Ice Maul

Ice Maul is a heavy warhammer with a head of unbreakable blue ice. Wisps and streamers of chill white mist trail from this hammer, causing anyone they touch to give an involuntary shiver. The weapon's haft and handle are fashioned from brightly polished and silvered steel. A diamond pattern provides a sure grip, and a polished globe of obsidian finishes the haft. Ice Maul radiates Great combat and elemental magic, and a Great test of divination will reveal its enchantments. The weapon has the following characteristics:

• Ice Maul has a Fair bonus to accuracy and a Good bonus to damage. It inflicts double damage upon fire-based foes.
• Ice Maul's bearer gains Superb resistance to cold based attacks.
• Any melee blow struck by Ice Maul chills the target, causing them to miss their next action as they shake off the effects of the cold (A Great test of resistance negates this effect).
• Ice Maul can be thrown thrice per day with a Good accuracy bonus. If the throw is successful the weapon does normal damage to the target, and sprays forth a burst of icy needles that strike anyone within 10' of the impact for Great damage. The weapon immediately returns to its wielder's hand.

Dwarf Fist

This somewhat under-sized but heavy war hammer is clearly designed for a Dwarf's shorter stature and reach. The entire item has been shaped from a single piece of bright, silvery metal. The thick, stubby handle has a tight pattern of diamond-shaped grooves cut into it, assuring a firm grip. The pommel has been shaped into a spiked globe. Atop the plain, polished shaft, the hammerhead has been carved to resemble a gauntlet-clad fist, with the 'forearm' thinning to form a rearward facing spike.

If tested for magical properties, Dwarf Fist reveals a veritable kitchen sink of enchantments, including combat, divination, evocation, and charm magic, all of Good quality. A Good test of divination magic is required to reveal each power contained within Dwarf Fist:

• As expected of a Dwarf weapon, Dwarf Fist has Good bonuses to damage and accuracy. These bonuses rise to Great when facing goblinoid foes.
• Eye of the Dwarf - When held, Dwarf Fist allows its owner to divine the quality and value of precious objects, including gems, jewelry, and other works of art. This power can be invoked at will, requiring a full round of concentration to allow a Good divination of an item's value.
• Thunderous Blow - Thrice per day the wielder can call forth a great thunderclap from the weapon. This power will knock back anyone within a ten foot radius of the wielder, and inflict Fair structural damage on nearby construction. This is usually sufficient to blast apart a normal door or gate.
• Prospector's Point - When invoked this power causes the pointed end of the hammerhead to point toward the nearest treasure within ten miles of the wielder. With concentration the general type and quantity of treasure can be determined (i.e. a vast horde of gold or a small cache of gems). This power can be invoked thrice per day.
• Fearsome Aspect - Once per day the wielder can invoke this power to gain a fierce, overbearing appearance for ten rounds. During this time, the wielder gains a Good bonus to all tests of intimidation and hostiles facing the wielder suffer a similar penalty to morale tests.

A Deadly Trio

Today's article features short takes on three dangerous weapons. My usual writing time this week has been a bit constrained by time devoted to my play-by-mail WWII-era pulp action game. I've also been in a bit of an old-school mood and sometimes shorter is better.

Acidic Blade - This delicate scimitar features a polished steel blade fitted with gold hilts, a black-dragon hide grip, and a polished moonstone pommel. The weapon radiates Fair combat enhancement and Good alteration and protection magic. It has the following attributes:

• Fair damage and accuracy bonus.
• Good immunity to acid-based attacks.
• Thrice per day the blade can be commanded to exude magical acid for six rounds. Blows struck while the acid is present inflict Good acidic damage in addition to normal damage. The acids burn through organic materials quickly, but metals are unaffected.

Shatter Foe - A heavy two-handed hammer with a crudely shaped head of black iron and a haft of red-dyed steel, this weapon requires Great strength to wield effectively. The weapon radiates Good combat enhancement and Great evocation magic. It has the following characteristics:

• Requires Great strength to wield.
• Poor accuracy.
• Superb damage bonus.
• Upon command the weapon's hammer-head doubles in size for one round. A blow struck with Shatter Foe in this state inflicts Epic damage and stuns a living target. Non-living targets are broken or shattered. This power can be invoked six times per day.

Chaos Spear - This rather plain looking weapon features a bronze head inscribed with an interlocking pattern of feathers and eyes. The shaft is polished ironwood, dyed dark red. The weapon radiates Good combat enhancement magic and Great alteration magic. It has the following attributes:

• Good accuracy enhancement.
• Can be thrown up to triple normal range with no penalty.
• Returns to the hand of the thrower the round after being thrown.
• Upon command dozens of bird-like figures stream forth from the weapon's blade, striking all foes within a 30' radius (Great dodge test to avoid being struck). Anyone struck is confused for three rounds. This power can be invoked three times per day.