Soulsteel Infused Blade

From: Soulsteel

Lore: Legend speaks of an ancient order of necromantic warriors known as the Reapers of Shadow. They were renowned for their mastery over the manipulation of souls and their relentless pursuit of undeath. Seeking to enhance their combat prowess and strike fear into the hearts of their enemies, they devised a technique to infuse blades with the essence of Soulsteel.

The Reapers believed that by binding the tortured souls trapped within Soulsteel to their blades, they could channel the energy of the Underworld itself. Through dark rituals and necromantic incantations, they merged the power of necromancy with the raw strength of the metal, creating the Soulsteel-Infused Blade. These blades became a symbol of their order’s power and a weapon to be feared on the battlefield.

Use: The Soulsteel-Infused Blade is a formidable weapon in the hands of those who can master its dark power. It possesses several notable properties that make it particularly effective against undead foes:

• Enhanced Damage against Undead:
  • The blade, infused with the essence of Soulsteel, carries an inherent power that enables it to deal increased damage against undead creatures. The metal resonates with the essence of the Underworld, making it more effective in penetrating the defenses of undead beings.
• Life Drain:
  • With each strike, there is a chance for the blade to drain the life force of those it strikes. The Soulsteel acts as a conduit, channeling the stolen vitality into the wielder. This life-draining effect not only weakens the target but also replenishes the wielder’s own life force, providing sustenance and revitalization in the midst of battle.

Level One Stats and Skills:

• Stats:
  • Strength: Moderate to High
  • Dexterity: Moderate
  • Constitution: Moderate
• Skills:
  • Weapon Proficiency: Blades (Novice to Intermediate)
  • Necromantic Knowledge: Basic understanding of necromantic principles and rituals.

Preparation, Cost, and Process:

• Preparation: Before creating a Soulsteel-Infused Blade, the character must gather the necessary ingredients and possess a certain level of proficiency in necromantic practices.
• Cost: The cost of acquiring Soulsteel can vary depending on its rarity and availability within the world. It may require a significant amount of gold, favors to powerful necromancers, or dangerous quests to obtain. Enchanted blades may also have their own price tag, depending on their quality and origin.
• Process:
  • Melt the Soulsteel: The character must heat the Soulsteel to its melting point using a specialized forge or magical means. The metal’s ethereal properties allow it to be manipulated in its molten state.
  • Infuse the Blade: Carefully infuse the molten Soulsteel into the blade, channeling necromantic energies and chanting incantations. This process binds the essence of the metal with the blade, creating a symbiotic relationship between the two.
  • Etch Necromantic Runes: Using necromantic runes, etch symbols and incantations onto the blade’s surface. These runes enhance its connection to the Underworld and further empower its necromantic properties.
  • Quench in an Unholy Mixture: Immerse the blade into an unholy mixture, often containing rare ingredients associated with death and the occult. The mixture tempers the metal and solidifies the bond between the Soulsteel and the blade.
  • Final Enchantments: Optional enchantments can be performed, such as imbuing the blade with additional necromantic properties, further enhancing its effectiveness against undead creatures.

Tags:

• Magical: The Soulsteel-Infused Blade possesses inherent magical properties due to its connection with the Underworld and the infused Soulsteel.
• Necromantic: The blade is deeply intertwined with necromantic practices, making it an ideal weapon for those who specialize in the dark arts.
• Life Drain: The blade has a chance to drain the life force of those struck, providing sustenance and vitality to the wielder.
• Undead Slayer: The blade deals increased damage against undead creatures, making it a potent weapon against the forces of undeath.
• Additional: Necromantic Infusion, Cursed Blade, Soulbound Weapon, Deathly Resonance, Unholy Forging, Dark Arts Enhancement, Undead Rend, Vitality Siphon, Ritualistic Weapon, Shadowforged

The recipe for creating a Soulsteel-Infused Blade and the related components are not typically found or openly sold in conventional markets or establishments. Due to the accursed nature of Soulsteel and its association with necromancy, the recipe and its ingredients are usually obtained through secretive and forbidden means, catering to individuals with an affinity for dark arts and forbidden knowledge.

