Table of Contents
Races | Technology
ORLANDA SPEAR
Overview and Game Mechanics
- Orlanda Spear
- Origin: Native Tribes of VOI 700 D | Orlanda Tribe
- Type: Melee + Ranged
- Damage: 1d8 piercing
- Range: Close Combat, can get thrown (normally up to 20 meters max)
- Properties: Dual use (melee or thrown), enhanced lethality with venom coating
- Attack Roll: Strength + Proficiency
- Cost (Beta Age): 350,- Kourou (Average Price at Itinerant Traders with venom-tipped spearhead)
- Cost (Gamma Age): 200,- Kourou (Average Price Black Market without venom-tipped spearhead), 450,- Kourou (Average Price Black Market with venom-tipped spearhead)
- Weight: 2 kg
- Availability: The Spear is common on the Black market, but very rare with a venom-tipped spearhead.
- Special Feature: Venom-Tipped Spearhead
- The Orlanda Spear’s spearhead can be coated with venom derived from Orlanda Marsh Stingers, swamp-dwelling insects. When coated:
- Effect: On a successful hit, the target must succeed on a Constitution saving throw (DC 14) or take 2d6 poison damage and become poisoned for 1 minute.
- Cost of Venom: 50 Kourou per application (lasts for 3 attacks).
- Crafting Venom: Requires harvesting Marsh Stinger venom and processing it with herbal stabilizers.
Context and Historical Background
The Orlanda Spear is the hallmark weapon of the Orlanda Tribe, embodying their deep connection to the swamps and their resourceful adaptation to the challenging terrain of the Orlanda Marshes. Designed for versatility, the spear functions as a melee weapon and can be thrown with precision, reflecting the tribe's need for survival tools that double as hunting and defensive weapons.
Use in Tribal Conflict and the Great War
The Orlanda Spear was not originally a weapon of war but became one during the Great War. The Orlanda Tribe, pressured by exohuman expansion into the marshlands, turned to guerrilla tactics to defend their home. Warriors would coat their spears with venom harvested from the deadly Marsh Stingers, turning a simple weapon into a lethal instrument.
Exohuman soldiers reported devastating encounters with Orlanda warriors, who would ambush from paddle boats or the edges of marsh thickets, striking quickly and retreating into the maze of waterways. The venom-coated spear became notorious for incapacitating enemies, leaving them vulnerable to further attacks or the natural dangers of the swamp.
Spread to the Black Market
After the war, many Orlanda Spears fell into the hands of outsiders through trade, theft, or war spoils. Today, they are commonly found on the Black Market in settlements like Firetown, where their venom-tipped variants are particularly sought after. The Jane Mendoza Gang is rumored to use them in their arsenal for ambushes and raids, adding a terrifying element to their attacks.
Materials and Crafting
The Orlanda Spear
The spear is crafted from Swampwood, a lightweight but durable material native to the Orlanda Marshes. The spearhead is forged from Bog Iron, a naturally occurring iron found in swamp deposits. Each spear is hand-balanced for precision throwing and melee combat, with a grip wrapped in treated swamp reeds for comfort and water resistance.
Venom Preparation
- Source: The venom is harvested from Orlanda Marsh Stingers, a large, aggressive insect found in the swamps.
- Processing: Venom is mixed with a stabilizing herb known as Watermint, which neutralizes its volatility until applied.
- Application: Venom is brushed onto the spearhead with a small reed tool, creating a thin, deadly coating that lasts for 3 attacks.
Tactical Advice for Dungeon Masters
- Ambush and Guerrilla Tactics: Use Orlanda Spear-wielding NPCs in swampy terrains where their venom-coated weapons and knowledge of the environment can give them a significant advantage.
- Rare Loot with Risks: Introducing a venom-coated spear as loot adds a powerful option for players but requires them to balance its use with the ethical and logistical challenges of sourcing venom.
- Morality in Play: Players could face dilemmas about using venom, especially if they interact with Orlanda elders who view the venom as sacred and its misuse as a violation of tribal laws.
- Diversifying Combat Scenarios: Against Orlanda spear-wielders, players may need to rely on ranged attacks or tactics that force enemies out of their natural terrain.