Umbral Chestplate

From: Abysian Bloodline

Values:

• Level Requirement: Tier 1
• Stats Modifier: +2 to Constitution
• Skills: None
• Cost: 200 gold pieces
• Tags: Heavy Armor, Protection, Dark Resistance, Constitution, Abysium-Infused, Tempered Metal, Masterwork Craftsmanship, Sacred Artifact, Ancient Origins, Guardian’s Favor, Front-Line Defense, Damage Reduction, Magic Resistance, Dark Magic Mitigation

Lore: The Umbral Chestplate is a formidable piece of armor crafted from tempered Abysium-infused metal. It is said to be forged by master blacksmiths who have unlocked the secrets of manipulating and harnessing the power of Abysium. The creation of such a chestplate is a rare and sacred art, reserved for only the most skilled artisans.

According to legends, the Umbral Chestplate was originally crafted during a time of great peril when darkness threatened to consume the land. It was forged as a defense against the forces of darkness, meant to provide unwavering protection to those who stand against it. The infusion of Abysium grants the chestplate unique properties, offering exceptional protection against physical and magical attacks, as well as a heightened constitution.

Use: When worn, the Umbral Chestplate enhances the wearer’s Constitution by providing a +2 bonus to Constitution, increasing their overall endurance and fortitude. The chestplate offers exceptional protection against both physical and magical attacks, reducing the damage taken from such assaults. It also provides resistance specifically against dark-based attacks, mitigating the effects of dark magic or abilities.

The Umbral Chestplate is especially valuable for characters who seek superior defense, durability, and resistance against physical and magical threats, particularly those of a dark nature. It is well-suited for warriors, paladins, or any character who desires to be a stalwart guardian on the front lines. The chestplate provides a combination of enhanced constitution, formidable protection, and specific resistance against darkness, making it an invaluable asset in battles against dark forces.

Given the Umbral Chestplate’s qualities (formidable protection, dark resistance, +2 to Constitution, and a cost of 200 gold pieces), it would likely be found in specialized shops catering to adventurers and warriors seeking high-quality equipment. Here are a few possibilities:

• Armorsmiths:
  • These shops would be run by master armorsmiths, potentially those with knowledge of Abysium and its properties. They might be located in bustling market districts or near adventurer’s guilds.
  • Purchasing: The chestplate might be displayed prominently, perhaps even worn by a mannequin to showcase its imposing form. Haggling would be expected, but the armorsmith would likely be firm on a price no lower than 180 gold pieces.
  • Selling: An armorsmith would likely offer around 80-100 gold pieces for the chestplate, depending on its condition and the current demand for such armor.
• Magic Emporiums:
  • These shops would deal in a variety of magical goods, including weapons, armor, and enchanted items. They might be found in more secluded or upscale districts, catering to a wealthier clientele.
  • Purchasing: The Umbral Chestplate might be kept in a locked display case or even a magically warded room to emphasize its value. The price would likely be non-negotiable, set at 200 gold pieces or even higher.
  • Selling: A magic emporium proprietor might offer 100-120 gold pieces, potentially more if they recognize the chestplate’s unique properties and believe they can sell it to a discerning collector.
• Traveling Merchants:
  • These nomadic traders would travel between cities and towns, offering a variety of rare and exotic goods. Encountering one with an Umbral Chestplate would be a matter of chance and luck.
  • Purchasing: The merchant might be encountered in a bustling marketplace, a secluded tavern, or even on a remote mountain path. The price would likely be inflated due to the item’s rarity and the merchant’s need to make a profit, perhaps 220-250 gold pieces. Haggling would be possible, but the merchant would be a shrewd negotiator.
  • Selling: A traveling merchant might be interested in the chestplate, but their offer would likely be lower than a stationary shop, perhaps 70-90 gold pieces. They would need to be confident they could resell it at a profit during their travels.
• Black Market:
  • While less reputable, the black market could offer a discreet way to acquire or sell the Umbral Chestplate. These clandestine operations might be found in shadowy taverns, hidden alleyways, or even underground tunnels.
  • Purchasing: The price could vary wildly depending on the seller and the current demand. It could be a bargain at 150 gold pieces or an exorbitant 300 gold pieces if the seller knows the buyer is desperate. Haggling would be risky, as black market dealers are often ruthless and well-connected.
  • Selling: Selling to the black market would likely result in a lower offer, perhaps 60-80 gold pieces, as the dealer would factor in the risk of handling potentially stolen goods. However, it could be a quick and anonymous way to offload the item.

Remember that prices can fluctuate based on factors like the item’s condition, the current market demand, and the seller’s knowledge and negotiating skills.

