Heraldic Crests

A heraldic crest is a special magical property that can be placed on any light, heavy, or tower shield with a +1 or higher enhancement bonus. Each heraldic crest grants a minor benefit to the shield’s bearer so long as the bearer meets one of the following criteria.

• Has the Leadership feat; or
• Has one or more commander auras; or
• Has been specially granted the right to use the heraldic crest by a lord, high priest, or similar ruler. The DM is the final arbiter as to whether any character meets this prerequisite.

Each shield bearing a heraldic crest has a more potent ability that can be used once per day. Any character who meets at least one of the prerequisites can activate the magical power of the shield’s heraldic crest as a free action. Unless otherwise noted, the power affects the shield’s bearer only.

No shield can bear more than one heraldic crest. If a shield with a heraldic crest is imbued with a second crest, the first crest vanishes.

Crafting a Heraldic Crest

In addition to the normal prerequisites for crafting a magic item, the creator of a heraldic crest must meet at least one of the prerequisites given above for activating the crest’s special power.

Heraldic Crest Descriptions

Courage

This symbol depicts a pouncing lion. The bearer gains a +1 morale bonus on initiative checks. Once per day, on command, the shield casts aid on the bearer.

Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, aid, must meet one criteria for bearing a heraldic crest.

Cost to Create: 2,000 gp, 160 XP, 4 days.

Ferocity

This heraldic crest depicts a charging boar. If the bearer has the rage class feature, its duration is extended by 1 round. Once per day, on command, the shield casts rage on the bearer (as the spell, with a duration of 5 rounds).

Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, rage, must meet one criteria for bearing a heraldic crest.

Cost to Create: 3,000 gp, 240 XP, 6 days.

Glory

This crest is emblazoned with a red sun rising above a golden field. The bearer gains a +1 morale bonus on melee weapon damage rolls. Once per day, on command, the shield casts heroism on the bearer (as the spell, with a duration of 5 minutes).

Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, heroism, must meet one criteria for bearing a heraldic crest.

Cost to Create: 5,500 gp, 440 XP, 11 days.

Honor

This emblem depicts a noble stag. The bearer gains a +1 morale bonus on saves against chaotic spells. Once per day, on command, the shield casts order’s wrath, centered on the bearer.

Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, order’s wrath, must meet one criteria for bearing a heraldic crest.

Cost to Create: 6,000 gp, 480 XP, 12 days.

Insight

This crest shows a soaring owl. The bearer gains a +2 enhancement bonus on Spot checks. Once per day, on command, the shield casts see invisibility on the bearer.

Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, see invisibility, must meet one criteria for bearing a heraldic crest.

Cost to Create: 2,500 gp, 200 XP, 5 days.

Valiant Defense

This crest shows a stone tower. The bearer gains a +1 deflection bonus to AC at all times. Once per day, on command, the shield casts shield other on a designated creature within 30 feet of the bearer (treat this as if the bearer were the caster of the spell). While this effect is active, the bearer loses the deflection bonus granted by the shield.

Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, shield other, must meet one criteria for bearing a heraldic crest.

Cost to Create: 3,000 gp, 240 XP, 6 days.

Source: Heroes of Battle, page 130. Converted to use Magic Item Compendium description standards.