Froststeel Barding

Lore: Forged in the heart of an icy mountain, the Froststeel Barding is a legendary suit of armor created by skilled craftsmen and enchanted by powerful ice mages. It was originally commissioned by a valiant knight who sought to protect his noble steed from the dangers of a harsh winter landscape. The barding’s intricate design and magical properties have since made it a coveted artifact among adventurers and knights alike.

Stats:

• Level Requirement: May be used by Tier 2 avatars and above
• Armor Class: 18
• Strength Requirement: 15
• Weight: 80 pounds
• Rarity: Legendary
• Tags: Enchanted, Ice-forged, Cold Resistance, Fire Resistance, Physical Protection, Aura of Frost, Legendary, Mounted Combat, Winter Terrain, Damage Enhancement

Special Abilities:

• Frost Aura: The Froststeel Barding emits a chilling aura, creating a 10-foot radius of intense cold around the wearer. This aura grants disadvantage on saving throws against cold-based attacks and provides resistance to fire damage.
• Icy Resilience: The barding grants the steed enhanced protection, granting it resistance to physical damage.
• Frozen Steed: Once per day, the wearer can activate the Frozen Steed ability, temporarily encasing their mount in a layer of ice. This grants the steed immunity to cold damage, increases its movement speed by 20 feet, and allows it to move across difficult terrain without penalty for 1 hour.
• Glacial Charge: When the wearer and their steed move at least 20 feet in a straight line, they can use the Glacial Charge ability. The charge deals an additional 2d6 cold damage to any creature hit by the steed’s attacks and knocks them prone on a failed Strength saving throw.
• Winter’s Endurance: The Froststeel Barding provides advantage on saving throws against exhaustion caused by extreme cold or harsh weather conditions.

Use: The Froststeel Barding is primarily designed for mounted warriors who brave frigid environments or face enemies with cold-based attacks. It offers exceptional protection to both the rider and their steed, while also granting powerful offensive capabilities. The barding is highly sought after by knights, rangers, and adventurers who often traverse icy lands or engage in battles against frost-themed foes. Its legendary status and unique abilities make it a prized possession for those who can acquire it, allowing them to emerge victorious in the harshest of conditions.

Above is for the Knight and below is for their Mount.

When an avatar is wearing the Froststeel Barding and mounts their steed the matching barding for the mount will magically appear on the steed. It will remain to protect the mount until dispelled or the mount is placed in a stable.

In the world of Saṃsāra, the Froststeel Barding is a rare and valuable item, typically found in specialized shops that cater to knights, adventurers, and those who brave extreme environments. Here’s where and how the Froststeel Barding might be bought and sold:

