Phantom Claws

From: Spectral Lupines

Tier One Stats:

• Additional Damage: 1d6 necrotic damage on a successful hit
• Strength Drain: Temporary reduction of target’s Strength score by 2 until they finish a short or long rest

Skills: No specific skills affected, but the additional damage and strength-draining effect can impact combat encounters, especially against foes relying on their physical strength.

Cost: The Phantom Claws are considered a valuable and rare magical augmentation. The cost could be approximately 600 gold pieces or equivalent value.

Tags: Spectral, Augmentation, Ethereal, Spiritbound, Combat Enhancement, Strength Drain, Shadow, Lupine, Rare Augment, Cursed, Predatory, Phantom Strike, Haunting, Dark Power, Energy Siphon, Offensive, Debilitation, Tactical, Feline, Erosion, Combat Tactics

Item Type: Augmentation/Claws

Rarity: Rare

Magical: Yes

Necrotic: Yes

Lore: The Phantom Claws are believed to be bestowed upon the Spectral Lupines by ancient spirits who once roamed the ethereal realms. These spectral claws are said to be fragments of the spirits’ essence, granting the Lupines the power to inflict necrotic damage and weaken their foes.

Use: The Phantom Claws provide the Spectral Lupines with enhanced offensive capabilities and the ability to weaken their adversaries. Here are their primary uses:

Additional Necrotic Damage: The spectral claws augment the Spectral Lupine’s natural attacks, allowing it to deal an additional 1d6 necrotic damage on a successful hit. This damage type can be particularly effective against creatures vulnerable to necrotic damage or resistant to other forms of attack.

Strength Drain: On a successful hit, the Phantom Claws have a chance to temporarily drain the target’s strength. The target’s Strength score is reduced by 2 until they finish a short or long rest. This weakening effect can be advantageous when facing foes relying on their physical strength or attempting to incapacitate powerful adversaries.

Tactical Advantage: The added necrotic damage and strength-draining effect of the Phantom Claws can provide the Spectral Lupine with a tactical advantage in combat encounters. It can help turn the tide of battle, weaken foes, or provide an opportunity for the Lupine and its allies to gain the upper hand.

Versatile Augmentation: The Phantom Claws can be seen as a versatile augmentation for the Spectral Lupine, complementing its natural attacks. The claws can be used in combination with other abilities or tactics, making the Lupine a formidable opponent in combat.

Coveted Item: Due to their rarity and the unique properties they possess, the Phantom Claws may draw the attention of collectors, adventurers, or individuals interested in harnessing necrotic power. Their acquisition or use could lead to quests, encounters, or rivalries involving the Spectral Lupine and those who desire the augmentation.

In the world of Saṃsāra, the Phantom Claws would be a rare and highly sought-after item, typically available in specialized shops catering to collectors, adventurers, and practitioners of dark or necrotic magic. The type of shops where this item might be bought or sold would vary depending on the region, the nature of the shopkeeper, and the type of clientele they cater to.

• Necrotic Emporiums
  • Location: These shops are usually found in darker regions, hidden alleys of large cities, or near necromancer guilds. They may also exist in shadowy corners of floating islands or deep underground markets in the Underworld.
  • Shop Description: Dimly lit, often featuring skeletal motifs and shadowy auras, Necrotic Emporiums deal in items that channel the power of death and necrosis. Phantom Claws would be stored in ornate cases lined with bone or obsidian. The shopkeepers are often practitioners of necrotic magic, and they have a secretive nature, offering their wares only to those deemed worthy or powerful enough to handle them.
  • Cost: Approximately 800 gold pieces due to the demand for necrotic items and the illicit nature of necrotic dealings.
• Spirit Traders’ Market
  • Location: Found in regions with a strong connection to spirits and ethereal realms, such as remote floating islands or mystical forests, where the veil between the physical and spirit worlds is thin.
  • Shop Description: These markets are often transient and appear at certain times of the year when the spirit world aligns with the material realm. The shops themselves are etheric, sometimes phasing in and out of existence, and their items are traded in spirit currencies or gold. Phantom Claws here are viewed as ethereal relics, and the shopkeepers are spectral beings or spirit-attuned traders.
  • Cost: 1,200 gold pieces or equivalent spirit relics, due to the high rarity and ethereal nature of the item.
• Beastmasters’ Bazaar
  • Location: Found in regions where wild and mystical creatures are revered, such as on the Zephyrstone Islands or the megacities built around jungle regions. These are markets frequented by tamers, beastmasters, and those who hunt and train magical creatures.
  • Shop Description: Lively and chaotic, the bazaar is filled with various magical animals, rare beast hides, and augmentations designed for taming and enhancing creatures. Phantom Claws here are viewed as valuable augmentations for combat creatures. The shopkeepers are often beastmasters or animal whisperers, selling items that enhance animal prowess.
  • Cost: 600 gold pieces, a more reasonable price as they see it as a practical augmentation for animal companions or themselves.
• Adventurers’ Guild Stores
  • Location: Adventurers’ guilds scattered across Saṃsāra, from small towns to major cities, typically have stores stocked with rare and practical items for seasoned warriors and explorers.
  • Shop Description: These stores are functional and no-nonsense, often cluttered with potions, weapons, and magical gear. Phantom Claws would be presented as a practical tool for adventurers needing to weaken foes in combat. Shopkeepers are battle-hardened guild members, and the item would be sold alongside other rare combat-enhancing gear.
  • Cost: 700 gold pieces due to its high combat utility but sold without the additional flair of specialty shops.
• Black Markets
  • Location: Hidden in shadowy corners of bustling metropolises, secret tunnels under labyrinthine megacities, or in lawless territories like rogue islands and deep sea ports.
  • Shop Description: These clandestine markets deal in all things rare and illicit. Items like Phantom Claws would be sold to the highest bidder, attracting powerful necromancers, assassins, and dark magic users. The shopkeepers are often criminal syndicates or rogue merchants dealing in forbidden or cursed objects.
  • Cost: Between 900 and 1,500 gold pieces depending on the seller’s influence and the buyer’s reputation. Haggling and blackmail could also influence the price.

