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Oblivion Blades

—

by

Dale
in

From: Shroudheart Oni

Tier One Stats:

  • Attack Bonus: +1
  • Additional Damage: 1d6 necrotic damage on a successful hit
  • Skills: None
  • Cost: 400 gold pieces
  • Tags: Light Weapons, Necrotic Damage, Rare, Dual Wield, Serrated, Dark Magic, Chaos, Destruction, Forbidden Arts, Oni, Ritual Bound, Aura of Decay, Assassin, Life Drain, Cursed, Precision, Death, Essence Binding, Relic, Unholy

Lore: The Oblivion Blades are wicked, serrated blades infused with dark and chaotic energies. Crafted by a master weapon-smith who delved into forbidden arts, these dual blades represent the essence of chaos and destruction. Legends tell of a ritual that the Shroudheart Oni underwent to bind its very essence to these weapons, granting it unparalleled proficiency and power.

Use: The Shroudheart Oni wields the Oblivion Blades with deadly precision and ferocity. The blades’ dark energies channel the raw power of chaos and death. On a successful hit, the Oblivion Blades deal an additional 1d6 necrotic damage, sapping the life force from the target and leaving a lingering aura of decay.

Furthermore, the Shroudheart Oni gains a +1 bonus to attack rolls made with the Oblivion Blades, reflecting the creature’s proficiency and familiarity with these weapons. The blades seem to move as an extension of the Shroudheart Oni’s will, striking with uncanny accuracy and precision.

The Oblivion Blades are sought after by warriors, assassins, and those who crave the destructive powers of the dark arts. Their rarity and deadly nature contribute to their value, often commanding a price of around 400 gold pieces in markets where rare and enchanted weapons are traded. Acquiring the Oblivion Blades may require facing perilous challenges, venturing into forbidden realms, or forging pacts with entities that hold dominion over the realm of death and chaos.

In the world of Saṃsāra, the Oblivion Blades are coveted weapons infused with dark magic, sought after by those who dare to wield their chaotic power. These blades are rare and their procurement often involves venturing into the shadowy underbelly of society or consulting individuals steeped in forbidden knowledge. Prices range from 400 to 600 gold pieces, depending on the seller’s access and the buyer’s willingness to risk dealing with dark forces.

  • Shadow Markets (Price: 400-450 gold pieces)
    • Hidden within the narrow, labyrinthine alleys of major cities, shadow markets specialize in the sale of forbidden and dangerous goods. These markets are often operated by guilds of assassins or black-market traders who deal in stolen relics, cursed artifacts, and dark enchantments. The Oblivion Blades can be found in the most clandestine of stalls, where only those with knowledge of such items can gain access. Prices are often lower here, but buyers must beware the risks—purchasing from shadow merchants can attract unwanted attention from enemies or law enforcement.
    • How sold: Through whispered contacts and secret meetings after sundown.
  • Necromancers’ Sanctums (Price: 500 gold pieces)
    • Necromancers and practitioners of the dark arts often possess or trade in weapons of this nature. In secluded, crumbling towers or hidden dungeons, a Necromancer’s Sanctum serves as a hub for magical experimentation and dark enchantments. Oblivion Blades are sold as tools for those who practice necromancy or chaos magic, with prices reflecting the difficulty of obtaining such a rare and dangerous weapon. Buyers must often perform a service or trade a rare magical item in addition to the gold cost to secure these weapons.
    • How sold: Typically sold after proving worthiness through trials or ritual offerings.
  • Blacksmiths of the Underworld (Price: 450-500 gold pieces)
    • Deep within the underworld, where souls barter for their freedom and artifacts of chaos flow like water, some Blacksmiths specialize in crafting and trading weapons infused with forbidden magic. These smiths use corrupted materials and cursed flames to create relics like the Oblivion Blades. Their shops are often hidden within dangerous regions of the underworld, accessible only to those who can endure the journey or navigate through secret portals. Buyers may find that these blades come with a personal curse or binding pact.
    • How sold: Bartered directly with the blacksmiths in trade for rare souls, dark knowledge, or large sums of gold.
  • Temple of the Forsaken (Price: 550-600 gold pieces)
    • Temples dedicated to chaotic or forbidden gods, such as the Temple of the Forsaken, are sacred ground for those who follow dark paths. These temples often have weapon caches filled with relics from past rituals, including the Oblivion Blades. Only the most devout or the most daring can purchase these items. Prices are higher here due to the exclusivity and the fact that these blades may be blessed (or cursed) by the gods of chaos themselves. Acquiring the blades from a temple often comes with a binding agreement or dark favor owed to the temple’s patron deity.
    • How sold: Through elaborate rituals, after offering tribute or performing dark services to the temple’s cause.
  • Guild of Assassins (Price: 600 gold pieces)
    • Elite assassin guilds, known for their proficiency in dark arts and covert operations, sometimes possess weapons like the Oblivion Blades as part of their armory. These guilds keep the blades exclusively for members or clients who have proven themselves worthy through contracts and bloodshed. The price is high here, reflecting the prestige and deadly nature of the weapons. Buyers may also be required to complete a contract in exchange for the blades, adding to the complexity of acquiring them.
    • How sold: Only available to guild members or through exclusive connections to the guild.

