This is a sleeveless, soft leather jacket, laced up the front, which fits snugly against the torso. It is sized for an Elf, or a slender human. The item is made from the preserved and shaped skin of a Skinwing, a pteranodon-like animal common to the Shadow Elf Territories, and enchanted to confer some of its properties on the wearer.

The Jerkin is soft, flexible, and thin enough to be worn beneath a loose shirt or robe; despite this, it functions as leather armour +1 in all respects. The Jerkin may not be used in conjunction with any other form of armour, although Rings (and other items) of Protection function normally.

The Jerkin has another power, activated at the user’s will; it manifests two ghostly wings, identical to those possessed by a Skinwing and apparently attached to the wearer’s arms, which grant the power to Fly at 180’, manuverability class C. The user cannot take wing from ground level, but must start from a high point such as a cliff or building (at least 30’ above ground level). The user cannot fight or cast spells while in flight, as his arms are needed for steering, but may cast spells normally while on the ground. The wings are immune to physical or magical attacks, except for Dispel Magic (treat as if cast by a 15th-level mage) or anti-magic, which cause them to vanish. Each use of the wings lasts for 1d4+2 Turns, unless terminated early.

The Skinwing Jerkin was created by Famalariel, a Shadow Elf wizard from the City of Stars. He made only two Jerkins, one each from the wings of his favourite mount. One remains in his possession to this day; the other, a gift for his son Doralaphiel, was lost when the young Shadow Elf was slain on a military mission. Its location, if indeed it still exists, is currently unknown.

Copyright © 1999, Carl Quaif, based on material copyright TSR/WotC, Inc. All rights reserved. Webmastered by Jennifer Guerra.