• Frostpeak Armory
  • Location: High in the icy mountains of the Frostpeak Range, where only the most determined and well-prepared adventurers venture.
  • Description: Frostpeak Armory is a remote but renowned forge and shop, run by a master blacksmith who specializes in crafting and enchanting cold-resistant armor. The Froststeel Barding is a centerpiece of the shop, often displayed in a glass case surrounded by the frosty air that seeps through the mountain pass. The shopkeeper is known for his expertise in crafting items that can withstand the harshest cold, and he may offer custom modifications for a price.
  • Cost: 4,000 gold pieces.
  • Buying Experience: Customers include elite knights, mountain rangers, and those on quests that take them into the heart of icy wildernesses. The blacksmith may require proof of the buyer’s worthiness, such as a demonstration of skill or a tale of valor, before agreeing to sell the barding. The shop also offers a wide range of cold-resistant gear and magical enhancements for those who purchase the barding.
• Winterveil Market
  • Location: In a bustling trade hub at the edge of the Winterveil Forest, where merchants from all over Saṃsāra come to buy and sell rare goods.
  • Description: Winterveil Market is a thriving center of commerce, known for its wide variety of magical items and enchanted gear. The Froststeel Barding can be found here in a high-end stall operated by a trader who specializes in legendary artifacts. The barding is kept under constant magical surveillance to prevent theft and is displayed on a large, armored mannequin surrounded by protective wards.
  • Cost: 4,500 gold pieces.
  • Buying Experience: The market attracts adventurers, nobles, and collectors looking for unique and powerful items. The trader may offer a discount to those who have completed significant quests or who can trade other valuable artifacts. Buyers are often required to undergo a background check to ensure they are trustworthy enough to possess such a powerful item. The market offers financing options or trades for those who cannot afford the full cost upfront.
• Knights’ Bastion
  • Location: Within the fortified city of Ironwall, known for its knightly orders and strong military presence.
  • Description: Knights’ Bastion is a prestigious armory and training ground where the most honorable and skilled knights of Saṃsāra are equipped. The Froststeel Barding is one of the few legendary items available here, offered to knights who have proven their valor and dedication to protecting the realm. The armory is heavily guarded, and access is restricted to members of recognized knightly orders.
  • Cost: 3,800 gold pieces (or earned as a reward for exceptional service).
  • Buying Experience: Customers include high-ranking knights, paladins, and champions of the realm. The barding may be awarded as a gift from the king or as a reward for completing a perilous mission. Knights may also commission the armory to forge custom pieces of armor to complement the Froststeel Barding. The armory offers lifetime maintenance and magical upgrades to those who purchase the barding.
• The Glacial Emporium
  • Location: In a hidden valley within the Glacial Expanse, accessible only by those who possess a map or a guide familiar with the frozen wastes.
  • Description: The Glacial Emporium is a mysterious shop, run by an enigmatic ice mage who specializes in cold-based magic and enchanted items. The shop is hidden from ordinary travelers and appears only to those who seek it with intent. The Froststeel Barding is displayed on a pedestal made of ice, surrounded by an aura of cold that deters anyone not protected by magic. The shop itself is a wonder of ice and enchantment, with items that seem to glow with an inner frost.
  • Cost: 4,200 gold pieces.
  • Buying Experience: The emporium’s clientele includes powerful mages, frost druids, and adventurers who have survived the treacherous Glacial Expanse. The ice mage may require the buyer to undergo a test of endurance in the cold or to offer something of personal value in exchange for the barding. The shop offers additional magical services, such as the attunement of the barding to the buyer’s specific mount or the enhancement of other cold-based abilities.
• Royal Auction House
  • Location: In the capital city of a major kingdom, where nobles and wealthy adventurers gather to bid on rare and legendary items.
  • Description: The Royal Auction House is an opulent venue, where the richest and most powerful individuals come to acquire unique treasures. The Froststeel Barding is presented as one of the star items in a high-profile auction, with a starting bid that reflects its legendary status. The auction house is known for its strict security and its ability to attract high bidders from across the realm.
  • Cost: Starting bid at 5,000 gold pieces.
  • Buying Experience: Buyers include wealthy nobles, famous adventurers, and collectors of legendary artifacts. The bidding process is competitive, with buyers often engaging in intense rivalries to acquire the item. The auction house provides a certificate of authenticity and may offer additional services such as delivery and customization. The buyer may also receive invitations to exclusive events and access to private sales of other rare items.

The Froststeel Barding is a legendary item that can be found in a variety of prestigious and remote locations across Saṃsāra. Prices range from 3,800 to 5,000 gold pieces, depending on the shop and location. Each shop offers a unique buying experience, whether through high-stakes auctions, hidden magical emporiums, or the exclusive armories of knightly orders. The barding is highly sought after for its exceptional protection, powerful magical abilities, and the prestige it brings to its owner.

The Froststeel Barding is a versatile piece of armor designed to protect both the rider and their mount in various challenging environments. It offers unique defensive and offensive capabilities, making it invaluable in both combat and survival scenarios. Below is a breakdown of how the Froststeel Barding can be used in different environments within the world of Saṃsāra:

