Living Weapons

A Spellblade is a mage who, through their tireless study and many trials, has managed to forge a Living Weapon. This creation is born partly from the spellblade’s own soul, it's form is malleable and it's sense of self like a newborn which will grow and develop alongside it's creator. Spellblades and their Living Weapons are true partners, with each lending their strength to one another. One without the other would be lost and useless in comparison.

The Spellblades rely on an ancient, unknown form of arcane lore that is tightly connected to the soul and its manifestations. Knowledge of these arts has been lost to the passage of time, rediscovered only through great effort by mages and scholars. In some worlds however they are numerous, such as in Occterria, where the nation of Valkaedrium has rediscovered these hidden techniques, forming different Spellblade Orders, which are counted as one of that Nation's many oddities.

True Partners

Spellblades are as much their Living Weapon as their Living Weapon is them - without one the other struggles, yet together they represent a truly dangerous force. Indeed, without its master, a Living Weapon would soon fade and die, its sentience lost forever. Yet similarly, the spellblade would falter without their partner, who is their sole focus of arcane power. The spellblade is similar to wizard in their arcane study but their use of soul magic has forever tied their spellcasting directly to their ultimate manifestation; the Living Weapon.

As the Living Weapon is born from it’s master’s own soul, it manifests a personality and mental capabilities similar in nature. However, even so, it’s sentience can twist in unexpected ways, revealing strange quirks, mannerisms and goals. On occasion this can lead the two partners into subtle disagreements and more than slight bickering but ultimately the two are always on the same side.

In the few worlds where spellblades are present; they are often known as seekers of arcane knowledge, forever searching for more insights into the lost ancient lore from which their art is formed. Their goal in some cases is to find the more esoteric components in the creation of a Living Weapon so that they may train more of their kind.

Forging a Bond

The ancient techniques required for the creation of a Living Weapon is lost to history in many worlds, however even those few who have uncovered these truths guard them carefully. The secrets to becoming a spellblade is often hidden by other Spellblades, who refuse to reveal their secrets until an apprentice has proven themselves worthy.

One such secret, critical to the creation of a Living Weapon, is a difficult and gruelling trial that the future wielder must face. The emotions and desires brought out and inflamed by the trial is key to the forging of the weapon. The feelings and emotions are the catalyst which, combined with the esoteric knowledge and intense study done prior, will allow for the kindling of the Living Weapon into consciousness.

Even at this stage, the process is far from over, as a proper bond between the apprentice and Living Weapon must be set in stone. The proper use of spiritual energy and arcane force, which are the components of soul magic, are vital for this to succeed. Some spellblades have been known to fail at this late stage, a traumatic mistake which can leave their soul shaken. The Living Weapon you see a Spellblade carry might not be their first weapon but instead the successful result of many a painful attempt.

Creating a Spellblade

When making a Spellblade, consider what trials your character has undertaken, what hardships they faced in order to draw out the proper emotions required. How they were chosen to learn this art and what sort of Living Weapon they purposefully, or perhaps unknowingly, helped create.

Perhaps your character while in an old wizard's library touched an unusual artefact and was immediately taken on by the wizard for unknown purposes. Perhaps your character was under the tutelage of another Spellblade in a world where they are more common, unsure if they were even worthy of such an honour.

Were you always adventurous before the connection with your Living Weapon was made or have you as a result of your new role taken up the adventuring life in a quest for mutual understanding with your Living Weapon.

Hit Points

• Hit Dice: 1d10 per Spellblade level
• Hit Points at 1st Level: 10 + your Constitution modifier
• Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d10 (or 6) + your Constitution

Proficiencies

• Armor: Light Armor, Medium Armor, Shields
• Weapons: Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons
• Tools: None

• Saving Throws: Constitution, Intelligence
• Skills: Choose two from Arcana, Athletics, History, Insight, Investigation, Nature, Perception, Persuasion

Equipment

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:

• (a) Scale Mail or (b) Leather Armor
• (a) a Longsword or (b) any Martial Melee Weapon
• 5 Javelins
• (a) Scholar’s Pack or (b) Explorer’s Pack
• Your Living Weapon

Archery

You gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls you make with ranged weapons.

Defense

While you are wearing armor, you gain a +1 bonus to AC.

Dueling

When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls with that weapon.

Great Weapon Fighting

When you roll a 1 or 2 on a damage die for an attack you make with a melee weapon that you are wielding with two hands, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll, even if the new roll is a 1 or a 2. The weapon must have the two-handed or versatile property for you to gain this benefit.

Two-Weapon Fighting

When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

Spells Known of 1st level and higher

You know two 1st-level spells of your choice from the Spellblade spell list. The Spells Known column of the Spellblade table shows when you learn more Spellblade spells of your choice. Each of these spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots. For instance, when you reach 3rd level in this class, you can learn one new spell of 1st or 2nd level. Additionally, when you gain a level in this class, you can choose one of the Spellblade spells you know and replace it with another spell from the Spellblade spell list, which also must be of a level for which you have spell slots.