Each of these shops reflects the world’s diverse cultures and economies, with prices varying based on region, scarcity, and the shopkeeper’s perception of the item’s value.

In different environments of Saṃsāra, the Phantom Claws would serve both offensive and defensive purposes, allowing for dynamic roleplaying that reflects the wearer’s interaction with their surroundings and adversaries. Here’s how the claws might be used in various environments for both defense and offense:

• Dense Forests or Jungles
  • Offensive Roleplay: In dense, overgrown areas like jungles or thick forests, the Phantom Claws provide a tactical advantage by enabling the user to strike swiftly from cover. The claws’ necrotic damage can be roleplayed as the user’s ability to strike down enemies silently, causing their life force to wither away as the Spectral Lupine blends back into the foliage. The Strength Drain can also be described as weakening a target’s ability to fight or escape, with their muscles visibly weakening after being struck.
    • Example: “You leap from the shadows of a vine-covered tree, slashing with your Phantom Claws. As your claws rake across the target’s chest, you feel their strength draining into the earth, leaving them stumbling and struggling to lift their weapon.”
  • Defensive Roleplay: In defense, the user can use the natural environment to create strategic retreats or ambushes. The claws can also play a psychological role, allowing the user to cripple their enemy with a single swipe, then disappear into the dense undergrowth. The weakening of an opponent’s physical power forces them to rely on other tactics, giving the user the upper hand in subsequent engagements.
    • Example: “As your adversary charges through the underbrush, you slash them with the Phantom Claws and retreat into the trees. The weakening effect of the claws saps their strength, slowing their pursuit as you melt back into the dense greenery, ready for another strike.”
• Urban or Dungeon Environments
  • Offensive Roleplay: In close-quarters combat, such as in a dungeon or a city alleyway, the Phantom Claws are used for rapid, debilitating strikes. The necrotic damage can be described as the claws tearing into both flesh and the spirit, creating an aura of fear among enemies. The Strength Drain in this setting can turn the tide against heavily armored foes, reducing their ability to carry their weapons or armor effectively.
    • Example: “You dart through the narrow corridor, catching your opponent off-guard with a vicious swipe. The Phantom Claws seem to cling to more than just flesh, draining the strength from your foe as they struggle to lift their shield.”
  • Defensive Roleplay: In urban settings or dungeons, where retreat might be difficult, the Phantom Claws offer a way to reduce the effectiveness of multiple attackers. The user could weaken their opponents’ physical prowess to gain time to escape or reposition. By sapping the strength of stronger enemies, the claws allow the user to defend choke points, preventing adversaries from pushing through with brute force.
    • Example: “Trapped in a narrow alley, you swipe at the advancing thug. The Phantom Claws cut into his arm, and he falters as his strength ebbs away. Now, with a momentary advantage, you slip into the shadows of a side passage.”
• Open Plains or Deserts
  • Offensive Roleplay: In wide, open spaces like plains or deserts, the Phantom Claws force users to rely on their speed and the claws’ debilitating effects. The necrotic damage weakens foes quickly, making them easier to subdue in prolonged chases. The user can capitalize on the vastness of the area by wearing down an opponent’s strength through hit-and-run tactics, staying just out of reach while enemies slowly lose power.
    • Example: “You sprint across the dunes, circling your prey. A quick slash of the Phantom Claws and you’re gone again. The necrotic energy leaves them breathless, clutching at their chest as their strength drains under the hot sun.”
  • Defensive Roleplay: On defense, the user might use the environment to their advantage by making themselves a difficult target to catch. With the strength-draining ability, the user could systematically weaken multiple enemies, making it harder for them to chase or overwhelm the user in open ground. They may also use the claws to defend themselves from predators that rely on physical power, such as desert beasts or bandits.
