A Blackguard variation...

[LoneWolf23]

After playing Warcraft III and listening to a friend of mine talk about the Soul Reaver sword in the Legacy of Kain series, I got to thinking:

What if Blackguards, instead of gaining a Fiendish companion, recieved an Intelligent Weapon? Possibly something low-level at first, and growing in power as the Blackguard rose in level, like the Oriental Adventures Samurai's Daisho.

The basic, level 1 weapon could be as such: Unholy Sword, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 12, NE, Empathy, gives 10 Ranks of Intimidate, Special Purpose: Slay Neutral Good, item can cast mass inflict light wounds, ego 9. The actual weapon type could be "Any Weapon in which the Character has Proficiency in", so a more roguish Blackguard could pick a Dagger or Shortsword, while a fallen Paladin could pick a Longsword, and a Diabolist Blackguard could use a Staff.

Said Intelligent Weapon could grow and progress like a Wizard's familiar, following the table for Item Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma and Capabilities in the Dungeon Master's Guide, with extra Weapon Improvements purchasable the same way the Samurai Daisho's weapon improvements could be: By Beseeching Supernatural patrons (Dark powers in the Blackguard's case) and spending Experience Points equal to the price for enchanting it.

So... What say you?

 

[Telperion]

The basic, level 1 weapon could be as such: Unholy Sword, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 12, NE, Empathy, gives 10 Ranks of Intimidate, Special Purpose: Slay Neutral Good, item can cast mass inflict light wounds, ego 9. The actual weapon type could be "Any Weapon in which the Character has Proficiency in", so a more roguish Blackguard could pick a Dagger or Shortsword, while a fallen Paladin could pick a Longsword, and a Diabolist Blackguard could use a Staff.

Said Intelligent Weapon could grow and progress like a Wizard's familiar, following the table for Item Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma and Capabilities in the Dungeon Master's Guide, with extra Weapon Improvements purchasable the same way the Samurai Daisho's weapon improvements could be: By Beseeching Supernatural patrons (Dark powers in the Blackguard's case) and spending Experience Points equal to the price for enchanting it.

So... What say you?

I like the idea, although I haven't read the rules for that Samurai Daisho thingie. I could see an alternative system where the familiar is scrapped and the favorite weapon of the Blackguard becomes the familiar. Actually there are rules for Weapon Familiars starting from page 65 in Vigil Watch: Secrets of the Asaatthi, if you can get your hands on this book. It's rather good .

Thanks for the idea. I'll certainly considering changing my Blackguards, since I never really cared for those fiendish servants anyhow...