Redstone (3.5e Equipment)

Redstone


On a strange stable demiplane drifting between the pull of Mechanus, Acheron, and the Outlands is a strange cubic planet full of stranger materials. One of these materials is a bright crimson crystal known as redstone, which reacts to kinetic force by the outpouring of light and electric energy and whose dust and subsequent forged shapes prove useful in many magitech societies. For redstone both carries a charge, emits energy, and yet also is its own insulator making it safe to touch by bare hands without rubber exteriors. The initial form is that of a semi-fragile crystal (though still of a hardness where metal tools are required). When broken it shatters into sand-like grains known as redstone dust. These grains are often mixed with a resin to maintain shape (though it can be applied directly) and painted onto surfaces. The material conducts electricity and magical energies and transfers it across large distances, while emiting a safe field of energy from it out to 5 ft. Objects which can be powered by such energy automatically turn on when exposed to this field, allowing electronic devices to run without a battery or linked power source. On its own, the powdered or resin versions of redstone do not generate any energy of its own and must always be connected to some source of power.

When exposed to compressive or kinetic forces, it converts this force into electrical energy and light which it then emits. If rapidly compressed with a great deal of energy, the energy becomes trapped inside as it fuses into a sandstone-like substance which maintains shape and is as durable as stone. It's this form of redstone which is shaped into weapons and armor, typically making blocks of redstone which are then magically altered into shape with stone shape or carved. These redstone blocks constantly emit a low but persistent charge of energy. It has the appearance of a glossy red sandstone.

Any weapon primarily composed of metal can be made of redstone. Redstone is considered stone, and is unaffected by rust. When the weapon strikes with any force, it glows bright red, lighting the area as a torch for 1 round and dealing +1d6 electric damage to its target. This stacks with other forms of electric damage. They are super effective against metal objects as well, and enjoy a +2 bonus to attack against creatures in medium or heavy metal armor, heavy or tower metal shields, and creatures made largely of metal.

Armor can also be made with redstone. Such armor gives resistance to electricity and untyped magic damage (such as from an eldritch blast). Light armor and bucklers grant resistance 3, medium armor and light and heavy shields give resistance 6, and heavy armor and tower shields give resistance 10. The resistance from armor and shield stack, though they do not stack with any other source except armor and shield enhancements which grant it. Whenever a creature is stuck by a physical attack, they shed light as a torch for 1 round.

Redstone needs special preparation, so all weapons and armor made from it are always of masterwork quality; the masterwork cost is included in the prices given below. Thus, redstone weapons and ammunition have a +1 enhancement bonus on attack rolls, and the armor check penalty of redstone armor is lessened by 1 compared to ordinary armor of its type.

Redstone has 10 hit points per inch of thickness and hardness 8. It is immune to electric and untyped magic damage, takes half damage from all energy damage except cold, and full damage from cold before hardness.