Aegis

Aegis (legendary, attunement)

A +3 shield that requires attunement by a Paladin with a neutral or good alignment. It has the following additional properties.

Vanguard’s protection
Aegis reduces all damage including damage dealt by magical items, spells, or abilities (such as a dragon’s breath attack) by 3. Each time damage is reduced this way, convert the reduced damage into temporary hit points after the damage has been resolved. The temporary hits points stackable up to the Paladin’s level, but only with those produced this way. Aegis will only grant this ability in the presence of glorious battle, and may not grant this ability if the wielder has cowardly or dishonorable intent.

Preservation
Aegis can cast Aura of Vitality. It decides when to cast the spell and maintains concentration on it so that you don’t have to.

Sentience
It has an Intelligence of 17, a Wisdom of 10, and a Charisma of 19. It has hearing and darkvision out to a range of 120 feet. The weapon can speak, read, and understand Common, and can communicate with its wielder telepathically. Its voice is proud and echoing. While you are attuned to it, Aegis also understands every language you know.

Personality
This is a lesser known sentient lawful good shield that was forged alongside the Blackrazor, Whelm, and Wave and intended to be melted down as scrap after the forgemaster was killed for offsetting the balance of the three weapons. It was cast into the void, tortured by solitude for centuries. It now has a renewed interest in protecting its wielder and others against harm, particularly by its sibling weapons including the Blackrazor. Andrew, Malloc, Astros, Julio, and Galamar ventured into the heart of the White Plume Mountain to locate its whereabouts and successfully pulled it out of the void, but at great cost.

After its time in solitude, Aegis only trusts those strong of body and mind with good intent. It has no interest in those with selfish desires.

Shields require the Utilize action to Don or Doff. You gain the Armor Class benefit of a Shield only if you have training with it.

Notes: Bonus: Armor Class, Combat, Warding