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Gray Matter Blade in Dungeons & Dragons 5e

Ravenloft: Dungeon Master's Guide (3e), 2001

Gray Matter Blade

Weapon

Legendary non-good alignment Requires Attunement

  • Improved Critical. When you make an attack roll, you score a critical hit on a roll of 18-20 with the d20.
  • Hunger for Brains. When you use this weapon to attack a creature that has at least one head & roll a critical hit, the blade imbeds itself into the creature's skull. The creature dies if it can't survive without the lost head. A creature is immune to this effect if it has Immunity for Slashing damage, if it doesn't have or need a brain, or if the DM decides that the creature is too big for its skull to be penetrated with this weapon. Such a creature takes an additional 27 (6d8) damage, or 33 (6d10) damage if you wield the blade with two hands. If the creature has Legendary Resistance, it can expend one daily use of that trait to avoid losing its head, taking the extra damage instead.
  • While imbedded in a creature's skull, the blade will begin to consume the creature's brain. The creature's brain is entirely consumed by the blade within 3 (1d6) rounds. Attempting to withdraw the blade prior it finishing its 'meal' requires passing a DC 10 Strength check. Allowing the blade to finish its meal requires a Powers check, & any creature that can see the sword consuming the brain must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become Frightened of the blade for 24 hours.
  • Memory Digest (1/Day). If the blade has consumed the brain of a creature within the last 24 hours, a character attuned with the blade can have the sword sift through the creature's memories as if you cast the Speak with Dead spell on the creature's corpse. Using this feature requires a Powers check.
  • Versatile. A Versatile weapon can be used with one or two hands. A damage value in parentheses appears with the property. The weapon deals that damage when used with two hands to make a melee attack.
  • Weapon Mastery: Sap. If you hit a creature with this weapon, that creature has Disadvantage on its next attack roll before the start of your next turn.

Type Damage Damage Range
Martial Melee 1d8+3 / 1d10+3 Slashing -

Cost: 200,000 GP
Weight: 3 lb.


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