View source for Balsa de Piedad (3.5e Equipment)

== Balsa de Piedad ==

[[Summary::The wood from the "Tree of Mercy" and sometimes referred to a mercywood, balda de piedad is a soft hardwood known for its non-lethal nature that nevertheless seems to pierce defenses.]]  Harvested from a relative of the balsa tree, the wood is similarly light and pliable generally unfit for weapons without some manner of reinforcement, so many items are banded with other stronger materials to keep them intact.  All balsa de piedad benefit as if being made from [[SRD:Darkwood|darkwood]] as far as weight and its effect on shields.

Balsa de piedad weapons normally can only deal non-lethal damage, and in order to deal lethal damage one must really try (taking a -4 penalty to attack).  Because it is so soft, weapons take a -1 penalty to damage to a minimum of 1 damage.  However the damage done is capable of leaving deep stinging strikes that seem to hurt more than it should.  As a result it ignores up to 3 points of damage reduction from any source (except DR/-) on creatures capable of feeling pain.  Balsa de piedad shields count as weapons for this purpose.

Balsa de piedad armor is generally unfit compared to metal, and its AC bonus is lower by 1.  However, it automatically converts 3 points of any damage taken into non-lethal damage as it softens the blow.

When durability is not a concern, balsa de piedad is a good building materials for wooden objects that need to remain lightweight.  It is also naturally buoyant and will not sink in water.  It is a common material for wooden holy symbols dedicated to gods of mercy and love, and provide a +1 circumstance bonus on Knowledge Religion checks for that purpose.

Balsa de piedad 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, balsa de piedad weapons and ammunition have a +1 enhancement bonus on attack rolls.

Balsa de piedad has 5 hit points per inch of thickness and hardness 4.  It takes full damage from fire and halves all other damage.

{| class="zebra d20"  
|-
! Type of Balsa de Piedad Item !! Item Cost Modifier 
|-
| align="left" | Ammunition || +8 gp 
|-
| align="left" | Armor || +850 gp 
|-
| align="left" | Weapon || +400 gp 
|-
| align="left" | Holy Symbol || 10 gp 
|-
| align="left" | Object || +12 gp per lb
|}

</onlyinclude>


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Author	Eiji-kun +
Identifier	3.5e Equipment +
Rating	Undiscussed +
Summary	The wood from the "Tree of Mercy" and sometimes referred to a mercywood, balda de piedad is a soft hardwood known for its non-lethal nature that nevertheless seems to pierce defenses. +
Title	Balsa de Piedad +