Forlorn Hope
Description
The "forlorn hope" is a military term used by some League Free Companies to refer to a band of soldiers or other combatants chosen to take the leading part in a military operation, such as an assault on a defended position, where the risk of casualties is high. Some mercenary units have one or two of these rods crafted intentionally for use by hired magicians, paying the additional costs to bond their wielders and supplying them with as many useful potions or pieces of crytallised mana as they can afford. Such magicians are usually quite well paid.
There is rarely opportunity to provide more economical magical healing in such situations, and it is in the midst of battle that the swift heal spell comes into its own. In the Marches a forlorn hope is sometimes called a pressman's needle, while in Dawn, Highguard and Wintermark it is more commonly known as a vanguard's succour.
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 swift heal spell as if you knew it.
- Materials: Crafting a forlorn hope requires no special materials. It takes two months to make one of these items.