Ignacious

Ignacious in its resting state

## Background and Description

Ignacious was first mentioned in passing by a few Elyrian Paladins of the Silver Order saying that they heard that the legendary sword, once wielded by the great Paladin Saint Vitruvio, might still be within the Cathedral's catacombs.

The heroes, after clearing the way as well as the first floor to the Cathedral of Saint Vitruvio, began their descent into the cathedral's catacombs area.

Surviving against the defending undead paladins, and working their way through a few puzzles, they managed to open up the secret chamber containing the legendary sword. It rested upon the top of the secret chamber surrounded by flames.

Pluto Jackson, hoping to take the blade for himself, reached into the flames to grab it, searing himself with fire in the process. As he grasped the hilt, the sword spoke to him, challenging him to see if he was indeed worthy of wielding the blade for himself.

As a test, Ignacious expelled from itself a dark duplicate version of Pluto. As the heroes fought against this new adversary to prove their worth, eventually the fire was quelled, and Pluto was deemed worthy of being the blade's newest owner.

The blade revealed that it was once a paladin whose spirit now rests within the sword. As a weapon, he was wielded by the legendary paladin Saint Vitruvio and fought alongside him as well as his dragon companion Argonath, the ancient silver dragon.

As a sentient weapon Ignatius speaks to its wielder, giving advice and counsel. However, the blade has a very harsh, intractable personality that absolutely cannot abide deceit, evil, or darkness in any form. It will therefore *aggressively* warn its wielder when it detects the presence of evil and lies, even demanding immediate summary retribution in situations that may better call for discretion. It will engage its wielder in a battle of wills if such demands are not met.

***\*Story Spoilers\****

Due to a chain of events that lead to increasingly irreconcilable differences, Pluto and the heroes eventually face paladin Knight Commander Theodore Marshall of the Silver Order in battle. Ignacious, not wanting to fight against another wielder of the Light, drops to the ground and doesn't allow Pluto to wield him against Theodore.

After Theodore is slain, Ignacious completely stops communicating with Pluto for some time. It also refuses to ignite in battle or to emit its Zone of Truth.

Meeting Lucretia again, Pluto is asked to lend the sword to her, which he reluctantly turns over. She gently takes Ignacious and speaks quietly to him. At the end of their conversation Ignacious begins to flame again, this time instead of emitting fire, he begins to emit divine radiance, once again obeying Pluto as his owner.

## Description

Also known as The Flametongue, Ignacious is a holy sword. The blade itself is silver with a hilt of gold. It is not overly ornate, and it has a slight silver sheen that flares ever so slightly at the top. As it's swung, it gives off a slight flicker of flame. It is not until the wielder says the sword's name that it becomes wreathed in golden flame.

## Abilities and Statistics

Please note that the figures below reflect the sword as it appeared in the Dungeons of Drakkenheim (Campaign 1) podcast.

Ignacious acts as a +2 Longsword.

It is a cursed weapon.

It has to be attuned to the wielder.

It permanently emits a Zone of Truth (DC 15) within 10 feet when drawn.

The wielder also gains a Flaw: lies or deception cannot be tolerated while the sword is in the owner's possession. If the wielder attempts to ignore this effect, a battle of wills takes place as Ignacious attempts to compel his wielder to draw him.

It is an intelligent blade, and it is able to offer advice and battle-counsel commensurate with the experience it had in life.

**Weight:** 3 lbs

**Range:** 5ft.

**Damage:** 1d8+2 or 1d10+2 Slashing, plus 2d6 Fire damage (later turned into Radiant damage), plus any applicable user bonuses.

**Extra:** Martial, Versatile, DC 15 Zone of Truth.

**Notes:** You can use a bonus action to speak this magic sword's command word, causing flames to erupt from the blade. These flames shed bright light in a 40-foot radius and dim light for an additional 40 feet. While the sword is ablaze, it deals an extra 2d6 fire damage to any target it hits. The flames last until you use a bonus action to speak the command word again or until you drop or sheathe the sword.

## Ignacious, The Sword of Burning Truth, in the *Dungeons of Drakkenheim* sourcebook

The official Drakkenheim sourcebook considerably upgrades the profile of Ignacious. As a sentient +3 Longsword, his stats are now Int 11, Wis 19, and Cha 23. He now has hearing and Darkvision out to 120 feet, and can speak and read Common, Celestial, and Draconic. He can also speak with his wielder telepathically and always knows his wielder's thoughts. Drawing Ignacious immediately activates his Zone of Truth (DC 20)- no bonus action required. As before, this aura stays centered on the weapon. Using a bonus action and calling Ignacious's name now causes divine flames to course across the blade that deal an extra 4d6 Radiant damage per hit. The radiant flames also provide bright light out to 40 feet and dim light another 40 feet beyond that. These flames remain until Ignacious is sheathed, dropped, or until the wielder ends this effect with another bonus action.

Ignacious has the same personality as before, which is to say that he tolerates no evil or deception, always knows when he hears a lie, and is authoritative and demanding to the point of obnoxiousness. Because Ignacious is so quick to desire direct action in nearly every situation, a wielder who isn't particularly strong-willed risks being dominated by him even if their beliefs and goals otherwise tend to align. Per the rules on sentient weapons, the wielder must succeed at a DC 18 Charisma save if Ignacious attempts to take control. This is a test that most characters will find rather difficult, especially if they are frequently going against the sword's desires. That aside, Ignacious does not care about petty factional divides as long as his wielder is a faithful adherent of the Sacred Flame (or can be shaped into one).

For the wielder who can actually control him, Ignacious is by far one of the most potent weapons that an adventurer can possess in the Drakkenheim setting.