• Icy Tundra or Snowy Mountains
  • Defense: In frigid environments, the Froststeel Barding’s Frost Aura creates a 10-foot radius of intense cold around the steed, deterring attackers who might be vulnerable to cold. This aura provides resistance to fire-based attacks, a common hazard in volcanic or geothermal regions often found near icy tundras. The Winter’s Endurance ability grants the steed and rider advantage on saving throws against exhaustion from the extreme cold, ensuring they remain effective in prolonged engagements or while traveling through harsh conditions.
  • Offense: The Glacial Charge ability is particularly useful when charging down slopes or across frozen plains. The steed’s increased movement speed and the ability to knock enemies prone upon a successful attack make this a devastating tactic, especially when the terrain favors rapid, straight-line charges. Additionally, the Frozen Steed ability can be activated to encase the mount in ice, not only granting it immunity to cold damage but also allowing it to move effortlessly across difficult icy terrain, turning the environment to the rider’s advantage.
• Volcanic or Fiery Regions
  • Defense: Although primarily designed for cold environments, the Froststeel Barding’s Frost Aura offers valuable protection in hot, volcanic regions as well. The aura provides resistance to fire damage, which can be crucial when navigating lava fields or facing enemies that use fire-based attacks. The Icy Resilience ability further enhances the steed’s durability, granting it resistance to physical damage from debris or molten rock.
  • Offense: In a region dominated by heat and fire, the Froststeel Barding’s cold-based abilities provide a stark contrast that can catch opponents off guard. The Glacial Charge can be used to breach defenses that are otherwise resistant to heat but vulnerable to cold. The sudden drop in temperature caused by the Frozen Steed ability can also create hazardous conditions for fire-based creatures, potentially weakening or disorienting them in the heat of battle.
• Dense Forest or Jungle
  • Defense: In forested or jungle environments, the Froststeel Barding’s Winter’s Endurance helps the steed and rider withstand the oppressive humidity and heat that can cause exhaustion. The barding’s inherent protection against cold-based attacks is less relevant here, but its overall durability still offers excellent protection against the dangers of the wilderness, such as traps or ambushes.
  • Offense: The Glacial Charge is effective even in dense vegetation, where the steed’s enhanced speed and the ability to knock down obstacles or enemies can clear paths quickly. The Frost Aura can be used to create pockets of cold in the humid environment, potentially slowing down or discouraging heat-sensitive creatures. Additionally, the Frozen Steed ability could be used strategically to harden the terrain, turning muddy or swampy ground into solid footing, allowing the steed to navigate more easily and potentially trapping enemies in the frozen earth.
• Urban or Dungeon Environments
  • Defense: In urban areas or dungeons, where close quarters and ambushes are common, the Froststeel Barding’s Icy Resilience provides critical protection against physical attacks that could incapacitate the mount. The Frost Aura can also serve as a deterrent to attackers in narrow streets or corridors, creating a cold barrier that slows down or weakens those who come too close. This aura can be particularly effective against multiple foes in confined spaces, reducing their ability to coordinate attacks.
  • Offense: The Glacial Charge ability allows the steed to burst through enemy lines or obstacles in the urban environment, dealing cold damage and potentially knocking enemies into walls or other barriers. In a dungeon setting, the Frozen Steed ability can be used to traverse treacherous terrain, such as frozen traps or unstable floors, with increased speed and safety. The barding’s magical properties also help in navigating through areas where magical or physical threats are present, giving the rider a significant tactical advantage.
• Desert or Arid Regions
  • Defense: While the Froststeel Barding is designed for cold climates, its ability to provide resistance to fire damage makes it surprisingly effective in desert environments, where the sun’s heat and occasional fire-based threats are prevalent. The Winter’s Endurance ability helps mitigate the risk of exhaustion from the scorching sun, allowing the steed and rider to maintain their strength during long treks across the sands.
  • Offense: In the desert, the Frost Aura can create localized cold areas that disrupt the heat mirages and other visual distortions common in arid climates, giving the rider a clearer view of the battlefield. The Glacial Charge ability is useful for overpowering enemies in the open desert, where the steed’s enhanced speed can turn the tide of battle. The sudden cold of the Frozen Steed can also provide temporary relief from the heat, making it harder for enemies accustomed to the desert’s temperatures to adapt to the rapidly changing conditions.
• Battlefields and Open Plains
  • Defense: On an open battlefield, the Froststeel Barding’s Frost Aura offers a protective shield against ranged fire attacks and magical assaults, while the Icy Resilience enhances the steed’s survivability in direct combat. The barding’s legendary status and imposing appearance can also have a psychological effect, intimidating enemies and boosting the morale of allied forces.
  • Offense: The Glacial Charge ability is particularly effective on open plains, where the steed’s ability to gather momentum and charge at full speed can deal devastating damage to enemy ranks. The combination of physical force and cold damage can disrupt formations and create opportunities for the rider and their allies to exploit. The Frozen Steed ability allows the mount to maintain high mobility across the battlefield, avoiding obstacles and moving freely through difficult terrain.

Roleplay Considerations: The Froststeel Barding is more than just armor; it’s a symbol of the rider’s connection to the elemental forces of ice and cold. In roleplay, characters wearing this barding may be seen as champions of winter or protectors of the frozen wilderness, respected by those who understand the power of the cold and feared by those who dread its touch. The barding’s abilities offer both strategic advantages in combat and practical benefits in survival situations, making it an invaluable asset for any mounted warrior braving the harshest environments in Saṃsāra.

Above is what it looks like to the foe when activated.

