Bladestar Dagger (Magic Dagger)

Also known as the haunted dagger, this small blade is ornate, with several jewels (rubies and sapphires) encrusted in its hilt. The metal of the blade is black steel, inscribed with various runes. If a detect magic spell is cast on the dagger, it reveals a powerful dweomer; detect evil reveals that the dagger is strongly evil. Any attempts to use an identify spell on the dagger will fail due to the presence of the haunt.
The night that the dagger is taken, the haunt possessing the blade attacks and attempts to take over the person who carries it. If the owner engages the haunt in combat and reduces it to 0 hit points, it dissipates, only to return one week later, at which time it continues the pattern of taking over others until it finds one of compatible alignment (any non-good alignment).
The haunt's alignment can be determined through use of a know alignment spell. If cast successfully, the party learns not only the alignment of the haunt, but also which alignments can survive the haunt's attentions. The haunt is chaotic evil; thus, its host can be of any non-good alignment. Possessed characters of any good alignment attempt suicide. The haunt's task can be found by using a speak with dead spell. The spell needs to be cast at the haunt either just after it takes form (after dark), or while it is in the body of a suitable host. If the spell is successfully cast, Aliar Daraan reveals that he was killed only two days before the dagger arrived in the City of Greyhawk. His task is to pass on information to a spy of the Cult of luz within the Thieves' Guild. The spy's name is Bey Wyvernthorn and he can be found in a secret cave located in the sewers near the Thieves' Quarter of the City. Under no circumstances does the haunt reveal exactly what his information is (the DM chooses whatever best suits the campaign).
One way to lay the haunt to rest is to find a suitable volunteer and allow the haunt to complete its task (a volunteer might be found among the party, or among the close friends of any dead victim). Of course, by doing so, the party also has the opportunity to flush out a spy of the Cult of luz who is currently inside the Thieves' Guild of the City. If they attempt to go to the Thieves' Guild with the name of the spy, no one will believe them. Even if they approach the City Guard or Night Watch, they are not believed. They are told that “all of luz's followers got flushed a-coupala moons ago.”
Bladestar is a magical dagger of exceptional quality and craftsmanship. It is also an intelligent weapon of chaotic neutral alignment. The dagger is elegant, forged of a strange black metal. The handle of bladestar is also made of black metal and wound with a dark red, patterned cord, which reveals the black metal beneath. Embedded in its pommel is a sapphire of deepest blue, encircled by an array of tiny diamonds. Its exquisite appearance hides a dark purpose, and great powers. Bladestar is an intelligent dagger +2. It communicates by telepathy only, and only with its wielder (Intelligence 15, Ego 11). It can detect invisible creatures and objects in a 10-foot radius. It can also charm person on contact (three times per day), as well as bestow a strength spell on the wielder (once per day). When used in a backstab attack, on a roll of 19 or 20, the blade inflicts the maximum damage. Thus, if used by a 2nd-level thief for a backstab attack, a roll of 19 or 20 inflicts 10 points of damage-dagger damage (4), times 2 for backstab attack (4x2 = 8), +2 for its magic bonus (8+2 = 10).
Finally, bladestar is a dagger of slaying lawful creatures. This ability can only be used successfully once per month. Any lawful creature struck by the weapon must make a saving throw vs. death magic or perish instantly. 
Category:Encyclopedia Magica Magic Items
Category:Magic Items
Category:Magic Daggers
Category:Magic Weapons