Olivers 12 Tones (the dozen bladed reply)

Steel Realms
Value: ? silver crowns
Olivers 12 Tones are 12 rapiers made to be wielded by the Black Gorgons by one of its most dedicated pursuit specialists in CY 6891. The (World Watcher) Bards of the Gorgons were known for being the primaries to track down political enemies of the High King of Gladnor or the dukes of Gladnor. The idea was to be able to catch them and bring them to justice or to heel, or perhaps even persuade them to give up their cause – political enemies can be made powerful allies. The weapons were a well known feature of the sub group of Black Gorgons and it became known that the High King and the Black Gorgons would pay 1000 silvers for return of a blade – no questions asked (as opposed to killing you to get it back). They are all elegantly styled and unique – and anyone carrying one would be identified as a Black Gorgon… or their killer. It encouraged the return of the weapons, even if the pursuit ended in failure. If the blade is waved about rapidly, it will cut in burning letters its name and the “return policy” (its a programmed illusion). Typically returned blades find their way via religious authorities or given to a peasant anonymously to be returned. Although the exact fate of all the blades is a mystery, a few are known to be passed down consistently among the ranks of the Black Gorgons, others thought to be lost in the service of their duty. Only 1 of the blades was known over the years to have been destroyed – Silver Tongue.

Item Powers (common and Attuned) can be found under Common Knowledge tab.

  1. Tine Keeper: Designated Target is Evil; The bound wielder can speak and understand Vezpyr (language of the Glooming) when it is held.
  2. Melody Maker: Designated Target is poisons and disease; The bound wielder can speak and understand Sylvanic when it is held.
  3. Silver Chord: Designated Target is Orrish; The bound wielder can speak and understand Orrish when it is held.
  4. Lady Trouble: Designated Target is faerie creatures – a uncomfortable heavy vibration when a faey elf was near!; The bound wielder can speak and understand Feyloise when it is held. The blade has a faint light green tinge to it. To elves who are not threats within 10′, it smells of their forest home… often setting them at ease.
  5. Silver Tongue: BROKEN! Known to grant the wielder the language of Oiflalha (language of the Luminous)
  6. Lilting Point: Designated Target is unknown;
  7. Pride’s Prejudice: Designated Target is Fiend; The bound wielder can speak and understand Torquimat when it is held.
  8. Short Quip: Designated Target is Draconic; The bound wielder can speak and understand Draconic when it is held.
  9. Telling Tone: Designated Target is Elemental; The bound wielder can speak and understand Primilate when it is held.
  10. Ribbon Twister: Designated Target is Liars; The bound wielder can speak and understand Mercat when it is held.
  11. Butter Breath: Designated Target is Ducateon; The bound wielder can speak and understand Dumastri/Dukat when it is held.
  12. Onion Soup: Designated Target is Magi; The bound wielder can speak and understand Occulash when it is held.

About/Chronicle of Olivers 12 Tones

Information Sources: Mundane Reference | Associated Phenomenology Only | Specific Lore

Knowledge is broken down by ease of discovery/accessibility. If nothing is indicated, assume it is Pervasive.

Pervasive Knowledge / Very Easy Difficulty

Olivers 12 Tones are 12 rapiers made to be wielded by the Black Gorgons by one of its most dedicated pursuit specialists in CY 6891. The (World Watcher) Bards of the Gorgons were known for being the primaries to track down political enemies of the High King or the dukes of Gladnor. The idea was to be able to catch them and bring them to justice or to heel, or perhaps even persuade them to give up their cause – political enemies can be made powerful allies. The weapons were a well known feature of the sub group of Black Gorgons and it became known that the high king and the Black Gorgons would pay 1000 silvers for return of a blade – no questions asked (as opposed to killing you to get it back). They are all elegantly styled and unique – and anyone carrying one would be identified as a Black Gorgon… or their killer. It encouraged the return of the weapons, even if the pursuit ended in failure. If the blade is waved about rapidly, it will cut in burning letters its name and the “return policy” (its a programmed illusion). Typically returned blades find their way via religious authorities or given to a peasant anonymously to be returned. Although the exact fate of all the blades is a mystery, a few are known to be passed down consistently among the ranks of the Black Gorgons, others thought to be lost in the service of their duty. Only 1 of the blades was known over the years to have been destroyed – Silver Tongue. With most of the blade names, the emphasis on the words changes, can be punned, and interpreted in different ways as standing for multiple concepts.

The blades were not all made by the same crafter, but they were made in the same forge.

As you wave the thin blade, a vibration hangs in the air. Swinging it rapidly about, the hum grows louder and lighter… it does not feel like it is a sound leading to something horrible but you are ready to drop the item at a moments notice. First a ribbon of color blossoms from the blade – though it is obviously a minor illusion. Upon the ribbon are words.

Written on the Ribbon in Gladnorean: “Seek a World Watcher or a member of the Guild of Solars. The bounty for this blade by the Black Gorgons is one thousand silver, no questions asked.”

Common Knowledge / Easy Difficulty

The design of the blades and their original materials were assembled by The Black Gorgon bard Oliver Wendell. All of them varied in their swiftness by matching their own performance to that of the blade’s – but it could be extreme.

Power > Requires: 1 Essence for (Minor) Attunement

Voice of the Blade: Each of the blades whispers in a unique voice, and can be a harmony singer for a World Watcher/Bard that enhances their song and musical performance and powers. The blades, when attuned, can always be heard whispering faintly. Everything that is said or happens around them is recorded in some way, for retrieval later. It is not commonly know the exact details of this, but it is said that you should never say anything around them you do not want repeated. The voice enhances speech, song and sound that rallies and emboldens the wielder’s allies; Generally it amplifies them by 50%. The item communicates by transmitting emotion to the creature carrying or wielding it that is Attuned to it. Additionally, they will all radiate the same tone when undead are within 120′ in addition to a distinct tone set to sense the enemy they were made to defend against.

Purpose & Awareness: The item seeks to defend the servants and interests of the High King of Gladnor. To that end, anyone attuning it must take the Sworn Oath of Service to the High King. The weapon can employ any of its powers upon any target it can sense as if it had the sight and hearing of an elf, out to 120′ range. The item demands that its wielder pursue the item’s goals to the exclusion of all other goals; If they do not, no Attuned powers will function and they will vibrate – sending out an annoying tone and alerting enemies within 60′.

i20™ Olivers 12 Toned Reply Common Powers Details

i20 [specific] Requirements:

Rapier (finesse D8), +1 (magical) hit and damage; Specific tone when secondary targets are within 60' - tone can only be heard with 5'. Minor Attuned Powers: Resistance to thunder damage; Against the designated target, they gain a parry and initiative adjustment. DC 10 Charisma/Performance check; Fail = +3/Success = +6/Major = +9 adjustment to their Initiative and as a Reaction can reduce an attack's damage by a like amount.

iCore iCore™ Olivers 12 Toned Reply Common Powers Details

iCore [specific] Requirements:

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Do not read beyond this point unless a character has the capability to gain such knowledge [through association, organization, or relation] if they do not possess it themselves or the reader intends to participate in scenarios using this material as a PLAYER! GM Narration will provide relevant information by check or story.

Hidden Knowledge is not available in known references; It is not necessarily Forbidden.

More 12 Tones Materials

Realm's Aptitude Powers: Divine, Occult, and Psychic