Perception of Activation: Froststeel Barding

• Sight
  • Perceived: When the Froststeel Barding is activated, a soft blue glow begins to emanate from the intricate patterns etched into the armor. A thin layer of frost spreads across the metal, giving it a crystalline sheen, while a chilling mist swirls around the mount. The mount appears to be encased in an aura of cold, with the surrounding air shimmering slightly, as if frozen in place.
  • Description: The visual effect is both intimidating and mesmerizing, creating the impression of a powerful, otherworldly force encased in ice. The aura enhances the mount’s regal and fearsome appearance on the battlefield.
  • Positives: Striking and intimidating visual effect, enhancing the presence and mystique of the rider and mount.
  • Negatives: The glowing and misty aura may make it difficult to stay hidden, drawing attention to the rider and mount.
• Sound
  • Perceived: A faint crackling sound, reminiscent of ice forming on a cold surface, accompanies the activation of the Froststeel Barding. This is followed by a low, almost imperceptible hum, as if the armor is resonating with the power of the cold. The sound is subtle, but it grows slightly louder as the temperature around the barding drops.
  • Description: The sounds evoke a sense of power and cold, reinforcing the idea that the armor is infused with the essence of ice and winter. The crackling of frost and the hum of magic create an atmosphere of calm yet deadly potential.
  • Positives: Adds to the aura of power and cold, enhancing the intimidation factor.
  • Negatives: The subtle hum might be detected by creatures with keen hearing, potentially revealing the rider’s position.
• Touch
  • Perceived: The surface of the barding feels cold to the touch, almost as if it were made of solid ice. The coldness is not painful but rather invigorating, like a brisk winter wind. The armor also feels smoother and harder, as if the frost and ice have reinforced the metal. The cold radiates through the mount’s body, but instead of discomfort, it feels like a surge of energy and strength.
  • Description: The tactile sensation of the Froststeel Barding is both chilling and empowering, as if the wearer is drawing strength directly from the cold. The armor feels more solid and protective, as though it could withstand any assault.
  • Positives: Enhances the wearer’s confidence and the sense of durability and strength.
  • Negatives: Prolonged exposure to the cold might be uncomfortable for those unaccustomed to it, potentially leading to fatigue over time.
• Smell
  • Perceived: A crisp, clean scent fills the air around the Froststeel Barding, similar to the smell of fresh snow or a cool winter morning. The scent is refreshing, cutting through any other odors and filling the lungs with a sense of purity and clarity.
  • Description: The smell is invigorating, helping to clear the mind and sharpen the senses. It adds to the overall feeling of being in the midst of a winter landscape, even if the environment is warm or temperate.
  • Positives: Refreshing and mind-clearing, helping to focus and energize the rider.
  • Negatives: The scent might be out of place in certain environments, potentially giving away the presence of the rider.
• Taste
  • Perceived: The air around the barding has a slight, metallic tang, like the taste of cold iron or the first breath of winter. The taste is subtle, almost imperceptible, but it reinforces the sensation of cold and metal.
  • Description: The taste is a minor aspect of the experience, adding a final sensory layer that ties together the feel of the cold, metal armor. It’s a reminder of the barding’s enchanted nature and its connection to the icy elements.
  • Positives: Complements the overall sensory experience, reinforcing the cold and metallic nature of the armor.
  • Negatives: The metallic taste might be unpleasant or distracting to some, though it is very faint.
• Extra-Sensory Perceptions
  • Aura of Cold
    • Perceived: The activation of the Froststeel Barding creates an aura that extends around the mount, a palpable field of cold energy that can be felt not just physically but also on a deeper, instinctual level. This aura seems to sap the warmth from the air and instill a sense of calm and control, as though the rider and mount are at the center of a winter storm.
    • Description: The aura of cold provides both protection and an intimidating presence, creating a barrier against both physical and magical threats. It also instills a sense of focus and determination in the rider, as if the cold clears away distractions.
    • Positives: Provides a psychological advantage, enhancing the rider’s focus and imposing an aura of fear or respect on enemies.
    • Negatives: The aura might also be felt by allies, potentially causing discomfort or hindering warm-weather mounts.
  • Elemental Resonance
    • Perceived: The barding resonates with elemental cold, connecting the rider and mount to the primal forces of winter. This connection can be felt as a surge of power when the barding is activated, as though the mount is drawing strength directly from the earth and sky. The rider may also experience brief flashes of otherworldly visions, glimpses of vast, frozen landscapes or ancient glaciers.
    • Description: The resonance enhances the barding’s power, making the mount feel almost unstoppable. The visions add a mystical element to the experience, suggesting that the barding is more than just armor, but a conduit for elemental power.
    • Positives: Enhances the barding’s power and the rider’s connection to the natural world, making the mount more formidable.
    • Negatives: The visions might be disorienting or distracting, especially in the heat of battle.
  • Temporal Shift
    • Perceived: Time seems to slow slightly around the mount when the barding is activated, giving the rider a sense of heightened awareness and reaction speed. This shift is subtle but can be crucial in combat, allowing the rider to anticipate enemy movements and respond with precision.
    • Description: The temporal shift provides a tactical advantage, making it easier to dodge attacks or position the mount for a perfect charge. It also reinforces the sense that the Froststeel Barding is a powerful, legendary artifact, capable of bending the rules of reality.
    • Positives: Improves combat effectiveness by enhancing reaction time and awareness.
    • Negatives: The sensation of altered time can be unsettling, potentially leading to overconfidence or reliance on the barding’s powers.

The activation of the Froststeel Barding transforms the mount into a formidable, otherworldly presence on the battlefield, surrounded by an aura of cold and infused with elemental power. This enhancement offers both defensive and offensive benefits, while also creating a profound sensory experience that reinforces the barding’s legendary status. The rider and mount become a unified force, drawing strength from the cold and commanding respect and fear from all who face them.

