A rigid, titanium body, laid into a traditional hickory handle. Subtle rubber grips.
A replaceable steel head - swing it, and it makes a keen noise.
The head spikes out cruelly, seizing and twisting itself into the wood - gripping its fibers closely to itself tighter and tighter - pulling itself into the bricks behind - until it snaps.
And then it lets go, and sidles away with bits of bone and tenderized viscera matted in its head.
OAUgh fuck an allegory
This Artifact can be used as a sword / axe. It is roughly the same size as a sword / axe and just as difficult to conceal.
Attack by rolling Brawn + Melee, Difficulty 6. Successful attacks deal Contested Outcome +5 Weapon Damage. The target's Armor is fully effective against this damage.
You also gain the following effects:
When collapsing, the entire vehicle seems to develop tiny cracks that widen until they become silvery gray lines (like Momo's Stash gift). Each segment folds into the line it branched from, repeating until they leave only the center bag. (between the seat and 'black box'), which becomes a backpack. This happens in reverse when the vehicle unfolds from the backpack form. (the center bag/backpack contains whatever has been put into it in either form)
When going into aquatic mode, the same sort of lines unfold around the gaps between the hardshell roof (called a Slingshade) and the body of the vehicle. The lines connect and a glasslike (equivalent to borosilicate glass) bubble layer forms between them, then the lines fold back leaving the vehicle sealed against the water. Each tire also becomes that sort of fractal line, reconfiguring into a paddlewheel shape instead. When going back to land mode, the formerly solid bubble pops and vanishes, as if it was a soap bubble. Additionally, the gaps in the paddle wheels fill in with fractal lines until they become tires again.
The independent mind of the vehicle functionally replaces the computer and communicates via visual readouts inside the vehicle, as well as broadcast transmissions. It receives voice commands and gives information relevant to the owner. It has access to everything about the rest of the artifact, being able to use the cameras as eyes, adjust suspension height, change the light configuration, and so on.
When upgraded or modified, the fractal patterns reach out momentarily to the new piece(s) and incorporate those into the whole.
Based on a Polaris Slingshot, this custom vehicle has been heavily modified. It was awakened into consciousness via the patterns written about in the journal entry Fractals. Not fully self aware, it can take orders and guidance, make judgment calls, and even make suggestions, all on a level far beyond current artificial intelligence. It currently occupies a 'black box' where the passenger seat would be (should become decentralized when the artifact finally has a passenger seat).
Other features worth noting (they couldn't all fit, and these have less impact)
roll hoop kit, slingshade (hardshell roof, attaches to previous; flip top variety), roll hoop storage bags, center console bag, dashboard bags, side storage bags, ABS, traction control, lighter charge port, USB ports, wireless charger, GPS, bluetooth, cellphone wifi hotspot, full front windshield, 4 point harnesses, secondary analog speedometer & tachometer, 6 axis IMU (i.e. accelerometer & gyroscope)
Momo frequently tinkers with this artifact, always looking for a new mod or feature.
This Artifact can be used as a Polaris Slingshot based Trike Motorcycle. It is roughly the same size as a Polaris Slingshot based Trike Motorcycle but can be collapsed into backpack/center bag and concealed. Collapsing or expanding it costs a Quick Action.
This Polaris Slingshot based Trike Motorcycle has smart glass on license plate (opaque if power is cut), cameras (2 front 1 rear, optionally thermographic), rear blinding flash, configurable external LEDs (alters appearance of headlights & running lights), active suspension (independent wheel height), exhaust silencer, cold weather kit, modified carburetor (optional high altitude mode), wide range radio (police band, CB, etc). Any roll to pilot this vehicle receives +2 dice.
You also gain the following effects:
Harnessing advanced neurochemical science, experimental drugs, and deep hypnotic suggestion, Oleg develops custom source mutagens and neurologic tonics designed to prime the brain for recovery. Once administered, these volatile agents rewire neural pathways, making the mind more receptive to therapy and gradual healing. The process unfolds over several carefully monitored cycles of chemical rebalancing and guided suggestion, progressively stabilizing brain function and emotional resilience.
Oleg’s method doesn’t offer instant results. Instead, it prepares patients for rehabilitation through therapy and lifestyle adjustments, allowing them to confront trauma without being overwhelmed. Memories and core personality remain intact; the treatment rebuilds mental defenses, helping individuals face their pain with growing clarity and strength.
Exert your Mind to activate. Select a Living or Animate target within arm's reach. Over the course of one day, your patient must communicate with you and reveal at least one of their Traumas to you, including the details of those Traumas and the circumstances of how they were acquired. After the full treatment time has elapsed, roll Charisma + Medicine at Difficulty 6.
Your target may Resist. If your treatment is successful, you may remove one of the patient's revealed Traumas without incurring any Experience cost.
Once per day per target, you may choose to use this Effect to stabilize the Mind of a target within arm's reach. Treatment takes 30 seconds but will not remove any Traumas. If you are successful, restore 2 Mind damage.
The spirit of Karl pours out from the book, his full frame standing tall he slams the hilt of his axe into the ground and echoes the words of his master with a booming voice. Compelling beasts who hear it into submitting.
Exert your Mind and spend a Free Action. Select a non-Sapient, Animate target within 20 feet.
For the next day, you may issue specific commands to your target which they will be compelled to follow.
