Annoucements and Rulings:
Two of the Powers, through determined search, have located Artifacts.
Dagger's Kingdom of Keoland has located the Axe of the Dwarvish Lords.
Tokiwong's Empire of Iuz (thanks to John Brown's efforts) has located the Machine of Lum the Mad.
For the moment, the only benefits of these devices is a major increase in PL.
For unlike 10th level magic, these devices harm (ala major malevolent effects, remember that?) the wielder who uses their primary powers, and thus renders them less effective.
Dagger gains 20 PL immediately from the Axe.
One of his PCs or NPCs may directly use this Axe in battle, and the PL of PC/NPC and Axe stack.
Or, he may choose to allocate the 20 PL to general PL, and use that PL for whatever purpose that pleases him.
Iuz gains 20 PL immediately from the Machine.
Again, one of his PCs or NPCs may use the Machine, and the PL of PC/NPC and Machine stack.
Or, once again, Tokiwong may choose to dump the extra PL into his general PL, and spend it however he pleases.
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Ruling: The True Staff gained by Anabstercorian raises his PL by 20, not 16.
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Ruling: Forsaken One has outfitted his entire army in Red Steel.
This gives them an (incredible) bonus of + 2 / + 3 to all rolls.
The drawbacks, will come later.
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Anabstercorian, the Gem Dragons state they rarely eat living things at all, and then only in battles.
They prefer to eat precious metals, jewelry, and gems.
Especially gems. (Heh, surprise, surprise!)