    • Example: “The desert raider charges at you, but a quick slash leaves him gasping in the heat. His sword feels heavier in his hand as the strength ebbs from his body, and you swiftly gain the advantage in the confrontation.”
• Caves or Underground Settings
  • Offensive Roleplay: In tight, enclosed spaces like caves or underground tunnels, the Phantom Claws provide a highly effective means of neutralizing physically strong creatures. Against hulking underground beasts or enemies, the claws weaken their raw power, giving the user the chance to finish them off with precision. The confined space enhances the claws’ necrotic aura, making each hit feel suffocating to the target.
    • Example: “The cavern’s darkness surrounds you, but your claws find their mark. You feel the beast’s strength fading as your claws tear through its hide, the necrotic energy pulsating in the tight, airless space.”
  • Defensive Roleplay: The claws’ Strength Drain becomes especially useful defensively in tunnels or narrow caverns where brute force could otherwise be overwhelming. By sapping an opponent’s strength, the user can make it difficult for them to push through tight spaces, such as choke points or cave entrances, allowing the user to escape or control the flow of battle.
    • Example: “With a quick strike to its arm, you sap the strength of the hulking brute, leaving it struggling to push through the narrow tunnel as you dart deeper into the underground maze, preparing to launch another assault.”
• Floating Islands (Zephyrstone Islands)
  • Offensive Roleplay: On floating islands where aerial combat or agility is essential, the Phantom Claws allow the user to weaken opponents and control the battlefield by reducing their ability to maneuver or use their strength effectively. In environments where height and agility are key, draining an enemy’s strength could leave them vulnerable to being pushed or falling off the islands, adding a dangerous dynamic to combat.
    • Example: “You leap from one rocky ledge to another, slashing your opponent with the Phantom Claws. The claws’ necrotic energy saps their strength, leaving them struggling to maintain their balance on the floating rocks.”
  • Defensive Roleplay: Defensively, the claws can be used to prevent enemies from overpowering or knocking the user off floating platforms. By draining the strength of those who attempt to grapple or push them, the user can maintain their footing and counterattack while taking advantage of the environment’s precarious nature.
    • Example: “As the aerial assailant lunges at you, you slash at them with the Phantom Claws. The weakening effect leaves them unable to shove you from the platform as you regain your balance on the floating island.”
• Underwater or Submerged Areas
  • Offensive Roleplay: Underwater, where movement and strength are more limited, the Phantom Claws would be even more devastating. In submerged environments, the necrotic energy could be described as rippling through the water, infecting the very essence of a target’s life force. The strength-draining effect would leave foes struggling to stay afloat or maneuver, making them more vulnerable to drowning or other attacks.
    • Example: “As you swim through the murky depths, you swipe your Phantom Claws through the water. The dark energy ripples outward, draining the target’s strength as they struggle to keep from sinking into the abyss.”
  • Defensive Roleplay: In defense, the Phantom Claws could allow the user to escape from powerful aquatic predators or enemies, weakening their ability to swim or fight. The strength-draining effect makes it easier to avoid being overpowered or caught, allowing the user to escape or reposition underwater.
    • Example: “The giant eel wraps around you, but a slash from your Phantom Claws weakens its hold. You feel its grip loosen as its strength ebbs, and you swiftly swim free from the entangling coils.”

By roleplaying the Phantom Claws in these different environments, players can creatively use the item’s necrotic damage and Strength Drain to adapt to a variety of offensive and defensive situations, enhancing the tactical depth and immersion in Saṃsāra.