Crafting Recipe: Froststeel Barding of the Frozen Peaks

• Materials Needed:
  • Froststeel Ingots (x10): Special metal forged in the icy depths of a frozen mountain. The ingots are imbued with elemental cold during the forging process.
  • Glacial Essence (x3 vials): A rare liquid extracted from the heart of ancient glaciers, used to enhance the barding’s cold-based abilities.
  • Arctic Leather (x5 hides): Thick, durable leather harvested from creatures that thrive in arctic conditions, used for the interior padding and strapping.
  • Winterwisp Crystals (x4 shards): Crystals formed in the coldest reaches of the world, known for their ability to channel and amplify magical energy.
  • Silverweave Thread (x1 spool): An enchanted thread made from fine silver strands, used for stitching and binding the barding’s components together.
• Tools Required:
  • Masterwork Forge: A forge equipped to handle magical metals and maintain the extreme temperatures needed for forging Froststeel.
  • Enchanter’s Hammer: A special hammer used to shape Froststeel while maintaining its magical properties.
  • Glacier Anvil: An anvil cooled by enchanted ice, ensuring that the Froststeel retains its coldness during shaping.
  • Runescribe Chisel: A tool for carving intricate magical runes into the barding, enhancing its elemental properties.
  • Arcane Needle: A needle crafted from enchanted bone, used to sew with Silverweave Thread and ensure that the magic is evenly distributed.
• Skill Requirements:
  • Smithing (Master Level): Required to forge and shape Froststeel, ensuring the metal maintains its durability and magical properties.
  • Enchanting (Advanced): Needed to infuse the barding with Glacial Essence and Winterwisp Crystals, ensuring the cold aura and magical abilities are properly activated.
  • Leatherworking (Intermediate): Necessary for preparing and attaching the Arctic Leather, ensuring the barding is both comfortable for the mount and securely fitted.
  • Runecrafting (Advanced): Required to carve the runes that will channel the elemental cold and activate the barding’s special abilities.
• Crafting Steps:
  • Forge the Froststeel Plates:
    • Begin by heating the Froststeel Ingots in the Masterwork Forge until they are malleable. This process requires precise control of temperature to maintain the metal’s inherent cold properties.
    • Using the Enchanter’s Hammer and Glacier Anvil, shape the ingots into the individual plates of the barding. Ensure each plate is smooth and evenly crafted, with no flaws or weak points.
    • Once shaped, quench the plates in a bath of Glacial Essence to infuse them with elemental cold, locking in the frost aura that will surround the barding when activated.
  • Prepare the Arctic Leather:
    • Carefully tan and cure the Arctic Leather hides, ensuring they remain thick and durable while maintaining flexibility. The leather will serve as padding and strapping for the barding, providing both comfort and additional insulation.
    • Cut the leather into strips and panels that will line the inside of the barding and form the straps. Ensure the pieces are precisely measured to fit the Froststeel plates.
  • Carve the Winterwisp Crystals:
    • Using the Runescribe Chisel, carefully carve the Winterwisp Crystals into small, intricate shapes that can be embedded into the Froststeel plates. These crystals will amplify the barding’s magical abilities, particularly the Frost Aura and Icy Resilience.
    • Embed the carved crystals into the designated slots on the Froststeel plates. Secure them with a small amount of Glacial Essence, allowing the crystals to bond with the metal and enhance the barding’s magical properties.
  • Stitch with Silverweave Thread:
    • Using the Arcane Needle, sew the Arctic Leather padding to the interior of each Froststeel plate with Silverweave Thread. This thread not only secures the leather but also channels magic through the barding, ensuring the cold aura is evenly distributed.
    • Attach the leather straps using the same Silverweave Thread, ensuring they are both strong and flexible. The straps should allow the barding to be easily adjusted to fit various mounts while maintaining a secure fit during battle.
  • Engrave the Elemental Runes:
    • With the Runescribe Chisel, carve a series of elemental runes into the surface of the Froststeel plates. These runes should be aligned with the Winterwisp Crystals and infused with Glacial Essence during the engraving process.
    • The runes will activate the barding’s special abilities, including the Frost Aura, Icy Resilience, and Frozen Steed. Ensure the runes are precisely carved and that their magic is stable and balanced.
  • Final Assembly and Enchantment:
    • Assemble the individual plates into the full barding set, ensuring that each piece fits together seamlessly. Test the fit on a practice mount to confirm that the barding is both protective and flexible.
    • Perform a final enchantment ritual, channeling the remaining Glacial Essence into the barding as a whole. This ritual will bind all the components together, activating the barding’s full range of magical abilities.
    • Inspect the barding for any imperfections or weaknesses, and make any necessary adjustments. Once satisfied, the Froststeel Barding is ready for use.