Across these locations, the Oblivion Blades are rarely sold through open markets and often require not just gold, but involvement in dark dealings or proving one’s loyalty to chaotic forces. Each shop type reflects the nature of the blades—dangerous, chaotic, and bound to the world’s darker corners.

The Oblivion Blades are dark, necrotic weapons that excel in both offense and defense depending on the environment and how they are wielded. In roleplay, their chaotic energies and necrotic properties allow for creative strategies, both on the battlefield and in more subtle, narrative-driven encounters. Below are some examples of how they might be used in different settings:

  • Offense:
    • Urban Combat (City Streets or Alleyways)
      • In tight, narrow streets or shadowy alleyways, the Oblivion Blades excel at ambushes and hit-and-run tactics. The blades’ light weight and necrotic energy make them perfect for assassins or quick-strike warriors who need to engage and disengage rapidly. The additional 1d6 necrotic damage saps the life force from enemies, making them weaker as the fight progresses.
      • Roleplay Example: A rogue silently stalks their prey in a dimly lit alley, striking from the shadows with the Oblivion Blades. The sudden attack leaves their target reeling as necrotic energy drains the life from their body, allowing the rogue to vanish back into the night.
    • Dungeon Delving
      • In dark, enclosed environments like crypts or underground dungeons, the Oblivion Blades offer a tactical advantage against undead and magical creatures. Their necrotic energy feeds off the chaotic forces of these locations, making them especially effective against weaker or corrupted life forms. Players can use the blades to weaken powerful enemies by draining their life force with every strike.
      • Roleplay Example: As a party delves deeper into an ancient tomb, they are ambushed by skeletal warriors. The wielder of the Oblivion Blades delivers swift strikes, and with each hit, necrotic energy courses through the undead, shattering their connection to the dark magic that binds them.
    • Open Battlefield
      • On a traditional battlefield, where multiple combatants clash in open spaces, the Oblivion Blades are best suited for taking out key targets quickly. The blades’ chaotic energies can allow the wielder to disrupt enemy formations, cutting down leaders or spellcasters with precision. The necrotic damage leaves lingering wounds that are difficult to heal, demoralizing the enemy.
      • Roleplay Example: During a skirmish, the wielder of the Oblivion Blades identifies the opposing commander and charges through the front lines. With each strike, the blades drain the commander’s vitality, leaving them weakened and susceptible to a final, fatal blow, turning the tide of battle.
  • Defense:
    • Stealth and Escape (Dense Forests or Urban Rooftops)
      • In environments where stealth and mobility are key, the Oblivion Blades provide an excellent means of defense through evasive combat. Their lightweight nature allows for quick movements, and the necrotic energy can deter pursuit. Wielders can make quick strikes to slow enemies down or cause them to hesitate, buying time to escape.
      • Roleplay Example: In a dense forest, the wielder is being chased by bounty hunters. Darting between the trees, they strike quickly with the Oblivion Blades, dealing necrotic damage that saps the hunters’ strength and agility. Slowed and weakened, the pursuers fall behind as the wielder makes their escape.
    • Magical Duels or Arcane Encounters
      • Against magic-wielding foes or in arcane-rich environments, the necrotic energy of the Oblivion Blades can disrupt magic. The blades’ connection to death and chaos makes them a defensive tool against life-based magic or spellcasters. Wielders can parry magical attacks, and the necrotic aura may even weaken the potency of certain healing spells or light-based magic.
      • Roleplay Example: During a duel with a powerful cleric, the wielder of the Oblivion Blades deflects divine light magic using the chaotic energies imbued in the blades. The necrotic energy pulses through the cleric’s spells, corrupting their healing magic and weakening their defenses, turning the duel in the wielder’s favor.
    • Personal Defense in Close Quarters
      • In tight, close-quarters situations, such as tavern brawls or ambushes, the Oblivion Blades offer both offensive and defensive versatility. Their short, light nature allows for fast parries, blocks, and counterattacks. The necrotic energy of the blades discourages prolonged engagement, as enemies find themselves drained and vulnerable with each exchange of blows.
      • Roleplay Example: Cornered in a crowded tavern, the wielder faces a group of attackers. With quick, defensive slashes, they parry the incoming blows, each hit leaving the attackers drained and hesitant to continue. As the enemies grow weaker, the wielder seizes the opportunity to overpower them and escape.

