Babr-e-Bayan, the Armour of Rostam
Babr-e-Bayan is the magical suit of armour worn by the Persian hero Rostam. It is immune to fire, water, and blades. It is fashioned from the skin of a feathered dragon slain by Rostam, having the appearance of a leather jacket and hose covered in strange feathers. The armour is over 1000 years old and world-weary but can be roused to vigour by a wearer who is both pure and valiant.
It has a deep-seated hatred of betrayal and still mourns the death of its friend and first bearer, Rostam, though he has been dead for a thousand years and more. Much of Babr-e-Bayan’s time when not in battle is spent silently mourning the passing of the days of its creation and the culture and faith of his first owner and friend.
It cannot speak but is able to move itself somewhat. When worn this movement is not strong enough to overpower the wearer, but can be felt by them. A willing wearer may allow Babr-e-Bayan to guide their movements if they wish.
Magic Might: 10 (Auram)
Characteristics: Int 0, Per -2, Pre +1, Com 0, Str +1, Sta +4, Dex +2, Qik -3
Size: 0
Season: Autumn
Virtues and Flaws: Magic Thing; Magical Friend; Great Stamina; Lost Love
Magic Qualities and Inferiorities: Personal Power x3; Lesser Power; Improved Powers; Improved Soak x10; Minor Flaw; Decreased Abilities x4
Personality Traits: Armour* +3, Valiant +3, Noble +2, Hates Betrayal +6
Combat:
Dodge: Init -3, Attack n/a, Defense +8, Damage n/a
Soak: +24
Wound Penalties: –1 (1–5), –3 (6–10), –5 (11–15), Incapacitated (16–20)
Fatigue Levels: n/a
Abilities: Area Lore (Ancient Persia) 5, Leadership 5, Awareness 6, Etiquette 4, Dominion Lore 4, Magic Lore 4, Faerie Lore 3, Infernal Lore 4, Zoroastrian Theology 3, Survival 4, Brawl (Dodging) 5, Middle Persian (North-Eastern Dialect) 5
Powers:
Immune to Fire, 0 points, Init -6, Ignem
R: Personal, D: Sun, T: Individual
This power is constant and renders the armour and its wearer immune to any fire which would cause less than +15 damage. Against stronger fire they gain an additional +15 soak.
(as Ward against Heat and Flames ReIg 25 -1 magnitude to bring it down to personal range, +1 for constant effect)
Protection from Drowning, 0 points, Init -5, Aquam
R: Touch, D: Sun, T: Part
This power transforms water in the vicinity of the armour and its wearer to transform into breathable air. For the duration the wearer can breath underwater, and is not effected by the water around them (as they are contained in a bubble of air that moves with them) meaning they do not float, cannot swim in the water, and can move at full speed unimpeded by it. Activating this power in deep water is inadvisable as the wearer will then fall through the water as if air, which may cause severe injuries depending on how far up in the water they are.
(as Lungs of the Fish MuAq 20)
Bladeward, 0 points, Init -6, Terram
This power is constant and prevents any metal object from striking the armour. Weapons not made of metal such as a wooden club act as normal.
(ReTe 30: base 15, Sun +2, Constant +1)
Vis: 2 Auram
Appearance: Babr-e-Bayan is a suit of leather that covers the legs, torso, and head (with a tight fitting hood) covered from top to bottom in long thin feathers of dark green and black hues. This gives it an almost hairy appearance from a distance. It is fairly loose, designed to be worn over a padded suit of armour, so characters of size less than +1 must wear armour or padding underneath to make it fit (it is too small for characters size +2 or more).
Where is it now?
After the death of Rostam Babr-e-Bayan passed through the hands of several great warriors in service of the Parthian empire and later fell into the hands of the rulers of the Sassanid dynasty. It was worn by Yadzegerd III, last ruler of the dynasty. After his disastrous defeats at the hands of the arabs he took refuge in Merv, but was murdered by a miller whose house he sheltered in at the behest of Mahoe Suri, the ruler of Merv. This act of regicide was reviled and Mahoe was cursed by both Zoroastrian and Christian clerics. His reign was always troubled from then on and he was eventually killed during a revolt in Khorasan.
After this the armour fell into the hands of a lineage of mobeds who preserved it as a sacred relic. However, they never dared to use it to openly fight against the muslims who were an increasingly large majority. Thus the armour mouldered in obscurity, and greatly reduced in might due to acclimation. Luckily it was hidden in a cave with a mild magic aura, preserving some of its power.
With the Mongol invasion of Khwarezmia the last of this lineage of mobeds has fled into the west. Perhaps they will finally decide to use the armour? Perhaps they will be killed or captured and it will fall into other hands? Or, perhaps they will seek out a true hearted champion worthy of bearing the legacy of Rostam?