View source for Monado (3.5e Equipment)

{{author
|author_name=Luigifan18
|date_created=September 22, 2015
|adopter=
|date_adopted= 
|status=...It's actually ready.<br/>I can't believe it, either.
|editing=
}}

{{Help Wanted|I want to be as faithful to the source material as possible, so please let me know if there's anything I'm missing or getting wrong!}}

<onlyinclude>
== Monado ==

The Monado uses the [[Functional Weapons of Legacy (3.5e Variant Rule)|Functional Weapons of Legacy variant rule]]. (This doesn't stop it from having drawbacks early on, but the rituals actually serve to ''remove'' those drawbacks.)

[[File:Monado I.png|right]]

{{3.5e Magic Item
|name=Monado
|price=150,000 gp
|bslot=Held
|cl=30
|aura=Overwhelming universal (DC 30)
|act=See text
|weight=12 lbs.
|summary=The legendary Monado, the blade of Bionis.
}}

{{quote|The Monado... I hope to figure out the secrets of its power one day.|orig=Shulk, Homs fighter}}

The Monado is a mysterious and legendary blade said to have been used by the titan Bionis against its rival, Mechonis.

By default, the Monado is a +2 greatsword with numerous special abilities. However, there is much more to it than there appears at first glance. The Monado is, in fact, a tool for rewriting destiny, [[Type::Major|and is already considered to be a major artifact]]. However, as its bond with its wielder grows, it shows more and more of its power. The growth of the bond is facilitated by special experiences during an adventure, consummated in the form of rituals. The Monado's rituals are unique in that they don't really require any sort of materials, though in exchange, they have great experience requirements. They also take very little time to perform; "ritual" is actually kind of an inaccurate term, as the process is more akin to the Monado's power awakening due to some sort of trigger. Indeed, the Monado responds most strongly to the will of its wielder, and chances are that it will evolve when its wielder needs it most.

While classified as a legacy weapon, the Monado doesn't really have an omen; it's already very powerful. The Monado has several powerful abilities (and a couple of crippling drawbacks) right off the bat. Indeed, [[#Chosen of the Monado|the rituals]] [[#Release the Shackles!|largely serve]] to lift the drawbacks of using the Monado.

'''{{Anchor|Adaptive Size}} {{Ex}}''': The Monado adapts to the size of its wielder, and will always be the most appropriate size for its wielder.

'''{{Anchor|Destiny is Not a Toy}} {{Ex}}''': The Monado is a rather choosy weapon &mdash; it selects its wielder. You can still wield it if it doesn't deem you worthy, but it's going to cost you. A '''''lot'''''. A character who wields the Monado without having performed any of its rituals takes 1d4 points of [[Strength]], [[Dexterity]], and [[Constitution]] [[SRD:Ability Drained|drain]] for every encounter that they use the Monado in. Furthermore, upon using a [[#Monado Arts|Monado Art]], the wielder must succeed on a [[Fortitude]] save followed by a [[Will]] save, both of which have a DC of 16; failure on either save results in taking 1 point of Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution [[SRD:Ability Burn|burn]] and 1d4 backlash damage. Backlash damage cannot be resisted by any means, and a creature killed by backlash damage loses one additional level if and when it is brought back to life. This can easily escalate to the point where a character permanently loses the use of a limb, so be careful.

'''{{Anchor|Enemy of Machines}} {{Ex}}''': The Monado is extremely deadly to mechanical creatures. When used against [[SRD:Construct Type|constructs]], it does double damage, ignores any [[SRD:Damage Reduction|damage reduction]] the construct has, and is capable of scoring critical hits and being used to perform sneak attacks.

'''{{Anchor|Aversion to Flesh}} {{Ex}}''': In its base state, the Monado cannot harm humanoids, ''period''. Any attack made with the Monado against a humanoid, monstrous humanoid, giant, or fey automatically misses &mdash; even if it's an attack that shouldn't be ''able'' to miss, like a coup de grace. (This isn't to say that the Monado can't hurt living things; it's perfectly capable of slaughtering animals, magical beasts, vermin, et cetera. But it can't cut sapient beings.)