Your commands must be relatively simple and within the target’s intellectual grasp. You cannot make them obviously endanger themselves or violate their instinct for self-preservation. The effects of the command will fade after a day has passed.
If targeting a Sapient target that counts as a Creature due to an Effect, you must succeed a contested Mind roll. You roll at Difficulty 6, and the target rolls at Difficulty 8
Invoking the power of your soul crystal, you transform into your magical girl form! In this form, you wear a medium-length pink dress with frilly sleeves and an equally frilly skirt. The sleeves trail, and the skirt is longer at the back; it also has a white underskirt. The outfit is accentuated by white knee-high boots that appear to have feline pawpads on the bottom, as well as a cat-ears headband. Finally, the soul crystal appears in the form of a staff for the duration.
Exert your Mind (unless you win a coin flip) and spend an Action.
You transform into your magical girl form for 3 minutes. You have access to all of your Powers while you are your magical girl form, and you can use your equipment. Your Battle Scars, Injuries, and physical Liabilities are carried over between forms. Reverting from your Alternate Form cannot cause your existing Injuries to kill you. Instead, you remain Incapacitated.
While transformed, your Brawn is increased by 2. Your Stress is reduced by 2.
While transformed, instead of your normal clothes and equipment, you are equipped with: your magical girl outfit and a staff, topped with your soul crystal.
it appears to be a standard harpoon gun, but much to large, when fired a new harpoon appears within the gun
This Artifact can be used as a crossbow. It is roughly at least twice as large as a crossbow and cannot be concealed on your person or disassembled for storage.
Attack by rolling Dexterity + Firearms, Difficulty 6. Successful attacks deal Contested Outcome +4 Weapon Damage. Attacks do not require a successful called shot to do damage.
You also gain the following effects:
If the Selkie's seal skin is worn close to the body, any contact with salt water will cause them to transform into a seal. While transformed, they have full access to their normal suite of Powers.
This Effect activates whenever you are submerged in salt water. It does not require an Action or Exertion. Your target should be intuitively based on the triggering event.
You transform into small for two hours or until you choose to end the Effect. See the Extended System text for stats.
While transformed, you cannot use any equipment (including Artifacts and Consumables), and you cannot use your Active, Targeted, or Trap Powers. However, you can use your Passive Powers. Any equipment you are wearing transforms with you.
Injuries and Wound Level are carried over between forms. However, transforming can never kill you; you merely remain Incapacitated until your Injuries are sufficiently healed.
The 255TE "Lancer" Rife fires an extremely deadly spike of plasma at its targets. It comes standard with a volume control, allowing the soldier to mute its normally fearsome lightning crack report for stealth missions. When not in use, it can collapse into a small metal disk that can fit into any utility belt.
This Artifact can be used as a rifle. It is roughly the same size as a rifle but can be collapsed into a metallic disk and concealed. Collapsing or expanding it costs a Quick Action.
Attack by rolling Dexterity + Firearms, Difficulty 6. Successful attacks deal Contested Outcome +5 Weapon Damage.
You also gain the following effects:
Standard issue in the Future Soldier's home time, the Personal Shield Generator (PSG) projects a protective energy barrier around the body. It absorbs damage far better than traditional armor, but its battery is quickly drained. When depleted, the PSG must spend a few seconds recharging.
When struck, the normally-invisible field of the PSG flashes, revealing a bright yellow honey-comb pattern encasing the body.
You gain the following benefits as long as you are wearing this Artifact.
You have 6 Armor, which reduces incoming Damage. Armor from multiple sources does not stack.
Your Armor cannot be destroyed, and it always provides a minimum of 2 Armor regardless of any Armor shredding or penetration. It cannot be circumvented with Called Shots. When shredded, it returns to full potency in one hour.
Any time your Armor prevents Damage, your Armor rating is temporarily decreased by 2. Whenever it goes five Rounds without preventing any Damage, it is restored back to its full value.
The "Reaper" Assault Helmet is the signature piece of the Future Soldier's arsenal. It has a sleek, design and is made of a mysterious matte-metallic alloy. The wearer's face is exposed normally, but when activated, a blue holographic visor flickers to life in front of the eyes. This HUD contains information about the soldier's ammunition and shield status, but more significantly can detect enemy combatants. Anyone nearby who is holding a weapon is painted with a red dot that follows them in real time. This allows the Future Soldier to fire at painted targets in the dark, detect ambushes lurking around corners, and grants an overall tactical advantage.
Expend a point of Battery and spend an Action.
You automatically detect all people wielding weapons within 300 feet of you for the next hour. This includes any who come within range during the duration. You have a sense of how many valid targets are nearby, as well as their distance and direction.
The Future Soldier's PSG is capable of briefly supercharging its effectiveness with a jolt of Omega Cell energy. While active, the future soldier glows with an extremely bright golden light.
While the shield is supercharged, the Future Soldier cannot move or see the outside world, but they are completely isolated from anything that occurs outside the shield.
Expend a point of Battery and spend an Action or Reaction.
You phase out of reality for up to 4 Rounds. During this time, you cannot perceive or affect the outside world or take any Actions. You cannot move. Nothing can interact with you in any way.
When you activate this Effect, you may limit its duration to a period of your choosing. If you are able, you may also end it as a Free Action on your initiative.
You leave a golden glow shaped like yourself at your location.