Artifacts
New Standard Artifacts:
1.Horn of Glory [Miscellaneous, Minor]: A horn fashioned from a long dead minotaur warlock. Rumor has it that he had such a wide array of powerful spells, he was literally unable to lose a fight. He even challenged the Dragon Father. The result? Nobody knows where the Dragon Father is. You naturally ask, how could his horn be so brutally severed if he never lost a fight, but no rumor answers that question.
/+2 Morale and Luck.
2.Disseminator’s Inscriptions [Miscellaneous, Major]: You come across a sanctuary under construction. Normally, no sword nor spell can violate these places; but they too must be renovated from time to time. You are greeted by one of the disseminators, semi-religious residents of the sanctuaries. He lectures you about the perfection of the soul and ways to comprehend its beauty. Before going back to his work, he presents you a book and says: “There are but three things that grow more as you share it: Love, hatred and knowledge. I hope the knowledge you carry within yourself can establish love and diminish hatred.”
/Allows the hero to teach all available spells to another hero, if the hero has at least basic Scholar.
3.Torch of Darkness [Miscellaneous, Minor]: After a long process of barely avoiding magical traps, you finally manage to delve into the lair of a necromancer. They are apparently not home, so you decide to look for nearby artifacts. Surely taking them away from the malignant spellcaster’s clutches would do a great good to this world. But you are amazed to find… nothing. Some worn boots, a dirty hourglass; even an entire ribcage just laying around. Then you realize that one of the torches in the southern wall emits darkness instead of light. Certain that this is what you were looking for, you take it off and head out.
/Reduces the cost of debuff spells of level 1 and 2 (disrupting ray, slow, curse, blind, weakness) by 1 and the cost of debuff spells of level 3 and 4 (hypnotize, sorrow, misfortune, berserk, forgetfulness) by 2.
4.Serpents’ Sigil [Accessory, Major]: You almost failed to notice a set of scribblings on a cave’s entrance, mistaking them for folds caused by the wind. These scribblings follow well into the deeper parts of the cave. Further exploration reveals a hidden room with a huge painting of a serpentine creature. Trying to identify this creature yields no result. All you can say is that it vaguely resembles a lizardman. There is additionally a ring, engraved into the painting’s center, and you decide to liberate it from its sorry state.
#Reduces the cost of buff spells of level 1 and 2 (protection from water, protection from fire, protection from air, bless, haste, bloodlust, stone skin, precision) by 1, buff spells of level 3 and 4 (protection from earth, prayer, mirth, slayer, frenzy, fire shield, counterstrike, fortune, anti-magic, air shield) by 2 and the cost of magic mirror by 3.
#This artifact is a nod to the Snake Ring artifact from Heroes II and the Serpentmen from M&M8.
5.Dimensional Rift [Accessory, Relic]: You are raking through the nearby area to look out for ambushers. This usually doesn’t work until it is too late, but you never know. All of a sudden, a portal stands next to you. Your mind quickly comes to the conclusion that it wasn’t there the previous time you blinked. An awe-inspiring magic elemental slides through the portal, cracking the earth by his mere presence. As he goes into a completely different direction, all you can do is stare, befuddled. In a matter of moments, the portal shrinks, leaving a small circular object in its place: A dimensional rift.
/Adds the spell Dimension Door to the hero’s spellbook. The spell costs 10 less mana.
6.Seven League Boots [Boots, Relic]: You see that an ogre, massive even by his kind’s standards, has fallen asleep. A little boy tries to take advantage of his slumber and carefully removes one of his boots, his keen eyes on the next. Judging his mischievous face, you decide to intervene and order the boy to leave; which he quickly carries out. The ogre wakes up. He states that in return of your favor, he will gift you the boots. You question this turn of events for a second and determine that not taking them would upset the ogre. So, you thank him, departing with the boots as they perfectly resize to fit you.
/Casts expert Haste with a Power of 3 to allied units.
7.Griffin Tyrant’s Claw [Miscellaneous, Major]: You visit a lonely noble’s manor. He is eager to talk to someone after many silent years and hastily welcomes you in. He speaks of his old battles and exploits, showing off his trophies; until his eyes meet a stiff claw. “I would like to forget all about this one.” he says. “It belonged to a monstrosity known as the Griffin Tyrant, a rogue pet of the foolish wizard Agar. Aptly named, he forcefully rallied griffins to his cause, and started to terrorize the nearby lands. I had to put him down myself… But I can’t quit thinking about the soldiers who fell prey to his ceaseless defense.”
/Casts expert Counterstrike with a Power of 3 to allied units.