'''{{Anchor|Hints of the Future}} {{Sp}}''': The Monado's wielder sometimes gets a vague vision of something that's about to happen; however, they have virtually no control over if or when it happens. Once a day, at the DM's discretion, the Monado's wielder may receive the effect of an [[SRD:Augury|''augury'']].
[[File:Monado Buster Cone (Medium Creature, 5-ft reach).png|100px|thumb|right|Monado Buster, as used by a Medium or Small creature. + signs represent affected squares.]]
'''{{Anchor|Monado Arts}}''': The Monado is more than just a sword &mdash; it is a tool to control the world. The Monado is capable of manipulating the fabric of the planes to perform special techniques known as Monado Arts. Some Monado Arts are available right away; others require a ritual to be performed first. These are the Monado Arts available even without performing any rituals:

*'''''{{Anchor|Monado Enchant}}'' {{Sp}}''': As a standard action, the Monado's wielder can enchant all allies within 100 feet to grant them a watered-down [[#Enemy of Machines|Enemy of Machines]] ability. Enchanted allies ignore the damage reduction of constructs and are capable of scoring critical hits (and performing sneak attacks, if applicable) against them. The effect lasts for 4 rounds. Monado Enchant is the equivalent of a 0-level spell, and can be used once every 1d6 rounds. Its caster level is equal to the wielder's character level.
*'''''{{Anchor|Monado Buster}}'' {{Su}}''': As a standard action, make a single melee attack. This attack doubles the wielder's reach and attempts to strike all creatures in a cone determined by this extended reach (see the diagram to the right for an example). The user makes a single attack roll and strikes all creatures in the area whose AC is defeated by the result. In addition, this attack does quadruple damage to constructs, rather than the usual double. Monado Buster is a Strike maneuver-like ability which is the equivalent of a 1st-level maneuver, and can be used once every 1d4 rounds. Its initiator level is equal to the wielder's character level.

===Ritual #1: Chosen of the Monado===

[[File:Monado.jpg|200 px|thumb|right|The initial form of the Monado.]]

'''Variable Bonus''': The Monado's enhancement bonus increases to +3.

'''{{Anchor|Chosen of the Monado}} {{Ex}}''': [[#Destiny is Not a Toy|Destiny is Not a Toy]] no longer applies. The Monado has chosen you to wield it, and you no longer have to fear any sort of backlash from using its power.

'''{{Anchor|Glimpse the Future}} {{Su}}''': The Monado can bestow visions on its wielder. The wielder is effectively able to cast [[SRD:Foresight|''foresight'']] once per minute, as a swift action. Furthermore, simply by concentrating on an object, creature, or place within his line of sight or that he knows as a swift action, the Monado's wielder can envision, in exact detail, a series of events that will happen to that object, creature, or place, such as an impending attack. Once he has seen the future, the Monado's wielder can take precautions to prevent the events he's foreseen from coming to pass, such as buffing an ally's defense or healing them to ensure that they aren't killed by an attack that's about to hit them. (Essentially, the Monado's wielder can arrange for a round to play out in advance, then "rewind" back to his actual position in time and coordinate his party's actions to do something different and hope for a better result if he doesn't like what happened the first time around.) Be warned, however, that just because you can ''see'' what's about to happen, doesn't necessarily mean you can ''do'' anything about it. Once something has already happened, it's already happened; the Monado can't travel back into the past. The Monado can only foresee one upcoming event per minute. This feature completely replaces [[#Hints of the Future|Hints of the Future]].

'''{{Anchor|Bane of Machines}} {{Ex}}''': As [[#Enemy of Machines|Enemy of Machines]], but the Monado does triple damage to constructs instead of double. Likewise, [[#Monado Buster|Monado Buster]] does 5 times the Monado's standard damage to constructs.

