Dark Blade of Illir (Twilight’s Knife)

And how can you mix a val’Assante and a val’Borda power?

And how can you mix a val’Assante and a val’Borda power?

Because Gladius of Light is a common Tier 1 Heritage spell, not val’Assante specific. With the one spell producing a blade of pure light and Cadic being referred to as the Dark Hand of Illir I gave it a more colorful name.

With a sweep of his hat,

Paul

And how can you mix a val’Assante and a val’Borda power?

Because Gladius of Light is a common Tier 1 Heritage spell, not val’Assante specific. With the one spell producing a blade of pure light and Cadic being referred to as the Dark Hand of Illir I gave it a more colorful name.

With a sweep of his hat,

Paul

Forgive me, 7am is a terrible time to think and notice things

I think I lean towards a modified version 3 – it acts as a normal fine dagger (speed 3 or 4 though?) except against creatures affected by Gladius of Light in which case the extra damage and bypassing AR comes in.

I think I lean towards a modified version 3 – it acts as a normal fine dagger (speed 3 or 4 though?) except against creatures affected by Gladius of Light in which case the extra damage and bypassing AR comes in.

What you’re describing is pretty much option 3, which SouthernSkies also agreed with. I am leaving the speed as 4 as the Gladius of Light spell specifically states that the stats on the weapon remain constant even if the weapon is in a different form which it is occasionally. Interesting that there’s no defined adaptation to do so. To drop the weapon to Speed 3 would require an exceptional quality weapon and nothing in the write up of either spell would indicate that.

Thanks for the feedback.

With a sweep of his hat,

Paul

Ok, given the updated FAQ / Errata doc, I’ve updated the spell accordingly. I’m not sure which of the 2 options makes the most sense, so am looking for additional opinions and ideally an official answer.

One thing I realized in updating the spell is that the Errata specifically talks about Restrictions and Limitations of either spell, carrying over to the other. Insubstantial for the GoL is part of the effect, not a restriction or limitation and it has both advantages and disadvantages for working that way. You can effectively test to see if someone is possessed or an affected creature in disguise as it will pass harmlessly through things not targeted by it’s effects.

I’m ok with whichever ruling makes the most sense, just would like clarity.

Dark Blade of Illir (Twilight’s Knife)
Tradition: Heritage (Val) [Tier I], Heritage (val’Borda) [Tier I]
Category: Advanced
CTN: 23
Speed (Strain): 2 (+5)
Range: Self
Duration: Scene

Option 1
Effect: With the completion of this spell you bring forth a fine quality stiletto of shadowy light, brightest at the tip of the blade and fading into a dark handle. It is a light, Speed 4 weapon dealing d6 (Primary) +1 damage. Against Undead, Spirits and Infernals, this weapon bypasses all AR. When used against Entropic creatures this weapon deals d8 (Primary) +1 damage and bypasses all AR.

The blade passes harmlessly through living beings and inanimate objects.

Special: If thrown or released the blade darkens and fades with no effect.

Special: The weapon has no real weight or balance, making it impossible to use any weapon tricks with this weapon.

Option 2
Effect: With the completion of this spell you bring forth a fine quality stiletto of solid shadowy light, brightest at the tip of the blade and fading into a dark handle. It is a light, Speed 4 weapon dealing d6 (Primary) damage. Against Undead, Spirits and Infernals, this weapon bypasses all AR. When used against Entropic creatures this weapon deals d8 (Primary) damage and bypasses all AR.

Special: If thrown or released the blade darkens into a standard shadow dagger, losing the brilliance that provides additional benefit against Undead, Spirits, Infernals and Entropic creatures.

Common
Special: If the caster has the Adaptation: Shadow Weapons (Ta) they may use it normally with this spell expanding the weapon choices to include gladius, short sword and side sword. While they could manifest a short bow as well, the arrows would fade as soon as the spell is cast, rendering it useless and as the weapon is insubstantial, normal arrows could not be used.

Adaptation: Increase the CTN by 5 to add your passive Resolve Modifier to all damage rolls.

Adaptation: Increase the CTN by 3 to summon a second Dark Blade of Illir to wield in your off-hand.

Adaptation: Increase the CTN by 3 and Strain by 1 to apply a Die Bump to the damage die. This Adaptation may be applied multiple times.

Adaptation: Increase the Strain by 1 to increase the number of Dark Blades manifested. Any not in hand darkens into a standard shadow dagger, losing the brilliance that provides additional benefit against Undead, Spirits, Infernals and Entropic creatures.

Adaptation: Increase the CTN 3 to apply one of the following Fine Runes: Frost, Shadow, or Celerity. This Adaptation may be applied multiple times, adding a different Rune each time.

It doesn’t seem to me that it would be either. According to the FAQ/Errata:

Combining Damage Effects: When combining damaging spells, all damage is considered to be from the same source with the spells’ damage being affected by AR if either of the base spells are reduced by AR. Regardless of the combined effects, when combining two damaging spells which deal (Primary) damage, you only roll one (Primary) but gain a +2 bonus to your damage roll

So you should be adding the damages caused by the spell together to be d4+(mi)+d6 + (primary) damage. With the limitation from GoL that the weapon can only effects the limited number of creatures, and the limitations from manipulate shadow that it does not bypass AR. It makes it strange that it is both insubstantial and effected by AR, but that is what the rules say. I would say that the big advantage is that against things like spirits there would still be full damage even though they are incorporeal, but AR would apply from everything else.

Also, I suspect that

Adaptation: Increase the Strain by 1 to increase the number of Dark Blades manifested. Any not in hand darkens into a standard shadow dagger, losing the brilliance that provides additional benefit against Undead, Spirits, Infernals and Entropic creatures.

doesn’t work, since I think it would be governed by the limitation of having to be in hand just like the arrows do, so instead of becoming a dark blade upon not being in hand, I think it would just disappear, like GoL does. I don’t think there is any way to make it become substantial after it starts as insubstantial