The Dagger of Tarketh One-Eye

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Dagger of Tarketh One-Eye

+3 Long Dagger (Intelligent Item)

Aura moderate evocation and divination; CL 15th

Slot —; Price 18,305 gp; Weight 1 lb.

DESCRIPTION

This finely crafted +3 long dagger bears an ornate handle wrapped in sea-worn leather, its crossguard shaped to form a ships wheel (but looks more like a chaos star) with a one-eyed pirate skull in the middle, said to house the soul of the pirate captain Tarketh One-Eye. The blade itself is etched with exceedingly faint nautical motifs - waves, rigging lines, and a single staring eye - that seem to shift subtly when observed too long.

Tarketh was once the infamous captain of the Wayfarer’s Daughter, a ruthless corsair whose exploits were matched only by his arrogance. Upon being captured and condemned to death for piracy - and for an ill-advised liaison with the daughter of Governor Maximilien D’Aramitz - Tarketh bargained with a powerful wizard. In exchange for revealing the location of his hidden fortune, he demanded his soul be preserved. The wizard fulfilled the bargain precisely, binding Tarketh’s soul into his dagger at the moment of execution. Tarketh’s outrage at this literal interpretation of the agreement has never subsided.

The dagger is an intelligent chaotic neutral weapon with the following statistics:

  • Int 12, Wis 8, Cha 10
  • Ego 7
  • Senses 60 ft. vision and hearing
  • Communication - telepathy (Common)

Tarketh grants its wielder the ability to use detect magic at will. In addition, the dagger possesses 10 ranks in Spot, using its own ability modifiers.

Tarketh’s personality is overbearing, vulgar, and relentlessly sarcastic. He delights in crude humor, obscene anecdotes, and belittling commentary. Although capable of telepathic communication, Tarketh considers it deeply insulting if his wielder does not respond aloud. If ignored in this manner, he sulks petulantly, suppressing all of his granted abilities (including detect magic) for 1 week.

The dagger has passed through many owners, often changing hands due to its intolerable demeanor as much as misfortune. It is currently in the possession of the wizard Kelwyn, who appears to share Tarketh’s coarse humor and sharp wit. The two engage in frequent banter, with Kelwyn referring to Tarketh as his “brother by other parents - and also a dead man in a dagger.”

CONSTRUCTION

Requirements Craft Magic Arms and Armor, trap the soul, suggestion, guidance; Cost 9,152 gp, 732 XP

LORE

Characters who succeed on Knowledge (history) or Knowledge (local) checks can learn more about the Dagger of Tarketh One-Eye:

DC 15: Tarketh One-Eye was a notorious pirate executed for his crimes, rumored to have hidden a vast treasure.

DC 20: Tarketh’s soul was bound into his dagger by a wizard who exploited the exact wording of a bargain.

DC 25: The dagger is intelligent and notoriously difficult to bear, driving away many owners with its constant vulgarity and demands for attention.

DC 30: The location of Tarketh’s treasure is still known to him - but he reveals it only under highly specific (and often inconvenient or humiliating) conditions.


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