'''{{Anchor|Monado Arts Unlocked}}''': After completing the first ritual, the following Monado Arts become available:

*'''''{{Anchor|Monado Shield}}'' {{Sp}}''': As an immediate action, the Monado's wielder can conjure a barrier formed from the will of the universe itself to envelop himself or a single ally within Close range. This barrier completely negates the next attack performed on the subject, as long as the source of the attack has a CR no greater than the wielder's caster level. (For instance, you would need a caster level of at least 7 to protect someone from a cave-in.) If the attack in question is a spell, power, maneuver, invocation, soulmeld, or other ability whose power is governed by a level-dependent value (such as caster level, manifester level, initiator level, or meldshaper level), that value is used in place of the attacker's Challenge Rating, unless their Challenge Rating is higher. The attack to be negated must occur in 2 rounds, or Monado Shield dissipates. Monado Shield is the equivalent of a 3rd-level spell, and can be used once every 1d6 rounds. Its caster level is equal to the wielder's character level.
*'''''{{Anchor|Monado Speed}}'' {{Sp}}''': As a swift action, the Monado's wielder can enhance the agility of himself and all allies within 100 feet. This grants the affected creatures a +20-ft. enhancement bonus to movement speed, a +8 dodge bonus to AC which increases by +1 per caster level, a +4 dodge bonus to Reflex saves which increases by +1 per 2 caster levels, and improved evasion. The effect lasts for 4 rounds. Monado Speed is the equivalent of a 3rd-level spell, and can be used once every 1d6 rounds. Its caster level is equal to the wielder's character level.
*'''''{{Anchor|Monado Purge}}'' {{Sp}}''': As a standard action, the Monado's wielder can perform [[SRD:Dispel Magic|''dispel magic'']]. However, Monado Purge is not directly equivalent to ''dispel magic''. Instead of selecting a target, Monado Purge takes the form of a ray. In addition to potentially dispelling its victim's buffs, Monado Purge does 1d4 damage per caster level (maximum 10d4) and inflicts a debuff known as [[Aura Seal (3.5e Condition)|Aura Seal]], which prevents the victim from benefiting from any and all buff effects. Aura Seal inflicted by Monado Purge lasts for 1d6+2 rounds, and can be negated by a Will save (save DC calculated normally for a spell, using the wielder's Charisma as their spellcasting stat). There is no caster level limit for the dispel check. Monado Purge is the equivalent of a 4th-level spell, and can be used once every 1d4 rounds. Its caster level is equal to the wielder's character level.

''Prerequisites:'' BAB +4 or character level 6th, must participate in fighting off an invasion <!--The ritual prerequisite is based on when Shulk first begins to wield the Monado in <u>Xenoblade Chronicles</u> — during the Mechon raid on Colony 6 at roughly the one-thirtieth point of the game. After the Monado rejects Dunban, putting him under such great strain that he has to drop the sword, Shulk swoops in and grabs it before the Mechon troops can do so, and promptly begins making mincemeat of the Mechon army... with the exception of Metal Face, which the Monado can hardly even scratch (this is a bit of a spoiler, but the reason behind that is that Metal Face (and all Face Mechon) is actually symbiotically bound to a Homs — the <u>Xenoblade</u> world's equivalent of a human — and is therefore recognized as a Homs, rather than a Mechon, by the Monado). And at the same time, Metal Face has the same armor as other Mechons, preventing mundane weapons from doing anything more than scratching him as well. The result is, well, Shulk and friends are quite lucky to emerge from that battle alive... and not all of them make it.-->

''Cost:'' 3,500 XP

===Ritual #2: Release the Shackles!===

[[File:Monado II.jpg|200 px|thumb|right|The advanced form of the Monado, achieved when its restrictions are released.]]

'''Variable Bonus''': The Monado's enhancement bonus is increased to +5.

'''{{Anchor|Cut down anyone in your way!}} {{Ex}}''': [[#Aversion to Flesh|Aversion to Flesh]] no longer applies. The Monado II can be used against any type of creature; humanoids, monstrous humanoids, giants, and fey are now fair game.

