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<blockquote data-quote="Shadowdweller" data-source="post: 7618488" data-attributes="member: 14563"><p>11. <strong>A Series of Unfortunate Owners:</strong> A sentient evil weapon causes strife in the land by raising up one would-be despotic warlord after another. This magical artifact can bind itself to a willing creature's soul, giving it partial possession of that creature. Not full possession - the personalities of the host and weapon effectively merge. It seeks to raise its owner to a position of power and then join itself with them. It is not above deceiving an owner into accepting the possession through lies and deceit - promising increased power if the owner agrees to undergo the appropriate ritual. The weapon communicates with owners and potential owners telepathically; urging them to intimidate enemies, start fights, and take command. The artifact has several properties that make it troublesome for PCs and others would might want to stop its reign of terror. It can read minds as per <em>Detect Thoughts</em> at will, and uses this ability to find suitable owners and advise them toward its goals of conquest. The weapon can changes its shape at will to become more suitable for a host or to disguise itself from potentially hostile creatures that take physical possession of it. However, the weapon cannot ever disguise the distinctive faceted black-onyx gem buried in its handle. The artifact can disguise its magical aura as per <em>Nystul's Magic Aura</em> at will, to make it seem more innocuous. It can also teleport itself at will, to escape and to find itself new owners. It probably has several other powers such as extra damage dice - as deemed appropriate by the DM. The weapon has a long history and knows much about dominating others. It readily shares its expertise with those who are not too arrogant to listen. When a previous owner has been slain, the artifact patiently waits to find a suitable new host; someone amenable to conquest and appropriately ruthlesss. It listens patiently to the thoughts of those who pick it up or wander near it, only revealing itself to the individual it chooses as its owner. It prefers to be subtle when using the teleport ability so as not to give its nature away to those it deems unsuitable (aka teleports when not being watched). The weapon can be destroyed by somehow disabling its ability to teleport and then destroying the onyx gem embedded within it; probably necessitating that the thought reading is bypassed as well - since this tends to provide the weapon with advance warning of impending attacks.</p><p></p><p>Events surrounding the artifact probably manifest themselves as the rise of one warlord after another, causing violence in the land. It might be an orc at first, then a goblin, then a despotic human noble, then a giant. Since the item can shapechange and hide its aura, it might not be recognized by the PCs the first few times they manage to defeat an owner. The black onyx will probably clue them in to the presence of some link between the owners after a while though. Some research about the gem should reveal a terrible history of bloodshed and slaughter. Perhaps the identity of the weapon as well if the time is appropriate for story purposes.</p><p></p><p>Sample Villain: The demon-blade Halskaros</p><p>Motivation: Raise up and join with a host placed in a position of power. To enjoy the benefits of successful conquest.</p><p>Powers: Shapechange, Telepathy within a 60' radius, Detect Thoughts, Nystul's Magic Aura, and Teleport all at will. Counts as a +2 weapon and adds +2d6 necrotic damage on a successful hit.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Shadowdweller, post: 7618488, member: 14563"] 11. [B]A Series of Unfortunate Owners:[/B] A sentient evil weapon causes strife in the land by raising up one would-be despotic warlord after another. This magical artifact can bind itself to a willing creature's soul, giving it partial possession of that creature. Not full possession - the personalities of the host and weapon effectively merge. It seeks to raise its owner to a position of power and then join itself with them. It is not above deceiving an owner into accepting the possession through lies and deceit - promising increased power if the owner agrees to undergo the appropriate ritual. The weapon communicates with owners and potential owners telepathically; urging them to intimidate enemies, start fights, and take command. The artifact has several properties that make it troublesome for PCs and others would might want to stop its reign of terror. It can read minds as per [I]Detect Thoughts[/I] at will, and uses this ability to find suitable owners and advise them toward its goals of conquest. The weapon can changes its shape at will to become more suitable for a host or to disguise itself from potentially hostile creatures that take physical possession of it. However, the weapon cannot ever disguise the distinctive faceted black-onyx gem buried in its handle. The artifact can disguise its magical aura as per [I]Nystul's Magic Aura[/I] at will, to make it seem more innocuous. It can also teleport itself at will, to escape and to find itself new owners. It probably has several other powers such as extra damage dice - as deemed appropriate by the DM. The weapon has a long history and knows much about dominating others. It readily shares its expertise with those who are not too arrogant to listen. When a previous owner has been slain, the artifact patiently waits to find a suitable new host; someone amenable to conquest and appropriately ruthlesss. It listens patiently to the thoughts of those who pick it up or wander near it, only revealing itself to the individual it chooses as its owner. It prefers to be subtle when using the teleport ability so as not to give its nature away to those it deems unsuitable (aka teleports when not being watched). The weapon can be destroyed by somehow disabling its ability to teleport and then destroying the onyx gem embedded within it; probably necessitating that the thought reading is bypassed as well - since this tends to provide the weapon with advance warning of impending attacks. Events surrounding the artifact probably manifest themselves as the rise of one warlord after another, causing violence in the land. It might be an orc at first, then a goblin, then a despotic human noble, then a giant. Since the item can shapechange and hide its aura, it might not be recognized by the PCs the first few times they manage to defeat an owner. The black onyx will probably clue them in to the presence of some link between the owners after a while though. Some research about the gem should reveal a terrible history of bloodshed and slaughter. Perhaps the identity of the weapon as well if the time is appropriate for story purposes. Sample Villain: The demon-blade Halskaros Motivation: Raise up and join with a host placed in a position of power. To enjoy the benefits of successful conquest. Powers: Shapechange, Telepathy within a 60' radius, Detect Thoughts, Nystul's Magic Aura, and Teleport all at will. Counts as a +2 weapon and adds +2d6 necrotic damage on a successful hit. [/QUOTE]
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