The Umbral Chestplate, with its combination of enhanced durability, protection, and dark resistance, offers a versatile toolset for both defensive and offensive roleplay in various environments. Here’s how a player might utilize it:

• Defensive Roleplay:
  • In a crowded marketplace: Amidst the hustle and bustle, the wearer stands tall and confident, the chestplate’s imposing presence subtly deterring potential pickpockets or troublemakers. They might position themselves protectively near their companions, ready to shield them from any sudden commotion or danger.
  • Exploring a dark, monster-infested cave: The chestplate’s dark resistance provides a sense of security, allowing the wearer to venture deeper into the unknown with less fear of succumbing to shadowy ambushes or dark magic. They might confidently lead the way, holding a torch high and scanning the darkness for threats.
  • Facing a barrage of arrows in a siege: The chestplate’s exceptional protection allows the wearer to stand firm on the battlements, deflecting arrows that would pierce lesser armor. They might rally their comrades, shouting encouragement and orders while fearlessly absorbing the enemy’s ranged assault.
  • Negotiating with a hostile tribe of barbarians: The chestplate’s formidable appearance lends an air of authority and strength to the wearer’s words. They might stand their ground, arms crossed over their chest, calmly but firmly asserting their position while subtly conveying their readiness to defend themselves if necessary.
• Offensive Roleplay:
  • Charging into the fray of a chaotic melee: The chestplate’s enhanced constitution allows the wearer to endure the brutal exchange of blows, pushing through the pain and fatigue to strike decisive blows against their enemies. They might roar a battlecry, their voice amplified by the chestplate’s resonating metal, as they carve a path through the enemy ranks.
  • Confronting a necromancer in a haunted crypt: The chestplate’s dark resistance emboldens the wearer to face the necromancer’s unholy magic, shrugging off debilitating curses and fear effects that would cripple others. They might stride purposefully towards the necromancer, their eyes fixed on their foe, radiating an aura of defiance against the forces of darkness.
  • Scaling a treacherous cliff face in pursuit of a fleeing assassin: The chestplate’s added weight provides a surprising advantage, grounding the wearer and enhancing their grip on the rock. They might move with unexpected agility, their strong constitution allowing them to power through exhaustion and reach the assassin before they can escape.
  • Infiltrating a corrupt noble’s mansion: The chestplate’s imposing form, normally a hindrance to stealth, can be used to intimidate guards and servants, forcing them to comply with the wearer’s demands. They might stride through the mansion with an air of authority, their chestplate gleaming in the candlelight, cowing those who stand in their path.

The key is to integrate the chestplate’s properties into the character’s actions and dialogue, showcasing its benefits in a way that feels natural and engaging within the context of the scene.

Perception of Activation: Umbral Chestplate

• User’s Perspective:
  • Sight: Upon mental activation, the chestplate’s intricate etchings begin to glow with a soft, inner luminescence, like embers in a dying fire. The patterns seem to writhe and shift slightly, as if alive with dark energy.
  • Touch: A surge of warmth spreads through the wearer’s torso as the chestplate activates. The metal feels strangely alive, pulsing with a subtle energy that invigorates the wearer.
  • Hearing: A low hum resonates from the chestplate, barely audible but distinctly felt as a vibration against the wearer’s skin. The hum seems to synchronize with the wearer’s heartbeat, creating a sense of heightened awareness.
  • Smell: A faint metallic scent, like ozone after a thunderstorm, emanates from the activated chestplate. It’s a clean, crisp smell that invigorates the senses.
  • Taste: A slight tingling sensation on the tongue, like a mild electric shock, accompanies the activation. It’s a fleeting sensation, quickly fading as the chestplate settles into its active state.
  • Extrasensory: A feeling of heightened resilience washes over the wearer. They feel more robust, more capable of withstanding physical and magical punishment. A sense of confidence and power surges through them.
• Observer’s Perspective:
  • Sight: The chestplate’s etchings shimmer with a faint, dark light, like moonlight reflecting off obsidian. The patterns seem to dance and undulate, creating an almost hypnotic effect.
  • Hearing: A subtle hum, almost imperceptible, emanates from the chestplate. It’s a low, resonant sound that blends into the background noise but adds a subtle layer of intensity to the wearer’s presence.
  • Extrasensory: The observer might perceive a faint aura of dark energy surrounding the wearer, a subtle distortion in the air around the chestplate. The wearer seems to exude an aura of strength and resilience.
• Positives:
  • The activation process is relatively subtle, not drawing excessive attention to the wearer.
  • The sensory feedback provides the wearer with a clear indication of the chestplate’s active state.
  • The extrasensory perceptions enhance the psychological and emotional impact of the chestplate’s activation, boosting the wearer’s confidence and resolve.
• Negatives:
  • The subtle visual and auditory cues might be noticed by observant individuals, potentially revealing the chestplate’s magical nature.
  • The extrasensory perceptions, while empowering, might also make the wearer a target for those sensitive to such energies, particularly those attuned to dark magic.

