Nightblighter, Herald of Darkness

Slot none; Aura overwhelming abjuration and evocation; CL 25th; Weight 6 lbs. 

STATISTICS

Alignment LE; Ego 0; Senses 90 Ft.

Int 12, Wis 15, Cha 13  Communication telepathy  Special Purpose Destroy goodly creatures. 

Dedicated Power Nightblighter deals an additional 2d6 points of damage to good creatures. This additional damage is multiplied for critical

hits. On a critical hit, if the target is good, the target takes damage as if struck by a lightning bolt (10d6). Any nonevil creature that attempts to wield Nightblighter must make a Fortitude save (DC 20) or take 2d6 point of unholy damage. 

Spell-Like Abilities (CL 25, concentration +28)

• At Will–detect good

• 3/day–protection from good, shield of darkness, unholy blight (as wielder's level), vampiric touch

• 1/day–blasphemy, flame strike (black flame, maximized, 15d6)

• 1/week–hungry darkness

Nightblighter also functions as bracers of dawn and dusk (dusk only), a nine lives stealer, and grants the wielder a +10 competence bonus on all Intimidate and Stealth checks.  

DESCRIPTION 

Nightblighter is a +3 keen shock unholy wounding battleaxe. It’s blade is forged of hardened, blackened steel, and etched with dark runes of power that can only be seen by the servants of the God of Darkness. Perfectly balanced, its shaft is also etched in runes of dark power, with the grip bound in black dragon hide and a skull shaped pommel with the symbol of Kerr engraved into its forehead. It is only in the hands of a cleric or antipaladin of Kerr that the full powers of this weapon can be realized. 

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Darkest Shadows (Su) 

Once per day, the wielder of Nightblighter can unleash a 30-foot burst of complete darkness as a standard action. Good creatures within this burst take 1d6 points of damage for every two levels or Hit Dice of the wielder and are blinded for 1 round. Good dragons, good outsiders, and good creatures with levels of cleric or paladin are blinded for 1d4 rounds on a failed save. A DC 20 Reflex save halves this damage and negates the blindness. Evil creatures within this burst are healed 1d6 points of damage per two level or Hit Dice of the wielder and receive a +2 profane bonus on ability checks, attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks for 1 round.

Shadow Jump (Su) 

The wielder of Nightblighter gains the ability to travel between shadows as if by means of a dimension door spell. The limitation is that the magical transport must begin and end in an area with at least some dim light. The wielder can jump up to a total of 80 feet each day in this way; this may be a single jump of 80 feet, two jumps of 40 feet each, four jumps of 20 feet each, or any combination that adds up to 80 feet. This amount can be split among many jumps, but each one, no matter how small, counts as a 10-foot increment.

DESTRUCTION

Unknown at this time.

HISTORY

One of many holy relics crafted during the Age of Light and Reaffirmation, Nightblighter was forged through the cooperative magic of a high priest of Kerr and a powerful dark wizard to champion the cause of their patron deity. Centuries later, wielded by an antipaladin of the God of Darkness named Ozloth Kragblood, he cut swaths of death and destruction through the ranks of unbelievers and blasphemers. Over the following years, a religious revival emerged, reaching a fanatic pinnacle. As a result, a holy war erupted between the various churches due to the zealous endeavors of the clergies to convert the unbelieving. During the war, Ozloth reached the height of his infamous reputation and prowess in battle, slaying more of his enemies than any other in the war. However, as do most who serve the fell powers, he was slain by a most skilled and mighty servant of Jors Guardarm. Left on the field of battle, Nightblighter disappeared and has not been seen again. It is rumored that it fell into the hands of battlefield scavengers and sold for profit, but as to where it is now, no one knows.