Winged Hammer (Magic Hammer)

This double-ended stone warhammer is more frequently spoken of in tales than it is actually seen today. Once a favorite weapon of northern dwarves, its use has dwindled with the passing of the Lost Kingdoms.
A winged hammer functions as a normal warhammer. However, if thrown, it follows a moving target with its wings (MV 21, Class A), striking at +2 to attack and then returning to the hand of the being who launched it. If grasped or prevented from returning by barriers, it simply blinks into an extra-dimensional space for three rounds, and then appears in the hand of the one who launched it at the end of that time.
Upon verbal command (by use of a secret word, which must be uttered by a being touching the hammer), a winged hammer will dart away to fight by itself, selecting victims according to the will of the being who sent it. If its sender is slain or rendered unconscious, the hammer simply attacks the nearest living creature until that creature falls, and then returns to the sender, even if the sender is in no condition to do anything with it after that. If the hammer is grasped by one other than its owner, it blinks as described earlier.
A winged hammer can fight by itself, switching opponents as often as its sender wills, for up to one turn. It will then automatically return to the sender, and cannot be sent away to fight again (or thrown, for a flying return) for one full turn. A winged hammer cannot be sent off to fight by itself more than three times a day.
Its sender can be bound or otherwise helpless, or can be casting other spells or wielding other weapons, without hindering the winged hammer's activity. A returning -winged hammer never spoils spellcasting, but floats just out of the way until the casting is complete, and then (if possible) smacks neatly into the sender's hand. A winged hammer cannot follow a sender onto another plane, unless carried there directly; if abandoned, it will simply fall to the floor until reactivated later, by the same or another being. The “wings” of a winged hammer are self-regenerating magical constructs; it cannot be grounded by destroying them, even for a round.
A winged hammer is AC 4 when stationary, AC -1 when in flight, and will suffer 45 points of damage before shattering. When destroyed, its magic is forever lost, but there is no harmful explosion or magical side-effect.
Category:Encyclopedia Magica Magic Items
Category:Magic Items
Category:Magic Hammers
Category:Magic Weapons