Crafting Recipe: Umbral Chestplate Replica — This recipe outlines the process of creating a replica of the Umbral Chestplate, capturing its essence but not its full power.

• Materials Needed:
  • 1 ingot of Abysium-infused steel
  • 2 sheets of tempered steel
  • 1 vial of dark essence (harvested from a shadow creature)
  • Leather straps and buckles
  • Coal for the forge
  • Flux (a substance that promotes melting)
• Tools Required:
  • Forge and bellows
  • Anvil and hammer
  • Tongs and quenching bucket
  • Leatherworking tools (knives, awls, needles)
  • Engraving tools
  • Arcane focus (e.g., a wand or staff)
• Skill Requirements:
  • Blacksmithing (at least journeyman level)
  • Leatherworking (basic proficiency)
  • Arcana (basic proficiency)
  • Engraving (basic proficiency)
• Crafting Steps:
  • Preparation: Heat the forge to a high temperature. Prepare the Abysium-infused steel ingot by applying flux to ensure smooth melting.
  • Melting and Shaping: Melt the ingot in the forge. Using tongs, carefully pour the molten metal into a mold shaped for a chestplate. While still hot, hammer the chestplate on the anvil to refine its shape and thickness.
  • Tempering: Quench the chestplate in the quenching bucket to cool and harden the metal. Repeat the heating and quenching process several times to achieve the desired strength and flexibility.
  • Engraving: Using engraving tools, carefully carve intricate patterns onto the surface of the chestplate. These patterns should be similar to those seen on the original Umbral Chestplate, but not an exact replica.
  • Infusion: With the arcane focus, channel dark essence into the engraved patterns. This will imbue the chestplate with a measure of dark resistance and enhance its protective properties.
  • Leatherworking: Cut and shape leather straps and buckles to create a secure fastening system for the chestplate. Attach the straps to the chestplate using awls, needles, and strong thread.
  • Finishing Touches: Polish the chestplate to a shine, ensuring all edges are smooth and comfortable for wearing. Inspect the finished product for any imperfections and make adjustments as needed.

Note: This replica, while possessing some of the qualities of the original Umbral Chestplate, will not be as powerful. It will offer moderate protection, a lesser degree of dark resistance, and a +1 bonus to Constitution. The replica will also lack the subtle hum and extrasensory perceptions associated with the original.

Legend of the Umbral Protector

In the age of shadows, when darkness held sway over the land of Aethel, a hero named Valoric arose. A warrior of unmatched courage and unwavering resolve, Valoric sought to liberate his people from the clutches of the malevolent Shadow Lord, Malkor.

Malkor, a being of pure darkness, commanded legions of shadow creatures and wielded necromantic powers that drained the very life from the land. Aethel, once vibrant and lush, withered under his oppressive rule, its people plunged into despair.

Valoric, determined to end Malkor’s reign, embarked on a perilous quest to find a weapon capable of piercing the Shadow Lord’s defenses. His journey led him to the heart of the Whispering Woods, a place shrouded in eternal twilight and rumored to hold ancient secrets.

Deep within the woods, Valoric encountered the reclusive Order of the Silent Forge, a brotherhood of master blacksmiths who had mastered the art of manipulating the rare and potent metal known as Abysium. The Order, bound by an oath of neutrality, refused to craft weapons of war, but they recognized the purity of Valoric’s intentions and agreed to help him in a different way.

For seven days and seven nights, the blacksmiths labored tirelessly, their hammers ringing out in the stillness of the woods. They infused their knowledge and skill into the creation of a magnificent chestplate, forged from Abysium and tempered with the essence of starlight. This was no ordinary armor; it was a conduit of resilience, a beacon of hope in the face of darkness.

Valoric donned the Umbral Chestplate, its weight settling upon him like a mantle of power. He felt his strength surge, his resolve harden. The chestplate resonated with his determination, amplifying his courage and bolstering his spirit.

With renewed vigor, Valoric confronted Malkor in a battle that shook the very foundations of Aethel. The Umbral Chestplate deflected the Shadow Lord’s dark magic, its protective aura shielding Valoric from harm. Empowered by the chestplate’s resilience, Valoric fought with unmatched ferocity, his every blow infused with the light of hope.

Finally, after a grueling struggle, Valoric struck the final blow, banishing Malkor back into the abyss from whence he came. Aethel was free, its people rejoicing in the return of light and life.

Valoric, hailed as a hero, continued to wear the Umbral Chestplate, a symbol of his unwavering commitment to protecting the innocent and upholding justice. The chestplate became a legend, its story passed down through generations as a testament to the power of courage, resilience, and the enduring spirit of hope in the face of darkness.

