Forged in Memory
“The dragon’s oath lives on in steel and flame — unbroken, even in death.”
This armor is forged from the preserved scales of Argynvost, the ancient silver dragon whose valor once held Barovia’s light at bay. Each scale gleams faintly even in darkness, as though reflecting a dawn that never quite breaks. When worn, the faint sound of a distant horn — the rallying call of the Order of the Silver Dragon — sometimes stirs within the metal, like an echo from a time when honor still meant salvation.
Attunement.
To attune, the wearer must spend a short rest in solemn reflection, placing a scale from the armor into a small brazier burning with sacred fire and reciting a vow of protection rather than conquest. The armor’s scales will faintly resonate and form vestigial, silvery wings across the wearer’s back when the bond completes — a vestige of Argynvost’s grace, not meant for flight, but as a sign of his blessing.
Argynvost’s Remembrance.
You have resistance to cold damage and are immune to the effects of extreme cold.
Radiant Aegis. (1/long rest)
As a bonus action, you may invoke Argynvost’s vow — not as a blinding light, but as a protective radiance that steadies hearts. For 1 minute:
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You and up to your proficiency-bonus number of allies within 10 feet gain +1 AC.
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Whenever a creature under this aura is healed by a spell or ability, it gains temporary hit points equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum 1).
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If an ally under the aura is reduced to 0 HP but not killed outright, the armor flashes with silver light and they instead drop to 1 HP (this can occur once per activation).
Silver’s Roar. (1/short rest)
As an action, exhale a 30-foot cone of freezing radiance. Each creature in that area must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw, taking 3d8 cold + 3d8 radiant damage on a failed save, or half on a success. When used, the scales shimmer like frost catching fire, and friendly creatures in the cone are instead cleansed, ending the frightened condition on them.
Oath of Honor.
If you strike first in combat against a good-aligned or helpless creature, the armor’s enchantments fade until you atone by performing a selfless act of protection or mercy.
Awakening the Vow
The scales, while forging, gave a vision in the form of a dream to the one creating the armor. To unlock its true form, the bearer must undertake The Dragon’s Pilgrimage:
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Relight the Beacon of Argynvostholt.
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Return his remains or release his knights.
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Renew his oath in your own words before his mausoleum.
This armor consists of a coat and leggings (and perhaps a separate skirt) of leather covered with overlapping pieces of metal, much like the scales of a fish. The suit includes gauntlets.
Notes: Resistance: Cold, good-aligned or lawful-aligned creature [typically a Paladin, Cleric, or any character devoted to Argynvost’s ideals], Combat, Warding, Stealth Disadvantage
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