Strategic Roleplay Use: The Oblivion Blades are ideal for characters who prefer swift, calculated combat rather than brute force. Their necrotic energy gives them a unique edge in encounters where life force is key, particularly when facing living creatures, spellcasters, or undead. Wielders of the Oblivion Blades can use their offensive power to strike quickly and decisively, while their defensive capabilities allow for tactical retreats and evasive maneuvers in complex environments.

The blades also present moral dilemmas in roleplay. Given their dark nature and origins, characters may face scrutiny or opposition from lawful or good-aligned factions, and carrying such weapons may mark the wielder as someone aligned with chaos or death. This can open up roleplay opportunities for negotiations, deception, or dealing with the consequences of wielding such dangerous items.

Perception of Activation:

  • Sight:
    • Perceived: The blades pulse with a dark, violet glow that intensifies upon activation. Dark tendrils of shadow seem to ripple from the edges, like smoke or shadow, briefly distorting the air around the blades.
    • Description: Upon activation, the blades appear to feed off the surrounding darkness, absorbing light and radiating an ominous, chaotic glow. The serrations shimmer with necrotic energy, making the edges appear sharper and more dangerous.
    • Positives: The visual display serves as a clear indication that the blades’ necrotic power is active, enhancing intimidation and presence in combat.
    • Negatives: The glow can give away the user’s position, especially in dark environments where stealth is key.
  • Sound:
    • Perceived: A faint, low hum fills the air, accompanied by the soft sound of distant, echoing whispers, as if the blades are communicating through the void. The noise is unsettling, like a combination of grinding metal and hushed voices.
    • Description: The activation of the blades creates an eerie auditory atmosphere, as though they are channeling ancient, chaotic energies. The whispers can sound almost like unintelligible commands or warnings, stirring a sense of unease in both wielder and foes.
    • Positives: The unsettling noise can demoralize opponents, making them hesitant or fearful in combat.
    • Negatives: Prolonged exposure to the sound may be disorienting, causing mental fatigue or distraction for the wielder.
  • Touch:
    • Perceived: A cold sensation spreads through the hands and arms of the wielder, as though the blades are draining warmth and vitality. The hilts vibrate slightly, as if alive with dark energy.
    • Description: Upon gripping the activated blades, the wielder feels an immediate chill, which seems to intensify with each swing or strike. The sensation can be invigorating in battle, but there is a sense that the blades are drawing on more than just ambient energy.
    • Positives: The cold enhances the wielder’s focus, making movements feel sharper and more deliberate. The sensation of power coursing through the blades can also heighten confidence.
    • Negatives: The draining sensation can cause fatigue over time, and if overused, the wielder may feel weakened, as though the blades are sapping their life force as well.
  • Smell:
    • Perceived: A faint scent of decay or damp earth accompanies the activation, like something ancient and long forgotten has been disturbed.
    • Description: The necrotic energy manifests as a musty, faintly rotting smell, which permeates the immediate area. This olfactory cue suggests the decay and death that the blades channel into each strike.
    • Positives: The smell may further enhance the psychological impact on enemies, adding an aura of death and decay to the wielder’s presence.
