Nevārôb Shield | Free 5e and PD2e Magic Item

Written by Hana the Lorekeeper

What do adventurers love more than gold? The answer is often magic items! The following item is ideal for any melee fighter with a rough fighting style.

If you're looking for other 5e and PF2e resources, check out our entire collection of Lair Magazine issues. This particular magic item came from the April 2024 issue of Lair Magazine, Fables & Fantasy, where you can find even more to add to your campaign!

Nevārôb Shield - 5e

Armor (shield), very rare (requires attunement)

These wood, leather, and steel shields were created in Nevārôb Vale (nev-ah-ro-buh vay-el), a distant valley that suffered from vicious hogs ravaging their fields and attacking travelers. Nevārôb warriors studied the boar and its combat methods, and from these observations came the Rushing Boar fighting style, which specializes in charging enemies and knocking them prone. With this style, a group of adventurers tracked down and defeated the druid behind the attacks, bringing peace to the valley.

Each shield bears the likeness of a boar’s face and grants an AC bonus of +3 (includes the standard +2 from using a shield) as long as you are not wearing heavy armor.

Growing Affinity. Warriors that grow up in Nevārôb Vale spend their early years learning the Rushing Boar style from their masters. As you remain attuned to this shield, the magic of the shield imprints the Rushing Boar style on you, teaching useful combat techniques. The DC for checks made using Rushing Boar styles is equal to 8 + your Strength modifier + your Constitution modifier. When you reach certain milestones, your affinity with the shield grows, allowing you to learn new techniques (must be completed in order):

• Attune to the Shield (Basic Affinity). You practice properly wielding the shield and learn to grow your affinity with it. You must reach each subsequent affinity level in order (you cannot benefit from gaining master-level affinity before gaining the expert level).
• Remain Attuned for One Month and Single-Handedly Defeat 10 Enemies that are Boars and Above CR 1 (Intermediate Affinity). You become proficient at using shields as an offensive weapon. If you hit a creature with the shield, it takes 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage and must succeed on a Strength saving throw or fall prone.
• Remain Attuned for Two Months and Single-Handedly Defeat 25 Enemies that are Boars and Above CR 3 (Expert Affinity). You learn how to wield the shield with more finesse and power. While wielding the shield and not wearing heavy armor, the AC bonus is +4. If you aren’t incapacitated, you can add the shield’s AC bonus to any Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution saving throw you make against a spell or other harmful effect that targets only you.

Remain Attuned for Three Months and Single-Handedly Defeat a Deadly Enemy (Master Affinity). While wielding this shield, you can move through a creature’s space as long as it is one size larger than you or smaller. Any creature in your path must succeed on a Strength saving throw or take 7 (2d6) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. Creatures that succeed take half damage and don’t get knocked prone.

Nevārôb Shield - Pathfinder 2e                   

Item 11/14

Rare, Invested, Magical

Price 1,300 gp

Usage held in 1 hand; Bulk 1

These wood, leather, and steel shields were created in Nevārôb Vale (nev-ah-ro-buh vay-el), a distant valley that suffered from vicious hogs ravaging their fields and attacking travelers. Nevārôb warriors studied the boar and its combat methods, and from these observations came the Rushing Boar fighting style, which specializes in charging enemies and knocking them prone. With this style, a group of adventurers tracked down and defeated the druid behind the attacks, bringing peace to the valley.

This moderate sturdy shield bears the ornate likeness of a boar on its front, complete with impressive tusks that jut out at the enemy. You can Strike with these tusks as though they were shield spikes.

Growing Affinity. Warriors that grow up in Nevārôb Vale spend their early years learning the Rushing Boar style from their masters. As you remain invested in this shield, the shield’s magic imprints the Rushing Boar style on you, teaching useful combat techniques. When you reach certain milestones, your affinity with the shield grows, allowing you to learn new techniques:

• Invest the Shield (Basic Affinity). You practice properly wielding the shield and learn to grow your affinity with it. The shield becomes a moderate sturdy shield. You must reach each subsequent affinity level in order (you cannot benefit from gaining major-level affinity before gaining the greater level).
• Remain Invested for One Month and Single-Handedly Defeat an Enemy of Your Level or Higher (Greater Affinity). The shield becomes infused with the blood of the fallen. The tusks become +1 striking shield spikes.
• Remain Invested for Two Months and Win a Major Martial Arts Tournament Using the Rushing Boar Style or Complete a Similar Feat of Martial Strength (Major Affinity). The shield becomes a greater sturdy shield, and the tusks become +2 striking shield spikes. The shield is treated as a level 14 item.

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