Objects and materials distributed by the Master to his people; supposedly received from “the Goddess”.

Various objects, materials, etc., used by the Master’s people (and derivative items made from such things). They are known as “gifts of the Goddess”, as that is claimed to be their provenance (according to the Master).

Unbreakable string

“Unbreakable” may be an exaggeration—but only a slight one. This string is made of some sort of exotic material—neither silk, nor any sort of vegetable fiber, nor metal, nor any other known substance. Unbreakable string does not fray, nor does it rot or degrade. Its surface is extremely smooth—sliding one’s fingers down its length feels like rubbing an oiled blade (though it may still be gripped easily enough, when used as a bow string, for instance).

String of this sort is used in the stitching of shade cloaks. The strings of bows wielded by the Master’s people are also sections of this sort of string.

A length of unbreakable string has a hardness of 5 and 1 hit point. A DC 28 Strength check is required to snap string of this sort. The string takes only one-quarter damage from sonic attacks, and is immune to acid and bludgeoning damage.

Shade cloak

A thin, flexible but somewhat stiff material (somewhat similar in feel to oilcloth), cut and stitched with an extremely strong thread, to make a voluminous hooded cloak. The weave is very fine, and exceptionally tight and strong; the material feels quite smooth to the touch. The exterior surface of the cloak has a subtle lustre—not metallic, but reminiscent of a pearl, or polished ivory. This material shines and glitters in sunlight, causing its wearer to take a −5 penalty to Stealth checks when in an area illuminated by bright light. (When not hiding, Perception DCs to spot the wearer are reduced by 2 in such circumstances.)

Such cloaks get their name from their intended purpose: to protect the wearer from the heat and light of the sun. The shade’s cloak protection applies against all of the usual penalties imposed by either bright illumination or hot weather (e.g., increased water consumption, heat exhaustion, etc.). The cloak’s wearer treats environmental heat conditions as being six temperature bands lower than it is (e.g., burning heat is treated as moderate weather), to a minimum of “moderate”. (The cloak protects the wearer from all forms of heat transfer; it even inhibits convection, if worn properly, although this inhibition may be rendered moot if the wearer engages in combat or otherwise exposes his body to his surroundings.)

The cloak’s stiff material and awkward shape interfere with melee combat, imposing a −2 penalty to melee attack rolls. The shade cloak grants a +2 armor bonus to AC against attacks made with piercing or slashing weapons. (As an armor bonus, this does not stack with the bonus from actual armor, bracers of armor, the mage armor spell, etc.)

A shade cloak has hardness 5 and 5 hit points. It cannot be damaged by bludgeoning attacks. Unlike most objects, a shade cloak takes only one-quarter damage from sonic attacks (rather than full damage).