Retrograde Revision 6: Bladebound
(art by anchicqe on DeviantArt)
Looking back, I think this is one of my least favorite early posts, mostly because I misunderstood key elements of the actual subject at the time. However, I also dislike it because back then, my obsession with berevity caused me to skimp on thoughts and details that I should have noted at the time.
With than in mind, let’s dive into making an updated, superior version of the post!
Having any sort of intelligent item can not just be a massive boon to a character thanks to the various abilities they have and the ability to activate them independently, but also because of the unique character dynamic that is possible between wielder and object.
There is a class of intelligent item, however, that is extremely mysterious. These so-called black blades are exactly as described, mysterious one-handed slashing weapons (or rapiers/sword canes) with jet-black blades and an intelligence all their own, alongside arcane power not unlike that of a magus in their own right.
Inevitably, these blades find their way into the hands of a magus (or occasionally an arcanist with the blade adept archetype), where they seem to match uncannily well with their partners, eager to match their morality and methods to the wielder. Where they can differ, however, is in their goals. Most black blades have a purpose as most intelligent items do, and so they can clash with their owners using the same rules as normal intelligent items if their owner resists that goal.
Of course, all of this begs the question of who made such weapons, for what purpose, and what purpose the magus themselves are meant to serve in wielding them.
Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the inspiration this archetype clearly takes from the song Black Blade by Blue Oyster Cult. (Edit: Apparently that song in turn was inspired by Micheal Moorcock's "Elric of Melniboné" books, and Moorcock actually helped co-write the song! The more you know.)
The magi themselves don’t get much out of this apart from the black blade itself, though their own arcane pool is significantly diminished by comparison.
They do have a list of recommended arcana though, namely those that provide magical guidance for their weapon, expand the spells in their arsenal, or using their weapon to dispel or even turn magic back on the caster.
The real shining star of the class is instead the black blade itself. Either found or awakening at 3rd level, the blade grows in baseline power. In addition to this, the blade has it’s own pool of arcane energy, allowing it to briefly enhance it’s damaging power for a minute or so, communicate telepathically with the owner and sense it’s environment and is nearly indestructible while it still has some of it’s reserves of energy left.
In an emergency whenever a specific energy type is needed to defeat a foe, the blade can flare with that energy for a few seconds, taking advantage of elemental weaknesses or even briefly striking with supernatural force to strike down incorporeal foes.
If ever separated, the magus can call the blade back to their hand, using either their own reserves or the blade’s to do so.
Due to their limited pool on their end and the limited uses that the blade has for their own arcane pool on the other, sometimes the magus needs to borrow some from the blade. Unfortunately, even the most willing blade cannot willingly transfer the energy to their wielder, and so the warrior must pull on it through force of will, which can fatigue them if done improperly.
Speaking of force of will, the blade can also expend energy to turn their own force of will to defend their wielder from hostile magic.
Near the zenith of their ability, the black blades are able to convert the vitality of slain foes into usable energy, either recharging their own reserves, splitting it with the wielder, or empowering the wielder with temporary vitality, all of which help the duo keep fighting longer.
This archetype is definitely all about managing the two separate pools of energy together. Getting a flat damage boost that lasts a decent amount of time is great on it’s own, as is getting to switch damage types on the fly, though that is more a temporary measure. On the magus side, your limited arcane pool is probably better used to activate arcana or support abilities unless a very specific enchantment would help in a protracted fight. Similarly, your spells should probably focus on dealing ranged damage and buffs as well.
I really do like the archetype thematically, the way the reduced arcane pool on your character themselves makes it feel like they are being forced to rely on the power of the weapon to get by, and of course, all the character potential with the weapon itself.
On a trek into an abandoned temple, our heroes discover a black blade laying among the dry skeletons therein. It offers to join them, possibly becoming their blade if they are or choose to become bladebound. However, cursory research into the blade reveals that each of its wielders died under unusual, yet strangely consistent circumstances.
Bound Thunder is a unique black blade that takes the form of a spear, and is wielded by a female gillman magus called Versa. The weapon claims to be the trapped spirit of a lightning elemental of great influence, backing up its claims with demonstrations of shocking power. If Bound Thunder has any secret goals, it has not revealed them as of yet, seeming to simply enjoy being by Versa’s side.
Bloodthirstiness is a terrible trait for a blade to have, especially when it has the will to control the hand that wields it. The axe Blood Maw has completely overtaken the magus Tremal, leaving him a shadow of his former self, led on a rampage by the terrible blade. Any who can free him from the evil that grips him would have his eternal gratitude.
