Appearance
Nature's Bulwark is a suit of full plate armour, patterned with intricate designs in steel and gold detailing. The full face covering helm is adorned with two stag-like antlers, crafted from orichalcum and adamantine alloy. Vicious spikes, inspired by natural thorns and briars, line the arms of the armour, and a bearskin cloak flows down its back.
History
Nature's Bulwark is said to have been a joint effort between the gods
Gunir and
Imir; an effort to create the greatest armour a champion of nature could ever desire. After its creation, the armour has passed down through champions of each god, becoming known by many dwarf communities and druidic circles as a legendary artefact. As with many artefacts of such ancient origin, it eventually faded from fame, after the champion Amon Duskaxe was slain by duergar in the early 500s. It is said the armour now lays in his tomb, deep beneath
Hondarahl, awaiting its next champion.
Powers
Nature's Bulwark is said to only be usable by druids, rangers and other individuals with connection to the natural world. While plate armour is known to be loud, when passing through natural environments, this armour cushions the wearer's feet like the softest leather. It grants its wearer prodigious magic, enhancing what they are already capable of. Gunir's influence in the armour prevents the wearer from being forcibly moved, with Imir's vines lashing out at those who try. The vicious spikes adorning the armour allow the wearer a barrelling charge, not unlike that of a stag or rhinoceros. Finally, Nature's Bulwark can call upon the spirits of nature itself to empower the user for a short time.
Sentience
Some legends about Nature's Bulwark speak of voices and images the wearer hears and feels while wearing the armour. Unlike other sentient magic artefacts, the armour has no official record of having some kind of spirit, but scholars theorise some form of elemental was bound into the armour, providing the magic, and retains some echo of its previous sentience.
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