[A to Z April] U is for Undyrglade (item)

The origins of this hammer are lost to the mists of time.

When wielded in battle, Undyrglade appears to be a +2 hammer. However, if electricity is applied to the hammer, its true, cursed nature reveals itself to an especially watchful character. (DC 20 spot/perception check.)

On the round immediately following the application of electricity to the hammer (from any source), if Undyrglade lands a successful melee attack, 1d4 ghosts will appear (2d4 on a successful critical hit). Each spirit that appears does so within a 10'-foot radius from the wielder of Undyrglade. Each of these spirits takes the form of a character that was slain by Undyrglade. It is unclear whether the ghosts are the actual spirits of the creatures or simply spirits taking the form of those creatures.

The spirits will usually move to attack (eventually) any creature that is opposing Undyrglade’s wielder. However, there is a 25% chance that any spirit will immediately attack the wielder himself. These spirits act as ghosts in every way; however, attempts to communicate with these spirits (such as with speak with dead or similar spells will fail.


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Previous "U"s:
2013: U is for Ulah of Kaitus (npc)
2012: U is for Upper Snarl (locale)
2011: U is for Urosh, Temple of (map)

[A to Z April] M is for Marsh Blade (item)

Forged at the behest of the Venerable Tirai Derus II centuries ago, the blade now known as the Marsh Blade was a beautiful scimitar. Its entire surface–hilt and blade–was crusted with engraved designs and precious stones. Needless to say it was purchased for a small fortune.

The blade itself was imbued with magic sufficient enough to be considered a +1 weapon. An error was made at the forge, however, and the magical infusion was never correctly concluded. As a result, when Tirai Derus II was killed in the Ghoulbourn Fen and the newly-forged scimitar sank into the disgusting marsh waters, it began to absorb the qualities of the swamp around it.

Newly re-discovered and dubbed the Marsh Blade, the scimitar is now more deadly than Tirai Derus II ever considered. The centuries of submersion in the marsh has imbued the sword with diseases from the water. When wielded, the sword literally drips with filthy marsh water.

On a successful critical hit, the blade attempts to infect the target with one of six diseases commonly found in the foul waters of Ghoulbourn Fen, as if it was a poisoned blade. On the roll of a natural 1, however, the wielder of the sword is targeted by the possible infection. (Note: despite the infection methods and incubation periods normally associated with these diseases, upon wounding with the Marsh Blade, the target must make a successful save against the disease’s DC. Upon an unsuccessful save, infection and damage occurs immediately.)

Marsh Blade Effects

d6 Roll	Disease
1	Blinding Sickness
2	Cackle Fever
3	Filth Fever
4	Mindfire
5	Shakes
6	Slimy Doom

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Previous "M"s:
2013: M is for Middlemurk Church (map)
2012: M is for Myth Voice (feat)
2011: M is for Maerl Dardar (npc)

[A to Z April] P is for Pyramid of Swords

Pyramid of Swords

The Pyramid of Swords is a monument that stands outside the Faithfuls’ Gate, the northern gate into Coldtreath. It lies one hundred yards from the gatehouse on the west side of the road. Standing some seven feet tall, the pile is an imposing sight, all jagged points and sharp edges.

It has its origins some 500 years ago at the end of the war against the Zivri and the Scourgetooth Orcs. King Lier, having brought the war to a point where the Scourgetooth Orcs fled from battle and the Zivri saw the hopelessness in continuing, negotiated a surrender at the population center nearest the final battle: Coldtreath. At that time, Coldtreath was an innocuous oceanside hamlet. It was of little loss, should the surrender be nothing more than a ruse, and in the mind of the KingColdtreath could be easily won back. After all, it had little to boast of save a few homes and some farmland and help could be sent from the nearby Frai’el Keep.

The forces of the Zivri were directed to this hamlet where General Ane’oalli accepted the surrender. As terms of the surrender, each of the vanquished army was required to turnover their weapons and shields. This pile grew tall and wide and, based on its shape, was dubbed “The Pyramid of Swords.” Immediately after the final foe-man dropped his shield, sword, daggers, and polearm into the pile a cleric prayed over the pile and gave it a blessing of peace.

In the time since the Zivri Surrender, the swords and other metal items in the heap have remained untouched by rust or blemish. This has led to the rumor that there are one or more magical weapons within the pile, weapons which magic has infused the pile with sufficient magic to repel corrosion. Any attempt to recover weapons or equipment from the Pyramid, however, end in disaster; one who attempts it counts themselves lucky if they lose only a limb. Even after five centuries, the Pyramid is not yet ready to give up its secrets or its charges.

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Last year's "P": P is for Poushif Bonereader
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Found Items Friday: The Grimblade

So last night I was able to steal away for an hour and watch the series premiere of NBC’s Grimm. And yes, this was time when I should have been pounding away at my NaNoWriMo word count. Don't talk to me about that.

I haven’t been able to watch Once Upon A Time yet (broadcast TV’s other genre offering this season) so I cannot compare the two. Grimm, however, was a lot of fun. I gather it won’t be your typical police procedural, full of hard clues and evidence, but still a good romp nonetheless. Hopefully a little bit more of the detective's skills will come into play in future episodes, because I would hate to see him have to rely on what I feel was essentially a deus ex machina solution. That was my first real complaint. Also, the reveal at the end makes it feel a bit too much like last season’s No Ordinary Family from ABC. I stopped watching that one about three episodes in once it was clear that the boss was the villain and he knew who the heroes were and blah blah blah blah blah. I hope that Grimm takes a different direction because I think there’s real potential there. I won't talk about the characterizations because, let's face it, NO series ever gets the characters perfect in the first season; it also takes that first season to get writing style, acting style, etc. down pat as well.