Wing Guards

From: Dracoraptoris

Description: Designed specifically to protect Dracoraptoris’ wings during combat, these wing guards are made from a combination of sturdy leather and magically treated feathers. They provide additional protection against attacks targeting the wings and offer a +2 bonus to AC.

Values:

• Level Requirement: Tier 1
• Stats: Provides a +2 bonus to AC.
• Skills Gained: None.
• Cost: 300 gold pieces (or equivalent currency).
• Tags: Armor, Light, Winged, Magical, Draconic, Aerial Defense, Feathered, Combat Utility, Mobility Enhance, Flight Preservation, Protective Enchantment

Lore: Crafted by skilled artisans who understand the importance of protecting Dracoraptoris’ vital wings, these wing guards combine durable leather and feathers enchanted with protective magic. The materials used in their construction are carefully chosen for their lightweight nature and ability to withstand attacks. Legends tell of ancient battles where dragons were vulnerable to attacks directed at their wings. To counter this weakness, these wing guards were created to safeguard Dracoraptoris during combat and ensure its aerial superiority.

Use: The Wing Guards are essential for Dracoraptoris to protect its wings, a critical asset in both aerial maneuvering and combat. These guards are specifically designed to provide additional defense against attacks directed at its wings, such as arrows, spells, or targeted strikes. By wearing the Wing Guards, Dracoraptoris gains increased protection and reduces the risk of debilitating injuries that could hinder its flight or render it grounded. These guards are particularly valuable when engaging in battles where ranged attacks or flying adversaries pose a threat. Dracoraptoris can rely on the Wing Guards to maintain its aerial dominance and ensure its safety during combat.

Type of shops where and how this item might be bought and sold:

• Aerial Armory:
  • Location: Found in cities that have significant aerial or draconic populations, where flight and winged combat are common.
  • How it’s Sold: Specializes in gear for winged creatures or those who engage in aerial combat. The Wing Guards would be displayed prominently, perhaps even on a mannequin resembling a Dracoraptoris. Sales might involve a demonstration of the item’s effectiveness, possibly with an enchanted wind tunnel to show its resilience.
  • Cost: Due to the specialized nature, the price might be around 300 to 500 gold pieces, with the higher cost due to the magical component of the feathers.
• Dragon Smithy:
  • Location: Near dragon lairs or in towns with a history of draconic interactions or trade.
  • How it’s Sold: A blacksmith specializing in dragon-related items. The Wing Guards might be forged or tailored on-site, with potential for customization. Buyers might negotiate with the smith, trading scales, dragon hide, or other rare materials for discounts.
  • Cost: Approximately 250 to 400 gold pieces, with options to trade in-kind for materials or services related to dragons.
• Arcane Tailor:
  • Location: In magical districts or within mage towers where magical fashion and armor are in demand.
  • How it’s Sold: The Wing Guards could be sold alongside other magically enhanced garments. The sale might involve a magical fitting session to ensure the guards fit perfectly to the wings of the buyer.
  • Cost: Likely priced at 350 to 450 gold pieces because of the enchantment work, but could include ongoing maintenance or re-enchantment services with the purchase.
• Adventurers’ Emporium:
  • Location: In bustling trade cities or at the outskirts of dangerous territories where adventurers frequently pass through.
  • How it’s Sold: Part of a broader inventory for adventurers, the Wing Guards might be sold during special promotions or to adventurers with the right quests (like dragon slaying or dragon-related tasks).
  • Cost: Around 325 to 425 gold pieces, with potential for discounts if the adventurer has a history of dealing with dragons.
• Guild of the Sky Riders:
  • Location: Within or near guilds dedicated to aerial combat or beast masters who ride winged creatures.
  • How it’s Sold: The guild might offer these as part of their equipment supply or as rewards for members. Sales could involve guild points, service, or loyalty, rather than just gold.
  • Cost: Guild members might get them for 200 to 300 gold pieces, with non-members paying the higher end of the spectrum or more, reflecting guild membership benefits.
• Exotic Beast Market:
  • Location: Markets in large cities where rare creatures and their gear are traded.
  • How it’s Sold: These would be among the rarer items, possibly auctioned off to the highest bidder or sold during special events where exotic or magical creatures and their equipment are showcased.
  • Cost: Could fluctuate widely based on demand, starting at 300 gold pieces, with bidding potentially raising the price significantly.
• Traveling Enchanter’s Caravan:
  • Location: Mobile and found on trade routes or at major festivals.
  • How it’s Sold: The Wing Guards might be one of the rarer items they sell, with the sale often accompanied by stories of their creation or tales of heroic Dracoraptoris.
  • Cost: Given the rarity and the difficulty in procuring such items, they could command 350 to 500 gold pieces, with the possibility of bartering for magical services or items.