Perception of Activation: When the Phantom Claws are activated, the experience is vivid and intense, affecting not only the five primary senses but also triggering multiple extra-sensory perceptions. The activation releases dark, ethereal energy, manifesting in both the material and spirit realms. Here’s what is perceived:

• Sight
  • Perception: The claws shimmer with a spectral light, transitioning from their translucent form to a sharper, more defined state. A swirling mist of green and black necrotic energy encircles them, faint pulses of shadow flickering across the user’s hands. The target appears to darken slightly, as if the light around them is being drained away.
  • Positives: This visual cue helps the user gauge the power of the claws, showing when they are fully active. The necrotic energy visually weakens the opponent, which gives the user confidence in their abilities.
  • Negatives: The swirling mist may draw unwanted attention, as the visible aura can alert enemies or bystanders. Its dark energy can also unsettle allies, creating an air of fear or mistrust around the user.
• Sound
  • Perception: A low, almost imperceptible hum resonates from the claws as they activate, like a distant echo of whispers or a wolf’s howl in the far distance. As the claws make contact with the target, a sharp, crackling sound like splintering bone is heard.
  • Positives: The hum serves as an audio confirmation that the claws are active and ready for use. The crackling sound upon impact provides satisfaction that the necrotic effect is weakening the target.
  • Negatives: The eerie, whisper-like hum may be disconcerting to the user and allies alike. In a stealth scenario, the faint noise could reveal the user’s position if opponents are particularly perceptive.
• Touch
  • Perception: The user’s fingers feel an icy chill coursing through them as the claws are activated, spreading up to the forearm. When the claws strike an enemy, there is a brief sensation of resistance, followed by the feeling of life force being siphoned through the claws into the user’s hand.
  • Positives: The cold sensation is invigorating, making the user feel sharper and more focused. The tactile feedback when the claws hit a target reassures the user that the strength-draining effect is working.
  • Negatives: The icy chill can become numbing after prolonged use, reducing dexterity or coordination. The sensation of siphoning life force might be unsettling or addictively empowering, which could lead to overuse.
• Smell
  • Perception: A faint, acrid odor fills the air, like the scent of scorched earth or burnt wood, mixed with the pungent smell of decay and sulfur.
  • Positives: This smell reinforces the connection to necrotic energy, reminding the user that the claws are effective in dealing death and decay.
  • Negatives: The smell is unpleasant and overwhelming in close quarters, potentially nauseating the user or nearby allies. The stench of decay may also betray the user’s presence if they are trying to remain undetected.
• Taste
  • Perception: Though the user does not directly consume anything, there is a faint metallic taste in the mouth, as if they’ve inhaled dust or blood.
  • Positives: The metallic taste enhances the immersion of using a powerful, dark weapon, aligning the senses with the claws’ necrotic nature.
  • Negatives: The metallic taste can be uncomfortable or unsettling, particularly for those not accustomed to the feeling. It may create a sense of dryness or thirst after prolonged activation.
• Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
  • Necrotic Aura Awareness
    • Perception: The user feels a ripple in the air around them as if they are connected to a plane of existence outside their own. The flow of necrotic energy from the claws allows the user to sense the life force of nearby living creatures, feeling their vitality weaken with each strike.
    • Positives: This heightened sense of life force provides a tactical advantage, allowing the user to target the most vulnerable enemies. It creates an intuitive understanding of how close an opponent is to physical collapse.
    • Negatives: Over time, this connection can blur the user’s perception of friend and foe, making all life appear fragile and potentially disposable. Prolonged exposure could erode empathy and lead to a cold, detached worldview.
  • Spectral Vision
    • Perception: For brief moments when the claws are activated, the user can see faint outlines of spirits or ethereal beings, wandering through the environment as if drawn by the necrotic energy. Ghostly forms may hover over the battlefield, adding to the sense of the claws’ spiritual nature.
    • Positives: The ability to glimpse into the spirit realm can provide insight into lingering energies or help locate hidden entities. It also reinforces the user’s connection to the Phantom Claws’ spectral origins.
    • Negatives: These visions can be distracting or even terrifying, as the user may catch glimpses of malevolent spirits. The frequent appearance of these spectral forms may make the user question their reality, leading to potential psychological strain.
  • Strength Drain Sensation
    • Perception: Upon hitting a target, the user experiences a surge of dark satisfaction, as though they are draining the very essence of strength from their foe. This sensation is akin to a wave of energy flowing into them, momentarily filling them with a sense of dominance and control.
    • Positives: This perception of power enhances the user’s confidence, giving them the feeling that they are in control of the battlefield, weakening their enemies at will.
    • Negatives: The sensation of draining strength can become addictive, leading the user to rely on the Phantom Claws for power rather than their own abilities. Over time, this reliance may weaken the user’s sense of autonomy.
  • Shadow Affinity
    • Perception: When the claws are activated, the user feels an increased attunement to shadows and darkness. The shadows around them seem to bend or flicker, as if responding to their presence. The user may feel more comfortable in low light or obscured environments.
    • Positives: This affinity with shadows enhances stealth, allowing the user to move more fluidly and unseen in dim environments. It also strengthens their connection to necrotic and dark energies.
    • Negatives: Prolonged use can create a dependency on darkness, making the user uncomfortable or disoriented in bright light or open areas. It may also create a sense of alienation from the natural world, as they become more tied to the realm of shadows.
• Summary of Positives:
  • Enhanced combat confidence through necrotic damage and strength drain.
  • Heightened tactical awareness from extra-sensory perceptions.
  • Increased stealth capabilities and awareness of life forces.
  • Visual and auditory feedback confirming activation and effectiveness.
• Summary of Negatives:
  • The unsettling nature of necrotic energy may disturb allies or attract unwanted attention.
  • Physical sensations, like numbness or addiction to the claws’ power, can cause discomfort or over-reliance.
  • Sensory overload from extra-sensory perceptions could lead to distraction or psychological strain.
  • Prolonged exposure to dark energies may erode empathy and lead to isolation from the user’s surroundings.

