Obsidian (3.5e Equipment)

= Obsidian =

Summary::Obsidian is a glassy black material known for its incredible sharpness, tending itself to slashing and piercing weapons. Because of its ease to find and shape from natural stone, raw obsidian is a useful primative material. In more advanced societies, they have discovered magical ways to directly shape obsidian weapons into their desired shapes and strengthen them. Thus obsidian as a material comes in two forms, normal obsidian and rune obsidian. Only slashing and piercing weapons are effective as obsidian weapons, for armor, shields, and bludgeoning weapons it is about as effective as common stone.

Any piercing or slashing weapon primarily composed of metal can be made as an obsidian weapon. Their jagged and extremely sharp edges are super effective against unprotected flesh. Whenever an obsidian weapon strikes a creature with no damage reduction, or bypasses damage reduction, it deals an additional +2 points of damage. Weapons made of obsidian gain a 10% discount on the Fleshgrinding, Keen, Masterslaying, and Wounding enchantments. Obsidian has 10 hit points per inch of thickness and hardness 5.

Rune obsidian is obsidian which has been magically shaped and crafted. It has the same properties as normal obsidian, but it increases the critical threat range by 1. Apply this after the effects of things such as Improved Critical or Keen. For example a rune obsidian longsword (normally 19-20/x2) now has a range of 18-20/x2. If the weapon was Keen (normally 17-20/x2) it now has a critical range of 16-20/x2. Rune obsidian is also considerably more durable and dense. The weight of the item doubles, and it counts as adamantine for the purposes of bypassing damage reduction and dealing with hardness. Rune obsidian has 10 hit points per inch of thickness and hardness 20.

Obsidian is so costly that weapons and armor made from it are always of masterwork quality; the masterwork cost is included in the prices given below. Thus, obsidian weapons and ammunition have a +1 enhancement bonus on attack rolls.