
    • Perceived: The wearer gets enhanced awareness of their fins’ movements and overall body positioning underwater.
    • Description: Increased coordination and understanding of fluid movement through water. May feel like an extension of the body rather than external armor.
    • Positives: Allows for more precise maneuvers, agility, and overall underwater comfort and competence.
    • Negatives: Initially might create a slight disorientation for those completely unfamiliar with utilizing fins for propulsion.
• Extra-Sensory Perceptions
  • Vibrational Sensitivity:
    • Perceived: Through their connection to the fin, subtle vibrations through the water might be detected more prominently.
    • Description: Users may have a better sense of approaching creatures, shifting currents, or even faint tremors indicative of underwater disturbances.
    • Positives: Acts as an early warning system against potential dangers and environmental changes.
    • Negatives: In environments with many strong vibrations, it might be overwhelming to filter out important signals.
  • Empathy (With Aquatic Life):
    • Perceived: A faint sense of harmony or disharmony with surrounding sea life.
    • Description: Not direct communication, but the wearer gains a more intuitive understanding of whether creatures around them are peaceful, curious, or pose a threat.
    • Positives: May aid in avoiding unnecessary confrontations and help cultivate respect for the ocean dwellers.
    • Negatives: Requires time and experience to interpret these sensations accurately; easily misleading with complex marine ecosystems.

Recipe: Guardians of the Depths

• Materials Needed:
  • Primary Material:
    • 2 large, matching sea turtle shells (ethically sourced, ideally those naturally shed)
    • OR thick, sturdy pieces of coral, fish scales, etc. (depending on the desired style)
  • Supportive Materials:
    • Flexible waterproof leather to form the inner lining
    • Sturdy sinew or waxed thread for construction
  • Sealant:
    • Resin blended with crushed pearls or seashells for added sturdiness and a subtle shimmer
  • Decorative Touches (Optional):
    • Precious stones, sea glass, or etchings depicting water-related symbols
• Tools Required:
  • Shaping Tools: Knives, saws, or carving tools suitable for working with chosen shell or coral material
  • Sanding/Smoothing Tools: Various grit sandpaper and polishers to create a refined finish
  • Leatherworking Tools: Awl, hole punch, and needles for making and securing the leather lining
  • Mixing Supplies: Container for preparing the resin mixture
• Skill Requirements:
  • Natural Material Expertise: Knowledge of working with shells, coral, or similar materials (hardness, curing, shaping).
  • Leatherworking: Basic proficiency in shaping and attaching leather linings.
  • Design (Optional): Artistic skill for elaborate adornments or carvings.
• Crafting Steps:
  • Shell/Material Preparation
    • Clean and sanitize shells thoroughly. Remove any rough edges, barnacles, or weak areas.
    • Carefully cut and shape the shell or coral into the desired form for the guards. Consider the curve of the fin and wearer’s anatomy for a comfortable, ergonomic fit.
  • Leather Lining:
    • Measure and cut leather to form a comfortable inner lining for the guards.
    • Punch holes along the edges for later stitching with sinew.
  • Assembly:
    • Carefully weave the sinew or strong thread to attach the outer shell piece securely to the leather lining. Ensure tight attachment without compromising the comfort of the lining.
  • Resin Application:
    • Prepare the sealant mixture (resin with crushed pearls/seashells) according to specific instructions.
    • Evenly coat the inner and outer surface of the guards with the resin mixture. This provides an extra layer of durability and water resistance.
    • Let the resin cure completely in a dry, secure environment.
  • Finishing Touches
    • Sand and polish the hardened resin and shell for a smooth finish.
    • Add decorative elements, such as etching, gems, or intricate carvings on the shell according to the maker’s design preferences.
• Important Notes
  • Humane Sourcing: Prioritize acquiring materials through natural shedding processes or sustainable practices. Respect the life of the ocean.
  • Anatomical Fit: Pay close attention to creating a snug but comfortable fit for the individual wearer. Improperly sized Fin Guards can hinder movement rather than aid it.
  • Time Investment: This is a demanding project requiring patience and a dedication to working with natural materials.

The Shell-Clad Maiden

From the time when men of land held fear in their eyes as they gazed upon the sea, this tale is carved on barnacled posts beneath the waves. They tell of a maiden, swift and sleek as a moon-touched seal, yet she bore a heart heavier than any anchor. For in her village there were warriors boasting shells strapped to their feet, aiding them in hunting or battles against rival tribes. But her own fins were weak, like young kelp before the storm.

Jealousy stung her like a jellyfish bloom. From an ancient hag who smelled of brine and secrets, she bartered a song the tide taught her for a charm. That night, while the moon drank its fill of water, the hag took flight on a screeching gull, the maiden close behind. To a place the whales avoid, they went, where the sea boils white on black rock.

She offered the shells with prayers echoing her envy, and there, beneath a light she knew was not from stars or moon, they were forged. Like sea hardened over her flesh, these Fin Guards clung, and swiftness coursed through her like ocean currents.

