Common Thread Items
by Timothy Reynolds
originally published in Earthdawn Journal #7

From the Library of Victoris Wiseman

Greetings and salutations, fellow Barsaivians. I am Victoris Wiseman, scholar and sage from the town of Gennen. This is the second of my series on the unusual items of power the Heros of Gennen have encountered. Together with the previous information, I hope this information is useful to the future heros of Barsaive as they search for a way to make life better for all of us.

Common Thread Items

Somewhat of a misnomer, Common Thread Items are those which are created by talented magic smiths, working for extended times, and at considerable expense. Nonetheless, they are reproducible and can often be found for sale in the largest of Barsaive's towns. Further information on Common Thread Items can be found in the Earthdawn Companion, pg.55+. Many of these items are Talent Boosters, that is they increase the effectivness of specific Talents, and as such are most useful to specific Disiciplines.

These items all have Maximum Threads of one and a Spell Defense of 9. All prices are in silver and very subject to available and demand. All Common Thread Items have only one Key Knowledge, their Name.


Sprinting Shoes

These shoes usually are made as expensive messenger shoes, adorned with expensive lacings and decorations.

Price: 500

Rank 1 Cost: 100
Effect: The wearer may use the Sprint Talent at a rank equal to the thread rank they have woven to the shoes. Characters possessing the Sprint Talent may add the thread rank to their own.

Rank 2 Cost: 200
Effect: The wearer may speak the name of the shoes aloud, and spend a Karma point instead of the strain required by Sprint. The result of the Karma die is added to the character's Sprint Talent for one round only.


Reins of Might

These are highly decorated reins, which are very difficult to place and remove (10 minutes). Although the most common are sized for horses, reins exist to many of the more uncommon mounts Cavalrymen might use.

Price: 500

Rank 1 Cost: 100
Effect: When being used, Reins of Might add the Thread Rank the wielder has woven to them to their Trick Riding Talent tests.

Rank 2 Cost: 200
Effect: As Rank 1, but with Empathic Command.

Rank 3: Cost: 300
Effect: +1 PD for both mount and rider when the reins are used.


Geode Pendant

Carved from the heart of a Geode, these stunning pendants seem to shimmer with their own rainbow light when a thread is woven to them.

Price: 1000

Rank 1 Cost: 200
Effect: The Pendant will function as a Spell Matrix of Rank equal to the Thread woven to it, but only for a magician.

Rank 2 Cost: 300
Effect: The wielder's Thread Weaving for the Pendant's Matrix only is increased by the Rank of the Thread woven to it.

Rank 3 Cost: 500
Effect: The wielder may take an additional Fire Blood recovery test per day, if they possess the talent.


Eye Clasp

Usually made from the purest silver, this cloak clasp has an opened eye design which seems to follow the observer as they move.

Price: 500

Rank 1 Cost: 100
Effect: Any illusion cast upon the wielder adds the Rank of the thread woven to the Clasp to its Sensing and Disbelief test Circle equivalent. The wielder adds the same amount to their Willpower saves for such illusions.

Rank 2 Cost: 200
Effect: The wielder may add the Clasp's Thread rank to all Disguise Self Talent Ranks.

Rank 3 Cost: 300
Effect: The Clasp will act as a Rank 3 spell matrix for its wielder.


Spirit Loom

This small hand loom has a ghostly weave playing about within it. When used, patterns develop and change in the weave.

Price: 700

Rank 1 Cost: 100
Effect: The wielder may add the Loom's thread rank to their Astral Sight Talent step.

Rank 2 Cost: 200
Effect: The Loom will act as a Spell Matrix for its wielder, with Rank equal to the Loom's thread rank. This Matrix cannot be attuned on the fly.

Rank 3 Cost: 300
Effect: The wielder may spend a round working the loom to add 3 steps to their Thread Weaving Talent for one spell.


Air Trolldens

These shoes are fashioned like traditional Troll Skyraider boots, with even more outrageous decorations.

Price: 700

Rank 1 Cost: 100
Effect: The wearer may add the shoes's Thread Rank to their Avoid Blow Talent or Skill step.

Rank 2 Cost: 200
Effect: When the wearer yells the shoe's name, they may add the shoe's Thread Rank to their Great Leap Talent step.

Rank 3 Cost: 300
Effect: As Rank 2, but with the Wind Catcher Talent step.

Rank 4 Cost: 500
Effect: The wearer's Swift Kick Talent and damage are increased by 4 steps.


Balance Cape

Only the most stylish capes are ever made Balance Capes, and the expense of their construction is reflected in their price.

Price: 1500

Rank 1 Cost: 100
Effect: The wearer may add the Cape's Thread Rank to their Wound Balance steps.

Rank 2 Cost: 200
Effect: As Rank 1, but with the Avoid Blow Talent or Skill.

Rank 3 Cost: 300
Effect: +1 Physical Defense in hand to hand combat only.


Hush Cloak

These non-descript cloaks are always colored in muted tones. They typically are full of odd hidden pockets and hiding places.

Price: 700

Rank 1 Cost: 100
Effect: The cloak adds +1 step to the wearer's Silent Walk Talent step for each Rank they have the Cloak woven to.

Rank 2 Cost: 200
Effect: The wearer's Physical and Mystical Armor Ratings are increased by 1 each.

Rank 3 Cost: 200
Effect: The wearer's PD is increased by 1.


True Tuning Fork

Containing a bit of true earth, these devices for tuning instruments are extremely tough, loud and sweet sounding.

Price: 1000

Rank 1 Cost: 200
Effect: An instrument tuned with this fork, which takes about half an hour each day, will add the fork's Thread Rank to any Emotion Story step in which it is used.

Rank 2 Cost: 300
Effect: When struck during an attempt to use the Speak Language Talent, the fork will add its Thread Rank to the attempt.


Shield Charm

Coming in many sizes, shapes and designs, Shield Charms must be attached to a shield to operate.

Price: 700

Rank 1 Cost: 200
Effect: The Physical and Mystical Armor Rating of the Shield is increased by +1.

Rank 2 Cost: 300
<>Effect: The wielder may add the shield's Thread Rank to their Air Dance talent step.

Rank 3 Cost: 500
Effect: The wielder may add 3 steps to their Anticipate Blow Talent step.


True Steel Forge

A small, but mostly immobile forge, decorated with many magical runes and enchanted with bits of true earth and fire.

Price: 1000

Rank 1 Cost: 200
Effect: The user may add the Forge's Thread Rank to their Forge Blade talent steps.

Rank 2 Cost: 300
Effect: As Rank 1, but with Weapon History tests.

Rank 3 Cost: 500
Effect: While using the Forge, the wielder may make Recovery Tests, even while forging. These Recovery Tests are at +3 steps and the wielder may make one extra of these Recovery Test each day.


Well scholars, I hope this dissertation has been as helpful to you as the information gathered by the Hero's of Gennen was to me. My next correspondence will be upon the preponderance of Blood Magic our hero's have uncovered. Until then I am yours in learning,

Victoris Wiseman


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