    • Negatives: The smell can be distracting or nauseating to the wielder or allies, especially in confined spaces.
  • Taste:
    • Perceived: A metallic, bitter taste lingers in the mouth, like blood or rust, though no physical source of the taste exists.
    • Description: Upon activation, the wielder might perceive the taste of metal on their tongue, symbolic of the necrotic energy and chaos flowing through the blades. The taste is unpleasant, creating a sense of unease.
    • Positives: This sensation reinforces the feeling of danger and power, reminding the wielder of the deadly nature of the weapons.
    • Negatives: The taste can be off-putting, possibly distracting the wielder during critical moments in combat.
  • Extra-Sensory Perceptions (ESP):
    • Life Drain Awareness
      • Perceived: The wielder becomes acutely aware of the life force of their opponents. As the blades strike, the wielder senses the fading vitality of their target, as though seeing their life essence being siphoned away.
      • Description: This awareness sharpens the wielder’s understanding of how close their target is to death. It feels as though the blades are feeding off the enemy’s essence, providing the wielder with a sense of control over the battle.
      • Positives: This perception helps the wielder determine the most effective moment to strike for a kill, or when to disengage as the target weakens.
      • Negatives: The overwhelming sensation of life force draining can be addictive or disorienting, leading the wielder to grow careless or overconfident.
    • Aura of Death (Chaotic Influence)
      • Perceived: A dark aura extends from the blades, casting a shadowy influence over the battlefield. The wielder may briefly glimpse flashes of another plane or feel the chaotic pull of the underworld.
      • Description: The aura of death feels like a weight around the blades, connecting the wielder to the realm of chaos. Nearby creatures, even allies, may feel uneasy or sense the presence of something unnatural.
      • Positives: The aura can instill fear in enemies, making them more prone to mistakes or retreat.
      • Negatives: The aura’s chaotic influence might affect the wielder’s mind, causing instability, impulsiveness, or confusion after prolonged exposure.
    • Temporal Distortion
      • Perceived: Time seems to slow briefly with each strike, allowing the wielder to feel a heightened sense of precision. Every movement feels calculated, as though guided by an unseen hand.
      • Description: This sensation grants the wielder a fleeting moment of enhanced focus, as though the flow of time has bent in their favor. This may provide the illusion of foresight, making it easier to anticipate an opponent’s next move.
      • Positives: The temporal distortion increases reaction time and precision, allowing for well-timed strikes and counters.
      • Negatives: The distortion is brief and can leave the wielder feeling disoriented when normal time resumes, leading to moments of vulnerability.
  • Overall Positives:
    • The Oblivion Blades amplify offensive capabilities by enhancing life drain, necrotic damage, and combat precision.
    • Perceptions of fear and death make enemies more vulnerable and prone to mistakes.
    • Extra-sensory perceptions provide tactical advantages, such as awareness of enemies’ weakening state and enhanced reaction time.
  • Overall Negatives:
    • Overexposure to the chaotic energies may result in mental and physical fatigue.
    • Disorienting sensory feedback, such as eerie sounds, unpleasant smells, or temporal distortion, can negatively impact focus.

    The unsettling nature of the blades can affect not only enemies but also allies and the wielder themselves, leading to instability over time.

