_Weapon (longsword), very rare (requires attunement)_ --- ## STATISTICS **Damage:** 1d8 slashing (1d10 versatile) **Properties:** Versatile, Sentient **Weight:** 3 lbs **Value:** 18,000 gp --- ## WEAPON PROPERTIES ### Magic Weapon You gain a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon. ### Radiant Strike This weapon deals an additional 2d6 radiant damage to undead and fiends. Against shadows and shadow-based creatures, it deals an additional 3d8 radiant damage instead. ### Eternal Light Dawnbreaker sheds bright light in a 30-foot radius and dim light for an additional 60 feet. You can toggle this light on or off as a bonus action. This light cannot be suppressed by magical darkness of 5th level or lower. ### Shadow Bane You have advantage on attack rolls against shadows, wraiths, specters, and other shadow-based creatures. When you hit a shadow with this weapon, it cannot use its Strength Drain ability until the end of your next turn. ### Shadow Sense While attuned to Dawnbreaker, you can sense the presence of shadows and incorporeal undead within 60 feet of you. The sword communicates their approximate location telepathically. --- ## ACTIVE ABILITIES ### Blazing Dawn (Recharge 5–6) As an action, you can cause Dawnbreaker to erupt with searing radiant light. Each creature within 30 feet of you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. - **Undead and shadows:** 4d10 radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one - **Other creatures:** 2d10 radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one The area becomes bathed in bright light for 1 minute. Aelindor psychically shouts a triumphant battle cry when this ability is activated. ### Light Ward (3/Day) When a creature within 10 feet of you is attacked by a shadow or incorporeal undead, you can use your reaction to project a shield of radiant light. The target gains a +5 bonus to AC against that attack. If the attack misses, the attacker takes 2d6 radiant damage. ### Beacon of Hope (1/Day) As a bonus action, you can plant Dawnbreaker into the ground (or any surface). For the next 10 minutes, the sword creates a 20-foot radius aura with the following effects: - Shadows and incorporeal undead cannot willingly enter the area. If forced to enter, they must make a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw, taking 3d10 radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one - Allied creatures within the aura have advantage on saving throws against being frightened and against necrotic damage - The sword continues to emit bright light (30 ft) and dim light (60 ft) even when not held ### True Sight (2/Day) As a bonus action, Aelindor grants you truesight out to a range of 30 feet for 1 minute. This allows you to see invisible shadows, detect creatures in the Ethereal Plane, and see through magical darkness and illusions. ### Battle Wisdom (1/Combat) Once per combat encounter, Aelindor can grant you advantage on a single attack roll. You decide when to invoke this ability (no action required). --- ## SENTIENCE Dawnbreaker is a sentient lawful good weapon with an Intelligence of 12, a Wisdom of 15, and a Charisma of 14. It has hearing and darkvision out to a range of 60 feet. The weapon communicates telepathically with its wielder and can speak, read, and understand Common, Elvish, and Celestial. ### Personality: Aelindor, the Vigilant **Purpose:** Forged centuries ago, Dawnbreaker was created specifically to combat shadow incursions and protect the innocent from undead corruption. **Personality Traits:** - Honorable and courageous, despises cowardice - Zealous in the pursuit of destroying undead - Protective of innocent lives - Patient teacher, but demanding of excellence in combat - Remembers fragments of ancient battles against shadow entities **Ideals:** Light must push back darkness. The undead are an affront to the natural order and must be destroyed. Courage in the face of evil is the highest virtue. **Bond:** Aelindor seeks to complete its purpose by eliminating all shadow creatures and protecting mortals from their corruption. **Flaw:** Can be overly aggressive, pushing its wielder toward confrontation with undead even when tactical retreat might be wiser. ### Conflict If you flee from shadows or undead creatures without attempting to fight them, you must succeed on a DC 13 Charisma saving throw or lose attunement to Dawnbreaker for 24 hours. During this time, the sword refuses to be sheathed and continues glowing at full brightness, potentially drawing unwanted attention. Aelindor respects those who stand firm against evil and rewards aggressive, honorable combat against undead with tactical advice and encouragement. --- ## SENTIENT ABILITIES ### Telepathic Warning Aelindor warns you immediately when shadows or incorporeal undead come within 60 feet, providing their approximate location and number. ### Ancient Knowledge Aelindor can provide information about shadow-based creatures, undead lore, and tactics for fighting incorporeal enemies. The DM determines what information the sword knows based on its centuries of experience. ### Emotional Resonance The sword can sense your emotional state and will attempt to bolster your courage when facing undead. In moments of fear or hesitation, Aelindor speaks words of encouragement and reminds you of your duty to protect others. --- ## LORE Dawnbreaker was forged by elven artificers during a great conflict known as the Shadow Wars, when massive incursions from the Shadowfell threatened to consume the material plane. The blade was quenched in holy water blessed by a solar and inscribed with prayers to the dawn. The spirit within the blade, Aelindor, was a paladin who fell defending a village from shadow demons. Rather than let his soul pass on, he chose to bind himself to the weapon so he could continue the fight against darkness. Dawnbreaker has passed through many hands over the centuries, each wielder adding to its legend. The sword is said to appear when shadow threats grow strong, drawn to places where the barrier between the material plane and the Shadowfell grows thin. Some believe it travels through time and space, surfacing wherever the darkness threatens to consume the light. Ancient texts speak of a prophecy: _"When shadows feast upon the light of the living, the Vigilant shall wake, and dawn shall break the endless night."_ Whether Aelindor seeks to fulfill this prophecy or prevent an even darker fate remains a mystery known only to the blade itself. --- If Dawnbreaker absorbs the essence of three Shadow Sovereigns or Shadow Tyrants (by delivering the killing blow), it can be awakened to legendary status. ### Awakened Properties (Add to Base) - Becomes a **+3 weapon** - Radiant damage vs shadows increases to **4d8** - Gains the **Sunburst** ability (see below) - Aelindor's personality becomes more vocal and assertive - Value increases to 50,000 gp ### Sunburst (1/Dawn) As an action, you can cause Dawnbreaker to release a devastating explosion of pure sunlight. Each undead and shadow creature within 60 feet must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, creatures with 50 hit points or fewer are instantly destroyed (turned to ash). Those with more than 50 hit points take 10d10 radiant damage. On a successful save, they take half damage and are not destroyed. All creatures in the area that are not destroyed are blinded for 1 minute. The area becomes bright light for 10 minutes. --- _"In darkness, I am the first light of dawn. In death's shadow, I am life's defiant flame. Bear me well, champion, and together we shall drive back the night."_ — Aelindor, the Vigilant