Spellcasting ability

Intelligence is your Spellcasting ability for your Spellblade spells, since you learn your spells through dedicated study and memorization. You can use your intelligence whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you can use your Intelligence modifier when setting the saving throw DC for a Spellblade spell when you cast and when making an attack roll with one

Disruptive Nature

Starting at 3rd level, you can apply negative effects to your enemies using your Living Weapon’s ability to absorb and release elemental power.

When you deal Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, Poison or Thunder damage with one of your Spellblade spells, Weapon Artes or using your Living Weapon to attack, you may also apply the appropriate effect listed, in addition to the spell or attacks normal effects.

The target must succeed on a Constitution saving throw versus your Spell DC or be affected by the bonus effect until the start of your next turn.

• Acid. The target has its regular vision reduced to a 30ft radius and is blind beyond that range, as you splash acid into its eyes. If the target benefits from any special senses, other than Darkvision, those senses are unaffected.
• Cold. The target has its speed reduced by 10ft, as you rime it with frost.
• Fire. The target has disadvantage on its next weapon attack, as painful burns distract them.
• Lightning. The target cannot take reactions, as they are briefly dazed by sparks.
• Poison. The target has disadvantage on their next ability check, as noxious fumes weaken their resolve.
• Thunder. The target is Deafened, as you slam them with sonic force.

Arcane Analysis

Starting at 7th level, you gain proficiency in the insight skill, if you didn’t have it already. Additionally, if you spend at least 1 minute observing or interacting with another creature outside combat, you can make a contested insight check (vs their deception check). If you win the contest, you learn certain information about the creatures magical capabilities. The DM provides you with information in regard to two of the following characteristics of your choice:

• What class spell list the creature can cast from (if any)
• The level of the highest level spell the creature currently has access to.
• The creatures spellcasting ability
• The creatures spell DC
• The number of expended spell slots or spell uses (if any).
• Whether the creature is under the effects of a spell or not

Debilitation

At 10th level, you can intensify the suffering of your foes using the power of your Living Weapon. When a creature fails its save versus your Disruptive Nature feature, you may choose to expend 3 Surge Charges to amplify the effect.

• Acid. The target is Blinded instead.
• Cold. The target's speed becomes 0
• Fire. The target begins to panic as it burns and is Frightened.
• Lightning. The target cannot take reactions and must take either an action or bonus action on its turn, not both.
• Poison. The target becomes Poisoned.
• Thunder. In addition to the regular effects, the target cannot concentrate on spells, if it is concentrating on a spell when hit, it must make its concentration check with disadvantage.

Living Weapon: Nullification

At 14th level, your Living Weapon begins to automatically absorb hostile magic and use it against your foes. You have advantage on saving throws against spells & magical effects. In addition, when you take damage from a spell or magical effect, you gain a Surge Charge.

Null Zone

Starting at 18th level, you can use your action to project an aura that acts as a zone of magical neutralization that lasts for 1 minute or until you dismiss it with a bonus action. Creatures within 10 ft of you suffer the following effects:

• If a creature other than you attempts to cast a spell within the aura, the spell automatically fails, consuming the spell slot used, and if a spell slot was consumed you gain a surge charge.
• You and creatures within the aura can’t be targeted by spells or magical effects originating from outside the aura.
• If the area of another spell or magical effect, such as Fireball, overlaps with your aura then the part of the area that is covered by the aura is suppressed.
• Magic items function as normal within the aura, but can’t be used to cast spells or activate abilities that require you to expend the items charge(s).

You regain use of this feature after completing a long rest.

Prowess of Form and Function

Starting at 3rd level, you and your Living Weapon are able to flow between different styles and forms of attack. Once per turn, you may use your object interaction to transform your Living Weapon into another weapon type that you are proficient in, instead of needing to complete the 1 minute transformation ritual.

When your Living Weapon changes forms into a different weapon, you may also switch your current Fighting Style to a different choice from among those listed in the ‘Fighting Style’ feature above.

Glancing Blows

Also at 3rd level, your skill in combat turns even your missed blows into subtle impacts

When you miss with a weapon attack using your Living Weapon, you may deal damage to the target equal to half your proficiency modifier (rounded down).

Weapon Lineage

Starting at 7th level, your Living Weapon can create a phantom version of itself for others to use, sharing the mastery of arms you both hold.

Using your action, your Living Weapon can create a mundane weapon that you are proficient in to magically appear in an unoccupied space with 5ft of you. Any creature that uses the phantom weapon is considered proficient in it and attacks made with it count as magical for overcoming resistances and immunities.

The phantom copy remains for 8 hours or until you dismiss it as a bonus action. You can summon a number of these weapons equal to your intelligence modifier per long rest.

