Clarification for Shield-Fighting Virtue

[Dankers]

The question came up around our table about how to interpret the Men of the Lake's Shield-Fighting virtue for a character that has already applied the Cunning-Make reward to his or her shield. After a brief discussion, we agreed that a reward shouldn't penalize a virtue and ruled that the original unmodified encumbrance of the shield would be added to damage.

Does this seem reasonable?

[Deadmanwalking]

That makes perfect sense mechanically. From a realism perspective...lighter but otherwise identical things hurt less when you get hit with them. So go whichever way makes you happy.

Though, to be honest, I'd just apply the Reward to their armor instead of their shield and avoid the whole issue entirely. And let them do so retroactively if they like.

[Glorelendil]

Description of Cunning-Make:

A skilled craftsman has made this piece of equipment lighter or less cumbersome than its lesser counterparts, thus reducing its Encumbrance.

Emphasis added.

I've noticed this too, and according to RAW, yeah, damage would go down. But I would consider that an oversight, and Cunning-make to refer to the shield's balance, not its weight.

[DavetheLost]

Shield Fighting does parantheticaly list damge bonus as 1 for Buckler, 3 for Shield and 5 for Great Shield, so a case could be made to use the unmodified Encumbrance value. However the rule also says "add Encumbrance". LM's discretion, but I am inclined to use the base value, t doesn't seem right to penaize a virtue with a reward.

[Angelalex242]

Since it specifically says 1, 3, 5, I'd go with that.