In Saṃsāra, the cost of such specialized equipment like the Wing Guards would reflect not just the materials and craftsmanship but also the item’s magical properties, the rarity of the components (like enchanted feathers), and the prestige associated with owning gear for such a majestic creature as the Dracoraptoris.

Roleplay in Different Environments:

• Defense:
  • Aerial Battles:
    • Roleplay: Dracoraptoris can use the Wing Guards to deflect arrows, magical projectiles, or talon strikes from other flying creatures. The guards might shimmer with a magical aura when they absorb or deflect an attack, creating a visual cue for players and enhancing the drama of aerial combat.
    • Example: During a skirmish with rival griffons, Dracoraptoris banks sharply, allowing an arrow to glance off its Wing Guards, showing off the guards’ protective qualities.
  • Ground-Based Encounters:
    • Roleplay: Even when grounded, the Wing Guards can serve as shields against attacks aimed at the wings, which might be a weak point for many flying creatures. The wearer could use the wings to create a barrier or to shield allies.
    • Example: In a cave where flight is impossible, Dracoraptoris folds its wings around itself or an ally to block a fireball, the guards glowing as they absorb the heat.
  • Canyons and Cliffs:
    • Roleplay: The guards are particularly useful in narrow aerial spaces where Dracoraptoris might have to maneuver tightly. They can protect against scrapes or attacks from creatures hiding in cliff faces.
    • Example: Navigating through a narrow canyon, Dracoraptoris brushes against the walls, but the Wing Guards keep its wings safe from sharp rocks.
• Offense:
  • Dive Bombing:
    • Roleplay: Dracoraptoris can use its wings, now reinforced, to deliver powerful swooping attacks. The guards might add weight or magical energy to these attacks, making them more impactful.
    • Example: Dracoraptoris dives from above, using the reinforced edge of its wings to buffet an enemy below, the guards adding to the force of the impact.
  • Environmental Advantage:
    • Roleplay: In environments with strong winds or gusts, Dracoraptoris might use the guards to slice through the air more effectively, allowing for rapid changes in direction or speed that can be used to outmaneuver opponents.
    • Example: Leveraging the wind currents in a storm, Dracoraptoris uses its Wing Guards to adjust flight paths quickly, then attacks enemies from unexpected angles.
  • Winged Combat:
    • Roleplay: The guards can be used to parry or engage in aerial melee combat. A strike with a wing could now carry more force, or the guards might be enchanted to cause minor magical effects upon impact.
    • Example: In a dogfight with another winged beast, Dracoraptoris uses the guards to block a bite, then retaliates with a powerful wing swipe that sends its opponent careening.
• General Tactics:
  • Intimidation: The presence of Wing Guards might serve as a deterrent against aerial attacks, as opponents recognize their enhanced durability.
  • Morale Boost: For allies, seeing Dracoraptoris equipped with such specialized armor might boost morale, knowing that their aerial support is well-protected.
  • Psychological Warfare: The guards could be styled to look more imposing, affecting the enemy’s perception of Dracoraptoris’ combat prowess.
  • Strategic Retreat: If Dracoraptoris needs to escape or reposition, the guards ensure its wings remain intact, allowing for quick disengagement from battle.

Roleplaying with the Wing Guards involves showcasing the balance between protecting Dracoraptoris’ mobility and using that mobility as an offensive advantage. The item not only enhances its defensive capabilities but also adds a layer of strategy to how Dracoraptoris engages in combat across various terrains and against different types of adversaries.

The above lays on the back folded out over the wings.

