Gemsword (Magic Sword)

These very rare, ancient swords were devised by the earliest spacefaring elves. Over the ages, the secret of making and repairing them has been lost. Only the Arcane and certain archmages know how to recharge them.
Gemswords are +4 weapons of electric-blue metal (a very fine sort of steel). Slim and bejeweled, with ornately twisted and curled hills, they are beautiful to behold, prized by all spacefarers. Gemswords constantly gather light energy from nearby sources, and once a day (a 144-turn period of time), can be commanded to make a power strike. A power strike requires an attack roll. Upon hitting, it deals 1 hull point of damage to a ship, or 3d4 points of damage to an individual. (If the attack roll fails, the blade flashes with light, loosing its stored energy harmlessly.) A being struck by the sword must roll a save vs. breath weapon or be confused (as the 4th-level wizard spell) for 12 rounds.
Each such sword has several show gems (gemstones that are only decorative, although they may be very valuable), but it may also have one, two or three power stones. These blue-green gems are able to hold magical energy within them. Identifiable by their cut, they can hold the following spells:
Cabochon: Regenerate when grasped and ordered, as the 7th-level priest spell, but affecting only one creature touching the blade (up to 7 charges).
Crown cut: lightning bolt from the tip of the blade, as the 3rd-level wizard spell, with a range of 222' and dealing 7d6 points of damage (up in 3 charges):
Square cut: Teleport without error when grasped and ordered, affecting the sword wielder and up to two other beings of medium size or less, or one large size being plus the wielder, and who must also touch the blade. The teleportation is to another known location within a sphere, but not from one sphere to another (up to four charges).
Each charge equals one spell, called forth by mental command of the wielder, who is always aware of what the sword can do, at least in rough physical terms, and how many charges it has (magical ability is not required to use the sword's gem properties).
Recharging gemswords is known to involve the casting of the spells they hold, but the process (and associated spells) remain secret. Characters will have to research this their own. The DM may also wish to devise other gem cut/spell combinations.
Category:Encyclopedia Magica Magic Items
Category:Magic Items
Category:Magic Swords
Category:Magic Weapons