Item Familiar: Black Pete's Scimitar

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Black Pete’s Scimitar


Item Familiar (see Item Familiar feat, Unearthed Arcana / SRD variant rules)

Aura: Moderate evocation and necromancy (strong at higher levels)
Caster Level: 10th (see text)
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Slot: —
Weight: 4 lb.

Description

Black Pete’s Scimitar is a cruelly curved, salt-worn blade with a darkened steel sheen and a grip wrapped in tar-stained leather. Once wielded by a notoriously vicious pirate marauder known as Black Pete, the weapon became something far more terrible upon his death. Bound by the will of dark divine powers, his soul now festers within the blade, granting it a malign awareness and an insatiable hunger for violence.

To any wielder who does not possess the Item Familiar feat, Black Pete’s Scimitar functions only as a +1 scimitar, revealing none of its deeper powers.

To a wielder with the Item Familiar feat who selects the scimitar as their familiar, the weapon’s abilities grow in strength alongside its master.

Item Familiar Progression

Black Pete’s Scimitar reveals its true power only to a wielder with the Item Familiar feat. As the wielder advances in level, the weapon’s enhancement bonus and special abilities improve as follows:

  • 1st Level: Functions as a +1 scimitar.
  • 4th Level: Gains the flaming special ability (+1 flaming scimitar).
  • 7th Level: Enhancement bonus increases to +2 (+2 flaming scimitar).
  • 10th Level: Gains the ghost touch special ability (+2 flaming ghost touch scimitar).
  • 13th Level: The weapon awakens as an intelligent item (see below).
  • 16th Level: Enhancement bonus increases to +3 (+3 flaming ghost touch scimitar).
  • 19th Level: Enhancement bonus increases to +4 (+4 flaming ghost touch scimitar).

Intelligent Item Properties (13th Level)

At 13th level, Black Pete’s Scimitar becomes an intelligent weapon.

  • Intelligence: 13
  • Wisdom: 10
  • Charisma: 13
  • Ego: 8
  • Alignment: Chaotic Evil

Communication: Speech (Common), empathy
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., hearing

Lesser Power:

  • Detect Good at will (caster level 10th)

Purpose: Slay the righteous and spread chaos and fear

Dedicated Power:

  • Grants its wielder a +10 competence bonus on Intimidate checks

Personality

Once awakened, the scimitar manifests the full personality of Black Pete - a vicious, domineering, and foul-mouthed pirate. It constantly mocks its wielder, urging cruelty, bloodshed, and dominance over others. Its voice is harsh and jeering, filled with threats, insults, and dark humor.

When the scimitar speaks, the wielder experiences vivid mental visions of a flayed skeletal pirate clad in blackened garments and a wide-brimmed hat, its grin wet with blood and ruin.

Alignment Conflict

If the wielder is not Chaotic Evil when the weapon awakens, the scimitar does not bestow negative levels. Instead, it exerts its will more insidiously.

Whenever the wielder encounters a creature of lawful good alignment, they must succeed on a DC 15 Will save or be compelled to attack that creature.

  • This is a mind-affecting compulsion effect.
  • The wielder may attempt a new saving throw each round to resist the effect.

Construction

Black Pete’s Scimitar cannot normally be created in its full form, as it requires the binding of a soul and the favor of dark powers. However, its base magical properties can be replicated.

Base Item Equivalent

+1 flaming ghost touch scimitar (maximum standard state)

  • Market Price: 50,315 gp
  • Cost to Create: 25,315 gp + 2,000 XP
  • Requirements: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, flame blade or flame strike, plane shift (or similar effect to emulate ghost touch), creator must be evil

Item Familiar Bond

When chosen as an item familiar, Black Pete’s Scimitar advances in power through the wielder’s invested experience, skill ranks, or gold, as described in the Item Familiar rules.

Its increasing enhancement bonuses and abilities are not paid for through normal crafting costs, but are instead manifestations of the deepening bond between wielder and weapon.

Lore

Black Pete was a terror of the seas, a pirate whose name became synonymous with slaughter. He did not ransom captives or take prisoners - he butchered crews to the last soul, leaving ships adrift as floating tombs. His devotion to dark and deathly powers was as fervent as his appetite for cruelty, and it is said he offered every kill as tribute.

His end came not in glory, but in fury. Caught in a supernatural storm conjured by forces he had long served, Black Pete was dragged screaming beneath black waters. Yet death did not claim him. Instead, his patrons bound his soul into his favored weapon, ensuring his violence would never cease.

Now the scimitar wanders from hand to hand, always finding those willing - or foolish - enough to wield it. Over time, it whispers, then demands, then commands. Many who take it up believe they control the blade. None who have fallen to it would agree.

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