Perception of Activation:

• User’s Perspective:
  • Sight: Upon activation, the Wing Guards emit a subtle, shimmering glow, highlighting their magical enchantments. The feathers might shift slightly, aligning with the magical currents, giving off an iridescent sheen that resembles the scales of a dragon.
  • Sound: A soft, harmonious hum or the faint sound of wind chimes can be heard, indicative of the magical energy flowing through the guards. It’s a sound that resonates with the power of the sky and flight.
  • Touch: The guards become warmer to the touch, and the wearer might feel a gentle, supportive pressure as if the air itself is bolstering the wings. The sensation is comforting, akin to a breeze that supports rather than resists.
  • Smell: There’s a crisp, clean scent, similar to the air after a storm or the high winds at the mountain tops, signifying the presence of elemental air magic.
  • Taste: Although unlikely to be tasted, there might be a slight, metallic taste in the mouth, a side effect of the magic’s activation, reminiscent of lightning in the air.
  • Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
    • Kinesthetic Awareness: The wearer experiences an enhanced sense of their wings’ positions and movements, feeling more in control and agile.
    • Magical Sensitivity: Dracoraptoris might feel the magic as a warmth or tingle spreading from the guards along its wings, enhancing its connection to the elemental magic.
• Observer’s Perspective:
  • Sight: Observers see a faint aura around the Wing Guards, and the feathers might ruffle slightly as if stirred by an invisible wind. The guards might also seem to blend more into the surrounding air.
  • Sound: The harmonic resonance might be audible to those close by, possibly creating a feeling of awe or unease depending on the observer’s familiarity with magic.
  • Touch: If someone touches the guards while activated, they would feel a slight resistance, as if the air around the wings has thickened.
  • Smell: The scent of clean air might be noticeable, particularly to those with a keen sense of smell.
  • Taste: Unlikely to be perceived unless in the immediate proximity of activation.
  • Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
    • Empathy: Observers with empathy might sense the Dracoraptoris’ increased confidence or a surge of protective energy.
    • Aura Reading: Those capable of seeing auras would notice the Wing Guards’ aura expanding or intertwining with the creature’s own, symbolizing a protective shield.
• Positives:
  • Defensive Edge: The guards significantly improve Dracoraptoris’ defense against wing-targeted attacks, allowing for longer, safer engagement in combat.
  • Confidence Booster: Knowing its wings are protected, Dracoraptoris can engage in more daring aerial maneuvers without fear of severe injury.
  • Visual and Intimidation Factor: The activation can act as a psychological deterrent to enemies, showcasing the creature’s magical defenses.
• Negatives:
  • Dependence: There might be a reliance on the magical protection, potentially leading to less attention to natural defensive flying techniques.
  • Magic Sensitivity: Enemies adept in anti-magic or specifically counter-air magic might find ways to exploit or negate the guards’ enchantments.
  • Energy Consumption: The magic might draw upon the wearer’s energy or require periodic recharging, which could be a disadvantage in prolonged battles.
  • Attention Draw: The magical activation might make Dracoraptoris more noticeable, potentially drawing more attacks or necessitating stealth in certain scenarios.
  • Environmental Limitations: In environments lacking in air magic or with strong elemental counter-forces (like heavy earth magic), the guards’ effectiveness might be reduced.

