Silent Step, Savage Strike

Gauntlets and Sabatons of the Stalking Hunter, Shen Family Artifact

Description

Forged from silvered steel so fine that the wearer can grip, flex, and move with perfect control, the Lion’s Claws extend into long, curved talons at the fingertips and toes. These were said to be wrought from the claws of the Awakened White Lion himself, reforged into instruments of silence and inevitability. Where the The Lion's Jaw speaks of brutal carnage and The White Crown commands entire armies, the Claws embody the patience and inevitability of the predator that stalks unseen until the moment of the killing stroke.

The claws whisper of the hunt. With them, a Shen warrior moves with impossible silence, striking from shadows where others could not tread. The gauntlets and sabatons heighten the wearer’s senses, gifting the clarity of scent and perfect sight in darkness. When upgraded, they blur the line between man and beast, allowing the wearer to move as an apex predator beyond the reach of prey — untrackable, relentless, and always advancing.

In battle, the claws are not meant to lead but to end. Their aura alone causes enemies to falter, their steps slowed as instinct screams that death is near. Shen doctrine warns that to don the Claws is to abandon mercy. The weapons are not a symbol of leadership, but of inevitability. Those chosen to wield them are not meant to be followed; they are meant to be feared.

They are sealed in the Shen Family Vault

Base Abilities

Silent Stalker. The wearer has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks. Their movements are unnaturally muted — footsteps softened, armor stilled, breath hushed.

Killing Stroke. Once per turn, when the wearer has advantage on an attack roll and hits, they may deal an additional 2d8 slashing or piercing damage (whichever is more effective).

Predatory Senses. The claws grant darkvision 120 ft. and the ability to track creatures by scent within 60 ft.

Predatory Weapons. While wearing the Talons, you can make unarmed strikes with the claws. These deal 1d6 slashing damage and count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity.

Aura of the Hunt. All enemies within 30 ft. instinctively hesitate in the wearer’s presence. Their movement speed is reduced by 10 ft. while they remain in the aura.

Upgrades (Awakened)

Perfect Stalker. The wearer cannot be tracked by nonmagical means, leaves no footprints or scent, and has advantage on saving throws against magical attempts to detect or scry them.

Predator’s Instincts. The wearer gains blindsight 10 ft. and advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks to detect hidden or invisible creatures.

Relentless Pursuit. The wearer may Dash or Disengage as a bonus action. In addition, opportunity attacks made against them are at disadvantage.

Aura of the Hunt (Enhanced). The aura expands to 120 ft. All enemies within range are subtly unsettled — they move at half speed when closing the distance to the wearer.