Ward of Melairbode
Weapon (warhammer), Legendary (requires attunement by a Dwarf)
Ward is a warhammer that is imbued with the remaining power of a lost dwarven mythal, deep from within Undermountain.
While not attuned, Ward acts as an activated Immovable Rod and is only able to be deactivated when it is successfully attuned to by a dwarf. This process only takes 10 minutes, but they must spend the entire time reciting their blood lineage and glorious deeds.
Once attuned, you gain a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon. Ward has the following additional properties.
Thrown Weapon. Ward has the thrown property, with a normal range of 20 feet and a long range of 60 feet. Each time you throw the weapon, it flies back to your hand after the attack. If you don’t have a hand free, the weapon lands at your feet.
Enmity. When Ward deals damage to a Drow, Giant, or Goblinoid it deals an additional 1d8 bludgeoning damage.
Heart of the Mountain. As an action, the wielder may either gain 20 temporary hit points or cast the Divination spell. Casting Divination in this way does not require any components. Once done, this ability cannot be used again until the next dawn.
Weight of Ages. While you are holding Ward, you may use a bonus action to command it to become immovable as the mountain. This functions as an Immovable Rod. Until you grasp the warhammer again and use another bonus action to command Ward, the warhammer doesn't move, even if it is defying gravity. The warhammer can hold up to 8,000 pounds of weight. More weight causes the warhammer to deactivate and fall. A creature can use an action to make a DC 30 Strength check, moving the fixed warhammer up to 10 feet on a success.
Perfect Make. Ward cannot be broken. Special means must be used to destroy it. When dealing damage with Ward against an object or structure, maximize your weapon’s damage dice against the target.
Sentience. Ward is a lawful neutral sentient warhammer with an Intelligence of 12, a Wisdom of 18, and a Charisma of 14. It has hearing and darkvision out to 120 feet.
It can read and understand Common and Dwarven, but only communicatse by transmitting emotions to the creature carrying or wielding it.
Personality. Ward was awoken by the last magic of a mythal that was created to protect the people of Melairbode, a fallen dwarven kingdom. As such Ward seeks to continue guarding, guiding, and fighting for dwarfs of all types, including Duergar. Conflict will arise if the wielder does not uphold their word or actively seeks to undermine a dwarf’s ambitions.
Artist:Taras Chmeruk