• Acquisition of Ingredients:
  • Soulsteel: Acquiring Soulsteel requires delving into dangerous and forbidden places, such as ancient crypts, hidden tombs, or the lairs of powerful necromancers. It can also be obtained through contacts within the black market or by striking bargains with entities that have a connection to the Underworld.
  • Enchanted Blade: The base weapon for the infusion process can be obtained from skilled blacksmiths, specialized weapon merchants, or through looting from defeated foes. It should be of high quality to ensure its durability and effectiveness.
  • Necromantic Runes: The runes needed for etching onto the blade can be acquired from occult shops, ancient libraries, or by interacting with knowledgeable necromancers who are willing to share their secrets.
  • Blacksmith’s Forge: Access to a proper forge, either through personal ownership or by establishing connections with skilled blacksmiths, is essential for the process of melting and tempering the Soulsteel.
• Environment:
  • The acquisition of the ingredients and the knowledge of the recipe often requires the character to explore secretive and dark environments, such as:
  • Necromancer Enclaves: Hidden away from prying eyes, these enclaves serve as gathering places for necromancers and practitioners of forbidden arts. They may be found in secluded locations such as desolate forests, ancient ruins, or within the catacombs of forgotten cities.
  • Occult Libraries: Rare manuscripts, grimoires, and arcane tomes containing the recipe and the knowledge of Soulsteel infusion can be found in secret occult libraries or ancient repositories of forbidden knowledge. These places are often well-guarded and accessible only to those who prove their worth or loyalty.
  • Underworld Connections: Seeking out entities with a connection to the Underworld, such as spirits, ghosts, or even powerful undead beings, may provide leads and access to Soulsteel and the necessary components. These encounters can take place in ethereal realms, haunted locations, or during rituals performed at specific times or under unique circumstances.
• Usage of the End Results:
  • Once the Soulsteel-Infused Blade is successfully crafted, it can be used in various ways:
  • Personal Use: The character can wield the blade, utilizing its enhanced properties against undead foes. The increased damage against the undead allows for more effective combat, while the chance to drain the life force of opponents provides sustenance and rejuvenation.
  • Dark Bargains: The blade, with its necromantic properties and unique materials, can be traded or used as a bargaining tool in dealings with powerful necromancers, occult factions, or entities with an interest in Soulsteel and the art of necromancy.
  • Collector’s Item: The Soulsteel-Infused Blade may be sought after by collectors of rare and cursed artifacts. It can be displayed in secret chambers, hidden vaults, or occult museums as a testament to its dark power and historical significance.

Due to the forbidden nature of the recipe and the potential societal backlash, the character may need to exercise caution and secrecy when acquiring, using, or trading the Soulsteel-Infused Blade. Its association with necromancy and the macabre could draw the attention of authorities, religious organizations, or individuals who seek to eradicate such dark influences from the world.

Tale of the Shadowfang Reapers

Long ago, in a time when night’s veil was heavier than stone and the boundary between the living and the dead was but a whisper, there arose the Reapers of Shadow. They were an order of warriors, feared and reviled, whose blades sang the dirges of the dying. It is said these warriors sought not only mastery over death but also dominion over the very souls that lingered beyond its threshold.

Among their many creations was a blade unlike any other, forged from the metal known as Soulsteel, a substance said to be born of suffering and trapped whispers. The Reapers believed that by binding the lamenting spirits to their blades, they could wield not mere weapons, but conduits of the Underworld’s wrath. And so, under moons blood-red and stars that wept silver tears, they forged the first Soulsteel-Infused Blade.

The forging was no simple feat. Fires were stoked with ghostly breath, and molten Soulsteel was quenched in pools of tears drawn from the cursed. Runes were carved by hands that bore no warmth, each stroke embedding the will of the dead into the blade. When the first blade was raised, the air itself shuddered, and those nearby swore they could hear the faint cries of the souls within.