Moral of the story: True strength lies not only in physical prowess but also in unwavering courage and an unyielding spirit. Even in the darkest of times, hope can prevail, and the forces of good can triumph over evil.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

    Item: Umbral Chestplate

• (Armor)
• Description: A heavy breastplate of strange, dark metal, etched with unsettling patterns.
• Armor: +4 to armor (may reduce depending on character’s Build)
• SAN Loss: 1/1d4 SAN loss upon first encountering the chestplate due to its disturbing aura.
• Special: The wearer gains +2 to CON. Provides resistance to damage from dark magic (reduce damage by 1d4). May whisper unsettling things to the wearer, requiring a successful POW roll to resist its influence.

Blades in the Dark

    Item: Umbral Chestplate

• (Heavy Armor)
• Effect: When wearing the Umbral Chestplate, you gain +2 armor and take 1 fewer stress from consequences that involve dark magic or the supernatural.
• Special: The chestplate may attract unwanted attention from those sensitive to dark energies. It might also whisper temptations or offer cryptic warnings to the wearer, potentially influencing their actions.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

    Item: Umbral Chestplate

• (Rare)
• Armor Class: 16 + Dex modifier (max 2)
• Weight: 30 lbs.
• Properties: When attuned to this chestplate, you gain a +2 bonus to Constitution saving throws. You also have resistance to necrotic damage.
• Curse: While attuned to this chestplate, you have disadvantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened by creatures associated with dark magic.

Knave

    Item: Umbral Chestplate

• Armor: 3
• Special: The wearer gains Advantage on saving throws against effects caused by dark magic.
• Encumbrance: 2
• Notes: The GM may rule that the chestplate whispers secrets or warnings to the wearer, potentially providing clues or leading them into danger.

Fate Core/Condensed

    Item: Umbral Chestplate

• Aspect: Abysium-Forged Bulwark
• Invoke: Spend a Fate Point to gain a +2 bonus to defend against a physical attack or an attack utilizing dark magic.
• Compel: The GM may compel the Abysium-Forged Bulwark aspect to hinder the character’s movement or social interactions due to the chestplate’s imposing appearance or unsettling aura.

Numenera & Cypher System

    Item: Umbral Chestplate

• (Artifact, Level 4)
• Effect: When wearing the Umbral Chestplate, reduce the level of any attacks that deal physical or dark energy damage by one step.
• Depletion: 1 in 1d6
• Special: The chestplate might whisper secrets or warnings to the wearer, potentially providing clues or leading them astray.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

    Item: Umbral Chestplate

• Price: 200 gp
• Armor Type: Heavy
• AC Bonus: +6
• Strength: 16
• Stealth: -2
• Runes: Fortification (minor), Resist Energy (minor, necrotic)
• Bulk: 3

Savage Worlds

    Item: Umbral Chestplate

• Weight: 4
• Armor: +4
• Special: The wearer gains +2 Toughness. The chestplate provides a +2 bonus to resist damage from dark magic or powers with the “undead” trait.
• Notes: The GM may require a Spirit roll to avoid the unsettling influence of the chestplate.

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

    Item: Umbral Chestplate

• (Armor)
• Rating: 16
• Capacity: 10
• Availability: 12R
• Cost: 20,000¥
• Concealability: -4
• Notes: The chestplate provides 16 points of armor and can absorb up to 10 points of damage before its rating is reduced. It is highly resistant to damage from magical sources, particularly those associated with negative energies or spirits. Due to its bulk and obvious magical nature, it is difficult to conceal.

Starfinder

    Item: Umbral Chestplate

• (Rare)
• Price: 2,000 credits
• Level: 4
• AC Bonus: +8
• Max Dex Bonus: +2
• Armor Check Penalty: -3
• Speed Adjustment: -5 feet
• Special Properties: Resistant to necrotic damage
• Bulk: 3

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

    Item: Umbral Chestplate

• TL: 9
• Weight: 3 kg
• Cost: 2,000 Cr
• Armor: 8
• Notes: This advanced composite armor provides excellent protection against physical and energy attacks. It is particularly effective against attacks that utilize “dark energy” weaponry or technology.

Warhammer 40,000 (Wrath & Glory)

    Item: Umbral Chestplate

• (Rare Artifact)
• Availability: Scarce
• Renown: 20
• Traits: Armour, Warp-touched
• Effect: The wearer gains +2 to their Resilience characteristic. When resisting the effects of psychic powers or Daemonology, the wearer may reroll one failed Ruin die.
• Notes: The chestplate may whisper temptations or offer cryptic warnings to the wearer, potentially leading them down a dark path.