Tuesday Magic Item – Toiler’s Blade

Gollaon parried and counter-thrust, taking the attacking swordsman through the throat.  As he toppled another took his place.

“These soldiers just will not give up,” said Voddick precisely smashing an opponent’s knee with his hammer before finishing him off with a punch with his shield.

Gollaon spun and cut.  “And they are coming back for more!”

“Damn necrourgists!”

Toiler’s Blade

These weapons are made of metal reforged from broken weapons and quenched with blood making the blades dark and unwelcoming, the hilts are wrapped with cloth from shrouds or torn banners.  The weapon, when first picked up, seemed heavier than expected but this sensation soon passes.

These are crude and brutal magic weapons, while they provide no bonus to attack, they do provided a +3 enhancement bonus to damage.  Whenever the wielder puts down a foe (drops to negative hit points), they gain 2d4 temporary hit points that stack with themselves and last until the wielder is out of combat for a minute, while they have any temporary hit points granted by the weapon, they also enjoy a +1 morale bonus to attack.

However, when the wielder is dying, they suffer a -4 penalty to Constitution checks to become stable.  If they die when in possession of the weapon, they reanimate as some form of unliving, usually something minor (zombie for example) but especially powerful or hateful wielders may come back as more powerful unliving beings but always something that can continue to wield the sword to complete their assigned task.

Aura moderate necrourgy; CL 9th
Slot none; Price 13,000 + weapon cost; Weight by weapon
Construction Requirements
Craft Magic Arms and Armor, animate dead, bestow curse, vampiric touch; Cost 6,500 + weapon cost

For D&D 5E:

Magic weapon (melee weapon), uncommon (requires attunement)

First paragraph as above.

These are crude and brutal magic weapons, while they provide no bonus to attack rolls but they do provided a +3 to damage rolls.  Whenever the wielder puts down a foe (drops to zero hit point), they gain 2d4 temporary hit points that stack with themselves and last until the wielder is out of combat for a minute, while they have any temporary hit points granted by the weapon.

However, when the wielder is dying, they suffer disadvantage to Death Saves.  If they die when in possession of the weapon, they reanimate as some form of unliving, usually something minor (zombie for example) but especially powerful or hateful wielders may come back as more powerful unliving beings but always something that can continue to wield the sword to complete their assigned task.

Notes: It is a weapon and a monster creator all in one package!  Not a good choice for player characters but excellent for henchmen, though a bit expensive.  The choice of unliving creature the wielder becomes is up to the CH allowing for some challenge adjustment on the fly if needed.  I also like the visual of the player characters mowing through a group of henchmen only to have them rise, tattered and bloody, and pursue.

Image Infanteriesabel korps mariniers nr. 2 model 1819 from the Rijkmuseum and is in the Public Domain.