This blade, known as Shadowfang, was wielded by the Reapers’ mightiest champion, a warrior called Xalven the Ever-Dread. With each swing, Shadowfang not only sundered flesh but also drained the very life essence of its victims, feeding its wielder with vitality stolen from others. Against undead foes, the blade’s power was unparalleled, its strikes resonating with the torment of countless souls, banishing even the most resilient specters to oblivion.

But power does not come without a price. Over time, Xalven grew hollow, his voice echoing as though spoken through a chasm. The souls within Shadowfang whispered constantly, their pleas for release mingling with their curses upon the living. It is said that Xalven, unable to bear the weight of their wails, vanished into the shadows one night, leaving the blade embedded in the heart of a lifeless battlefield.

To this day, they say the blade reappears in the hands of those bold—or foolish—enough to seek it. Yet those who wield it must beware, for the whispers grow louder with every strike, and even the strongest resolve can crumble beneath the weight of the damned.

Moral of the Story: To bind the souls of others is to risk losing one’s own, for the hunger of power is as endless as the cries of the forsaken.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

• Description: A blade forged with necromantic rituals and imbued with the tortured souls of the dead, designed to slay the undead and drain the vitality of its victims.
• Item Type: Mythos Weapon
• Effects:
  • Enhanced Damage: Deals an additional 1d6 damage to undead creatures.
  • Life Drain: On a successful hit, the wielder may attempt a Power roll (Hard difficulty). Success drains 1d4 Hit Points from the target and heals the wielder for the same amount.
  • Sanity Cost: Each use of the Life Drain ability causes 1d4 Sanity loss as the wielder hears the screams of the souls within the blade.
• Use Limitations:
  • Requires at least 15% in Occult to unlock its full potential. Failure to meet this requirement reduces the bonus damage to undead by half.

Blades in the Dark

• Description: A cursed weapon infused with Soulsteel, perfect for dealing with supernatural threats but with a steep cost.
• Item Type: Arcane Weapon
• Mechanics:
  • Undead Slayer: Gain +1d to rolls to attack undead or incorporeal entities.
  • Life Siphon: After a successful attack, spend 2 Stress to heal 1 Harm.
  • Drawbacks: Each use of Life Siphon increases the wielder’s Vice rating by 1 until the next downtime, as the blade’s whispers grow louder.
• Load: 2

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

Soulsteel-Infused Blade

• Weapon (Any Blade), Rare (Requires Attunement)
• Effects:
  • Enhanced Damage: The blade deals an extra 2d6 necrotic damage to undead creatures.
  • Life Drain: When you hit a living creature, you may roll a d20. On a roll of 15 or higher, the target takes an additional 1d8 necrotic damage, and you regain Hit Points equal to the damage dealt.
  • Curse: At the end of each long rest while attuned, make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, you gain a level of exhaustion as the souls within the blade sap your vitality.
• Cost: 5,000 gp

Knave

Soulsteel-Infused Blade

• Type: Weapon (1 slot)
• Effects:
  • Enhanced Damage: Deals +2 damage to undead creatures.
  • Life Drain: On a critical hit, the wielder regains 1d4 Hit Points as the blade siphons vitality from the target.
  • Curse: After each combat encounter where the blade is used, roll a d20. On a roll of 1, the wielder loses 1 point of Wisdom permanently as the blade feeds on their soul.
• Use in Game: Rare and highly dangerous, this blade is often found in the possession of necromancers or hidden in cursed tombs.

Fate Core

• Description: A cursed blade imbued with the power of tortured souls, granting deadly power at a terrible cost.
• Item Type: Magical Weapon
• Mechanics:
  • Aspect: “Blade of Tortured Whispers”
  • Grants +2 to Fight rolls against undead or ethereal entities.
  • Stunt: Once per session, the wielder can invoke the blade’s power to recover 2 stress after a successful attack.
  • Drawbacks: The GM may compel the blade’s aspect to create hallucinations or mental strain as the souls within it torment the wielder.
• Availability: Rare, found in the possession of dark forces or in ancient crypts.