'''{{Anchor|Monado Arts Fully Unlocked}}:''' Almost all Monado Arts are now available. The Monado Arts added when the Monado achieves this form are:

*'''''{{Anchor|Monado Armour}}'' {{Sp}}''': As a standard action, the Monado's wielder can envelop himself and all allies within 100 feet with a protective sheen that softens the impact of all attacks. This protective sheen grants subjects [[SRD:Damage Reduction|damage reduction]] 3/&mdash; per caster level and [[Spell Dampening (3.5e Creature Ability)|spell dampening]] 1 per 2 caster levels. The effect lasts for 3 rounds. Monado Armour is the equivalent of a 5th-level spell, and can be used once every 1d6 rounds. Its caster level is equal to the wielder's character level.
*'''''{{Anchor|Monado Cyclone}}'' {{Sp}}''': As a standard action, the Monado's wielder can generate a torrent of raw energy around himself. This takes the form of a 25-foot cylinder centered on the wielder. All creatures opposed to the wielder caught in the cylinder take 1d8 damage per caster level and get knocked [[SRD:Prone|prone]], with a Reflex save allowed to halve the damage ''or'' negate falling prone (a victim can't do both). The save DC is calculated as normal for a spell. Monado Cyclone is the equivalent of a 6th-level spell, and can be used once every 1d8 rounds. Its caster level is equal to the wielder's character level.
*'''''{{Anchor|Monado Eater}}'' {{Sp}}''': As a standard action, the Monado's wielder can generate a pulse of dark ether. This is a 20-foot cone that does 1d6 damage per caster level to all enemies in its path. In addition, victims are subjected to the effect of [[SRD:Greater Dispel Magic|''greater dispel magic'']] and lose 1 hit point per caster level for 1 round per caster level due to bleeding. (Obviously, creatures not bothered by bleeding, like constructs, undead, and oozes, don't lose hit points over time as a consequence of being hit by Monado Eater.) A successful [[Fortitude]] save can halve the hit point damage and prevent the damage over time. However, the success or failure of the save does not influence the dispel check. The save DC is calculated normally for a spell. Monado Eater is the equivalent of a 7th-level spell, and can be used once every 1d8 rounds. Its caster level is equal to the wielder's character level.

''Prerequisites:'' BAB +9 or character level 12th, must have attempted to use the Monado to strike a humanoid, monstrous humanoid, giant, or fey creature in a combat situation, must have made peaceful contact with a god <!-- The first prerequisite is based on a storyline sequence where Shulk's party is attacked by a group of High Entia assassins (High Entia being the <u>Xenoblade</u> world's equivalent of elves); the Monado turns out to be just as useless here as it was against Metal Face and Xord. The second prerequisite is based on a sequence which occurs shortly afterwards, when Shulk and friends try to save the emperor of the High Entia from the Mechon army at Prison Island. While they fail to do so, they ''do'' meet up with the newly-released Zanza, who unlocks the "full" power of the Monado right before being impaled by Metal Face. In the battle that ensues, the Monado turns out to now actually ''work'' on Metal Face, who, despite putting up a fierce fight, is only saved from being reduced to scrap metal by the intervention of another Face Mechon. -->

''Cost'': 10,000 XP

===Ritual #3: The future is ours to decide!===

[[File:Monado III.jpg|200 px|thumb|right|The ultimate form of the Monado, achieved at perfect union between itself and its wielder.]]

'''Variable Bonus''': The Monado's enhancement bonus becomes +7.

'''{{Anchor|Command Over Reality}} {{Ex}}''': The ultimate Monado grants its wielder control over reality, essentially making him into a god. The wielder can cast [[SRD:Wish|''wish'']] at will, and only pays half the XP cost. (However, only the XP cost of ''wish'' itself is halved; the XP cost of any spell emulated by ''wish'' is not.) <!-- In the very final scene of <u>Xenoblade Chronicles</u>, Shulk, having unlocked his ''own'' Monado through his self-enlightenment over the course of the story, is now basically a god; he has command over reality itself. The universe as he knew it is pretty much kaput thanks to Zanza's actions, so Shulk, with the guidance of the Monado's spirit, makes a new universe before relinquishing his powers. The only thing I could think of to represent the ability to create a universe is using ''wish'' at will. There's probably a better way to represent it, though... -->

'''{{Anchor|Destroyer of Gods}} {{Ex}}''': In its ultimate form, the Monado can cut down literally anything in its way &mdash; even gods can be felled by its blade. The Monado is now treated as an epic weapon for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.

