“Craven Edge” (“Craven Edge”)
- First appearance: Campaign 1 – Vox Machina, Episode 25: “Crimson Diplomacy”
“Craven Edge” is a beautifully crafted onyx greatsword, but it is sentient and intelligent, following its own chaotic evil morality. It is cold, malicious, and seeks violence at every opportunity. It desires to be wielded and used by merciless creatures that feed it on command.
Craven Edge has an intelligence of 16, a wisdom of 12, and a quite solid charisma score of 18. In addition to darkvision, it can understand and speak Abyssal, the common tongue, and that of the current bearer, and can communicate telepathically with anyone who has ever wielded it. It also possesses the following abilities:
- The Weak Shall Be Devoured: Whenever Craven Edge deals damage to a creature, that creature must make a Constitution saving throw (DC 12). On a failed save, Craven Edge drains one point of strength from the target and transfers it to the bearer (up to a maximum strength of 25) until the bearer takes a short or long rest. Creatures whose strength is reduced to 0 by this ability are killed.
- Greedy Evolution: If Craven Edge devours enough strength through “The Weak Shall Be Devoured” to raise the bearer to 25 strength, the blade transforms into a larger, jagged blade from which shadows seep. Until the bearer’s next short or long rest, all attacks made with this sword deal an additional 2d6 necrotic damage. After a short rest, the bearer must make a Constitution saving throw (DC 16) or the now-hungry weapon devours the bearer’s soul, resulting in instant death.
- Dark Aura: Grants the bearer advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks when the weapon is equipped and in the bearer’s hand.
Craven Edge was wielded in the animated series about Vox Machina by the vampire lord Sylas Briarwood, but changed hands during the story after it fell into Grog’s possession. He is initially very enamored with the weapon and its perks, but over time he becomes increasingly bloodthirsty and violent, which increasingly worries not only his friends but also himself.
A truly powerful but also malevolent weapon that could corrupt players in other campaigns as well.