Yet victory is often hollow. Jealous hunters muttered she wore witchcraft, not mere tools. In a challenge the maiden could not refuse, she swam into the lair of a leviathan. They waited for her bones to rise and wash ashore, proof of arrogance. But she returned, and with her bounty enough to silence scorn. It was the last time they saw her smile.

Then some swear she sought deeper waters, beyond even the kraken’s reach. Others sing she bartered the Fin Guards for legs to chase a stolen love onto the harsh land. But on the nights when the sea calls the loudest, it is her weeping they hear on the wind.

Moral of the Story: Envy is a tide that drags under the strongest fins. True strength lies in harmony with the water’s gift, not its conquest.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu

• Lore: Tied to coastal and ocean-dwelling people, possibly tainted by their strange interaction with the depths. Could also be tied to Deep One heritage.
• Sanity Cost: Witnessing the ease with which wearers navigate treacherous underwater territory might inflict minor Sanity loss on unprepared investigators.
• Mechanics
  • +1 or +2 bonus on Swim/Athletics checks underwater
  • Grants wearer darkvision within aquatic environments
  • Possible downside: Wearer might gain unsettling dreams of the deep ocean, impacting rest and leading to Sanity strain over time.

Blades in the Dark

• Acquisition: Likely require scores venturing into strange coastal ruins (Survey), interacting with marine spirits (Consort), or deciphering forgotten rituals (Attune).
• Mechanics:
  • +1d to actions involving swift dives, dodging marine hazards, or underwater escapes
  • Could allow wearer to breathe briefly underwater as a special ability
• Downside: Might draw supernatural attention of leviathans and entities bound to the sea

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

• Rarity: Uncommon or Rare (depending on power level desired)
• Mechanics:
  • +5 to +10ft swim speed
  • Advantage on Athletics checks made to swim, evade hazards underwater
  • Possible addition: If attuned, minor resistance to cold damage, reflecting the wearer’s acclimation to the sea

Knave

• Simple and impactful
• Mechanics
  • +2 bonus to all underwater maneuvers
  • +1 Defense if attacked underwater (reflects superior agility)
  • Perhaps they ignore movement penalties on treacherous ocean floors

Fate

• Aspect: Legacy of the Shell-Clad Maiden
• Mechanics:
  • Invoke for bonuses with underwater agility, escaping aquatic predators, or gaining respect from certain ocean-dwelling denizens
  • Compel could involve the Fin Guards temporarily drawing unwanted attention from monstrous foes of the deep, or hindering movement in restricted spaces on land

Numenera & Cypher System

• Artifact (Level 3-5): Possibly grants partial immunity to the crushing pressures of extreme depths
• Mechanics
  • Wearer swims much faster than normal while wearing them
  • Reduces difficulty of tasks within aquatic environments by one or two steps
  • Might have an unpredictable depletion rate and/or a subtle consciousness that occasionally broadcasts the wearer’s location to strange sea creatures

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

• Type: Wondrous item (uncommon)
• Mechanics:
  • +5 or +10 ft enhancement bonus to Swim speed
  • +2 bonus to Athletics checks made to navigate underwater obstacles or escape grapples from aquatic creatures
  • Optional: For high-level campaigns, could grant limited water breathing

Savage Worlds

• Arcane Background (Weird Science): The Fin Guards operate on forgotten principles of natural bio-engineering.
• Mechanics:
  • Swimming: Wearer becomes a Swimming die type equal to their Agility die
  • +2 to Notice checks to pinpoint danger underwater
  • Maneuvering: +2 to Agility rolls to make sharp turns or swim against currents

Shadowrun

• Gear or Accessory: Depending on the desired power level, they could be either.
• Mechanics
  • +2 dice pool bonus to Swimming tests and when resisting toxins common to marine environments
  • Possible enhancement to underwater perception with specific goggles or cyberware
  • Could come with social stigma from those distrustful of “sea-changed” individuals

Starfinder

• Item Level: 2-4
• Type: Worn gear (can integrate into an environmental suit)
• Mechanics:
  • Increase base swim speed by 10ft
  • +2 to Athletics checks made for tasks such as navigating currents or swimming in zero-gravity aquatic environments
  • Advantage on saving throws against underwater hazards like whirlpools or crushing pressure

Traveller

• Origin: Emphasize the society crafting these (ancient, high-tech marine civilization, etc.). Dictates availability/trade value.
• Mechanics:
  • Halves any movement and maneuver penalties suffered underwater
  • Advantage on checks related to marine biology, identifying sea creatures and the effects of their environment
  • Might be seen as culturally symbolic depending on origin, impacting diplomacy in certain port environments

Warhammer (Fantasy or 40k)

• Lore Dependent: Aeldari artifact? Warp-influenced item taken from a drowned civilization? Impacts mechanics.
• Fantasy Mechanics
  • Grants wearer “Swimmer” special rule (+1 Movement or similar while underwater)
  • Wearer is less affected by the fear caused by some underwater monstrous creatures
• 40K Mechanics
  • Integrated into advanced combat diving suits: +1 Agility while fighting underwater
  • May have hidden, potentially corrupting spirit bound to it through dark rituals of its construction