Earthdawn 4E: Anatomy of a Thread Item 34 - Races-the-Wind

This is the thirty-fourth 4E Anatomy of a Thread Item, an ongoing series about Earthdawn Fourth Edition. Introduction and Index.

Everything contained here is the work of a fan and not associated with FASA Games.

A thread item written for an online game I offered to help with thread items. This was written with the request of a belt with Karma storage. The description was also provided. In some ways, this presented a significant challenge trying to put together those pieces that isn't just about mounted combat, because that's creates a weird space where it feels like it should be more powerful due to the limitations, but those limitations are typically irrelevant since the game adapts to the mount.

Races-the-Wind

Maximum Threads: 2
Mystic Defense: 12

Legend Point Cost: Journeyman

A bracelet woven from horse hair taken from the manes of all the great steeds of an ork clan. This practice represents continuity for their people and comparatively short lives, and an eternal bond with their horse allies.

Thread Rank One
Key Knowledge: The owner must learn the bracelet’s Name.
Effect: The wearer gains +1 to Social Defense.

Thread Rank Two
Effect: The wearer gains +1 to Physical Defense.

Thread Rank Three
Key Knowledge: The owner must learn about the clan.
Effect: The wearer gains the Races-the-Wind ability. As a Simple action for 1 Strain, the wearer’s hair appears to lengthen into a wild mane and they gain +4 to their Movement Rate until the end of the next round (this applies to their mount if they are mounted).

Thread Rank Four
Effect: While Races-the-Wind is active, the wearer gains +2 to Attack or Damage tests if they have moved over half their Movement Rate (or their mount’s Movement Rate if mounted). The wearer must choose which test gets the bonus when Races-the-Wind is used.

Thread Rank Five
Key Knowledge: The owner must learn the horses’ Names.
Effect: The owner may store Karma Points up to the thread rank in the bracelet. The wearer may transfer Karma Points between their Karma pool and the bracelet as a Standard action, and may spend Karma from the bracelet as if it were in their Karma pool.

Thread Rank Six
Effect: While Races-the-Wind is active, the wearer can spend a Karma Point on any Action test against an opponent if they moved over half their Movement Rate (or their mount’s Movement Rate if mounted). This can be used once per round.