Duelist's Scales
Description
The weapon known as a duelist's scales takes it's name, perhaps unsurprisingly, from the League custom of duelling. Wielding one of these weapons, a duellist can neutralize almost any advantage his opponent might have in terms of heroic maneuvers, spells or special items - provided he is prepared to give up any such advantage himself. The weapon also sees some use on the battlefield, especially when coupled with a few draughts of feverfail elixir or maledict's medicament.
The Wintermark rune Lann is sometimes engraced on of a duellist's scales, or inset with tempest jade into the pommel. More commonly the weapon is marked with Kyrop, the rune of weakness - which has lead to some cunning Suaq christening those who wield the blades Cold Fish - referencing both the use of the word scales in the common name, and a common term for the rune itself.
Rules
- Form: One-handed weapon
- Effect: You may spend a hero point to call WEAKNESS. You are also affected by WEAKNESS.
- Materials: Crafting a duelist's scales requires seven ingots of orichalcum, three ingots of tempest jade, three ingots of weltsilver and three units of beggar's lye. It takes one month to make one of these items.
<ic>The horns cried out a brazen salute, and Lord Percy Firefoot, war witch of House Bernicia stepped into the arena to a crashing tide of cheers and applause. Men and women alike threw red roses as the young noble strode forward, his arms raised, flanked by his squires bearing his banner of a cerulean gryphon on a golden field.
Roland stood his ground, doing his best to appear nonchalant. He flicked his eyes towards the stands, to the box where the Earl of Astolat had risen to gently applaud the champion. Lady Isobelle, in whose honour the tourney had been thrown, had both hands on the wall of the box, and Roland could see even from here that her knuckles were white as she clenched the hard wood. She did not look at Roland, her gaze fixed on Lord Firefoot.
It seemed the cheers would go on forever, but they could not have lasted for more than a few minutes at most. As they started to die down, the Earl of Astolat raised one hand, and held it at shoulder height. The crowd fell silent. Roland incongruously wondered what odds were being offered on his victory by the yeoman touts he knew would be somewhere in the hall. His mind was desperately trying not to think of what was about to happen, when the Earl dropped his hand and the duel began.
Roland was suddenly aware of a presence at his side. A stout woman with gently curling horns and golden eyes had touched his sleeve politely. She wore the colours of the Earl, one of his retainers.
"The Earl wishes you to know that he bears you no ill-will, but the terms of the Test were quite clear. Defeat his chosen champion in a contest of arms, on the tourney field. He wishes you to know that it is not too late - you may yield to Sir Percy and retire. Perhaps a lesser House will accept your