Sample file Compendium of Blades

Vol. 2 Blades of Avernus

Written by: David Stephens

Edited by: R P Davis Layout by: David Stephens Cover design by: David Stephens Cover Template: Matthew Gravelyn Cover Art by: Mdorottya Interior Art by: Dean Spencer, Rick Hershey, Bob Greyvenstein, Dusan Kostic

“Publishers Choice Quality Stock Art, Rick Hershey/Fat Goblin Games” DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, , , , , the dragon ampersand, and all other Wizards of the Coast product names, and their respective logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast in the USA and other countries. This workSample contains material that is copyright Wizards of the Coast and/or other authors. Suchfile material is used with per- mission under the Community Content Agreement for Dungeon Masters Guild. All other original material in this work is copyright © 2019 David Stephens and published under the Community Content Agreement for Dungeon Masters Guild. Compendium of Blades Vol. 2: Blades of Avernus

The first layer of the Nine Hells—Avernus—was once a darkly beautiful place. Now, this former paradise is a blasted wasteland, testament to the horror of the eternal struggle of the Blood War. War is the business of Avernus, and the great forges of the Infernal legions endlessly produce weapons and armor to feed the nev- er-ending meat grinder that is the Blood war.

The blades presented in this book come from many places in The Dungeons and Dragons multiverse but for one reason or another have found their way to Avernus. Some of the weapons where created by the celestial armies while others where explicitly designed for the Blood war but whatever the blades providence each has found its home on Avernus.

The bladed weapons contained in this supplement are for the most part legendary in power, and a should have a specific reason for giving one of this blades to lower level heroes to avoid the unbalancing effects Sampleof these mighty weapons. file The 3rd Key loses one spell slot at random until it finishes a Weapon (dagger), legendary (requires attune- long rest. While you wield it, you gain resistance ment) to psychic damage.

This dagger was once the weapon of the arch- mage Gramyon, whose lust for power brought him into the never-ending conflict of the Blood War. The 3rd Key was created as an essay in the art of artifice and is said to have more abilities than those currently known. Gramyon made a deal with an archdevil: in exchange for the black grimoire Lexicon of Damnation, Gramyon would fight in a daring push across the river Styx into the Abyss itself to get the upper hand in the Blood War. While Gramyon was able to lay waste to the demonic foot soldiers of the Abyss, he was not so fortunate when he fought the masters of the

Blade of the 9-fold Path Weapon (longsword), legendary (requires attune- ment)

Created by the Demonologist Bretrand Wyrmslay- er to function as his primary weapon and arcane focus, this sword is forged from a rare red steel found only on Avernus and gilded with gold stolen from the treasure vaults of Mammon himself. The sword’s pommel features a precious black gem- stone found only on the Abyss. The stone creates a mystical link to that dread plane, enabling the demonkind and was bought low by the great De- blade’s bearer to conjure demons on a whim and mon Lord Demogorgon. enslave them to the holder’s will. This blade is said to be the 9th part of a collection of magic You gainSample a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls items created by Bretrand, file but the what the other made with this magic weapon. In addition, when items are and where they are located is unknown. you score a hit against a spellcaster, the target