Crafting Recipe: Oblivion Blades

  • Materials Needed:
    • 2x Dark Iron Ingots (Sourced from the Shadow Mines or another cursed location, infused with necrotic energy)
    • 2x Serrated Bone Shards (Harvested from the bones of a powerful, chaotic creature like an oni or shadow beast)
    • 1x Essence of Death (Distilled from the remains of a deathly spirit or creature linked to necromancy, like a wraith or lich)
    • 2x Worn Leather Straps (Used to wrap the hilts, preferably from a creature that died of natural causes)
    • 1x Necrotic Crystal Shard (A small shard that channels chaotic energy, often found in cursed ruins or battlefields)
    • 3x Vials of Blood (The blood of an intelligent creature, willingly or forcibly given, to bind the blades to the chaos realm)
  • Tools Required:
    • Forge of Chaos (A specially enchanted forge that can manipulate dark and necrotic energies)
    • Bone Carver’s Knife (For shaping the serrated edges of the bone shards)
    • Runic Hammer (Used to etch chaotic runes into the blades)
    • Soul Binding Ritual Circle (A magical apparatus to bind the Essence of Death to the weapon)
    • Darksmith’s Tongs (For handling the cursed materials safely)
  • Skill Requirements:
    • Blacksmithing Proficiency (Advanced)
    • Needed to handle dark metals and necrotic elements in the forging process.
    • Necromancy or Dark Magic Proficiency (Intermediate)
    • Required to infuse the blades with necrotic energy and bind the Essence of Death.
    • Runic Inscription Skill (Intermediate)
    • To carve the chaos runes into the blades, ensuring they channel the energies effectively.
  • Crafting Steps:
    • Prepare the Dark Iron Ingots
      • Heat the Dark Iron Ingots in the Forge of Chaos until they glow faintly with a purple hue. Ensure the forge is powered by necrotic or chaotic energy to allow the metal to absorb the necessary magic.
      • Once malleable, hammer the ingots into the basic shape of two curved blades. Use the Runic Hammer to begin etching chaotic patterns into the unfinished blades, preparing them for further enhancements.
    • Shape the Serrated Bone Edges
      • Use the Bone Carver’s Knife to carve and shape the Serrated Bone Shards into the jagged edges of the blades. These bone shards should be carefully attached along the edges of the iron blades, creating a seamless connection between bone and metal.
      • Attach the serrated bone pieces by heating the blades once again and gently fusing the bone and metal using Darksmith’s Tongs.
    • Bind the Necrotic Crystal and Essence of Death
      • Place the Necrotic Crystal Shard in the center of each blade, embedding it within a slot in the blade’s hilt area. This crystal will serve as the focal point for channeling necrotic energy.
      • Perform a Soul Binding Ritual using the Soul Binding Ritual Circle to fuse the Essence of Death with the blades. This requires a dark incantation and will summon the chaotic energies necessary to imbue the blades with their life-draining properties. The 3 Vials of Blood should be poured into the circle as the ritual progresses, ensuring the blades are attuned to the chaos realm.
    • Etch Chaos Runes
      • Once the Essence of Death is bound to the blades, use the Runic Hammer to carve deep Chaos Runes along the flat surfaces of the blades. These runes will channel the necrotic and chaotic energy during combat.
      • As you inscribe the runes, focus on empowering the blades’ ability to drain life, ensuring each rune is etched with precision and intent. This step is critical, as poorly inscribed runes could cause the necrotic energy to backfire on the wielder.
    • Wrap the Hilts
      • Take the Worn Leather Straps and carefully wrap them around the hilts of the blades. This provides both comfort and a secure grip while wielding the weapons. Use an adhesive made from Essence of Death to bond the straps to the metal, ensuring a lasting connection.
      • Once wrapped, the hilts should feel cold to the touch, signaling that the chaotic energy has successfully flowed into the entire weapon.
    • Finalize the Enchantment
      • Heat the blades once more in the Forge of Chaos, then plunge them into a vat of necrotic-infused oil to cool. This final step solidifies the connection between the necrotic energy, the materials, and the blades themselves.
      • After the cooling process, perform a final Arcana or Necromancy Check (DC 18) to ensure the enchantments are fully functional and stable. Failure at this stage may result in the blades becoming cursed or uncontrollable.