8.Sling of the Sturdy Halfling [Miscellaneous, Minor]: You are surrounded by a band of guerilla fighters. Just before your forces react, you realize these ambushers have half the height of most creatures and are pointing slingshots at you; halflings. You order your ranks to halt and simultaneously someone from their ranks does the same. Their leader can be none other than the renowned warrior Tavin. He explains that he mistook your forces for a nearby group of mercenaries and, in order to make a goodwill gesture, gifts you one of his enchanted slings. It appears that the legends of halflings killing giants were true after all.
/Casts expert Slayer with a Power of 3 to the hero’s most valuable unit. If Slayer can’t be casted to the unit in question, the next unit with the highest amount of value is put in its place. When there are no applicable units, nothing happens.
9.Mirror of Warped Reflections [Miscellaneous, Minor]: You have unwittingly entered the lair of a faerie dragon pair. Your mind fails to respond as the two concentrate their gaze on you and prepare a spell. The look in their eyes suggests that they won’t leave things be at a little mischief. In desperation you grab the closest object and hold it against them: A mirror. The fireballs explode before their fingertips and both fall to the ground, knocked out. You get out of the lair, hands holding onto the mirror’s handle. Just in case.
/Casts expert Magic Mirror with a Power of 3 to the hero’s most valuable unit. If Magic Mirror can’t be casted to the unit in question, the next unit with the highest amount of value is put in its place. When there are no applicable units, nothing happens.
10.Even-Sided Coin [Miscellaneous, Relic]: You spot a nearby camped down circus and decide that taking a little rest couldn’t hurt anyone. As you walk through the camp, you see all sorts of talents and wonders. But the one that catches your attention the most is a tall man looking at a mirror, murmuring and twirling his mustache. While he goes on, the man’s image stands completely still. Then, without warning, his reflection walks out of the mirror and they both turn to face you! Seeing your shocked face, he heartily laughs and tosses you a coin; stating that he is now certain he can perform without it.
/Casts expert Clone with a Power of 3 to the hero’s most valuable unit. If Clone can’t be casted to the unit in question, the next unit with the highest amount of value is put in its place. When there are no applicable units, nothing happens.
11.Broken Sawblade [Weapon, Treasure]: You find yourself surrounded by a group of walking dead. Knowing that these mindless husks are not particularly good at conversations, you let your sword do the talking. It doesn’t take long for one of them to stand out: Not only bigger, but also faster than the rest; with a sawblade instead of a rotting hand! Necromancers must have some twisted sense of humor. Once the fight is over, you can’t stop yourself from wondering what would happen if this thing replaced the common clumsy undead. You shiver at the thought and ride off with a memoir.
/+1 Attack to the hero.
12.Sprite’s Leaven Bracelet [Accessory, Treasure]: Responding to cries for help, you find wind Sprites making a sport of dunking an old man. Feeling vengeful, you rescue the man and reach onto their wings; taking a firm grip on one. Uncomfortable with that, the Sprite gives you a magic bracelet to let her go.
/+1 Defense to the hero.
13.Phoenix’s Fiery Feather [Miscellaneous, Major]: You notice a firebird flying right above you, slowing down a bit with each passing moment. He is obviously heading somewhere and you decide to follow him. He closes in on a quiet valley, where a gigantic tower of fire appears out of thin air: A pyre. He dives directly into it and incinerates himself. However, he rises back from his ashes; this time as a phoenix. As he ascends into the unknown and the pyre disappears, all that is left is one fiery feather.
/+6 Power to the hero.
14.Futuristic Core [Miscellaneous, Major]: Your scouts report a lone death knight not far away, carrying a bizarre device with him. Your efforts of making them describe this “bizarre device” get no returns. You charge at the death knight yourself. After a tough battle, you finally finish him off and delve into his equipment. Your scouts were right, this thing can be only described as bizarre; it looks like something out of a wizard’s lab rather than a necropolis. You decide to study it, maybe it can teach you a thing or two.
/+6 Knowledge to the hero.
15.Fizbin of Misfortune [Miscellaneous, Major]: The one banner all wandering heroes will avoid. Many unwitting commanders united their armies under the Fizbin of Misfortune, leading directly to their doom. However, according to the few that survived, their enemies suffered unreasonable casualties as well.
/Reduces the morale of both sides by 3.
16.Leigonnaire’s Spear [Weapon, Treasure]: A stone statue of a warrior has something differentiating about him, yet you can’t put your finger on it. After contemplating a bit, you realize it’s the spear he is holding: A treasure of the olden times, rumored to be a discarded piece of the Statue of Legion. It is not functional as a weapon. But it’s effective as a symbol of power, especially for those who don’t mind its crudeness so much. You move in to take it off. As you remove the spear, the statue crumbles into dust.