Crafting Recipe for Dracoraptoris Wing Guards

• Materials Needed:
  • Draconic Leather: Sourced from a willing dragon or from the molted skin of a Dracoraptoris, providing the base for durability.
  • Enchanted Feathers: 100 feathers from a bird with a natural affinity for magic, or feathers that have been blessed by an air elemental.
  • Sky Silk: A rare silk spun by creatures living in the high clouds, used for the inner lining to enhance flexibility.
  • Wind Crystals: Small crystals that resonate with the essence of wind or air magic, used to focus the enchantment.
  • Essence of Air: A vial of elemental air essence, captured during a storm or from an air elemental’s gift.
  • Dragon’s Blood: A few drops to bind the enchantment to the Dracoraptoris, ensuring compatibility; must be given willingly.
• Tools Required:
  • Artisan’s Tools: Specifically for working with leather and feathers.
  • Enchanter’s Focus: A wand or staff to channel magical energies.
  • Mystic Loom: For weaving the Sky Silk into the guards.
  • Alchemical Cauldron: To mix the Essence of Air with other ingredients.
  • Magic Circle: Drawn or inscribed where the final enchantment will take place.
• Skill Requirements:
  • Leatherworking: Expert – To shape and treat the draconic leather without compromising its magical properties.
  • Enchantment: Master – To weave and bind the protective and elemental magic into the guards.
  • Arcana: Master – Knowledge of air elementals and wind magic is crucial for the enchantment process.
  • Alchemy: Adept – For preparing and integrating the Essence of Air.
• Crafting Steps:
  • Preparation: Create a sacred space with the Magic Circle, cleansing it of any mundane energies.
  • Leatherworking: Cut and shape the Draconic Leather into the form of wing guards. Use artisan tools to emboss patterns that enhance the flow of magic.
  • Feather Enchantment: Enchant each feather individually by passing it through the smoke of burning incense made from wind-aligned herbs. This step should be done with the Enchanter’s Focus, using incantations that invoke the winds.
  • Silk Weaving: Weave the Sky Silk on the Mystic Loom, embedding it with the essence of flight and freedom. This silk will be used as the inner lining to ensure comfort and magic flow.
  • Crystal Integration: Place the Wind Crystals into small pouches or settings within the leather. These will act as focal points for the magic.
  • Essence Application: In the Alchemical Cauldron, mix the Essence of Air with the Dragon’s Blood. Use this mixture to coat each feather, ensuring they are now imbued with the protective and flight-enhancing properties.
  • Assembly: Attach the enchanted feathers to the leather structure. The feathers should be positioned to follow the natural flow of the wings.
  • Binding Enchantment: With the item assembled, perform the final enchantment within the Magic Circle. This involves a ritual where you call upon the spirits of air and dragons, binding the guards to the Dracoraptoris’ essence.
  • Final Activation: Once the enchantment is complete, the item should be activated for the first time within the circle, ensuring the magic is properly aligned and the guards respond to the Dracoraptoris’ will.
  • Curing: Allow the Wing Guards to rest in an open, windy area for three days to cure, letting the wind magic fully integrate with the material.

This crafting process ensures that the Wing Guards not only provide physical protection but also resonate with the Dracoraptoris’ inherent magic, offering enhanced defense and perhaps even slight offensive capabilities through the manipulation of air currents.

Tale of the Dragonwing Shields

In times of yore, when the sky was but a canvas for the dragons’ dance, there was born a Dracoraptoris, mighty and majestic, known as Sky-Bearer. The Sky-Bearer, with wings vast as the horizon, sought to protect his kin from the hunters of the ground, for many a foe aimed to clip the wings of the sky dancers.

From the leather of a dragon’s shed, which fell like leaves of the autumn, was crafted the first of the Dragonwing Shields. Artisans of the Wind, they were called, who learned the tongue of the winds, whispered the secrets of the air into each thread, binding the very essence of flight into the guards.

With feathers taken from birds blessed by storms, these feathers were dipped into the essence of the sky, where the breath of the sky mingled with the blood of dragons, a pact of protection sealed in magic.

The Sky-Bearer, adorned with these guards, became as one with the wind, his wings shielded by the magic of the air. Arrows, born of malice, could not pierce the guards, and magic, meant to bind, found no hold.

In great battles, where the sky was torn by conflict, Sky-Bearer soared, his wings a fortress, his dance a testament to the guards’ power. Yet, one day, as he fought against a hunter of great cunning, Sky-Bearer learned a lesson harsh and true. The guards, while strong, could not protect against betrayal, for the hunter had woven his own magic, one that turned friend against friend.

And so, Sky-Bearer, with wing guards intact, fell not by the enemy’s hand but by the hand of one he trusted. From this tale, we learn:

Moral of the Story: The shield of the sky, though mighty, guards not against the deceit of the heart. Trust in magic but place greater trust in the bonds of loyalty and vigilance.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition

Dragonwing Shields

• Type: Enchanted Armor
• Sanity Loss: None
• Mythos Rating: +2%
• Properties:
  • Wing Protection: When activated, the shields grant a +20% bonus to Dodge rolls when airborne or when the attack targets the wings.
  • Air Affinity: Grants an additional +5% to Fly rolls, or can be used to negate falling damage once per session by gliding to safety.
  • Activation: The wearer must perform a chant or gesture which takes 1 round.
• Notes: These shields could attract undue attention from Mythos creatures that are fascinated or wary of items that defy the natural order, such as creatures of the sky or wind.

