The Oculus (5e Equipment)

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Weapon (Captain's sword), artifact (Requires Attunement)

The Oculus is the earliest of the Captain's Swords (see Captain's sword). It was created long before the furthest reaches of history, and remains one of the most powerful relics from that time. It is imbued with the power of Light; in fact, some say that The Oculus is simply a manifestation of the purest light in existence. It is widely believed that Jaenseth has, or still does, wield the blade. She is known to send it to mortals in times of great peril, and such times are the only way that our society has knowledge of the blade.

The first appearance of The Oculus in mortal history was about 900 years ago. The Empire of Sohldelheim was dying, after a long and mostly happy time in existence. Marauding barbarian tribes from the north had joined forces with multiple orc hordes and were continually sieging the capital city, also Sohldelheim. Jaenseth knew that the world would be plunged into darkness unless she intervened, so she sent The Oculus down to a mortal warrior known as Raven Haskew. Raven was inspired by the presence of The Oculus, and was able to rally Sohldelheim's surviving soldiers and defeat the barbarians and orcs, saving Sohldelheim.


The Oculus didn't rise again for 350 more years. Sohldelheim had long since fallen, and a new empire had risen towards the east: the Traetian Empire. The Traetian Empire was the first democracy in the world, but it was becoming unstable. A political party known as the Lemahd Party (named after their leader, Lemahd Stein) was illegally corrupting lesser leaders in an attempt to put Stein in a better position to become governor of the capital city Traethem, and maybe even Emperor later on. The current governor of Traethem, Jakoph Mahden, learned of this plot, but it was too late. Even as he prepared to confront Stein, four black-robed assassins broke into his throne room, advancing toward Jakoph. He raised his tiny iron rapier, hands trembling in fear, and suddenly, The Oculus appeared. Flashing down from the heavens in a blast of white light, it knocked the rapier out of Jakoph's hands, and settled in his hands. He felt a sudden rush of power and warmth, and the sword blasted the assassins with white lasers, incinerating them. He dashed out onto his balcony, raising the sword triumphantly, as magnificent golden armor encased his body... He led them well until he died, when his body was reported to "rise into the heavens" as reported in the Oriosan holy book, the Oryshi.


The Oculus was only seen periodically after this, but the Oryshi tells of a dark age, where Morn's followers will gain power and threaten the balance... A new wave of Eternal Flame Paladins will be chosen by Daerifro, and Jaenseth will choose heroes as well. The Oculus will be wielded once again, by only the greatest heroes...

Know anyone who meets that description?

Dungeon Masters may also substitute Jaenseth and Morn for deities from either their own campaign or from the pantheons listed in the Player's Handbook.

Effects: Attacks with the Oculus do an additional 4d8 radiant damage. Additionally, if the creature has the fiend or undead type, you can force it to make a DC 20 Constititution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is incapacitated and blinded, and attacks against the bearer have disadvantage. This effect lasts for 1d4+1 rounds. Additionally, you can use an action to call down a servant of Jaenseth, which has a 75% chance of being a Deva, a 20% chance of being a Planetar, a 3% chance of being a Solar, a 1% chance of being an Empyrean, and a 1% chance of being Jaenseth herself. (Or another good-aligned god/dess.) This effect recharges after 7 days have passed. If you have not been true to your good alignment, you may be subject to being judged by the servant, or by the god/dess, each time you use this power.
Random Properties. The Oculus has the following random properties:

  • 2 minor beneficial properties
  • 1 major beneficial property
  • 1 minor detrimental property


Destroying the Oculus. The Oculus can be destroyed with a wish spell, if Jaenseth chooses to destroy it, or if it is bathed in the blood of Morn (5e Deity).


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