Vaters Fluch

Vaters Fluch, the national weapon of Fatherland, is a magical and menacing-looking short sword. In the War of the False Kings in 142, the weapon was wielded by Sadie Winters.

It earned its name, which translates to “father’s bane” in English, because of the magical knowledge it bestows upon its wielder—and what, if not newfound knowledge, is more of a bane in the existence of a domineering or insecure father figure?

Construction

Vaters Fluch is a sword defined as much by its hilt as by its blade. A single piece of metal begins at the pommel, goes on to form the spiked knuckle guard, then crosses through the grip and terminates in a long, curved quillon.

The blade is curved as well, though the curve as not as pronounced as a saber’s.

As for the origins of its supernatural abilities, those remain a mystery.

Abilities

The wielder of Vaters Fluch is imbued with two distinct supernatural abilities:

1. Photographic Reflexes—the ability to instantly mimic the physical movements of one’s opponents or comrades in battle.
2. Limited Threat-Based Precognition—the ability to sense impending danger and react to it at supernatural speeds.

Cost

The energy required to wield Vaters Fluch results in a post-battle hunger the likes of which most wielders have never known. Fatigue and exhaustion are also common.

Some users have reported increased paranoia after extended use of the weapon. This is thought to be a reaction of the user’s brain to the loss of the precognitive abilities it had become accustomed to.

Limitations

The knowledge the weapon grants its user is extremely limited. The photographic reflexes ability cannot be used to master non-combat skills, and any knowledge gained begins to fade if the user gives up the weapon to someone else. Similarly, the precognition ability cannot be used to see beyond the next few minutes. It’s there to be used as a “danger sense” and nothing more.