Yeoman's Bounty

Description

The Yeoman's Bounty is a serviceable rod usually made of wood from the yew tree (a tree associated with burial grounds), engraved with runes such as Kyrop, the rune of weakness. . It is sometimes called a Lover's Grave, a Last-ditch Baton or occasionally a Weapon of Last Resort - all references to the way that invoking its magic prevents a magician from performing any further magic until the repercussions of doing so are alleviated. Many magicians would sooner cast this spell through this rod than learn it themselves because they find learning to sever themselves from the source of their power unsettling, especially if they derive great pride from their magical prowess. Using the rod is occasionally frowned upon in Dawn since the weakness spell can be seen as reducing the glory of a battle by robbing an opponent of their most impressive abilities.

Wintermark magicians who become Frayed occasionally arm themselves with these rods and seek out powerful barbarian shamans and warlords during battle to strike down with it, as an act of self-sacrifice. This tactic, and the rod itself, are sometimes known as Mouse's Bite, as a weak or civilian magician robs a much more potent foe of their might. Obviously such gambits are extremely dangerous for the magician in question, thus acquiring and bonding to this rod is sometimes taken as a sign of despair or desperation by close confidantes, but also a display of Courage.

Another unfavourable association with this rod is its usage in thefts and muggings, where a weaker member of the gang will begin by using the rod against a wealthy, well-equipped target before their colleagues subdue and rob the victim. Some of the more notorious bands of bandits lurking in The Barrens employ these rods against the noble-born Questing knights who wear their wealth of their order.

Rules

• Form: Weapon. Takes the form of a rod. You must be wielding this implement to use its magical properties.
• Requirement: You must have the magician skill to bond to this item.
• Effect: You can cast the weakness spell as if you knew it.
• Materials: Crafting a Yeoman's Bounty requires no special materials. It takes two months to make one of these items.

"The Yeoman's Bounty he did claim

An aching back his treasure
To toil relentless was his aim
No rest, respite or leisure
In blazing sun and driving rain
He sowed and ploughed and scattered
His every muscle felt the strain
But his will was never shattered.

A Prouder man you will never meet;
Prosperity defines him
Ambition guides his aching feet
And Vigilance stands behind him
The Wisdom of the land he knows
His Loyalty never does waver
The Courage of a Yeoman true
Is the Bounty he must savour.

- Ode to the Marcher Yeoman, author unknown"