Blackaxe (Major Artifact)

Aura strong conjuration; CL 20th Slot none; Weight 50 lbs.

DESCRIPTION

Noxious acid seeps from the obsidian blade of this gigantic black axe, its shape cruel and savage as if ripped from poisoned stone by obscene claws.

Blackaxe is a Huge +5 plant bane greataxe which is considered epic and can penetrate epic damage reduction. Virulent acid constantly seeps from its blade, dealing +1d6 points of acid damage on a successful hit. On a successful critical hit, Blackaxe deals an additional +2d10 points of acid damage. Once per minute, the weapon’s wielder can use heal on herself by striking a living and non-magical tree with Blackaxe, causing the tree to wither to ash. The artifact is inexorably tied to a great nascent demon lord who can call Blackaxe to his hand as a free action, despite any intervening distance, so long as Blackaxe is not kept in an area that prevents teleportation effects from occurring.

While Blackaxe is wielded by another creature,the demon lord always knows that creature’s location and condition (as via the discern location and status spells), and by concentrating can observe the world around the wielder as if using that wielder’s senses. While in this state, the demon lord may use any of his spell-like abilities through the link, treating Blackaxe as if it were the source of the spell-like ability. Each time the demon lord does so, Blackaxe’s wielder must make a successful DC 25 Will save to avoid being staggered for 1 round from the flow of power. These spell-like abilities trigger during the wielder’s turn in initiative, but do not consume any of the wielder’s actions in that round.

DESTRUCTION

In order to destroy Blackaxe, the weapon must be used against a powerful magical tree, and while the sap on the blade is still fresh it must then be used to sever one of a fungoid demon lord many limbs. Doing so causes Blackaxe to explode in a burst of obsidian shrapnel and acid that deals 20d6 points of acid damage and 20d6 points of piercing damage to all within a 60-foot burst (DC 30 Reflex save for half).

RAMIFICATIONS

As the favored weapon of an otherworldly marauder, Blackaxe carries with it the will and corruption of the Abyss. Any who claim the weapon must contend with the following.

  • Demon Bonded: Regardless of who might be wielding it at a given moment, Blackaxe belongs to a powerful nascent demon lord. With a strong tie to his favored weapon, the demon can view and affect the world around the axe’s bearer, learning and sowing terror from any distance—especially through the use of his telekinesis, wall of thorns, and summon demons abilities. Yet the greatest threat often manifests in the demon lords ability to call Blackaxe back to him under nearly any circumstances. The demon delights in watching a foe use his blade only to summon it back when the wielder faces dire peril.
  • Trophy of Ruin: Should the demon lord be defeated, many would seek to claim his dreaded weapon. Chief among them would be the nascent demon lord’s demonic minions and rivals, eager to capture the remnants of the infamous fiend’s rule. Elves would also go to great lengths to see the weapon safely secured if not destroyed, Blackaxe being the symbol of a centuries-old blight upon their nation. But most covetous of Blackaxe will always be the demon lord himself, who—as the elves can attest—has avoided and feigned death countless times, only to reemerge when least expected.
Section 15: Copyright Notice

Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Artifacts & Legends © 2012, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Author: F. Wesley Schneider.

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