'''{{Anchor|Secret Monado Arts}}''': The ultimate form of the Monado unlocks a final set of Monado Arts.

*'''''{{Anchor|Monado Shooter}}'' {{Ex}}''': As a full-round action, the Monado's wielder generates 8 bullets of solid galactic energy and launches them at his enemies. Each projectile does 1d8 damage per 2 initiator levels, but must strike the target (as a ranged attack) in order to actually work. [[Martial Defense (3.5e Creature Ability)|Martial defense]] applies normally, and a creature whose martial defense beats the Monado's wielder's initiator level check takes no damage from the galactic bullets. The Monado's wielder may split the bullets to fire at any number of targets within line of sight, in any combination (so he could fire all 8 bullets at 1 creature, or 4 bullets each at 2 creatures, or 4 bullets at one creature, 2 bullets at another, and 1 bullet each at two others... you get the drift). Monado Shooter is a Strike maneuver-like ability which is the equivalent of an 8th-level maneuver, and can be used once every 1d6 rounds. Its initiator level is equal to the wielder's character level.
*'''''{{Anchor|Monado Brave}}'' {{Sp}}''': As a standard action, the Monado's wielder generates galactic energy and uses it to empower himself or 1 willing creature, which the Monado's wielder touches to bestow with the power. This power grants a +1 enhancement bonus to all ability scores per 2 caster levels. The bonuses last for 5 rounds. Monado Brave is the equivalent of a 9th-level spell, and can be used once every 2d6 rounds. Its caster level is equal to the wielder's character level.
*'''''{{Anchor|Monado Recover}}'' {{Sp}}''': As a standard action, the Monado's wielder can use galactic energy to heal himself or one willing creature for 1d12 damage per caster level. If healing another creature, the Monado's wielder must touch that creature. Monado Recover is the equivalent of an 8th-level spell, and can be used once every 1d8 rounds. Its caster level is equal to the wielder's character level.

''Prerequisites:'' BAB +18 or character level 20, must have challenged at least 180 unfavorable outcomes foreseen through [[#Glimpse the Future|Glimpse the Future]], including at least one event so catastrophic that it could destroy an entire plane <!-- The Monado's final form is only unlocked during the final battle of <u>Xenoblade Chronicles</u>. To get to this point, Shulk has already averted ''one'' apocalyptic catastrophe (Egil's Bionis Slash X attack, which, if successful, would have destroyed Bionis, which is, for all intents and purposes, an entire planet), and is currently trying to avert another (Zanza attempting to destroy all life so that they won't develop space travel and abandon him... long story short, Zanza's a selfish jerk). This is to say nothing of all the visions Shulk's stopped from coming true over the course of the game, both in the storyline and in battles. The Monado Arts unlocked by this stage are actually wielded not by Shulk, but by Zanza. -->

''Cost:'' 100,000 XP

----

Prerequisites: N/A<br/>
Cost to Create: Unique item, cannot be created. 
</onlyinclude>

----
{{Copyright Disclaimer}}<br/>
{{3.5e Magic Weapons Breadcrumb}}
[[Category:3.5e]]
[[Category:User]]
[[Category:Equipment]]
[[Category:Artifact]]
[[Category:Magic]]
[[Category:Weapon]]
[[Category:Weapon of Legacy]]
{{Navboxes}}
Author	Luigifan18 +
Body Slot	Held +
Cost	150,000 gp +
Help Wanted Reason	I want to be as faithful to the source material as possible, so please let me know if there's anything I'm missing or getting wrong! +
Identifier	3.5e Equipment +
Rated By	Leziad +, Ganteka Future +, Aeturo +, Enigma + and Eiji-kun +
Rating	Rated 0.8 / 4 +
Summary	The legendary Monado, the blade of Bionis. +
Title	Monado +
Type	Major +