/Increases the number of produced first tier creatures 6 per week in whatever town the hero is staying.
17.Gold Watch [Miscellaneous, Major]: A traveling tinkerer offers you a deal: You will let him take a closer look at the simple yet efficient mechanism of your catapult, and he will give you a special product. You accept. After he is done with his work, he hands over a golden watch; one that wasn’t made for time measurement. He says that when swung, this watch will increase the proficiency of a hypnotization spell.
/Increases the Spellpower level of Hypnotize spells to *40.
18.Pendant of Inner Strength [Necklace, Treasure]: Stranded in the middle of a blizzard, you feel your consciousness slowly fading away. Falling asleep would spell certain doom; but just as you start to lose the last bit of hope left within, a flickering light comes into sight. Civilization! Your eyes open up and in a fit of energy, you manage to reach your destination: Two cabins, with only one showing signs of life. You grab its door handle. The hunter staying inside hears your knocking and welcomes you in. Besides a warm meal, you receive a pendant. According to the hunter, it enhances whatever inner strength someone has.
/Renders your units immune to Weakness.
19.Fool’s Majestic Coronet [Helm, Relic]: As you are about to reach the summit of a hill, you come upon a jester. Instead of helping you, he declares that he has run out of puppets and must now find a gallant who can put up a show. Uncertain what to make of that, you try to think of an appropriate answer. But he acts first and pulls his cap ’n’ bells over your head. He names it the “Fool’s Majestic Coronet” and sings about the lovely tunes it can supposedly play. Before he takes his leave, he says only a fool would be wise enough to pursue the lowliest of arts, for sometimes it is the foundation that grants you ascension.
/Teaches the hero all 1st level spells.
#Coronet sounds like Cornet and Gallant sounds like Galant, as in the word “Galanty Show”
20.Sceptre of Order [Miscellaneous, Relic]: Foreign to this world; the Sceptre of Order has been held by forces benevolent, accursed or just incomprehensible. But it would seem that all of them lost this relic to someone who desired it for themselves. As the current owner, you might want to use it carefully.
/Prohibits all heroes from using damaging spells.
New Combination Artifacts (+A New Ultimate Artifact):
1.Orb of Total Annihilation [Miscellaneous] – Orb of Tempestuous Fire, Orb of Silt, Orb of Driving Rain, Orb of the Firmament: You trip over the Orb of Total Annihilation, dust it off, and stick it in your pack.
/The hero’s spells deal +%25 damage. Also, components effect, net +%50 spell damage.
2.Heart of the Elder Dendroid [Shield] – Helm of the Alabaster Unicorn, Shield of the Dwarven Lords, Centaur’s Axe, Breastplate of Petrified Wood: You meet a dendroid of exceptional age, ancient to the degree that he has firmly taken root in the soil. He starts speaking upon your approach. His voice may be stuttered, but it is still unmistakably loud and deep: “Ahh, an adventurer. I think I have heard of the quest you have taken unto yourself, a most impressive one. I support your cause. However, you have come at an unfortunate moment; you see, I am dying. These are my last breaths in fact. Yet, I believe there’s help to be provided. Once my eyes close…” He falls silent, and his chest slowly opens apart. A shield is visible.
/Casts expert Bless. Also, components effects; +2 attack, +2 defense, +1 power and +1 knowledge to the hero.
3.Aegis of the Graceful Gorgon [Shield] – Helm of Chaos, Buckler of the Gnoll King, Scales of the Greater Basilisk, Greater Gnoll’s Flail: A large group of lizardmen is holding a contest: Warriors emerge in duos against a mighty gorgon and try to slay the beast. You quickly prove your worth and enter the arena. The fight begins. Your battle partner charges on, hoping to take all the glory for himself. The mighty gorgon, deceivingly agile for its size, moves back and forth before its attack. The lizardman takes a hit. You grab his shield just in time to shelter him from the infamous stare. With the beast now confused, you gain the upper hand; cheers rise from all sides. The lizardman reforges his shield in your honor and gifts it to you.
/Casts expert Shield and Stone Skin. Also, components effects; +4 attack, +4 defense, +3 power and +3 knowledge to the hero.
#The word “Aegis” is a nod to how Medusa, whose head was engraved into the shield, was a gorgon.
4.Foot of the Jolly Rabbit [Miscellaneous] – Clover of Fortune, Ladybird of Luck, Cards of Prophecy: You catch a poacher red handed, taking a fallow deer back home. Normally you would let it slip, but these lands belong to a lord. The laws of property state that you must deliver him to the authorities. The poacher begs you; claiming that the lord here is viciously protective of his livestock, he would probably have him executed on the spot. You believe the poor man. Relieved, he gifts you his lucky rabbit foot.
