Shields
Shields are primarly used to Block, but they do have a couple more used. Your blocking skill would be your (Shield skill/2)+DB of shield+3. In fact, a shield adds its DB to all of your Active Defenses, not just your Block, but if you only made your Active defense roll because of your Shield's DB, then your shield is hit with the blow as if you had Blocked with it.
Shields are not very good when used in Close Combat.
Shield Maneuvers
Shield Rush
An attempt to slam an oppenent with your shield requires an Attack, All-Out Attack, or Move and Attack maneuver.
Shields as Cover
Shields vs Bucklers
Most shields can be bought as bucklers (except for the Large Shield). Shields are strapped to the user's arm whereas Bucklers are held in the hand of the user. A Buckler can be readied in one turn and dropped as a free action, but it always occupies one hand when used and it does not allow a shield rush. If you decide to use a Buckler, you must use Shield (Buckler) instead of the regular Shield skill (No change to stats).
| Name | DB | Cost | Weight | DR/HP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Shield | 1 | 2 SP ($20) | 2 lbs | 5/20 | [1] |
| Small Shield | 1 | 4 SP ($40) | 8 lbs | 6/30 | [1] |
| Medium Shield | 2 | 6 SP ($60) | 15 lbs | 7/40 | |
| Large Shield | 3 | 9 SP ($90) | 25 lbs | 9/60 | [2] |
[2] If wielding a Large Shield, any attacks you make are at -2 (except when attacking with the shield).
Shields are generally made out of a frame of steel filled with wood.
Modifiers
When purchasing or making shields, you may add a number of enhancements at an addition to costs. You may add any number of modifiers as you want.
- Balanced: +1 to Shield skill. +4 CF
- Fine: Shield has the same DB, but only 3/4 its usual weight (Any weight modifiers are applied multiplicatively). +9 CF
- Spiked Boss: This increases Shield Bash damage by +1. Increase Base Cost by +$50 and weight by +3 lbs (HP uneffected).
- Long Spiked Boss: This increases Shield Bash damage by +1 and changes wounding to imp. It can get Stuck in the target, and if you block with it, it has a chance to break (rolling a 1 on a d6). Increase Base Cost by +$50 and weight by +3 lbs (HP uneffected).
- Mirrored: Polished or silvered to reflect gaze attacks. A successful Block against a Vision-Based attack allows an immediate Shield roll to redirect the attack/curse onto anyone within its usual range. Ethereal Silver shields +2 CF. All other shields +6 CF.
- Disarming Spikes: This adds 1 or 2 spikes to the shield's rim to help catch weapons. On the turn after a successful block, the wielder may attempt to disarm their attacker at +1. Base cost is +$30. Weight is +1 lb (does not effect HP)
- Rim Blade: The edge of the shield is sharpened to a cutting edge. See Combat Skills for attack stats. +0.5 CF
- Lantern Hook: A hook is attached to the center of the shield for hanging a lantern. Base cost +$20. Base weight is +0.5 lbs (this does not increase HP).
- Guige: A neck strap that is commonly attached to larger shields (it is already factored into cost and weight with DB 2+ shields). It enables the owner to sling their shield on their back when not using it. This also allows you to use the skill Shield (Guige) to block without a shield in your hand, but it is at a -3.
- Dragonhide Lining: Increase DR of the shield. Possibly offend dragons. This negates Mirrored.
- +1 to DR for +37 CF flat and +0.25 lbs/DB of shield.
- +2 to DR for +44 CF flat and +0.5 lbs/DB of shield.
- +3 to DR for +52 CF flat and +1 lb/DB of shield.
- +4 to DR for +59 CF flat and +2 lbs/DB of shield.
- Ornate: Impresses plebes exactly as for the weapon modifier.
- +1 to reactions for +1 CF.
- +2 to reactions for +4 CF.
- +3 to reactions for +9 CF.
Holy Symbol: This symbol engraved into the shield. It is very obvious to anyone who can see you that this you follow the Celestial the symbol belongs to (or took the shield from someone who did). Each level of Holy Symbol acts exactly as if it were the same Holy Symbol for the Celestial. The symbol will glow whenever using an ability or casting a spell while using it, but you are not required to have a Holy Symbol in your hand while you do so. This cannot be placed on Ethereal Silver shields.
- Basic: +1 GP (+$100) to final cost.
- Small: +1 EP (+$1,000) to final cost.
- Medium: +4 EP (+$4,000) to final cost.
- Large: +16 EP (+$16,000) to final cost.
- Grand: Requires a Grand Holy Symbol as part of the material components as well as +10 EP (+$10,000) to the final cost.
Essential Materials
The below materials are mutually exclusive with each other.
- Ethereal Silver: if you recognize a caster attempting to cast a spell on you, you may attempt a block maneuver to negate the spell entirely. Any attack you make with these shields will effect any insubstantial target. These shields cannot be enchanted. Do not add the shields DR to any roll to resist spells cast on you. +99 CF
- Black Steel: The weight is increased by 50% and the HP is doubled. It also adds +1 to any Shield Attack damage that is cumulative with any spikes, +8 CF.
- Guilded Bronze: A shield will off the same DB, but only has 2/3 of its usual weight and gives non-Essential Bronze weapons a +2 to odds of breakage when parrying a shield bash. These shields do not take damage from physical blows, +149CF
Size Modifier
For someone Size Modifier +1 or -1 to wield a shield, they must be scaled to the new size. If they don't, they are at a penalty to skill equal to the difference in Size Modifier (Example: A troll wants to use an engagi shield. The troll is SM +1, the engagi is SM -1. The shield penalty would be a -2)
- To go to SM +2 from SM 0, multiply the weight, HP, and base cost by 6.
- To go to SM +1 from SM 0, multiply the weight, HP, and base cost by 2.
- To go to SM -1 from SM 0, multiply the weight, HP, and base cost by 2/3.
- To go to SM -2 from SM 0, multiply the weight, HP, and base cost by 1/4.