Crafting Recipe: Spectral Phantom Claws

• Materials Needed:
  • Essence of Spectral Lupine (1 vial) – Extracted from the spirit of a deceased Spectral Lupine, this essence binds the claws to necrotic energy.
  • Spiritshard Crystal (2 small crystals) – Crystals imbued with ethereal power, capable of channeling spectral energy.
  • Darksteel Talons (3) – Forged from Darksteel, these talons form the base of the claws, known for their affinity with necrotic enchantments.
  • Necrotic Ink (1 vial) – Used to engrave runes onto the claws, enhancing their strength-draining and necrotic properties.
  • Moonlit Leather (1 hide) – Leather harvested under the light of a full moon, used to craft the handle or gauntlet attachment.
  • Wraith’s Breath (1 vial) – Collected from a captured wraith, this mist-like substance binds the spiritual and material elements of the claws.
  • Obsidian Powder (1 pouch) – Ground from volcanic glass, it is used to reinforce the claws’ durability and connection to the shadow realm.
  • Binding Thread (1 spool) – A special thread made from spider silk infused with necromantic energy, used to stitch and attach the materials together.
  • Etherium Dust (1 handful) – Rare magical dust collected from astral planes, used to channel the spectral energy of the claws.
• Tools Required:
  • Enchanter’s Forge – A forge capable of handling enchanted materials and blending magical properties.
  • Necrotic Engraving Kit – A set of tools for carving necrotic runes onto the surface of Darksteel.
  • Spiritweaver’s Needle – A specialized needle used to weave spiritual energy into physical objects.
  • Spirit Lantern – A lantern that holds ethereal flames, used to guide and bind spirits during crafting.
  • Arcane Hammer – Infused with elemental energy to carefully shape the Darksteel Talons without shattering their magic.
• Skill Requirements:
  • Smithing (Intermediate) – To work with Darksteel and forge the talons.
  • Enchanting (Advanced) – Required to imbue the claws with necrotic energy and bind the spectral essence to the item.
  • Necromancy (Proficient) – Necessary for handling necrotic materials like Wraith’s Breath and Essence of Spectral Lupine.
  • Leatherworking (Basic) – Needed to craft the Moonlit Leather gauntlet for the claws.
  • Runecrafting (Intermediate) – For inscribing the necrotic runes that grant the claws their strength-draining ability.
• Crafting Steps:
  • Prepare the Forge:
    • Heat the Enchanter’s Forge using a combination of magical and mundane fuel. Place the Spirit Lantern nearby to keep the essence of the Spectral Lupine stable during crafting.
  • Forge the Talons:
    • Use the Arcane Hammer to carefully shape the Darksteel Talons. These talons will serve as the foundation for the Phantom Claws. While working the Darksteel, sprinkle Obsidian Powder over them to enhance their durability and necrotic affinity.
    • Allow the talons to cool in the ethereal flames of the Spirit Lantern to bond the spectral and material worlds.
  • Prepare the Gauntlet:
    • Using Moonlit Leather, craft the gauntlet or grip that will attach to the user’s hand. Stitch it together with Binding Thread, ensuring each stitch is enchanted with necromantic energy.
  • Inscribe the Necrotic Runes:
    • With the Necrotic Engraving Kit, carefully carve runes into each of the Darksteel Talons. These runes will allow the claws to siphon strength from their targets. Use Necrotic Ink to fill the runes, permanently binding their magical properties.
  • Bind the Essence of Spectral Lupine:
    • In the next phase, carefully release the Essence of Spectral Lupine from its vial into the Spirit Lantern. Slowly draw the essence into the talons using the Spiritweaver’s Needle. This process ties the claws to the ethereal energy of the Spectral Lupine, granting the claws their necrotic damage and spectral abilities.
  • Infuse with Wraith’s Breath:
    • Pour the Wraith’s Breath over the entire assembly, allowing it to seep into the talons and gauntlet. The Wraith’s Breath will further bind the physical and spiritual realms, making the Phantom Claws able to interact with both planes of existence.
  • Apply Spiritshard Crystals:
    • Embed the Spiritshard Crystals into the base of the claws, connecting them with the gauntlet. These crystals are key to maintaining the spectral energy flow, enhancing the user’s ability to tap into necrotic forces.
  • Final Enchantment:
    • To finalize the crafting, dust the entire piece with Etherium Dust, ensuring a smooth flow of spectral energy through the claws. Activate the Enchanter’s Forge once more and place the claws inside to bond the materials and finalize the enchantments.
  • Ritual of Binding:
    • Conclude the process with a Necromantic Binding Ritual, performed under the guidance of a skilled necromancer. This ritual seals the spiritual and necrotic energies within the claws, ensuring they function as intended.
  • Test and Adjust:
    • Once complete, test the Phantom Claws by activating them in a low-light environment. Ensure the claws successfully siphon strength and channel necrotic energy. Make any final adjustments to the gauntlet’s fit and the flow of energy.