The Oblivion Blades require both skill in crafting and dark magic to fully harness their chaotic potential. These weapons are dangerous even in the hands of their creator, so ensure all steps are followed precisely. Once completed, the blades will channel chaotic, necrotic energy with every strike, sapping the life force of their targets and instilling fear in all who face them.

Tale of Blades from No-Light Time

Long, long before moons and suns did walk together in sky, there were blades forged in place where light no go. The Shroud Oni who made them, it was told, had no heart of kindness, no soul of breath. He alone lived deep under the mountain, where the stones cried black tears. There, he took metal of shadows and bone of creatures with no name, making what would be called the Oblivion Blades.

The blades were not born from fire as other weapons, but from silence, from the breath of forgotten things. The Oni did not speak when he made them, for words would anger the spirits that watched from the dark. Instead, he carved runes with his own claws, each mark stealing away a piece of his own chaos-soul. These runes, they say, were not of earth or sky but of places between, where neither life nor death hold meaning.

When the first strike was made by these blades, all nearby felt a coldness that crawled inside their bones. The shadows around the blades moved like creatures, not like things of shadow. It is said, in a battle under a sky of blood-colored mist, the Oni wielded his creations. The ground itself withered where the blades struck, and those cut by them saw not their wounds, but instead felt their very life slipping away like water from broken hands.

Legends say the blades thirst for more than blood. They drink life, not only from bodies but from all things. Trees wither. Rivers run dry. The sky forgets its color. The Oni, after many battles, found the blades had taken too much even from him. His eyes grew dim, his breath became a burden, and he fell into shadow deeper than any he had ever known.

Some tell the Oni is not gone but sleeps, bound to the blades still. Those who seek the Oblivion Blades must enter the no-light place where the Oni waits, for they say his last breath is locked inside the steel, waiting for another to awaken the hunger of shadows once more.

Moral of the Story: A thing born from no-light cannot live in light, for it must always return to the dark that made it.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

Item Name: Oblivion Blades

  • Description: Wicked, serrated blades infused with necrotic energy, forged by the Shroudheart Oni. These weapons sap the life force of their victims.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Damage: 1d6 + 1d4 Necrotic Damage
    • Effect: On a successful hit, the target loses 1d6 Sanity Points due to the life-draining properties of the blades.
    • Special Ability: Once per session, the wielder can gain a temporary boost to a combat roll (Fighting (Brawl)) but must make a POW roll or suffer 1d3 Sanity loss as the blades feed on their mind.
    • Drawback: The wielder must make a POW check when the blades are drawn. Failure results in a compulsion to attack any living being nearby.
    • Cost: 400 Mythos books, found only in rare occult auctions or shadowy cults.
    • Rarity: Extremely rare and dangerous to possess.

Blades in the Dark

Item Name: Oblivion Blades

  • Description: Serrated dual blades, capable of channeling dark energy, which drain life from their victims and empower their wielder with chaos.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Load: 1 (Light)
    • Effect: The Oblivion Blades provide +1d to all Skirmish rolls when used in combat. Additionally, they deal +1 Harm and cause necrotic damage, which slowly drains the enemy’s vitality.
    • Special Ability: Once per score, the wielder can activate the blades’ chaotic energy to inflict an additional level of Harm, but they suffer 2 Stress as the blades siphon a small part of their life force.
    • Drawback: After each use, the wielder must make a Resolve resistance roll. On failure, they take 1 Stress and experience unsettling visions from the chaos realm.
    • Availability: Rare, found in the possession of ancient assassin guilds or obtained through forbidden rituals.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

