Animated Weapon
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"Only a fool puts their trust in actual guards these days. Too many demands for better wages and whatnot. But now? I can rest easy knowing my home is protected by guardians I don’t even have to pay."—Maribeth Dorthique, noblewoman
An animated weapon is any weapon on Haven that has been given the ability to move on its own via magic. Animated weapons are often used by mages and nobles as a form of defense, keeping their homes safe from any potential intruders. Some animated weapons even become attached to certain owners, seemingly forming their own personalities over time.
Characteristics
Appearance
Animated weapons take the form of any conceivable weapon one can think of. However, they do share some key similarities. The first thing that binds them all together is the pattern of runes inscribed somewhere along them. Slashing weapons usually have their runes inscribed on the blade itself, while polearms typically have their runes running along their grip. The second thing is that animated weapons often show a high degree of craftsmanship, with most having some kind of ornate furnishing. This is to better bind the magic to the weapon itself, as shoddier weapons have a harder time containing magical energy.
Behavior
As constructs, animated weapons are bound to obey the whims of their masters. They often lie dormant until they sense a nearby threat, springing to life and attacking with impunity unless their master decides otherwise. Countless poor thieves have been chopped to bits after accidentally setting off a room full of animated weapons. When their master decides to go to battle, they may take a few animated weapons with them, having them float close by so they may be protected from any angle. However, these weapons can be lured away during combat, potentially leaving their master defenseless.
Many have noticed that the more an animated weapon fights and serves its master, the more it seems to develop its own unique personality. Some weapons are brash and hotheaded, charging into the heat of battle without the need for commands. Others are calculating and opportunistic, waiting for the right moment to unleash a devastating blow. Many scholars believe that animated weapons mimic their masters’ behaviors and fighting styles in order to serve more effectively, becoming less of a weapon and more of an extension of their own bodies.
Creating an Animated Weapon
To create an animated weapon, a mage takes an ordinary weapon and inscribes the runes of commanding onto it. These runes are to let the weapon know who its master is and to bind the magic animating them. Once the runes are inscribed and the weapon filled with magic, a ritual is held to bind the weapon to its master. With the ritual completed, the animated weapon is ready to serve, though it will take at least a year for its fighting style to fully develop.
If an animated weapon’s master dies or releases it from service, it will fall silent as the connection that once gave it purpose fades away. In order to reactivate it, a new master must bind it to service, though traces of the weapon’s old personality may remain. In some cases. an animated weapon may fail to obey any commands given by a new master if its personality doesn’t align with its master’s, requiring a complete purging of all magic so it may be reenchanted.
Additionally, animated weapons are vulnerable to the effects of anti-magic attacks. A single mage casting an anti-magic spell can halt an entire swarm of animated weapons, unraveling the energies keeping them active. As such, more experienced mages will inscribe runes of warding onto animated weapons in order to at least mitigate the effects of such attacks, though concentrated attacks will eventually wear the runes down.
Types of Animated Weapons
Animated Sword
Animated swords are among the most common animated weapons due to their simple structure that allows for easy placement of runes. They also act as the jack-of-all-trades of animated weapons, possessing both good offensive and defensive capabilities. These qualities make animated swords the first animated weapon a mage will typically create before moving onto other ones.
Animated Axe
Animated axes are for those who prefer pure striking power over all else. These weapons tend to be as bloodthirsty as their wielders, eagerly chopping at any heads they see. In addition to their battlefield use, animated axes are also used in other pursuits such as chopping wood, freeing up time for the soldiers to focus more on warfare. On the more gruesome side, they are also a popular choice for executioners.
Animated Spear
For the battlefield commander with a defensive mindset, animated spears are the way to go. They are often the first line of defense during a siege, used to wear the enemy down before they reach the walls. More tactical minds will use animated spears as traps, burying them and ordering them to wait until an enemy passes overhead. Once the unfortunate soldier draws close enough, the spear will burst from the ground and impale its target.
Animated Warhammer
The heaviest of their kind, animated warhammers exist solely to crush the foes of their masters into paste. Their powerful blows sunder most armor with ease, with few things able to stand up to a concentrated assault. However, animated warhammers are among the slowest of their kind, leaving them more vulnerable to more nimble fighters who can dodge their attacks.
Animated Dagger
Those of the stealthy persuasion will find animated daggers quickly becoming their best friends. These weapons tend to hide until the time is right, striking at an enemy’s vulnerable spots such as the eyes or throat. Additionally, animated daggers make for effective lockpicks, able to make precise movements far more effectively than most thieves.
Animated Flail
Only the most reckless warriors put their trust in an animated flail. Already notorious for their tendency to hurt their wielders, these weapons swing with wild abandon as any who fail to get out of the way are battered and bludgeoned. As most are unwilling to go near one, most commanders will use animated flails as disposable shock troops, sending them out into the nearest horde of enemies and watching the carnage from a safe distance.
Animated Shield
Though not technically weapons, animated shields are still highly valued for their defensive capabilities. A person surrounded by them will become nigh unassailable, protected by a floating wall of enchanted steel. Experienced mages will combine the defensive power of animated shields with animated spears, traversing the battlefield as a one-man phalanx.
Notable Individuals
TBA