Heraldic Shield
(armor, rare)

Last Updated: November 23, 2023
Campaign: The Lost Mine

This shield bears the most reknown heraldic symbol in town, only something feels off.

While holding the "Heraldic Shield", you have a +2 bonus to AC.
This bonus is in addition to the shield's normal bonus to AC.

The "Heraldic Shield" was crafted by Jebalek the Gnome and imbued with illusion magic, allowing its bearer to create any noble or religious heraldic symbol on the shields outer surface.
However, Jebalek the Gnome was still learning his craft at the time so the illusion magic used did not fully take hold, so the heraldic symbols created will periodically and randomly alter their appearance in slight ways. The bearer has no control over these minor alterations.

As a result, the DM can require a contest of skills with either a history or religion skill check, to determine how accurate the heraldic symbol is depicted should the situation call for it.
Losing the contest means the bearer either got the heraldic symbol wrong, or the illusion shifted
- DM call if a subsequent intimidation or persuasion check would then be at disadvantage
- Or if win the contest, DM call if a subsequent intimidation or persuasion check would be at advantage

History:

  • The "Heraldic Shield" was crafted by Jebalek the Gnome.
  • Linene Graywind, the master of the Phandalin Lionshields outpost, had the "Heraldic Shield" available to give to Pearl to repay the store credit she owed Pearl.
  • "Sorry Hun, tis the only magic shield I've got in stock"
  • Pearl was looking to improve thr protective properties of her "Heraldic Shield" (+1 to +2)
  • Pearl found a gnomish arcane armorsmith, travelling with a recent Lionshields Merchant Caravan visiting Phandalin, who was able to increase the protective magic of the "Heraldic Shield".
  • Pearl had the shield display the religous heraldic holy symbol of Selune by default.
  • Pearl sold the "Heraldic Shield" in the town of Farway to raise the funds needed to buy "Pearl's Plate".
  • After the defeat of the Blood Moon Cult, Pearl was able to re-purchase the Heraldic Shield.

    Design Notes:

    Its orignal cost is 100 gp.
    = 100 gp for the shield +1 (uncommon item)
    = +50 gp for Illusion (common property).
    = -50 gp for Metamorphic (common quirk).

    Its new cost is 500 gp.
    = 500 gp for the shield +2 (rare item)
    = +50 gp for Illusion (common property).
    = -50 gp for Metamorphic (common quirk).

    Inspired by the tables in the DMG on page 142-143 to make this magic item unique. Basically, they provide ideas for the creator, history, minor property and quirk.
    - creator: Gnome
    - history: n/a
    - minor property: Illusion
    - quirk: Metamorphic

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