Blades in the Dark

Dragonwing Guards

• Gear: Armor, Weird, Tier III
• Cost: 15 Coin
• Effects:
  • Glide: When you fall from a height, spend 1 Stress to glide down safely, reducing the fall damage to 0.
  • Aerodynamic Defense: Grants +1d to Defend actions against ranged attacks while airborne.
  • Sky Dance: Once per score, you can use your wings to create a gust of wind to disorient an enemy, giving you or an ally +1d on the next action against that target.
• Special Abilities:
  • Elemental Protection: The guards offer magical resistance against air-based attacks.
• Tags: Air, Defense, Flight

Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition

Dragonwing Guards

• Wondrous Item, Uncommon (requires attunement)
• Properties:
  • Wing Armor: Grants a +2 bonus to AC, particularly against attacks targeting wings or when flying.
  • Wind’s Grace: You have advantage on Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks to maintain balance in the air and can use a reaction to reduce falling damage by half.
  • Gust: As an action, you can create a gust of wind that pushes an enemy back 5 feet and possibly knocks it prone (DC 12 Strength save to resist).
  • Activation: Attuning to this item takes a short rest.
• Notes: The guards are sensitive to earth-based magic which might dampen their effects.

Knave (Adapted for Fantasy)

Dragonwing Guards

• Type: Magical Armor
• Slots: 2 (due to their size and the need for wing space)
• Stats:
  • Weight: 2
  • Value: Moderate
• Abilities:
  • Air Shield: Grants Shield ability; +1 Defense against ranged attacks, especially those targeting wings.
  • Aerial Advantage: You can use a bonus action to perform a sudden gust attack, forcing an enemy to save or be pushed back 5 feet.
  • Feather Fall: Once per day, you can cast a version of Feather Fall on yourself or one ally, negating falling damage.
  • Activation: The guards activate with a thought, requiring concentration for active abilities.
• Notes: The magic of the guards might wane if the wearer is grounded for an extended period, necessitating occasional flights to recharge their enchantment.

Fate Core

Dragonwing Guards

• Aspect: “Winged Bastion of the Skies”
• Stunts:
  • Windshield Defense: Gain +2 to Defend against ranged attacks when in flight or when your wings are a target.
  • Gliding Grace: Once per scene, you can use Athletics to glide to safety from any height without taking damage, or to move into a zone without spending an action.
  • Gust Strike: Once per session, you can use the wings to create a gust of wind to unbalance an opponent, granting you or an ally a free Create an Advantage action.
• Notes: The guards are a manifestation of the Dracoraptoris’ connection to the elemental forces of air, making them more than just armor, but a symbol of their aerial prowess.

Numenera & Cypher System

Dragonwing Guards

• Level: 4
• Form: Armor
• Depletion: 1 in 1d20 (roll after use)
• Properties:
  • Wing Defense: Provides an asset to Speed defense tasks when the wearer is flying or when attacks target the wings.
  • Aerodynamic Boost: Grants an asset on tasks involving acrobatics or rapid aerial maneuvers.
  • Air Burst: Once per day, can release a burst of wind to push away or knock down an enemy (difficulty 4).
• Special Abilities:
  • Feathered Ward: Offers 1 point of Armor when attacked while airborne.
• Usage: Activation of abilities is done through will or specific wing movements, echoing the primal magic of the sky.

Pathfinder 2nd Edition

Dragonwing Guards

• Type: Armor, Light
• Level: 5
• Price: 1,200 gp
• Properties:
  • Armor Trait: Grants resistance 5 to physical piercing damage (arrows, bolts) due to their enchantment.
  • Activate: Interact; Frequency once per hour; Effect You gain a fly speed of 30 feet for 1 minute, or can glide safely from any height.
  • Gust: You can cast Gust of Wind once per day as a spell-like ability.
  • Critical Success: When activated, you can hover in place instead of moving forward, gaining an additional action.
• Notes: The guards are crafted from materials that resonate with air magic, potentially attracting creatures of elemental air.

