Splintering Hammer
Description
Usually taking the form of a massive warhammer, maul, or club the Splintering Hammer allows a warrior to smash the weapon or armour of their opponent. Less versatile than a Woodcutter's Axe, the hammer allows only one powerful blow each day but nonetheless proves quite popular with many Imperial soldiers. In particular, it is sometimes carried as a "back up" weapon by weapon masters who favour a different fighting style - allowing them to shift to the greathammer when they need a little extra might to devastate a particularly stubborn opponent.
These weapons are popular in Dawn and among the Imperial Orcs. A heavy hammer or great mace, studded with tempest jade and inlaid with orichalcum and green iron, swung with a forceful two-handed blow can sometimes cause a poorly made barbarian shield to literally explode into wooden splinters. Denied their protection, the follow-up swing from a skilled warrior leaves the enemy crippled or bleeding out with shattered ribcage and pulverised internal organs. Knights who favour these potent weapons have a perhaps not undeserved reputation for brutality - especially if they choose to use a splintering hammer in a duel or tournament. By contrast, that very reputation for brutal, straightforward practicality that first disarms and then destroys an opponent makes them quite popular with the Orcs (and with more than a few who carry the briar lineage).
Rules
- Form: Weapon. Takes the form of a great weapon. You must be wielding this weapon to use its magical properties.
- Requirement: You must have the Weapon Master skill to bond to this item.
- Effect: Once per day you may call SHATTER with this great weapon.
- Materials: Crafting a Splintering Hammer requires five ingots of orichalum, ten ingots of tempest jade, three ingots of green iron, and three measures of ambergelt. It takes one month to make one of these items.