/Allied units’ chance to get a lucky strike is now %20.
5.Medal of Honorable Distinction [Miscellaneous] – Glyph of Gallantry, Crest of Valor, Badge of Courage: You save the famed Quei Bird, casually told to be the most beautiful creature in existence, from a wild roc. After you share what honestly felt like a heart-to-heart moment, it accompanies you to your next location and departs. However, people who saw its unmistakable set of feathers start to talk. It gets so bad, the local royals have no choice but to officially award you with a Medal of Honorable Distinction.
/Allied units’ chance to attack one more turn is now %20.
6.Eye of the Spectator [Miscellaneous] – Bird of Perception, Stoic Watchman, Emblem of Cognizance: Is that a combination artifact laying around? Bless the stars, this must be the luckiest day of your life! You carefully inspect this monumental prize and learn that it can… enhance your mastery over Eagle Eye.
#This artifact should have a beholder-related design.
/The Hero’s Eagle Eye secondary skill is increased by a net %10. Also, components effect, a net +%30 to Eagle Eye secondary skill.
7.Spellbinder’s Flipflops [Boots] – Boots of Speed, Equestrian’s Gloves, Ring of the Wayfarer, Necklace of Swiftness, Cape of Velocity: You walk into a nearby inn. Once you make your order, you look around to pass the time. Nothing unusual, with the exception of a wizard sitting on the furthest table. You go there and ask if you can sit beside. The wizard, looking completely exhausted, just nods. But he opens up after a few drinks: “I was almost supper for an angry black dragon. My magic proved to be useless. I am still standing here only thanks to these weird shoes.” He points his flipflops. Claiming that he has nothing to do with them now, he gives them to you. And you are still not sure whether he is just messing with you.
/Allied units’ Speed is increased by 2. Also, components effects; allied units’ Speed is increased by 4 and the hero’s movement rate is increased by 900.
8.Avernal Accord [Miscellaneous] – Shackles of War, Hourglass of Evil Hour, Spirit of Oppression, Vial of Dragon Blood: A recently uncovered scroll had its claims of supreme power attributed to four artifacts: The encased essence of oppression, connective chains of war, sinister sands of time and reduced remains of a dragon; with the final ingredient specified to be “as potent as possible”. As luck was with them that day, those who uncovered this scroll were the personal servants of Mutare, the Dragon Queen of Nighon. As luck was with them the next day, she fell in battle, and they managed to circle next to her wounds in the following carnage. Barely enough time to take her blood, they did just that and fled from the scene.
/Allows the hero’s Inferno, Necropolis and Dungeon creatures to be mixed without a moral penalty. Positive luck and morale are disabled for the enemy units. Negative morale is disabled for the allied units. Also, components effects; neither surrendering nor retreating is allowed. Allied dragons’ Attack and Defense are increased by 5.
0.Unyielding Union [Necklace] – Avernal Accord, Cornucopia and Angelic Alliance: A cultist is conducting a powerful ritual; so powerful in fact, the magic surrounding him binds you in your place. Firstly, he draws a sword out of his back. This sword is glowing with an overwhelming holy light, it must be the fabled Angelic Alliance. Then he wraps the sword up with a set of chains. These chains are emitting a great wave of darkness, they must be the infamous Avernal Accord. After that, he chants some strange words and a horn appears in his hands: The life-giving Cornucopia. He blows the horn and places all artifacts before him. Finally, he draws a dagger and stabs himself at the heart, bringing out the force of death. All of them combine, creating the most powerful object on the face of the earth: The Unyielding Union.
/All creatures can be mixed without a moral penalty. The spell Preservation is cast, which negates all the damage allied units take for two turns. This spell is not affected by any magic preventing condition (Dispel, Orb of Inhibition, Cursed Grounds, Anti-Magic Garrison etc.). The spell’s duration is not affected by the hero’s amount of spell power. Special effects inflicted alongside the damage are also negated. For example, Dendroids’ binding ability does not bind creatures in place and Vampire Lords’ life draining ability resurrects none of them.
Also, components effects; positive luck and morale are disabled for the enemy units. Negative morale is disabled for the allied units. Generates five of each precious resource, once per day. Neither surrendering nor retreating is allowed. Allied dragons’ Attack and Defense are increased by 5. Casts expert Prayer. +21 to all primary skills.
#Preservation has only one negative side effect, as in the case of fire shields. Whether it be a stack of efreet sultans or a unit protected by the namesake spell, it considers that no damage has been implied and the fire shield deals no damage back. Allied units will retaliate as usual.