A shredstorm is a construct comprising a swarm of spinning bladed disks.[2] They can be found on the plane of Shavarath, the Battleground,[1] and might be related the notorious whirling blades that occur there.[note 1]
Description[]
From afar, a shredstorm appears as a dark whirlwind with flickers of lightning glimpsed within it, from which emanates a shrill sound of metallic grinding. Closer to, however, and it can be seen to be made up of thousands of saw-bladed adamantine disks, similar in size and shape to shurikens, only 4 inches (10 centimeters) in diameter and around 2 ounces (57 grams) in weight. Each spins at terrific speed and sparks with electricity.[2]
Creation[]
To construct a shredstorm, one requires some 15,000 gp worth of adamantine just for the bladed disks, and additional 35,000 gp for the work and magic. Great skill in the forging of weapons is needed to craft the metal into the many blades. Moreover, the creator must be a highly experienced spellcaster trained in the making of constructs, and have the spells fly, geas/quest, greater magic weapon, lightning bolt, and limited wish. Overall, a shredstorm cost 85,000 gp to purchase.[2]
Powers[]
The individual disks are magically animated, making them spin. The specific magic that enables them to fly also enables them to move in unison, so they may be controlled and commanded by their creator as a single construct.[2]
Owing to its lethal blades and electrical field, a shredstorm will cause significant damage and electrical shocks to any creature or object in engulfs. Being adamantine, it can damage any object, no matter how hard, and being magical, it can attack incorporeal targets. Living creatures are especially vulnerable, with the distraction of the many moving blades making it almost impossible to act or concentrate on spells, if they cannot focus.[2]
Moreover, a shredstorm may discharge some of its electricity in a blast similar to the lightning bolt spell. Afterward, it does half as much electrical damage to those it engulfs. It takes 2 to 12 hours to recharge fully.[2]
Behavior[]
A shredstorm obeys the instructions of its creator up to a distance of 120 feet (37 meters). Beyond this range or otherwise without commands, it continues to follow its creator's last orders as well as it can. The creator may provide it with simple-to-follow programs to carries out when its own, for example, "Enter the castle and attack everyone inside."[2]
They may be operated in individually, that is, as one swarm, or in divisions of up to five shredstorms.[2]
They cannot speak, lacking the minds and mouths necessary.[2]
Usage[]
Shredstorms are designed to be used on battlefields and in sieges. They can slip through defenses and into fortifications and castles, cut through walls to open breaches and admit attackers, and, as their name suggests, shred defenders with ease.[2]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ As a mass of whirling blades, the shredstorm is likely intended to be related to or even be a larger form of Shavarath's whirling blades. However, apart from being mentioned in the Eberron Campaign Setting as being present on that plane, no Eberron-lore about them is given. Instead, in the core D&D version, they are created as siege weapons, not naturally occurring as whirling blades seem to be.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 98. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 Andrew Finch, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, Chris Perkins (August 2004). Monster Manual III. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 153. ISBN 0-7869-3430-1.