Upon completing these steps, the Spectral Phantom Claws will be a functional necrotic weapon capable of inflicting devastating damage and weakening your enemies’ physical strength.

Tale of the Lupine’s Phantom Grasp

Long ago, before the moons counted their rounds and the stars danced in the sky, there lived a wolf, unlike all others. This wolf, known by none but the whispers in the winds, walked not in the living world, nor the dead. Between those worlds, it roamed, where shadows are not yet born and light has no name.

One night, when the skies turned darker than the deepest cave, this wolf crossed paths with what was neither man nor beast, a form of spirits not remembered. They say these spirits had no eyes, but their gaze saw through the bones and hearts. The wolf, with fangs sharp as forgotten blades, could not bite what has no flesh. The wolf leaped and snarled, but its strength mattered none, for it grasped only air.

The spirits, amused by the wolf’s fruitless hunt, decided to bestow upon it a gift. “Take what cannot be touched, wolf of shadow,” they spoke in a tongue older than dust. From their hands, not of this world, they gave the wolf claws—claws that were not claws, but the breath of the lost. These were claws made from nothingness, but sharper than the mind could dream, and with them, the wolf could rend not flesh, but life itself.

With these phantom claws, the wolf returned to the realms it knew, striking fear into beasts and men alike. The claws did not tear skin, but sapped the strength of those it touched, leaving the strongest warrior weak as the youngest child. The ground where the wolf hunted grew barren, as the life drained from all who dared face it. Some say the claws made the wolf strong, stronger than even the great mountains, but others whispered that the claws were a curse, that they gnawed at the wolf’s own spirit, draining its soul little by little with each hunt.

The wolf, now feared by all, found no peace in its power. It walked alone, for even the shadows fled before it. No beast would stand by its side, no creature would howl in response to its call. The strength it had stolen from others weighed upon it like chains unseen.

One day, or perhaps it was many years, the wolf vanished, as quietly as it had once roamed. The phantom claws, though lost, are said to still roam the winds, waiting for another to claim their grasp.

Moral of the Story: Power that consumes others may soon consume itself, for strength without balance leaves even the mightiest hollow.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

Name: Phantom Claws

• Type: Mythos Artifact
• Skill Requirement: Cthulhu Mythos 10%, Occult 15%
• Damage: 1d6 Necrotic (ignores armor)
• Effect: Upon a successful hit, the target loses 1D3 Strength temporarily (1 hour) unless they succeed on a Hard CON roll. This effect stacks, but no characteristic can be reduced below 1.
• Sanity Loss: Wielder loses 1/1D3 SAN each time they activate the claws, as the necrotic energy links them to the spirit realm.
• Charges: 1D4+2 uses per day; attempting to use beyond this incurs 1D6 damage to the user and an immediate SAN loss of 1D6.
• Mythos Effect: Those under the claws’ necrotic drain slowly lose touch with reality, experiencing hallucinations of the spirit realm. Wielder must make an INT check after each encounter or suffer a temporary bout of madness.
• Cost: N/A (Cannot be purchased, only found as part of mythos-related scenarios).

