The objective: build a "speed themed" greatsword of +10 total enchantment for my Swiftblade.
Flavor text:
The Eldritch Reaver is a weapon dating back 1200 years to a wizard and possibly one of the first Swiftblade warriors: Arkus Alacrim. Arkus was a great warrior of his time with a wide reputation for being impossibly fast in battle with a temper to match. His eccentric form of magic was scorned by the ruling oligarchy of Magii called the Circle. His methods were viewed as a brash abomination of pure magic and his art outlawed.
Over time, Arkus found himself skirmishing with members of the Circle more than any bandit or monstrous creature that crossed his path. He commissioned an exquisite and exotic-looking greatsword of adamantine to be crafted and focused his efforts on the study of enchantment of the the blade that would be his legacy. Into this blade he poured the enchantments that fueled his passion and focus. The channeling of his arcane spells, enhancements for reactions and instinct, and lastly his hatred of the Circle and their persecution of his unconventional form of magic.
As Arkus grew slower with age, he knew the Circle would eventually capture, torture, and kill him as an example. He began study of a new spell. Legend has it this spell was not a road to lichdom as many caster pursue, but some variation of the Magic Jar spell known in modern times. Arkus did not yearn to stumble about in a rotten corpse, but to instead flash through battle like a shot of lightning...
One evening as his studies were concluding, his arcane sentries warned him of intruders. Scrying the area around his hidden tower, he realized he had finally been found by the Circle. Time was running out. He snatched up his blade and rushed into battle one last time.
The story goes that a dozen Circle magii were slaughtered that night, but Arkus was too badly outnumbered as the remaining arcanists blasted him with spells to strip his defenses and slow him for capture. Just as they closed in, Arkus released a final burst of Innervated Speed and stopped time itself. He cast his final incantation and transferred his soul to the Eldritch Reaver.
The survivors, not understanding what had transpired, reported that Arkus Alacrim was a devil and had returned to his home plane. Others, uncertain with this claim, believed he had teleported away. The blade was confiscated and his tower burned.
Centuries later, with the Circle now gone, the sword resurfaced in a guild of wizards and sorcerers who focused on enhancing their skills in battle and speed and defense with magic. These arcane warriors called themselves Swiftblades. The Weaveblade (also called "Eldritch Reaver" or "Arkus's Refuge") was passed through the organization as the highest reward to the most powerful and most adept of their ranks.
Concept image:
For enchantments, here's what I had come up with:
+5 Spellstoring, Magebane, Anarchic, Spellblade (dispel) Greatsword
(Special Properties: Adamantine, Vanishing)
5 Charges per day (swift activation) - Spells are completion only and are invoked at the wielder's caster level:
- Nerveskitter - 1 charge
- Haste - 2 charges
- Snake Swiftness, Mass - 3 charges
Ability Scores:
Int: 20
Wis: 12
Cha: 10
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Arkus Alacrim rejected the rule of the Circle and lived by his own morality and served his own interests. His temper flared against those who tried to slow his research or impede his magic use, regardless of their goodly or evil nature. He sometimes helped those in need, but as often found himself too self-absorbed to assist. His search for ultimate control in battle through speed consumed him.
Communication: Telepathy
Senses: Sight and Hearing to 120ft, Darkvision
Ego: 23
Gold Piece Value: 149,500
In addition, possesing the Eldritch Reaver infuses the wielder with a bit of Arkus Alacrim's wizardly knowledge if your alignment matches his in at least one area and the blade is appropriately attuned (DM discretion).
+5 knowledge arcana
+5 spellcraft
Feat: Craft Magic Arms and Armor
Also keep in mind that I'm playing in a very high powered (nearly Monty Hall) kind of campaign...so don't hold back.
I've also gotten approval to use a modified version of Spell Storing called Greater Spell Storing that is a +2 enhancement and takes up to 6th level spells if I want to.
As a side note, the obvious enhancement to choose here is "Speed". However, the sword is made by a Swiftblade that has Haste up constantly. They don't stack and it makes it pointless and a large chunk of enhancement "real-estate" on the blade.
The other sad reality is that I've been using Thunderland a LOT in battle and I'm really struggling to make this weapon worthwhile compared to that beast of a spell. 20' reach is incredible...especially when mixed with whirlwind attacks (thanks Heroics!).
Thanks for any feedback or suggestions for other enhancements I'm not thinking of!
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