The Froststeel Barding of the Frozen Peaks is now complete, a masterful combination of metal, magic, and craftsmanship. This legendary armor is designed to protect both rider and mount in the harshest conditions, offering unparalleled defense and powerful cold-based abilities. The barding is both a work of art and a formidable tool in battle, ensuring that its wearer stands strong against any foe.

Tale of the Armor of Frosted Steel

In days long past, when mountains wore crowns of ice and rivers spoke in whispers, there lived a knight of great renown. This knight, whose name has been lost to the winds, wandered the lands seeking to bring peace and protect the weak. He rode a steed as noble as he, with hooves that danced upon the snow and eyes that gleamed like the morning star.

It was during the season of endless cold, when the sun hid behind a shroud of clouds and the earth was bound in frost, that the knight came upon a mountain of great height. The people of the nearby village, who lived in fear of the mountain’s cold breath, spoke of a forge deep within, where fire and ice danced as one. The knight, brave as the day was long, journeyed to the heart of the mountain, seeking the forge of legend.

In the mountain’s core, where the walls dripped with frozen fire and the air crackled with ancient power, the knight found the forge. It was said to be the work of a forgotten people, whose hands knew the secrets of both steel and snow. The forge was cold as winter’s kiss, yet within it burned a fire that neither melted nor warmed, but gave life to the frozen metal.

The knight, with hands steady and heart true, took up the hammer and struck the anvil. From the heart of the mountain he drew forth steel, cold as death, yet strong as the will of the gods. With each strike, the forge sang a song of power, and the steel was shaped into a suit of armor unlike any seen before. The plates were as the ice upon the mountain, yet harder than the iron of the earth.

When the armor was complete, the knight donned it and felt the mountain’s power flow through him. The cold no longer bit at his skin, and the fire no longer threatened his flesh. His steed, too, was clad in the froststeel, and together they were as winter’s storm upon the land. The knight and his steed, now one with the cold, became legends in the eyes of men.

But as with all things, time wore on, and the knight’s tale became but a whisper among the mountains. It is said that in his final days, the knight returned to the mountain and laid his armor upon the anvil, where it remains to this day. Those who are brave of heart and strong of will may seek the armor, but it is the mountain that will decide if they are worthy.

Moral of the Story: Strength is not found in the heat of battle, but in the cold determination of the heart. The power of the froststeel lies not in the metal, but in the will of the one who wears it.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

Name: Froststeel Barding

• Type: Mythos Artifact
• Armor Value: +2 to the mount’s Armor Value (AV)
• Effect: The Froststeel Barding emits an aura of cold that causes a chilling mist to surround the mount. This aura imposes a -10% penalty on all rolls involving physical actions for anyone within a 10-foot radius due to the intense cold. The barding grants the mount resistance to fire-based attacks (half damage) and protects against mundane physical attacks, reducing damage by 2 points per hit.
• Sanity Cost: 1D4/1D8 (Minor/Full activation)
• Special Rules: Once per day, the rider may activate the Frozen Steed ability, temporarily encasing the mount in ice, which grants immunity to fire damage and allows it to move freely over ice or snow with no penalty.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Armor Value: +2 AV
  • Aura of Cold: -10% penalty to physical actions for enemies within 10 feet.
  • Damage Resistance: Resistance to fire-based attacks; reduces physical damage by 2 points.
  • Sanity Cost: 1D4/1D8 for activation.
  • Special Ability: Frozen Steed – immunity to fire and free movement over ice/snow.

Blades in the Dark

• Item Type: Fine Armor (for Mount)
• Load: 4
• Effect: The Froststeel Barding provides the mount with a +2 bonus to resistance rolls against physical harm and fire-based attacks. The mount emits a Frost Aura that imposes a -1d penalty on all actions taken by enemies within close range due to the freezing mist.
• Special Ability: Glacial Charge – When the mount charges at least 20 feet, it deals +1 Harm on a successful attack and knocks the target down. This ability can be used once per encounter.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Resistance Bonus: +2 to resistance rolls against physical and fire-based attacks.
  • Frost Aura: -1d penalty to enemies within close range.
  • Special Ability: Glacial Charge – +1 Harm and knockdown on a successful charge.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

Name: Froststeel Barding

• Wondrous Item (Barding), Legendary, Requires Attunement
• Armor Class: 18
• Strength Requirement: 15
• Weight: 80 lbs
• Effect: The Froststeel Barding grants the mount resistance to fire damage and immunity to cold damage. It also creates a Frost Aura within a 10-foot radius, imposing disadvantage on attack rolls for enemies within the aura who are not resistant to cold.
• Special Abilities:
  • Frozen Steed: Once per day, the mount can be encased in a layer of ice, granting immunity to fire damage, increasing its speed by 20 feet, and allowing it to move across difficult terrain (ice and snow) without penalty for 1 hour.
  • Glacial Charge: If the mount moves at least 20 feet straight towards a target and then hits with a melee attack, the target takes an extra 2d6 cold damage and must succeed on a Strength saving throw (DC 16) or be knocked prone.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Armor Class: 18
  • Damage Resistance: Resistance to fire damage; immunity to cold damage.
  • Frost Aura: Disadvantage on attack rolls for enemies within 10 feet.
  • Special Abilities:
    • Frozen Steed: Immunity to fire, +20 feet speed, ignores difficult terrain for 1 hour.
    • Glacial Charge: Extra 2d6 cold damage, and potential knockdown on a charge.

