The Ember Shield
Also known as: The Ashen Shield, Ironspike's Shield
A massive rectangular tower shield sized for a heavy Automaton Guardian, constructed from layered Aetherite-Alloy plates backed by a honeycomb lattice of interlocking Flame-Resistant Gear-Shells — hollow, ceramic-lined mechanical casings that absorb combustive energy and convert it into stored Aether charge rather than transferring heat to the bearer. The shield's face is engraved with a stylized Flaming Gear sigil, the emblem of innovation and the Ember Rift memorial combined, and its surface is permanently darkened with a patina of absorbed Drakonian fire from the battle where it earned its name. Embedded in the central hub is an Aether-Pulse Emitter, a crystal node that discharges stored fire energy outward as a concussive wave when a thumb-lock on the inner handle is pressed.
Artifact Details
- Type
- Armor
- Rarity
- Legendary
- Origin
- Commissioned and forged by Master Engineer Thrum Ironspike in the final weeks before the Ember Rift Conflict (Year 842 AE) erupted into full battle. Ironspike adapted the Flame-Resistant Gear-Shell technology from furnace-maintenance automatons, scaling it for combat use in response to intelligence reports that Drakonian war-lords were massing fire-breathing forces at the Ashen Pass. The shield was field-tested in the opening engagement of the conflict and performed well enough that thirty copies were produced during the battle itself.
- Current Owner
- The original is mounted in the Hall of Resonance in Gearhaven as a memorial artifact; field copies are held by the Automaton Guard Corps
Overview
The Ember Shield is a legendary armor in Landorya. Its known origin is Commissioned and forged by Master Engineer Thrum Ironspike in the final weeks before the Ember Rift Conflict (Year 842 AE) erupted into full battle. Ironspike adapted the Flame-Resistant Gear-Shell technology from furnace-maintenance automatons, scaling it for combat use in response to intelligence reports that Drakonian war-lords were massing fire-breathing forces at the Ashen Pass. The shield was field-tested in the opening engagement of the conflict and performed well enough that thirty copies were produced during the battle itself.. It is currently associated with The original is mounted in the Hall of Resonance in Gearhaven as a memorial artifact; field copies are held by the Automaton Guard Corps. Its most cited abilities include Absorbs Drakonian fire breath and other combustive magical attacks, converting heat energy into stored Aether charge rather than transmitting damage, Activates an Aether-Pulse Emitter that releases stored charge as a concussive blast capable of staggering a full-grown Drake, and Provides a fire-resistant zone extending roughly two feet around its perimeter, protecting multiple adjacent automatons in tight formation. Accounts also warn of a drawback: The shield has retained a resonance memory of every fire attack it has absorbed across its history. In the presence of active Drakonian fire — or any sufficien…
History
The Ember Shield became famous when a Bulwark Unit automaton carrying it withstood a sustained assault from a Drakonian war-lord known as Ashwing for nearly twenty minutes, long enough for the Gnomish Guard to re-program three captured Drakonian Scale-Gears into defensive turrets and change the course of the battle. After the Treaty of Ember was signed, Drakonian delegates reportedly requested that the shield be destroyed as a condition of peace; the Clockwork Assembly refused, and its preservation was written into the Treaty as a protected commemorative artifact. Drakonian war-clans have raided the Hall of Resonance twice since Year 842 AE in attempts to retrieve or destroy it; both times they were repelled by Automaton Guardians.
Powers & Abilities
- ✦ Absorbs Drakonian fire breath and other combustive magical attacks, converting heat energy into stored Aether charge rather than transmitting damage
- ✦ Activates an Aether-Pulse Emitter that releases stored charge as a concussive blast capable of staggering a full-grown Drake
- ✦ Provides a fire-resistant zone extending roughly two feet around its perimeter, protecting multiple adjacent automatons in tight formation
- ✦ The Gear-Shell lattice regenerates slowly by drawing ambient Aether energy, restoring absorbed capacity over several hours of non-combat use
Curse or Drawback
The shield has retained a resonance memory of every fire attack it has absorbed across its history. In the presence of active Drakonian fire — or any sufficiently intense combustive magic — it begins to vibrate and emit a compound harmonic of every recorded flame: a layered, mournful sound that grows louder as the threat intensifies. The effect is operationally useful as a warning, but its unsettling quality has caused several Gnomish Guard crews to break formation involuntarily. Chronomancers who study the sound closely report hearing individual Drakonian voices within it.