Items (brainstorming)

[Endoperez]

Yes: Ulm, and Earth as the source of good equipment. I mentioned the helmet, at least, when I released my Ulm upgrade mod. Blade of Cold Iron would be more interesting as pure Earth (E3) or Earth/Water instead of Earth/Astral, but I used Elf Bane as a guideline.

I've had lots of time to think these through. Sword of Might is basically Girdle of Might in a weapon, like Faithful/Pendant of Luck.

I also happen to like slings.

These would all be pretty basic items as well. #copyitem or #copyweapon, slot change for the item, and the ability to create/describe/add picture to a new magic item.

[HoneyBadger]

Pan Pipes

Misc very powerful magic item
req: Nature 3, Earth 3, Const 6
Unit heals afflictions

The Caduceus
2-handed artifact weapon
req: Nature 7, Water 7, Const 8
Does no damage, units struck in combat with the Caduceus are healed as per the spell-even undead, demons, and unliving/constructs
Cursed (cannot be unequipped), allows wielder to heal living troops (as per Fairy Queen, etc) in the same province
Wielder does not age, heals afflictions, and regenerates (25%)

[DrPraetorious]

I'm not sure if items can enable orders (no existing item gives the ability to heal battle afflictions.)

I assume that while weapons can be given the ability to inflict healing damage (which is just another damage type), I don't think that the AI is presently set up to use them on friends, so the cadeuceus would probably have to give a healing-type item spell.

[HoneyBadger]

Well, if it can't be done, it can't be done. Regardless, I think it would make a good, "Dominionesque" artifact, if it can be done.

[Lazy_Perfectionist]

I'd hope to flesh out trinkets/lesser magic items, so thats what I'm aiming for, the no-option paths. Not worrying too much about balance, if someone uses it, they can tweak it however they want. I'm just brainstorming, not planning to mod it. I'll have particular trouble coming up blood ideas.

Blade of Bone - Damage 5, Length 1. Effectively, a short sword for when nothing else is available. If the wielder also wears the skull talisman, kills will animate as skeletons.

Wind Lash - Damage 0, Length 7, Attack 3
No weapons can repel the Wind Lash.
Alternate A: Damage 2, strength not added, armor negating, length 7, attack 3, attacks 3 times. Occasional open-ended roll can turn out very good.

Blood - Vampire's Teeth (misc)
Unfortunately, these dentures don't make you a vampire, just a wannabe. No immortality, no life drain, but you do get a bite attack. Affected by strength, easily deterred by anybody with a beating stick (range 0). Will decrease credibility (leadership goes down).

Shield of Wind - 0 protection (its made of air), parry 10, defense 4.
It cannot stop a blow, but turn it aside. As description text, steal some Zen/Taoist phrase. There's one on the tip of my tongue, but I just can't recall.

Turtle Shield - Takes on traits of turtle, including speed. Doesn't have much parry (small) but does increase natural protection by 2, or to a minimum of 5.

Hot Plate of Champions - This shield also removes the coldblooded trait.

Shield of Ribs - this shield stinks at catching arrows, but can deflect blows. Good defense, acceptable protection, etc.
Forge it with Blood and Death, and it comes with flesh still on it. Much better parry score, good protection, unquestionably disgusting, more encumbrance.

[silhouette]

There are several "historical" magic items which would make good artifact additions I think, but these can't be done based on what attributes can be modded or affected by items:

The Tarnhelm (A5 E4)
Adds glamour, stealth, and flight
maybe .secondshape Dragon to represent shapeshifting

The Palladium (N6 S3)
Large misc slot item (maybe 2 slots like the Arc)
Provides gigantic Supply and Fort Defence and Valor ++

Bag of Dragon's Teeth (F5 E2)
In combat, summons Heavy Infantry, or maybe Myrmidons

"Caladbolg" sword (E6)
Armor negating and area attack hits 3 squares
(one blow chopped off the tops of 3 hills)

We should have some more artifact ranged weapons, and some non-western legend items like Persian: Cup of Jamshid or Flying Throne of Kai Kavus. There's a good list for looking over at wikipedia.

Sill

[Lazy_Perfectionist]

Along that line, how about a "Roc's Egg shell". Give it the ability to cast Dome of Solid Air, and the wielder may be attacked by djinni/genies.