Forgework Dragon Shield (Patreon)

Armor (shield), rare

While holding this plated brass shield, you gain a +1 bonus to AC. This bonus is in addition to the shield’s normal bonus to AC. The shield has a metallic maw in the visage of a dragon forged into the face of the shield, and small plumes of flame occasionally leap from openings in the shield's plates.

When a creature within 5 feet of you misses you with an attack, you can use your reaction to retaliate with the shield. When you do, a gout of flame erupts from the shield, forcing the attacker to make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the target takes 3d10 fire damage and ignites. Until a creature takes an action to douse the fire, the target takes 1d10 fire damage at the start of each of its turns. On a successful save, the target takes half as much damage and doesn’t ignite. Once this property has been used, it can't be used again until the next dawn.

It is known that brass takes to fire, but why is it an ingrained truth of such a pedestrian alloy? This nature is shared by dragons of that metallic hue; is it some gift of theirs that what echoes them becomes like them? Or do they reflect something innate in the metal itself, taking its soul unto their own? Perhaps some greater source guides them both to a shared end?

So often we look beyond for mystery, when it can just as swiftly be found in what we overlook. But, whether it be dragons, or metal, or fire itself, a smith would be a fool to refuse such a gift.

— From the enigmas of Nurich, dwarven metallurgist