Magical Items & Cultural Rewards

[Glorelendil]

So....a thought: what if Cultural Reward effects/bonuses were considered valid qualities for Famous Armour and Weapons, if the item's make is the same as the culture from which the reward comes?

So, for example, the Axe of Azanulbizar's effect (Weary on a Gandalf) could show up on any close-combat weapon, or maybe even only on axes, of Dwarven make.

Only heroes of the appropriate culture could choose those specific items for their rewards, but the mechanic might appear on an item that could be used by whoever found it. It seems logical.

What haven't I thought of, what mechanical paradox and/or incentive, that would make this a bad idea?

(I would proffer that all the Hobbit rewards could be considered Numenorean, as that's who most likely made these items they keep digging up in their potato patches.)

[Glorelendil]

I cataloged (catalogued to you Brits) all the rewards that I think would be fitting to make Enchanted Qualities for any Famous Arms and Armour. I would still restrict them to the types specified in RAW (e.g. no Spears of Azanulbizar)

Dwarven-make:
Spear of King Bladorthin (Barding cultural reward, but description says they were made by Dwarves)
Axe of Azanulbizar
Dwarf-wrought
Helm of Awe

Elven-make
Bitter Spear
Spearman's Shield
Woodland Bow
Spear of the Last Alliance

Numenorean-make (again, I'm assuming/pretending that any high quality armaments in the Shire came from Men)
Bow of the North Downs
King's Blade
Lucky Armour

[Stilts]

Interesting idea. It should work out as long as you explain it to your group and they're fine with it. The last thing you want is an indignant player saying, "Hey, I spent more experience on my thing than he did on his, and it's like mine except it's better!" I know that's not really how it works, but some players still might perceive it that way. Plus, everyone likes to feel as unique as possible.

[Morgoth]

I actually made all my magic weapons be cultural rewards. I too made the hobbit cultural rewards of Numenorian make. When the players found the weapons, they didn't have any enchanted qualities in effect yet. They had to gain the enchanted qualities by raising their Valour. So far, it seems like everyone is happy with their weapons. It makes for some pretty interesting combos too. For example, the cleaving spear of the last alliance is the ultimate horde slayer.

[Glorelendil]

Interesting idea. It should work out as long as you explain it to your group and they're fine with it. The last thing you want is an indignant player saying, "Hey, I spent more experience on my thing than he did on his, and it's like mine except it's better!" I know that's not really how it works, but some players still might perceive it that way. Plus, everyone likes to feel as unique as possible.

Well, the simple solution is to not use any qualities already "claimed" by somebody in the fellowship when creating the magical index for other companions. It's not like it's a random table.

Also, it might be the best use for this houserule is to allow characters to have their own cultural rewards and enchanted qualities at the same time. So you wouldn't necessarily be using the rewards cross-culturally.

[Stilts]

Ah, I see. It sounded like it was intended to be random. My mistake. Still, after you make your index, someone could pick up a reward that you've used as a quality for someone else. You could always go back and change it, I suppose.

[Glorelendil]

Ah, I see. It sounded like it was intended to be random. My mistake. Still, after you make your index, someone could pick up a reward that you've used as a quality for someone else. You could always go back and change it, I suppose.

Oh, yeah, I see how it sounded like that. I was thinking that in-game and in-character it "feels" random: Grimfast, instead of any of his companions, happened to find the magic axe in the troll hoard, and even from thae meta-game viewpoint he got lucky on some dice rolls. But of course the LM designed that axe months ago specifically for him, and nobody else was going to get it.

P.S. I'm working on my groups index right now and the inclusion of cultural rewards is making it a LOT more interesting and varied. The list needs more Numenorean armor options, though.

[Corvo]

Just chiming in to say that I'm including cultural rewards in my magical index, too.
Since in my two fellowships there is no Elf, Dwarf or Hobbit, I'm "stealing" from these cultures to add variety to the famous weapons.

I used the Woodland Bow's "extra volley" for a bow, and the Blazing Elf-lights power (from Studying with the Lampmaker Undertaking) for another bow (as in "shoot an arrow in the sky, and a star shines bright as the sun for some moments").

[Blubbo Baggins]

I used the Woodland Bow's "extra volley" for a bow, and the Blazing Elf-lights power (from Studying with the Lampmaker Undertaking) for another bow (as in "shoot an arrow in the sky, and a star shines bright as the sun for some moments").

That is awesome!

[Glorelendil]

I used the Woodland Bow's "extra volley" for a bow, and the Blazing Elf-lights power (from Studying with the Lampmaker Undertaking) for another bow (as in "shoot an arrow in the sky, and a star shines bright as the sun for some moments").

That is awesome!

Something like that would also make a neat "upgrade" to Elf Magic. Spend XP to (somehow) combine stinging arrow and elf-lights, spend Hope to use it.