This wickedly curved blade is forged from a dark, almost obsidian-like metal, its surface flickering with ever-shifting shadows that seem to ripple and dance even in complete darkness. The hilt is wrapped in charred leather, within the pommel a glowing orange gem with a cat's eye in the middle that always seems to be watching whoever is looking at the blade.
The blade hums softly with an eerie resonance, growing louder in the presence of fear or despair. When wielded, it enhances the user's agility and grants the ability to momentarily fade into shadow, making it a perfect weapon for ambush or retreat. However, this cursed weapon exacts a sinister toll on its bearer.
Dancing Shadows: You may cast Darkness, Pass without Trace, and Invisibility without using a spell slot a number of times up to the charges of this weapon.
Bond of Shadows: Once attuned, the blade cannot be dropped or unequipped unless a Greater Restoration is used.
Shifting Betrayal: In moments of dire need, the blade may betray the wielder, refusing to strike true or even lashing out at allies.
Devil's Lullaby: At night a character attuned to this blade will attempt to sneak away from all others. While attempting to sneak out the blade will forcibly use any charges that remain for the day; as well as having advantage on stealth rolls. Once away from all others the wielder will dance the night away as they hear:
"You're bewitched by the devil's lullaby.
Dance away in the dead of the night.
Hear the voices humming in your mind.
He will never let you out of sight."
The character will be unable to rest while this is happening and will gain a level of exhaustion instead of clearing them. All other long rest effects are not interrupted.
DM Notes: This weapon will always indicate to the players 1 less charge than the blade actually has to allow for the curse to take affect easier at night. If a creature is immune to charm/sleep affects they suffer from constant paranoia instead not allowing them to focus on recovery, they will still hear the song as well.
It seems cool, but none of the effects feel very mechanical and solid. Here are a few questions I would recommend answering if you want this to be as good as it could be:
As for the spell casting, does it cost a charge to cast a spell?
In what way can the blade not be unequipped? Does the attuned creature simply refuse to part with it? If so, can it be stolen by force? Does it appear near you if you try to leave it behind?
What defines a moment of dire need as for the betrayal? Adding some kind of parameters will help the DM greatly. For example, you could have something like this: "When the attuned creature is below 20 hit points and makes an attack with this weapon, roll a 1d4. On a 1, the blade betrays its wielder, shifting the attacks target to themselves."
Devil's Blade of Shifting Shadows (Cursed)
This wickedly curved blade is forged from a dark, almost obsidian-like metal, its surface flickering with ever-shifting shadows that seem to ripple and dance even in complete darkness. The hilt is wrapped in charred leather, within the pommel a glowing orange gem with a cat's eye in the middle that always seems to be watching whoever is looking at the blade.
The blade hums softly with an eerie resonance, growing louder in the presence of fear or despair. When wielded, it enhances the user's agility and grants the ability to momentarily fade into shadow, making it a perfect weapon for ambush or retreat. However, this cursed weapon exacts a sinister toll on its bearer.
Dancing Shadows: You may cast Darkness, Pass without Trace, and Invisibility without using a spell slot a number of times up to the charges of this weapon.
Bond of Shadows: Once attuned, the blade cannot be dropped or unequipped unless a Greater Restoration is used.
Shifting Betrayal: In moments of dire need, the blade may betray the wielder, refusing to strike true or even lashing out at allies.
Devil's Lullaby: At night a character attuned to this blade will attempt to sneak away from all others. While attempting to sneak out the blade will forcibly use any charges that remain for the day; as well as having advantage on stealth rolls. Once away from all others the wielder will dance the night away as they hear:
"You're bewitched by the devil's lullaby.
Dance away in the dead of the night.
Hear the voices humming in your mind.
He will never let you out of sight."
The character will be unable to rest while this is happening and will gain a level of exhaustion instead of clearing them. All other long rest effects are not interrupted.
DM Notes: This weapon will always indicate to the players 1 less charge than the blade actually has to allow for the curse to take affect easier at night. If a creature is immune to charm/sleep affects they suffer from constant paranoia instead not allowing them to focus on recovery, they will still hear the song as well.
It seems cool, but none of the effects feel very mechanical and solid. Here are a few questions I would recommend answering if you want this to be as good as it could be:
As for the spell casting, does it cost a charge to cast a spell?
In what way can the blade not be unequipped? Does the attuned creature simply refuse to part with it? If so, can it be stolen by force? Does it appear near you if you try to leave it behind?
What defines a moment of dire need as for the betrayal? Adding some kind of parameters will help the DM greatly. For example, you could have something like this: "When the attuned creature is below 20 hit points and makes an attack with this weapon, roll a 1d4. On a 1, the blade betrays its wielder, shifting the attacks target to themselves."
Best Spells: https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/2190706-applause, https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/2047204-big-ol-switcheroo, https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/2188701-cerwicks-copper-cables
Best Feats: https://www.dndbeyond.com/feats/1512461-soapbox-revised
Best Monsters: https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/3775489-jar-jar-binks, https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/3860024-spare-ribs