Item Name: Oblivion Blades

  • Weapon (dual shortswords), Rare, Requires Attunement
  • Description: These serrated shortswords are infused with chaotic necrotic energy, forged by the Shroudheart Oni to drain life from their targets.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Damage: 1d6 slashing + 1d6 necrotic (per blade)
    • Attack Bonus: +1 to attack and damage rolls
    • Special Ability: When both blades hit the same target in a turn, the target must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or take an additional 2d6 necrotic damage.
    • Passive Effect: The wielder gains a +1 bonus to Constitution saving throws while attuned to the Oblivion Blades.
    • Drawback: Each time the wielder scores a critical hit, they must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or suffer 1 level of exhaustion, as the blades feed off their life force.
    • Cost: 400 gold pieces, often found in shadowy black markets or as spoils from powerful, dark entities.

Knave

Item Name: Oblivion Blades

  • Description: Twin serrated blades crafted with dark magic. They drain the vitality of anyone struck by their chaotic power.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 Necrotic Damage (per blade)
    • Special Ability: Each time the wielder deals necrotic damage, they recover 1 hit point, but they must roll a WIS check. On a failure, they lose 1 point of STR as the blades drain them as well.
    • Effect: On a critical hit, the target suffers an additional 1d4 necrotic damage and becomes paralyzed with fear for 1 round.
    • Drawback: Every time the blades are activated in combat, the wielder must make a CHA saving throw. Failure results in a temporary loss of control, attacking friend or foe indiscriminately for 1 round.
    • Cost: 400 silver coins, sold by dark merchants or found in cursed ruins.

Fate Core System

Item Name: Oblivion Blades

  • Description: Twin serrated blades that siphon life force from their victims, forged by dark chaotic powers.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Aspect: “Chaos-Infused Necrotic Blades”
    • The wielder can invoke this aspect to gain a +2 bonus to any physical combat roll (Fight), representing the blades’ life-draining nature.
    • Effect: Once per session, the wielder can activate the blades’ chaotic energy, dealing an additional 2 stress to the target.
    • Compel: When the blades are used in battle, the GM may compel the wielder to lose control briefly, attacking a nearby ally or continuing to fight despite a tactical disadvantage.
    • Cost: 1 Fate Point to invoke the chaotic nature during a crucial moment.

Numenera / Cypher System

Item Name: Oblivion Blades

  • Level: 5
  • Description: Twin serrated blades that channel chaotic energy, draining the life force from their victims with each strike.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Damage: 5 points (plus 2 points of necrotic damage)
    • Effect: When activated, the wielder can spend 2 Intellect points to deal an additional 3 points of necrotic damage.
    • Special Ability: Once per day, the wielder may activate the blades to heal 3 points of damage after successfully hitting an enemy, but they must make a Might defense roll (difficulty 4) to avoid suffering 1 point of damage themselves due to the chaotic backlash.
    • Depletion: Roll a d20 after each use. On a 1, the blades lose their necrotic property until recharged by a dark ritual.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

Item Name: Oblivion Blades

  • Weapon (Twin Blades), Rare, Requires Attunement
  • Description: Twin blades imbued with necrotic energy, crafted by dark forces. They deal additional necrotic damage to their victims.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Damage: 1d6 slashing + 1d6 necrotic (per blade)
    • Attack Bonus: +1 to attack and damage rolls
    • Effect: On a critical hit, the target takes an additional 2d6 necrotic damage, and the wielder heals 1d6 hit points.
    • Special Ability: Once per day, the wielder can activate the blades’ chaotic power, gaining a +2 bonus on all attacks for 1 minute, but suffers a -1 penalty to AC for the same duration.
    • Drawback: After each battle, the wielder must succeed on a DC 14 Fortitude save or be fatigued, as the chaotic energies drain their vitality.
    • Cost: 400 gold pieces, often found in the collections of necromancers or dark entities.