Numenera & Cypher System

Soulsteel-Infused Blade

• Item Type: Artifact
• Level: 7
• Effects:
  • Undead Bane: The blade grants an asset to attacks against undead creatures, dealing 3 additional points of damage.
  • Life Drain: On a successful attack, the wielder may spend 3 Intellect points to regain 5 points of health.
  • Depletion: Roll 1d20 after each use of Life Drain. On a result of 1–2, the artifact loses its necromantic properties permanently.
• Source: Found in ancient tombs or crafted through dangerous necromantic rituals.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

Soulsteel-Infused Blade

• Item Type: Weapon (Magic), Rare
• Activation: Free action (upon striking a creature)
• Effects:
  • Undead Slayer: Deals an additional 2d6 necrotic damage to undead.
  • Life Drain: On a critical hit, the wielder can activate the blade to regain Hit Points equal to half the damage dealt.
  • Drawbacks: Each activation of Life Drain requires a DC 17 Will save. Failure results in the wielder becoming fatigued for 1 minute.
• Price: 2,000 gp

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

Soulsteel-Infused Blade

• Item Type: Magical Weapon
• Mechanics:
  • Undead Slayer: Gain +2 damage against undead or incorporeal creatures.
  • Life Drain: On a successful hit, spend a Benny to heal 1 Wound or recover 2 Fatigue.
  • Drawbacks: After each use of Life Drain, the wielder must make a Spirit roll at -2. On failure, they suffer a level of Fatigue due to the blade’s corruptive whispers.
• Weight: 6 lbs
• Cost: 1,500 gold

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

Soulsteel-Infused Blade

• Item Type: Magical Melee Weapon
• Effects:
  • Enhanced Damage: +2 damage against astral forms, spirits, and undead entities.
  • Life Drain: On a successful melee attack, the wielder may roll Magic + Willpower (3). Success restores a number of Stun or Physical Damage equal to the net hits.
  • Drawback: Each use of Life Drain imposes a -1 penalty to Willpower tests for 1 hour, representing the blade’s corruptive whispers.
• Availability: 14F
• Cost: 20,000¥

Starfinder

Soulsteel-Infused Blade

• Item Type: Advanced Melee Weapon (Magic), Level 9
• Activation: Standard action (activate Life Drain ability)
• Effects:
  • Enhanced Damage: Deals an additional 1d6 necrotic damage to undead creatures.
  • Life Drain: Upon a critical hit, the wielder regains Stamina Points equal to half the damage dealt.
  • Drawback: After using the Life Drain ability, the wielder must succeed at a DC 18 Will save or take a -1 penalty to attack rolls for 1 round as the blade’s whispers distract them.
• Bulk: 2
• Price: 15,000 credits

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

Soulsteel-Infused Blade

• Item Type: Exotic Artifact
• Effects:
  • Enhanced Damage: Adds +2 damage against incorporeal or undead entities.
  • Life Drain: After dealing damage, the wielder may roll 2d6. On a result of 8+, the wielder regains 1d6 lost Endurance.
  • Drawback: Each use of Life Drain imposes DM-1 to all Social Standing checks for 1d6 hours, as the blade’s influence unsettles the wielder.
• Availability: Extremely Rare
• Price: 75,000 credits

Warhammer (4th Edition)

Soulsteel-Infused Blade

• Item Type: Magical Weapon, Rare
• Effects:
  • Enhanced Damage: Grants +10 Weapon Skill and deals an additional +2 Damage against undead or ethereal creatures.
  • Life Drain: On a successful critical hit, the wielder recovers Wounds equal to the critical damage inflicted.
  • Curse: After each Life Drain use, the wielder must make a Challenging (+0) Cool Test. On failure, they gain 1 Corruption Point as the souls within the blade claw at their mind.
• Encumbrance: 2
• Cost: 100 gold crowns