Knave

Name: Froststeel Barding

• Armor: 3 points (equivalent to plate armor)
• Effect: The Froststeel Barding grants the mount resistance to fire damage and imposes a -2 penalty to attacks made against it by enemies within close range due to the chilling aura.
• Special Ability: Frozen Steed – Once per day, the barding can be activated to encase the mount in ice, granting it immunity to cold damage and allowing it to move through icy or snowy terrain without penalty for 1 hour. Additionally, the mount’s speed increases by 10 feet during this time.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Armor: 3 points.
  • Damage Resistance: Fire resistance; -2 penalty to enemy attacks.
  • Special Ability: Frozen Steed – Cold immunity, +10 feet speed, and terrain adaptation for 1 hour.

Fate Core

Name: Froststeel Barding

• Aspect: “Armor of Frozen Might”
• Invoke: The rider can invoke this aspect to gain a +2 bonus to any defensive action involving resistance to fire or physical damage. They can also use it to create an advantage when navigating through icy or snowy terrain.
• Compel: The intense cold radiating from the barding may cause discomfort to allies or attract unwanted attention from entities sensitive to cold.
• Stunt: Frozen Steed – Once per session, the rider can activate the Frozen Steed ability, allowing the mount to move at incredible speed (+2 to Overcome rolls involving movement) and ignore obstacles related to cold or ice. The mount also gains temporary immunity to fire-based attacks for the duration of the scene.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Aspect: “Armor of Frozen Might” enhances defense and movement in cold environments.
  • Invoke/Compel: Provides bonuses or introduces complications based on the cold aura.
  • Stunt: Frozen Steed – Improves movement and grants fire immunity for a scene.

Numenera & Cypher System

Name: Froststeel Barding

• Level: 7
• Effect: The Froststeel Barding grants the mount resistance to fire and immunity to cold damage. It creates an aura of cold within Immediate range that causes 3 points of damage to any creature not resistant to cold.
• Enabler: The barding allows the mount to move across icy terrain without penalty and adds an asset to Speed defense rolls.
• Special Ability: Frozen Steed – Once per day, the rider can activate this ability, encasing the mount in ice, which increases its Speed by 2 steps for 1 hour and grants it immunity to all fire-based attacks.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Level: 7.
  • Damage Resistance: Fire resistance; cold immunity.
  • Aura: 3 cold damage to nearby creatures.
  • Enabler: Adds an asset to Speed defense and negates penalties on icy terrain.
  • Special Ability: Frozen Steed – Speed boost and fire immunity for 1 hour.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

Name: Froststeel Barding

• Item Type: Armor (Barding)
• Level: 12
• Price: 5,000 gp
• Armor Class: +8 to the mount’s AC
• Strength Requirement: 16
• Bulk: 2
• Effect: The Froststeel Barding grants the mount resistance to fire damage and immunity to cold damage. It emits a Frost Aura within a 10-foot radius that imposes a -1 status penalty to attack rolls for enemies in the area.
• Special Abilities:
  • Frozen Steed: Once per day, the mount can be encased in a thick layer of ice, granting it temporary immunity to fire damage, increasing its speed by 10 feet, and allowing it to move freely over ice and snow for 1 hour.
  • Glacial Charge: If the mount charges at least 20 feet and successfully hits with an attack, it deals an extra 2d8 cold damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 24 Fortitude save or be knocked prone.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Armor Class: +8 to AC.
  • Damage Resistance: Fire resistance; cold immunity.
  • Frost Aura: -1 penalty to enemy attack rolls within 10 feet.
  • Special Abilities:
    • Frozen Steed: Fire immunity, +10 feet speed, and terrain adaptation for 1 hour.
    • Glacial Charge: Extra 2d8 cold damage and potential knockdown on a charge.

