Shadowblade (5e Equipment)

Weapon (any sword), legendary (requires attunement) No one knows who forged this ancient blade, the appearance of which changes depending on the wielder. Use of the blade is quite damaging both physically and psychologically.

When not attuned, this blade acts a +2 Katana.

Curse of the Shadow

Attuning to the Shadowblade requires the wielder to sacrifice a sentient creature. Upon attunement the wielder takes 1d10 physical damage and each time you become attuned to the artifact, you age 3d10 years, unless you don't age. You must make a DC 5 Constitution saving throw or die from the shock. If you die, you are instantly transformed into a wight (see the Monster Manual) under the DM’s control that is sworn to protect the artifact. You become proficient with the weapon once you are attuned with it.

The Shadowblade slowly changes the wielders eyes, making them darker than they were before. Additionally, any non-magical flames are extinguished when the wielder passes within 30 ft. of the flame. Any magical flame or light also is extinguished when the wielder touches it.

The Shadowblade is partially sentient and encourages the user to kill sentient beings that aren’t directly useful to the user. If the wielder spares an enemies' life for any reason other than personal gain they take 1d10 physical damage and cannot use any of the Shadowblade's special actions until they either kill the enemy or wait for dawn. Once attuned the Shadowblade disappears if moved further than 50 ft of the user, unless thrown by the user. When the Shadowblade disappears, it reappears in the owners space or hand(s).

Boon of the Shadow

Anytime the Shadowblade hits, it deals an additional 1d6 necrotic damage. The wielder gains temporary hit points equal to damage dealt in this way. Temporary hit points can be used to fuel the special actions presented later. The user becomes proficient with the Shadowblade upon attunement. The wielder gains 10 ft. move speed if not wearing armor. The Shadowblade can be stowed in its own demiplane. As a bonus action, the wielder can recall it at will into their hand; this effect can still work in an anti-magic field. Upon its wielder’s death the Shadowblade drops to the ground beside them if it was stored in this way.

Special Actions

The wielder can use a bonus action to cast darkness, upon casting the spell the wielder takes 1d10 necrotic damage.

Overcharge, the wielder can use a bonus action to cast haste, the wielder takes 2d10 necrotic damage each turn that haste is active.

The Shadowblade can absorb other magic items abilities. When the Shadowblade hits a magic item roll a d10 and consult the following table. Magic bonuses on weapons do not stack.

1-2 the item is destroyed normally

3-4 the Shadowblade gains the properties of the magic item for 4d6 days

5-6 the Shadowblade gains the properties of the magic item for 4d6 weeks

7-10 the Shadowblade gains the properties of the magic item forever.

Effects gained by the shadow blade show as dark tattoos on the wielders skin. They seem to shift over time and disappear when the effect ends.

Destroying the Shadowblade

The Shadowblade cannot be destroyed by anyone not attuned to it. The Shadowblade becomes destroyed if the wielder spares the life of an enemy of the opposing alignment and then swears never to kill anyone again. If the user then lives one age bracket (middle aged to old, or old to death for example) the Shadowblade is destroyed, killing its wielder and dealing 10d10 necrotic damage to everything within 120 ft. of its last position.

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