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

Item Name: Oblivion Blades

  • Description: Twin serrated blades imbued with chaotic, necrotic energy. The blades siphon life force from enemies with each strike.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Damage: Str+d6 (plus 1d6 necrotic damage)
    • Effect: On a successful hit, the blades deal an additional 1d6 necrotic damage. Once per session, the wielder can heal 1 wound by activating the blades’ chaotic energy after killing an enemy, but must make a Spirit roll (DC 4). On failure, they suffer 1 Fatigue from the necrotic backlash.
    • Special Ability: The wielder can make a special attack called Chaos Strike, dealing +2 damage but suffering a -2 penalty on Parry until their next turn due to the chaotic energy’s destabilizing effect.
    • Rarity: Uncommon, often found in cursed ruins or wielded by dark warriors.
    • Cost: 1,200 silver pieces.

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

Item Name: Oblivion Blades

  • Description: A pair of serrated dual blades infused with chaotic, necrotic energy, crafted for those seeking destructive power.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Damage: 5P + 1d6 Necrotic Damage
    • Accuracy: +1
    • Effect: Upon a successful hit, the target suffers 1d6 necrotic damage, which ignores armor, representing the blades’ life-draining ability.
    • Special Ability: Once per combat, the wielder can activate the chaotic energy in the blades, gaining a +2 bonus to their next attack roll. Afterward, they must resist 2 Drain (Willpower + Body) or suffer 1 Stun damage as the chaotic forces sap their strength.
    • Availability: 12F (Restricted).
    • Cost: 8,000¥, typically sold by talismongers or black-market dealers who traffic in magical artifacts.
    • Rarity: Rare, often crafted by blood mages or obtained through shady syndicates.

Starfinder

Item Name: Oblivion Blades

  • Level: 8
  • Price: 9,500 credits
  • Bulk: 1
  • Description: These wickedly serrated twin blades are infused with necrotic energy, capable of draining life force with each strike.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Damage: 1d6 slashing + 1d6 necrotic (per blade)
    • Critical Effect: On a critical hit, the target is weakened, reducing their Strength by 1d4 for 1 minute as the necrotic energy saps their vitality.
    • Special Ability: Once per day, the wielder can trigger the chaotic energy stored within the blades, adding 1d6 necrotic damage to all attacks for 1 minute. During this time, the wielder suffers a -2 penalty to their Fortitude saves due to the draining effect on their body.
    • Property: Necrotic (deals damage to both living and undead creatures).
    • Usage: 1/day
    • Rarity: Found in ancient relic caches or as spoils from long-forgotten wars.

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

Item Name: Oblivion Blades

  • Description: Twin blades forged from dark materials, infused with chaotic energy that siphons life from their victims.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Damage: 3d6 (plus 1d6 necrotic)
    • Effect: Each successful hit deals 1d6 additional necrotic damage, bypassing most natural armor. On a critical hit, the target must succeed on an Endurance roll (Difficulty 10) or be incapacitated for 1d6 rounds due to the life-draining effect.
    • Special Ability: Once per day, the wielder can activate the chaotic energy in the blades, gaining +2 DM on all melee attacks for the next 10 minutes. After the effect ends, they must roll a Stamina check (Difficulty 8) or take 1d3 Endurance damage as the chaotic forces drain their own life.
    • Cost: Cr 12,000
    • Availability: Extremely rare, typically found in forbidden vaults or as part of illegal relic trades.

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (4th Edition)

Item Name: Oblivion Blades

  • Description: These serrated blades, dark and infused with chaotic necrotic energy, draw the life force of those they strike.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Weapon: Dual Hand Weapons
    • Damage: SB + 4 (plus 1d6 necrotic)
    • Qualities: Damaging, Necrotic (deals additional necrotic damage), Precise
    • Effect: On a successful critical hit, the target suffers an additional 1d6 necrotic damage and gains a Fatigued condition due to life force drain.
    • Special Ability: Once per day, the wielder can invoke the blades’ chaotic power, gaining +1 Advantage for each successful hit made in a round, but must roll Willpower (Difficulty 4) after each use or suffer 1 Fatigue from the chaotic backlash.
    • Encumbrance: 2
    • Rarity: Very Rare, often found in the possession of cultists or in hidden crypts, marked by the forces of Chaos.