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

Name: Froststeel Barding

• Category: Gear (Armor)
• Cost: 10,000 credits
• Armor: +4 Toughness
• Effect: The Froststeel Barding grants the mount +4 Toughness and resistance to fire and cold-based attacks. It emits a Frost Aura that imposes a -2 penalty to enemy attack rolls within 10 feet due to the freezing mist surrounding the mount.
• Special Abilities:
  • Frozen Steed: Once per day, the mount can be encased in ice, granting it immunity to fire damage and increasing its Pace by +4 for 1 hour. The mount also ignores difficult terrain (ice and snow) during this time.
  • Glacial Charge: When the mount moves at least 8” (20 feet) before attacking, it deals an additional 2d6 cold damage and forces a Strength roll with a -2 penalty on the target to avoid being knocked prone.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Armor: +4 Toughness.
  • Damage Resistance: Resistance to fire and cold-based attacks.
  • Frost Aura: -2 penalty to enemy attack rolls within 10 feet.
  • Special Abilities:
    • Frozen Steed: Immunity to fire, +4 Pace, and terrain adaptation for 1 hour.
    • Glacial Charge: Extra 2d6 cold damage and potential knockdown on a charge.

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

Name: Froststeel Barding

• Type: Armor
• Availability: 16R
• Cost: 15,000¥
• Armor Rating: +4 to Armor
• Effect: The Froststeel Barding grants the mount +4 Armor and resistance to fire-based damage (half damage). It creates a Frost Aura around the mount, imposing a -2 dice pool penalty to all actions taken by enemies within a 10-meter radius due to the intense cold.
• Special Ability: Frozen Steed – Once per day, the barding can be activated to encase the mount in a layer of ice, granting immunity to fire damage and increasing the mount’s speed by 2 meters per Combat Turn for 10 turns.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Armor Rating: +4 Armor.
  • Damage Resistance: Half damage from fire-based attacks.
  • Frost Aura: -2 dice pool penalty to enemies within 10 meters.
  • Special Ability: Frozen Steed – Fire immunity and +2 meters speed for 10 turns.

Starfinder

Name: Froststeel Barding

• Item Level: 10
• Price: 8,000 credits
• Armor Class: +4 EAC / +4 KAC
• Effect: The Froststeel Barding provides the mount with resistance to fire damage and immunity to cold damage. It creates a Frost Aura in a 20-foot radius, causing a -2 penalty to attack rolls for enemies within the aura.
• Special Abilities:
  • Frozen Steed: Once per day, the mount can be encased in a thick layer of ice, granting it immunity to fire damage and increasing its speed by 20 feet for 1 hour. The mount also ignores difficult terrain created by ice or snow during this time.
  • Glacial Charge: When the mount moves at least 20 feet before attacking, it deals an additional 3d6 cold damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 18 Fortitude save or be knocked prone.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Armor Class: +4 EAC / +4 KAC.
  • Damage Resistance: Fire resistance; cold immunity.
  • Frost Aura: -2 penalty to enemy attack rolls within 20 feet.
  • Special Abilities:
    • Frozen Steed: Fire immunity, +20 feet speed, and terrain adaptation for 1 hour.
    • Glacial Charge: Extra 3d6 cold damage and potential knockdown on a charge.

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

Name: Froststeel Barding

• TL: 14
• Cost: Cr25,000
• Armor Rating: +6
• Effect: The Froststeel Barding increases the mount’s Armor Rating by +6 and grants it resistance to fire damage (half damage). The barding also emits a Frost Aura that imposes a -1 DM (Dice Modifier) to all attack rolls made by enemies within Close range due to the freezing cold.
• Special Feature: Frozen Steed – Once per day, the barding can be activated, encasing the mount in ice and granting it immunity to fire and heat damage, as well as doubling its Speed for 1 hour. The mount also gains the ability to traverse icy terrain without penalty.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Armor Rating: +6 Armor.
  • Damage Resistance: Half damage from fire-based attacks.
  • Frost Aura: -1 DM to enemy attack rolls within Close range.
  • Special Feature: Frozen Steed – Fire immunity, doubled Speed, and terrain adaptation for 1 hour.

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (4th Edition)

Name: Froststeel Barding

• Type: Magical Armor
• Encumbrance: 3
• Availability: Very Rare
• Armor Points: +3 AP (Mount)
• Effect: The Froststeel Barding provides the mount with +3 Armor Points and resistance to fire damage. It creates a Frost Aura within a 10-yard radius that imposes a -10 penalty to all attack rolls made by enemies due to the intense cold.
• Special Abilities:
  • Frozen Steed: Once per day, the mount can be encased in ice, granting it immunity to fire and heat damage, increasing its Movement by +2, and allowing it to ignore penalties for moving across snow or ice for 1 hour.
  • Glacial Charge: When the mount charges at least 10 yards before attacking, it deals an additional 2d10 cold damage, and the target must pass a Strength Test or be knocked prone.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Armor Points: +3 AP (Mount).
  • Damage Resistance: Resistance to fire damage.
  • Frost Aura: -10 penalty to enemy attack rolls within 10 yards.
  • Special Abilities:
    • Frozen Steed: Fire immunity, +2 Movement, and terrain adaptation for 1 hour.
    • Glacial Charge: Extra 2d10 cold damage and potential knockdown on a charge.