In addition, when you change your Living Weapon's Form, the phantom versions also change weapon type

Cleaving Strike

At 10th level, you may feed your Living Weapon arcane power in order to cleave through enemy ranks.

When you hit a creature with a successful weapon attack using you Living Weapon, you may expend 3 Surge Charges to make the attack a Cleaving Strike.

If you made a melee attack, you may target any number of other creatures within your reach with the same attack roll. If the original attack roll would hit one of the other targets in range, that creature takes half the damage received by the initial target (rounded down).

If instead you made a ranged attack, this feature affects any creature of your choice within 5 feet of your initial target.

Living Weapon: Assimilation

At 14th level, your living weapon has learned to manifest many forms at once, gathering its collective magic strength.

Your Living Weapon can benefit from the magical bonuses and features of all magical weapons it has previously absorbed, at the same time, up to a limit of 3 items combined at once.

The features and bonus effects must be appropriate to your Living Weapon’s current form (as determined by the DM) in order to function and you must be attuned to all the items you are drawing effects from.

If your Living Weapon has two or more abilities or bonuses which are either similar or contradictory but are gained from multiple sources, you must choose which one of these features or bonuses to benefit from.

Clash of Blades

Starting at 18th level, you and your Living Weapon have mastered the art of dueling and are now able to engage your opponents in intense clashes.

When you land a melee weapon attack against another creature that is also holding a melee weapon, you can enter a clash of blades with the opponent. To do so, you must roll an attack roll using your weapon versus the creatures attack roll using their weapon, with the highest result determining the winner.

If you win the contest, you may make a melee weapon attack against the target as a reaction. The attack is made with advantage and disarms your opponent of their weapon if it hits, which lands 10ft away in a random unoccupied space. You may choose to destroy their weapon instead if it is non magical.

However if your opponent wins the contest, they may make a melee weapon attack against you as a reaction.

Detonation

• Activation Time: Bonus Action
• Surge Charge Cost: 2
• Duration: 1 Round

Your Living Weapon surges with magical energy, unleashing a magical shockwave with it's next strike. The next time you hit with a weapon attack using your living weapon within this Weapon Arte's duration, each creature within 5 feet of the target, other than you, must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d4 force damage.

This Weapon Arte’s damage increases by 1d4 when you reach 5th level (2d4), 11th level (3d4), and 17th level (4d4).

Attraction

• Activation Time: Bonus Action
• Surge Charge Cost: 2
• Duration: 1 Round

You charge your Living Weapon with an unusual form of Lightning, the next time you hit with a weapon attack using your living weapon within this Weapon Arte's duration, the target must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or take 1d4 lightning damage, in addition creatures allied to the target that are within 30 feet of the target must succeed on a Strength Saving throw or be pulled up to 5 feet in a straight line toward the target.

This Weapon Arte’s damage increases by 1d4 when you reach 5th level (2d4), 11th level (3d4), and 17th level (4d4).

Warning Shot

• Activation Time: Bonus Action
• Surge Charge Cost: 3
• Duration: 1 Round

The next time you hit with a weapon attack using your Living Weapon within this Weapon Arte’s duration, the target suffers the attack’s normal effects, and it becomes illuminated in ways that draws your Living Weapon to it until the start of your next turn. If the target willingly moves before then, you may make an immediate attack using your reaction with your Living Weapon against it if you are in range to do so.

Diffusion

• Activation Time: Bonus Action
• Surge Charge Cost: 3
• Duration: 1 Round

The next time you hit with a weapon attack using your living weapon within this Weapon Arte's duration, choose one of the damage types your weapon dealt. Until the start of your next turn, when you take damage of the type you chose, reduce the damage by 1d4.

This Weapon Arte’s damage reduction, increases to 1d6 when you reach 5th level (1d6), 11th level (1d10), and 17th level (1d12).

Attune Element

• Activation Time: Bonus Action
• Surge Charge Cost: 1
• Duration: 1 turn

Until the start of your next turn, attacks made with your Living Weapon deal one of the follow damage types, Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, Poison or Thunder instead of the weapon's regular damage type. You may choose a different damage type on each attack.

Weapon Glow

• Activation Time: 1 Action
• Surge Charge Cost: 0
• Duration: Until Dispelled

Until this Weapon Arte ends, your Living Weapon sheds bright light in a 20-foot radius and dim light for an additional 20 feet. The light can be colored as you like. Completely covering your Living Weapon with something opaque blocks the light. The Weapon Arte ends if you activate it again or dismiss it as an action.

Shared Thoughts

• Activation Time: 1 Action
• Surge Charge Cost: 0
• Duration: 1 Round

You may point your Living Weapon, towards a creature within 120 feet and telepathically send a message. The target (and only the target) hears the message and can reply in the same manner.

You can activate this Weapon Arte through solid objects if you are familiar with the target and know it is beyond the barrier. Magical silence, 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood blocks the spell. The Weapon Arte doesn’t have to follow a straight line and can travel freely around corners or through openings.