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:
it's often amazing how much larger a motor home looks on the inside compared to the outside... That's what's happening here. Yeah, Nothing sus about this at all. It's just all the extra storage space that makes it seem bigger, Yeah!
This Artifact can be used as a container. It is roughly the same size as a Ariel and just as difficult to conceal.
Your Ariel holds 12 times what it normally could. Objects stored inside are weightless.
Living things can be stored in your Ariel. They will have access to anything else inside and may attempt to break free, damaging or destroying the Ariel in the process.
If your Ariel is destroyed, things inside may get out, and it will cease to function until it is repaired.
When scanned or investigated without opening, the contents of your container appear normal and unremarkable.
The pages of the journal transform into the desired identification. A passport is the most obvious 1:1 illusion, but an official government ID and badge that flips open is also possible. Other forms of ID such as driver's license, insurance ID cards, gym memberships, etc. appear as their appropriate cards encased in a laminate sheet on each page of the journal. It is impossible to remove these IDs (as their an illusion), but this inability always seems to be an inability of the user to find the laminate seam. (If necessary there will be some modification to the laminate, allowing a magnetic strip on the ID card to be scanned.)
This Artifact can change its appearance. When not transformed, it is roughly the same size as a pocket journal and just as difficult to conceal.
Spend a Quick Action to activate. This Artifact changes its appearance into an Object within the category of identification. This lasts until you decide to end the Effect, which may be done as a Free Action.
The new object's appearance can mimic specific items (such as a particular painting, a certain person’s ID, etc), but must be of a similar size and weight to this Artifact.
The new appearance is illusory; it will hold up to scrutiny, but its composition is not altered and it gains no new functionality. Any attempt to use it for a function which it cannot perform (for instance, making bread look like a knife and then trying to stab someone) will cause the illusion to fail or allow a Perception check to see through the illusion, at the GM's discretion.
When used as identification and scanned, the scanner will act appropriately and bring up appropriate generic information. Further searches for the identity in the computer will turn up no results.
Loosing a translucent arrow of inky blackness from your technical marvel of a weapon, you resist the urge to smile as you hit your mark dead-on. And dead really is the operating word, as your former obstacle crumples soundlessly to the floor. The satisfaction of a job well done almost overrides the stinging marks on your face. The shadows need more from you than just competence.
This Artifact can be used as a bow. It is roughly the same size as a bow but can be collapsed into a keychain sports motorcycle and concealed. Collapsing or expanding it costs a Quick Action.
Attack by rolling Dexterity + Athletics, Difficulty 6. Successful attacks deal Contested Outcome +1 Weapon Damage. Attacks do not require a successful called shot to do damage.
Possession of this Artifact causes the following Battle Scar to manifest over the course of a day: Disfigured - Shadow Decay. If they lose possession of this Artifact, the Battle Scar heals over the course of the next day.
You also gain the following effects:
In the clandestine world of espionage, where shadows whisper secrets and the line between ally and adversary blurs, there exists a lawyer turned spy, a master of subterfuge with a power as unique as their dual life. This individual, known only to a select few, possesses an extraordinary ability to infuse mundane spy equipment with unparalleled capabilities, transforming them into artifacts of immense tactical value.
On a night draped in secrecy, our spy enters a nondescript room, the air thick with anticipation. Around them, an array of common espionage tools lay scattered across a workbench—each item a silent witness to missions past and yet to unfold. With a practiced eye, the spy selects a compact surveillance device, its appearance unremarkable, its potential untapped.
As their hands envelop the device, a faint glow emanates from their fingertips, casting an ethereal light in the dimly lit room. The air hums with unseen energy as the spy focuses their will, channeling their unique power into the heart of the gadget. Under their touch, the device begins to transform, its form becoming sleeker, its essence imbued with a power that defies conventional understanding.
This Artifact has been upgraded.
This Artifact receives 2 extra dice to all actions taken for its intended use. Attacking with an upgraded weapon grants +2 Weapon Damage instead of additional dice. While it is upgraded, the item cannot be destroyed.
Upgraded weapons count as any material your opponent might be particularly vulnerable to. Upgraded Armor cannot be circumvented by called shots. Upgraded Devices do not run out of fuel or energy.
Anyone who touches this Artifact will notice it warping their mind and may drop it. If they choose to hold or use it, they immediately receive the following Trauma: I plead The Fifth -Roll a mind to speak to the police. If they lose possession of this Artifact, the Trauma heals over the course of the next day.
Not too many things in this world can survive a prolonged contact to a running steel blade - Especially so under a heavy hand with intent.
It's to no surprise that an entire chainsaw will shred just about anything that dare come into contact with it, but through the sparks and giblets that this may create, the only merciful thing that is beheld is the handle to user.
This Artifact can be used as a great sword / giant axe. It is roughly the same size as a great sword / giant axe and just as difficult to conceal.
Attack by rolling Brawn + Melee, Difficulty 6. Successful attacks deal Contested Outcome +6 Weapon Damage. The target's fully effective
You also gain the following effects:
The Axe of Legend's blade has been imbued with the metal of the dark lord of rock and roll. It shreds chords and flesh. The rock god commanding it may recall it to their hand at will.
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 fully effective
You also gain the following effects:
The airship of solitude is the mad scientist's lair and preferred mode of travel. Not only does it include a full science laboratory, it can be collapsed into an incredibly small canvas cube and easily transported. The mad scientist may pilot the ship alone or rely on its autopilot features for ultimate convenience.
This Artifact can be used as a blimp. It is roughly the same size as a blimp but can be collapsed into a phone-sized canvas cube and concealed. Collapsing or expanding it costs a Quick Action.
This blimp has full science laboratory, bullet-proof envelope, and ample parachutes. Any roll to pilot this vehicle receives +2 dice.
You also gain the following effects:
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 +4 Weapon Damage. The target's Armor is fully effective against this Damage.
You also gain the following effects:
The lightning bracers can be activated to summon a thunderbolt into the wearer's hand. Throwing these thunderbolts makes an incredibly loud boom. Once a thunderbolt is in hand, the wearer can throw as many as they wish. The electricity from these bolts will jump between nearby targets.
This Artifact produces ephemeral projectiles that can be used as a javelin. It is roughly the same size as a javelin but can be collapsed into a pair of bronze bracers and concealed. Collapsing or expanding it costs a Quick Action.
Attack by rolling Brawn + Athletics, Difficulty 6. Successful attacks deal Contested Outcome +4 Weapon Damage. The target's Armor is fully effective against this Damage. Attacks
You also gain the following effects:
The spy can do up their passport to take on the appearance of any valid form of identification they may need.
This Artifact can change its appearance. When not transformed, it is roughly the same size as a passport and just as difficult to conceal.
Exert your Mind and spend an Action to activate. This Artifact changes its appearance into an Object within the category of forms of identification. This lasts until you decide to end the Effect, which may be done as a Free Action.
The new object's appearance can mimic specific items (such as a particular painting, a certain person’s ID, etc), but must be of a similar size and weight to this Artifact.
The new appearance is illusory; it will hold up to scrutiny, but its composition is not altered and it gains no new functionality. Any attempt to use it for a function which it cannot perform (for instance, making bread look like a knife and then trying to stab someone) will cause the illusion to fail or allow a Perception check to see through the illusion, at the GM's discretion.