Blades in the Dark

Name: Phantom Claws

• Tier: 3
• Type: Arcane Item (Rare)
• Harm: 3 (Necrotic Damage)
• Special Effect: Phantom Claws allow the user to reduce the target’s Strength (represented as Prowess) by 1 temporarily after a successful strike. This effect lasts until the end of the scene.
• Usage: After each use, roll 1D6. On a 1-3, the user suffers 1 Stress as the necrotic energy drains their vitality.
• Attunement: Requires a Whisper or another character with the Attune special ability. Those who use the claws without proper attunement suffer 2 Stress on activation.
• Flashback Use: May be activated in a flashback (cost 2 Stress) to reveal that the user siphoned strength from an NPC earlier, providing advantage in the current conflict.
• Notes: Often coveted by Spirit Wardens, these claws are rumored to draw the attention of vengeful ghosts.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

Name: Phantom Claws

• Wondrous Item (Rare), Requires Attunement
• Weapon Type: Natural Weapon (Claws)
• Damage: 1d6 Necrotic Damage + 1d6 Slashing Damage
• Special Properties: On a hit, the target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or have their Strength score reduced by 2 until they complete a short or long rest. If this reduction drops their Strength to 0, the target becomes incapacitated.
• Attunement Requirement: The claws bond to creatures of evil alignment or those with proficiency in Necromancy or the Arcana skill.
• Curse: Each time the claws are used, the user must roll a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, they suffer 1 level of exhaustion due to the draining effect of the necrotic energy.
• Charges: 5 charges, regains 1D4+1 charges at dawn. Once all charges are depleted, the user takes 2D6 necrotic damage if attempting to use the claws further.
• Cost: 600 gold pieces (found in rare magical item shops or as part of dark necromantic quests).

Knave

Name: Phantom Claws

• Weapon Type: Magical Weapon
• Damage: 1D6 Necrotic Damage
• Effect: On a successful attack, the target’s Strength is reduced by 2 until they rest or recover through magic.
• Usage: Each time the Phantom Claws are used, the user must make a Will save or suffer 1 point of Stamina damage as the necrotic power saps their own life force.
• Encumbrance: 1 slot
• Special Condition: The Phantom Claws grow in power when used in the presence of death or dark magic. When striking a creature that has recently died or in an area suffused with dark energy, the user deals an additional 1D6 Necrotic Damage.
• Cost: 1000 silver pieces (Only found in the most ancient crypts or the lairs of powerful necromancers).

Fate Core

Name: Phantom Claws

• Aspect: “Spectral Necrotic Claws”
• Type: Magical Artifact
• Invoke: When attacking with the Phantom Claws, the user can invoke the claws’ aspect to deal extra necrotic damage or drain the strength of a target.
• Compel: The GM may compel the aspect to cause the user to experience physical weakness or spiritual strain after using the claws, imposing a consequence such as Drained of Vitality.
• Effect: When using the Phantom Claws, add +2 to Fight rolls that deal necrotic damage. If the user succeeds with style, they can reduce the target’s Physical Stress track by 2 (representing drained strength).
• Cost: 2 Fate Points to activate the necrotic damage and strength drain effect per encounter.
• Complication: Every use of the claws without resting requires a Fate Point to resist taking a Minor Consequence (such as Necrotic Drain or Ethereal Fatigue).
• Notes: The Phantom Claws’ necrotic energy may attract dark forces or spirits, leading to additional compels for consequences related to necromantic influence.

Numenera & Cypher System

Name: Phantom Claws

• Level: 6
• Type: Artifact
• Effect: Deals 6 points of necrotic damage on a hit, and reduces the target’s Might Pool by 2 (or another appropriate Pool in non-human creatures) unless they succeed on a Difficulty 6 Might Defense roll. This reduction lasts until the target rests or receives healing.
• Depletion: 1 in 1D10 (roll after each use).
• Additional Effect: Each use of the Phantom Claws requires the user to make a Might Defense roll (Difficulty 4) or lose 1 point from their own Might Pool due to the backlash of necrotic energy.
• Range: Melee
• Cypher Effect: When used in the presence of powerful undead or dark forces, the claws emit a faint glow, adding +1 to Intellect-based knowledge checks regarding necromancy or spirits.
• Cost: Found as a rare artifact in ancient ruins or necromantic lairs.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

Name: Phantom Claws

• Item Level: 6
• Price: 600 gp
• Usage: Worn, Hands
• Damage: 1D6 Necrotic (Negative Energy) + 1D6 Slashing
• On Hit: Target must make a DC 18 Fortitude save or suffer a -2 penalty to Strength for 1 hour. This penalty does not stack but can be reapplied if the save is failed again after the effect ends.
• Activation: [Reaction] (Trigger: You successfully hit with an unarmed strike using the Phantom Claws).
• Curse: Each time the user critically fails with an attack, they take 1D4 necrotic damage as the claws drain their vitality. This damage cannot be mitigated by resistance to necrotic energy.
• Bulk: L (Light)
• Crafting Requirement: Requires a Necromancer with expert-level proficiency in Crafting and access to necrotic magic.
• Notes: Phantom Claws count as magical weapons for the purpose of overcoming resistances, and the necrotic energy is particularly effective against creatures vulnerable to negative energy.

