Vanguard's Breastplate
Adventurers!!! Assemble!
"A knight in shining armor has never had their metal tested."
The Vanguard's Breastplate, even at its weakest, serves as a mark of leadership for those who wear it into battle. It's a design made famous through Castle Knight, the current King of Stonewood, who holds the armor in high regard.
This armor is both practical and comfortable. In addition to the chest plate and neck guard, a soft layer of fur lines the inside of the chainmail tunic. Its simplicity lends well to those who prefer a modular armor set but is best suited for those prioritizing fortitude when on the front lines.
Even in its mundane form, the armor is said to inspire courage in those who wear it. And for those special few who embody the spirit of the vanguard, they can share that courage with all who depend on them.
It wasn't always this way. In the beginning this armor was only meant for distinguishing low rank generals who lead militias whenever required, a situation only really prevalent during the kingdom's upbringing when sizeable armies were difficult to acquire. The event that granted the armor its unique properties was relatively unknown even when it happened, leaving it at risk of being lost to time, but through the efforts of Castle Knight, a descendant of the figure responsible, it continues to be remembered and celebrated to this day.
Not many still know of the horrors the people of Stonewood witnessed that day; when the Wanderers of the forest turned on them and left nothing but blood, corruption, and the screech that pierced the air like a chorus of suffering. The enemy, as well as why the militia's efforts seemed useless, was a complete mystery to those on the front lines. Stonewood would've been but a faint memory had it not been for the brave souls at what is now known as Fort Dawnguard, the heart of the attack.
It was the act of a single infantryman who donned the breastplate at the wish of a fallen general they had known their whole life, desperate to protect their dying friend. Knowing that it wouldn't be long before the arrival and aid of the "Elven Hunters", as they had been told, the only option that made sense to them was to forfeit a defense and push the beasts back by force. To give civilians and the injured a fleeting chance at escape. Most deemed this as insanity, and perhaps rightfully so, but those closest to them, both personally and physically, saw no reason to abandon their friend.
It is said that in that moment, for reasons still not understood, those who joined in The Charge of the Lost Knights were bathed in a radiant glow as they rushed the enemy. Inspired by the courage of the nameless vanguard, with their warcries heard across the battlefield, their swords finally pierced through the corruption. It was because of this that enough time was bought for help to arrive, as they had managed to push the beasts back to the forest from whence they came. It is unknown what happened to those who crossed the treeline, and not many who could still tell the tale remained, but it was their sacrifice, Castle argues, that gave all of Stonewood a second chance at life.
Rarity
- Rare
Type
- Non-Magical Armor with Potential
Association
Common Price
- 1,000gm
Additional Notes
- Interestingly, the armor itself is not what grants its abilities to the user. Rather, it's the feeling of courage one gets when wearing it.
In other words, the power comes from within, the armor simply convinces you that you can.
Mechanics
- In the context of a game, this would start off as a +1 breastplate with additional defensive traits like damage reduction or a bonus to saving throws. I'd say Level 12+.
- Equipping it would also grant the Inspire Courage passive ability you can activate a number of times before needing to recharge.
Inspire Courage
"Even in the heat of battle you and your allies will never know fear, and the thought of defeat will be a distant memory."
- Non-Magic Passive
- Prerequisite: You are in combat and at least one ally is near.
- You emit an aura in a small radius around you, granting allies the same bonuses as the armor itself as well as a resitance to fear effects.
- The Potential comes into play once the armor is upgraded to a higher level. From that point on the GM can grant the Charge of Valor ability when they feel the time is right.
Charge of Valor
"With a valiant stand and a radiant glow, you rally your allies and charge towards your foe with the courage of a thousand heroes."
- Magical Attack (Enchantment, Divination)
- Prerequisite: You are in combat, at least one ally participates, Inspire Courage is active, and a target is in range.
- An item with this ability becomes magical if it wasn't already.
- You dash towards a target; allies affected by Inspire Courage can spend a reaction to follow. You and any allies who do so can make a basic attack against that target with a magical bonus based on the distance you travelled.
- At higher levels the target is considered flanked.
- This is purely a story thing, just another way for the theme of storytelling to affect the world itself in a tangible way.
- An example I had in mind was the player having a significant character moment during the climax of any particular arc, preferably in a losing battle.
All the art is made by me unless labled otherwise!
Comments
Author's Notes
Dude this actually goes so hard imo. I didn't even mean to give it so much lore, I was just gonna describe it and give some flavor for how the abilities worked but it quickly evolved into me fleshing out a unique trait to enhance the theme of storytelling AND repurposing lore I played around with while writing side quests for Oniran D&D. I'm super proud of what I cooked up here and I hope you enjoyed it too! Also when you use Charge of Valor you and your allies canonically hear Proof of a Hero playing in the background.