Kind Guard

Wielded by the legendary Ralla Kindguard through the entirety of the Fragmented War, Kind Guard is one of the greatest shields in Emaxian history. Forged of platinum, gilded silvers and golds, and inlaid with a magic-conducting topaz, Kind Guard is a potent defensive artifact. It embodies the good that Ralla did for Emaxus, and the self-sacrifice and protection she practiced constantly.
In the wake of Ralla's death and the devastation that created the Fragmented Isles, it is unknown where Kind Guard may be.

The Legend

Though not from the Reckoning, Kind Guard has the legend and power to be considered an equal of the other Remnants. Whether it was initially enchanted or not is unknown, but Ralla used Kind Guard from the first Liberation of Ariminium all the way to the final battles of the Fragmented War. It protected her for seven long years of struggle, and she used it to defend countless hundreds. In a way, it defended all of Emaxus through the battles it accompanied her in. 
As Ralla's legend grew, it is said that Kind Guard's power grew as well. It became far, far more than an ordinary shield, gaining the ability to channel divine magics and defend people other than the wielder. As its power grew, it became more ornate and stronger constructed, iron and steel giving way to the platinum and gold it had during the final battles. It is said to have been strong enough to have blocked Krathum's most vile magics, and allow Ralla to get to him when no one else could and cut him down.
Where it has ended up in the wake of the Fragmented War is unknown.

The Remnant

shield, legendary, requires attunement by a paladin or cleric
After losing its original wielder and being unused for centuries, Kind Guard has lost much of its luster and its power. But, with the right champion of the gods, it could reawaken its power and perhaps even herald the second coming of the Auric Exemplars.

Dormant

In its dormant form, Kind Guard appears simply as a well-made shield. It has some magical ability, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Properties

• The wielder gains a +1 bonus to their AC while they have Kind Guard equipped.
• Sustain the People. Kind Guard can serve as a spellcasting focus. Healing spells cast through Kind Guard gain a +1 bonus to their healing rolls.
• Defend the People. While wielding Kind Guard, the wielder can extend its defensive capabilities as a reaction to a creature they can see within ten feet that is targeted by an attack roll. If the attack would hit, the wielder can transfer the AC bonus from Kind Guard to them until the end of the wielder's next turn.

Awakened

Once reawakened, Kind Guard begins to reclaim its lost glory. It once more shines of sterling platinum, silver, and gold, and the topaz at its heart gleams with divine magic yet again.

Properties

• The wielder gains a +2 bonus to their AC while they have Kind Guard equipped.
• Sustain the People. Kind Guard can serve as a spellcasting focus. Healing spells cast through Kind Guard gain a +2 bonus to their healing rolls.
• Defend the People. While wielding Kind Guard, the wielder can extend its defensive capabilities as a reaction to a creature they can see within twenty feet that is targeted by an attack roll. If the attack would hit, the wielder can transfer the AC bonus from Kind Guard to them until the end of the wielder's next turn.
• Bulwark of the Gods. Kind Guard has 4 charges. The wielder can use an action and expend 1 or more charges to cast one of the following spells from it: bless (1 charge), healing word (1 charge), shield of faith (1 charge), and warding bond (2 charges). The wielder ignores the material components for these spells, but must maintain concentration if necessary. Kind Guard regains 1d3+1 expended charges every day, at dawn.

Exalted

Once the glory of Kind Guard has been fully reclaimed, it shines with the same divine purpose as the final battles of the Fragmented War. The topaz glimmers with divine magic, and the metals of the shield will never be dimmed, no matter the grime or gore that covers them.

Properties

• The wielder gains a +3 bonus to their AC while they have Kind Guard equipped.
• Sustain the People. Kind Guard can serve as a spellcasting focus. Healing spells cast through Kind Guard gain a +3 bonus to their healing rolls.
• Defend the People. While wielding Kind Guard, the wielder can extend its defensive capabilities as a reaction to a creature they can see within thirty feet that is targeted by an attack roll. If the attack would hit, the wielder can transfer the AC bonus from Kind Guard to them until the end of the wielder's next turn.
• Bulwark of the Gods. Kind Guard has 8 charges. The wielder can use an action and expend 1 or more charges to cast one of the following spells from it: bless (1 charge), healing word (1 charge), shield of faith (1 charge), warding bond (2 charges), aura of vitality (3 charges), beacon of hope (3 charges), and crusader's mantle (3 charges). The wielder ignores the material components for these spells. Kind Guard regains 1d6+2 expended charges every day, at dawn.
• Guardian of Faith. Once per long rest, the wielder can awaken Kind Guard's full defensive energies to push themselves and their allies beyond their limits. As an action, the wielder can raise Kind Guard and proclaim, "We will never fall!" For one minute and ending if the wielder is incapacitated, the wielder gains the following benefits: The wielder retains Kind Guard's AC bonus when they share it through Defend the People. Allies who start their turn within 30 feet of the wielder gain d6 temporary hit points. Once per turn, the wielder can reduce damage they take from any source by 2d10.

Item type

Armor