Defenders of the Forest - Liber Fanatica

Chapter V: Armoury and
Equipment
Wood Elves favour elegant weapons such as blades and bows
over the clumsy axes and warhammers used by Humans and
Dwarfs. Elven arrowheads are often styled after leaves; curvaceous,
slender and razor sharp. Even the most ordinary Asrai
blades are crafted to a high standard, with an emphasis on
strength, keenness and flexibility over weight. Blades are usually
engraved with spirals or Elven runic script.
It h i lm a r a n d Va u l ’s An v i l
The precious metal Ithilmar, also known as “truesteel” and “sky
silver”, is a bright, silver metal said to be as light as the sky (see
OWA pg. 18 & 42 for rules). Although some people claim that
Ithilmar can only be mined in Ulthuan, the metal is an alloy
created by Priests of Vaul using a secret process requiring volcanic
conditions. As the iron is still forming within volcanoes,
Priests of Vaul add secret rare ingredients to alter its chemical
composition. The resultant alloy is stronger and lighter than
normal steel.
The most important ingredient used in the creation of Ithilmar
can only be found upon the slopes of the Dragonspine Mountains
on Ulthuan. However, Priests of Vaul who work the forges
at the caldera of Athel Loren are able to process iron into a
lesser form of Ithilmar called “quicksteel”. Although weapons
made from quicksteel do not possess the Fast Quality, quicksteel
armour only imposes a -5% penalty to the wearer’s Agility
Characteristic. Quicksteel also weighs half the Encumbrance
value of normal steel, and is less prone to rusting.
Wo o d El f We a p o n s
Wood Elf weapons are generally unavailable outside of the
forests and are never for sale. Weapons are occasionally given as
gifts to honoured members of the lesser races.
Saearath
These double-bladed spear-staves have shafts sung from hickory
and are often adorned with feathers, teeth or claws. At each
end of the staff is a leaf-shaped blade, which skilled warriors can
wield in arcs of deadly cutting edges. Anyone with two-handed
weapon training can use this weapon. Saearaths are always of
Best Craftsmanship, and some are detachable which enables
them to become two swords in the hands of the wielder.
Saearath: Cost NA; Enc 100; Group Two-Handed; Dmg SB;
Qualities Fast, Defensive; Avail Very Rare.
Hunting Knives
Hunting knives are the preferred weapons of Wood Elves and
are often used in pairs. Knives are lighter and more practical to
wield in the forest than swords. Longer than a normal dagger
and elegantly crafted, Asrai hunting knives are popular among
the lesser races and are often given as gifts or exchanged for
barter in desperate times.
Hunting Knives: Cost NA; Enc 30; Group Ordinary; Dmg SB
-1; Qualities Fast, None; Avail Rare.
Fo o d a n d Dr i n k
Each Wood Elf family maintains a household garden that is
either integrated into their dwelling or planted in earthen
terraces. Although these gardens are small, each one yields
multiple harvests every year thanks to the Treesingers who tend
them with magic and song. The fruits and vegetables picked
from household gardens are often shared freely with the greater
community or Kinband.
There is a common misconception among Old Worlders that
the Asrai do not eat meat. Although the forests provide all the
plants and roots needed, Wood Elves are unable to achieve a
balanced diet from greens alone, particularly in the winter. In
fact, the hunt is an important custom within Asrai culture.
Unlike most other races, however, Wood Elves only hunt what
they need, and they use as much of the animal as possible. Even
bones are used to craft items such as needles, pins, combs and
flutes. Livestock are not kept by Wood Elves, who consider
animal husbandry vile and barbaric.
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