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

Name: Phantom Claws

• Type: Artifact, Melee Weapon
• Damage: Strength + D6 (Slashing) + 2D6 Necrotic Damage
• Special Ability: On a successful attack, the target must make a Vigor roll (–2) or suffer a Fatigue level due to the necrotic drain. Fatigue recovered after 1 hour or rest.
• Edge Requirement: Requires the user to have the Arcane Background (Magic) Edge to attune to and use the claws without suffering from necrotic backlash.
• Backlash: If a Wild Card rolls a critical failure while using the claws, they take a Wound due to the necrotic energy lashing back at them.
• Power Points: The Phantom Claws require 2 Power Points to activate the necrotic effect per encounter. If the user has no Power Points, they take Fatigue instead.
• Range: Melee
• Notes: The Phantom Claws can be found in ancient necromancer tombs or stolen from dark cultists who channel negative energy. The claws attract dark spirits, giving the GM opportunities to create complications for the wielder.

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

Name: Phantom Claws

• Type: Weapon – Melee (Cyber/Arcane)
• Damage: Physical Damage, STR + 1P + 1D6 Necrotic Damage
• Accuracy: 6
• AP: –2 (ignores 2 points of Armor when dealing necrotic damage)
• Special Effect: On a successful hit, the claws sap the target’s Strength. Target must make a Body + Willpower (4) Test or lose 2 Strength (lasts for 1 hour).
• Essence Cost: 0.5 (Cyberware version) or attunement through magic for Awakened characters.
• Drain: If the user rolls a critical glitch, they suffer 2 points of Stun damage as the necrotic energy rebounds on them.
• Availability: 10F
• Cost: 15,000¥ (Black Market; only available through dark magic circles or rare, necrotic tech vendors).
• Notes: Phantom Claws can be integrated as cyberware for non-magical characters or attuned through a magical focus for Awakened users. The necrotic energy makes it useful for both assassins and combat mages, but also risks backlash to the user if not handled carefully.

Starfinder

Name: Phantom Claws

• Item Level: 6
• Type: Magic Weapon (Melee)
• Damage: 1D6 Slashing + 1D6 Necrotic (Negative Energy)
• Critical Effect: On a critical hit, the target must succeed at a DC 16 Fortitude save or lose 1 point of Strength. This damage persists until the target rests for 10 minutes and spends 1 Resolve Point.
• Bulk: L
• Weapon Slots: 1
• Special: Requires attunement to Negative Energy or Necromancy; those untrained in necromantic arts must succeed on a Will save (DC 14) to avoid 1D4 necrotic damage each time they activate the claws.
• Cost: 4,000 credits
• Usage: The Phantom Claws are primarily found in necromancer enclaves or dark trading networks, often sought by agents of entropy or cultists seeking to weaken their foes through necrotic decay.
• Traits: Analog, Necromantic, Unholy
• Notes: The claws can be used by both melee combatants and those who dabble in necromancy. However, without proper training, the claws will constantly drain the user.

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

Name: Phantom Claws

• Type: Melee Weapon (Artifact/Unique)
• TL: 12
• Damage: 2D6 Necrotic + 1D6 Strength Drain
• Effect: The claws sap the target’s Strength. If the target fails an END check (8+), they lose 2 points of Strength, lasting 1 hour.
• Encumbrance: 1
• Special Rules: Every time the user activates the claws, they must make an END check (6+) to avoid 1D6 damage from the necrotic energy rebound.
• Cost: 750,000 Credits (restricted, black market)
• Availability: Very Rare, found only in lost tombs or ancient alien ruins with necromantic technology.
• Notes: The Phantom Claws are considered a powerful artifact weapon from a forgotten race, rumored to have used necromantic energy to fuel their technology. Extremely dangerous, these claws are highly prized by collectors but dangerous to wield.

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (4th Edition)

Name: Phantom Claws

• Weapon Type: Magic Weapon (Claws)
• Damage: SB + Necrotic (1D10 Necrotic Damage)
• Qualities: Damaging, Magic, Necrotic, Penetrating
• Effect: On a successful hit, the target must make a Hard (-20) Endurance Test or lose 1 point of Strength until the next dawn.
• Special Rules: If a critical failure occurs while using the claws, the user takes 1D10 necrotic damage and must pass a Hard (-20) Willpower Test or suffer from a temporary mutation due to the dark energy.
• Availability: Very Rare
• Encumbrance: 1
• Gold Crown Value: 400GC
• Crafting Requirement: Requires an experienced Necromancer or Chaos Sorcerer to properly wield and craft, using components derived from the Realm of Chaos.
• Notes: Phantom Claws are feared and coveted by followers of Chaos and those who dabble in forbidden magics. The claws’ ability to drain strength and deal necrotic damage makes them a favored weapon of dark cultists.