Blade Etching

Overview

Blade Etching is practiced extensively by the Scythian Barbarian Class- it is also followed by skilled Engravers. The difference in appearance is negligible but the difference in effect is HUGE. A Blade Etching is done with great skill and beauty - resulting in an artistic blade. But for the barbarian - these etchings actually change the weapon's abilities.

Normal Blade Etching

Normally a blade etching will change only the visual representation of a blade - and can be done so as to document a victory or an experience - this is commonly done in Upper Atlantean Society. Cavaliers, Warriors and Paladins are especially fond of this type of memorialising of their feats upon their weaponry (Even a Paladin expects to be buried with their weapon at some point - and the feats are hidden inside a scabbard rather than being flashed around - so it does not breach their code concerning being humble).
An etched blade functions normally in every way and only on a critical failure is the weapon damaged in some way. However, this is extremely rare. The cost of the etching differs depending on the ornateness of the etching and the materials used - some are gold etchings, some are orichalcum.

Magical Item Etching

A magical item made of metal CAN be etched but only through a sacrifice to the Goddess Hecate is done first and the resulting ashes are used as a part of the etching process. The Goddess requires a sacrifice of one scroll of Melf's Acid Arrow per two inches of item to be etched (or part there of). Hecate's blessing is shown when the etching is successfully being added to the magical item. Whilst Hecate's blessing is in effect (5 hour duration), then any incorrect etching can be removed with a Mending spell - even though normally it would not work on a magical item. (Note this will only work on incorrect etchings - a break to a magical item cannot be repaired with this spell.)

Any damage done to a weapon (non-magical) can instantly be repaired with the 1st level Wizard Spell: Mending.

Scythian Barbarian Etching

This type of etching is the etching of forms, shapes or circles on an item using a Talismanic Stone stylus along with a Moonshard Quill - the result is an etching that has an empowering effect on the item and results in magic like bonuses for the weapon in question when used by that Barbarian.