Savage Worlds

Dragonwing Guards

• Item Type: Enchanted Armor
• Cost: 12,000 Savage Worlds dollars
• Stats:
  • Armor: +2 (specifically against attacks targeting the wings or while flying)
  • Parry: +1 (due to the ability to deflect with wings)
• Special Abilities:
  • Glide: Once per session, reduce falling damage to 0 or glide up to your Pace horizontally while falling.
  • Wind Gust: Once per encounter, create a Wind Gust that forces an opponent to make an Agility roll at -2 or be knocked Prone and back one pace.
  • Skyward Advantage: Gain the Ace Edge when performing aerial maneuvers.
  • Activation: Requires one action to activate any of its abilities. The guards can be used twice per session before needing to recharge at dawn.
• Notes: These guards are considered ‘Enchanted’ and might react unpredictably or with increased effect in the presence of strong elemental forces or during storms.

Shadowrun 6th Edition

Dragonwing Guards

• Type: Armor (Wings)
• Availability: 14R (Restricted)
• Cost: 25,000 nuyen
• Attributes:
  • Capacity: 8
  • Armor Rating: +3 (specifically against ranged attacks targeting wings)
  • Essence Cost: None
• Special Features:
  • Aerodynamic Defense: Once per combat, the wearer can use the guards to execute a maneuver that grants them +2 dice to dodge ranged attacks for one action.
  • Flight Enhancement: Provides +1 to Gymnastics rolls for aerial maneuvers.
  • Wind Blast: Can create a blast of wind (Edge Action), an area effect that forces opponents within 5 meters to make an Agility + Reaction test or be knocked down.
• Notes: The guards’ magic is attuned to the wearer’s essence, making them particularly effective for winged metatypes or those who can use magic to enhance their flight.

Starfinder

Dragonwing Guards

• Type: Magic Item (Armor)
• Level: 5
• Price: 3,000 credits
• Bulk: L
• Properties:
  • Flight: Grants a +2 enhancement bonus to fly speed maneuvers.
  • Defensive Aura: Provides a +1 enhancement bonus to AC against ranged attacks, doubles against attacks targeting the wings.
  • Gust of Wind: Once per day, can create a 15-foot cone of wind. Creatures in the area must succeed at a Reflex save (DC = 10 + 1/2 the item’s level + the user’s Charisma modifier) or be knocked back 10 feet.
  • Activation: Command word to activate the gust or automatic for defensive bonuses.
• Notes: These guards are highly sought after by pilots or soldiers who engage in aerial combat or need to protect their jetpacks or natural wings.

Traveller

Dragonwing Guards

• Tech Level: A (Advanced)
• Cost: Cr 30,000
• Stats:
  • Protection: +2 DM to resist ranged attacks due to their deflective properties.
  • Flight Enhancements: +1 DM to Pilot (Wings) checks, or any checks involving flight control or aerial stunts.
• Effects:
  • Air Shield: Once per encounter, can use the guards to create a sudden burst of wind to push back an opponent or clear an area of minor hazards like smoke or gas.
  • Glide: The wearer can perform a controlled descent from any height without injury, moving up to their DEX x 3 meters horizontally during the descent.
• Notes: These guards are artifacts from a time when dragons were more than myth, suggesting a period where technology and magic intertwined.

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition

Dragonwing Guards

• Type: Magical Armour
• Rarity: Rare
• Characteristics:
  • Defence Bonus: +6 against ranged attacks when activated, particularly effective against those targeting the wings.
  • Encumbrance: 3
• Abilities:
  • Gust of Wind: Once per encounter, as an action, create a gust of wind that forces foes to make a Strength test or be knocked back 1 yard per SL.
  • Sky Leap: When falling, use a Channelling (Air) test to glide to safety, negating fall damage.
  • Aerial Maneuver: +10 to Dodge tests while flying or using wing-like movements.
  • Activation: Requires a Channelling (Air) test to activate any ability, with the difficulty based on the environment.
• Notes: The guards are said to bear a fragment of the dragon’s soul, resonating with those who have the blood or blessing of dragons.