Elven Thornblade

[omegatiger121]

I'm constructing a masterwork weapon named the Elven Thornblade, which is, essentially, a longsword made of a tree branch impregnated with thorns. The masterwork quality comes from an enchantment that prevents reductions in quality, such as the edge squaring off. Would it weigh less than, the same as, or more than the longsword?

[Gisher]

You're creating it, so it would weigh as much as you want it to. ;)

But here are the arguments that I would take into consideration.

Lighter
Normal wood is significantly less dense than iron so it should weigh less even with a little extra mass from the thorns.

The Same
Weight is an important factor contributing to damage with a slashing weapon, so the wood should be magically dense enough to match a normal sword. Counterargument: Mithril longswords are half the normal weight, but still deal the same amount of damage.

Heavier
I actually can't think of a reason for this to be true.

I love the concept for this weapon, and would appreciate it if you could update the thread once you get it statted out.

[omegatiger121]

Thank you for the help. I'll post the specifics when I finish it.

[omegatiger121]

New post to for ease of sight.

It's almost done. The one thing that concerns me is the cost because it's modeled after leaf armor, which "has the same game statistics as masterwork studded leather, except it contains no metal" and costs 500 gp.

Elven thornblade
Created by elvish druids as a way to use the forest’s myriad fallen branches as a weapon, this masterwork-quality blade is impregnated with thorns that serrate the edge like a steak knife and enchanted so it’s not subject to the pitfalls of being wooden, such as squaring of the edge.
Price: 338 gp; Type: one-handed melee; Proficiency: exotic; Damage: (S) 1d6/(M) 2d4 P and S; Critical: 19-20 ×2; Weapon Group: heavy blades; Weight: 3 lbs.
Qualities: Additional DP (2), additional damage type P and S (3); improved critical threat range (3); improved damage (3), traditional (elf) (1), weapon feature (masterwork) (+300 gp)

[master_marshmallow]

Most elven weapons also have the finesse quality, if not all of them. I would consider this.

[lemeres]

So would this basically be an aldori dueling sword- ie- long sword stats with the finesse ability?

Not saying that is a problem. Just wanting to verify.

[Gwen Smith]

You might look at Darkwood and Greenwood instead of Darkleaf cloth (the material used for leaf armor.

Greenwood is extra cool because it's alive and can heal any damage when it's in moist dirt. That could be a really appropriate side benefit/flavor for the type of weapon you've described.

Darkwood is half the weight of any normal wood, so it would be a good choice for a one-handed finessable weapon.

[omegatiger121]

Okay. I've decided to have it made of Greenwood and effected by ironwood. However, it'd need to be returned to its creator every so often under unmodified rules because ironwood cannot me made permanent. Would it cost 338 gp, 538 gp (current + 200 gp for being based on a four-pound weapon), or something completely different? If it's the last one, what wound it be?

Unfortunately, I'd have to trade the threat range for the finesse because the weapon creation rules only allow taking three additional design points, which would bring the total to eleven design points-as opposed to the thirteen I'd need as it stands.