| Emmit Svenson |
I like the look of the Flagbearer feat and the Banner of Ancient Kings wondrous item. They’re very flavorful and provide a substantial all-day bonus. But in battle against enemies that know that the flag raises morale--or against any enemies, really, if your GM’s a bit antagonistic--the flag could be a serious vulnerability. Aside from the hour-long penalties if it is destroyed, a player needs to come up with an CL 16 Make Whole spell to fix a destroyed Banner--that’s a 1,600 repair bill, assuming you wind up buying a scroll of the right level.
By my reading, a flag or Banner has 0 hardness and 2 hit points, leaving it vulnerable to dagger stabs, torch hits and stray arrows.
What are some ways to protect a flag or Banner from harm? I suppose characters could just stash it most of the time, and only take it out when fighting constructs and animals and magic beasts, but assume the goal is to use it even when facing enemies highly likely to target it, such as orc barbarians and undead cavaliers. Also assume the pole is pretty well protected: a impervious adamantine longspear in a locking gauntlet, say. What spells, feats, and tactics will help?
Also, are there inexpensive ways to restore a destroyed (not merely broken) Banner?