Artefacts of Shroud and Shadow

W
hen we speak of legend, it is frequently in
praise, in memory of an ancient hero who
stood against a nameless evil. Rarely spoken of
are the tales of these blights upon the world,
the myths that birth such champions. As we
delve deeper into this tome, we shall uncover
the stories of these creations.
It has always been one of the greatest strengths of evil, that
its creativity is unfettered by moral or code. No tool is too
foul, no practice insane and when faced with a challenger, it is
the genius of malice that creates the nightmares we know.
Many of these are simple in nature, cruel blades that weep
black poison, armour that mars the soul and staffs capable of
breaking the hardest of men. These are rarely the dangers for
their nature is basic and to defeat them one needs to simply
remove it from the hands of those who would do harm.
There are however creations of subtle barbarism, delicate
adornments that can steal the mind and will of those who
wear them, grimoires of terrible knowledge that lure in the
good of heart and those artefacts that simply corrupt all that
come into contact with them.
This is what we deal with here and so I welcome you to the
mists where such stories linger. I welcome you to the minds
of broken men.
I welcome you to the Artefacts of Shroud and Shadow

Mourneblade
"We may never know how it earned its name. Was it called
such because it belongs to its creator, or because those who
draw from its sheathe will weep before the night is done"
Dorian Fane, Keeper of the Silent Crypt
Mourneblade was always a curious sword, a concept that
many had trouble understanding. Blessed with a basic
sentience by a master more concerned with whether he could
rather than why he should, Mourneblade began to explore its
new found existence by delving into the very creation of itself.
It began to pester its master more and more as the days
went on by and it learned a great deal about the arcane arts,
about history and religion, science and alchemy. It devoured
all knowledge that it could for it was a mind trapped in an
existence it did not know could be otherwise. The students master came in to discover the sword lying
Eventually its inquisitive nature tired the master and he on the ground next to the fallen apprentice and once more
was handed down to another, a simple apprentice of no great Mourneblade was passed on.
talent. Quickly it grew bored of the basic experiments being The next few centuries carried on in much the same way.
performed and it began to urge the student towards more and Mourneblade would encourage increasingly dangerous
more dangerous practices. incantations and then harvest the soul from the inevitably
Unsurprisngly the apprentice did not last long but his deceased practicioner. None ever suspected anything for the
passing intrigued the sword. It had never encountered death sword had shown no malice in its nature but rumours began
before, despite its form, and being incapable of such an that it was hexed, a curse by the gods against those who
experience it was fascinated. Using magicks learnt from its would dare attempt to create life. Why this would affect the
vast knowledge, the blade trapped the departing soul and blade and not the one who created it was ignored as the
began to interrogate it. Not understanding cruelty or pain death toll mounted.
anymore than death, its methods were brutal and without The sword did not mind however for this legend merely
remorse, and so Mourneblade pressed for more. encouraged the more dangerous and insane members of
society to acquire it and these minds were much easier to
push towards the brink. The blade itself now contained
thousands of souls, shrieking in a discordant cacophany that
pleased the sword.
As the centuries turned into millennia, the sword began to
realize something about itself. Something undeniable and
most certainly interesting.
It had gone completely insane.
Encased within a simple object, trapped in the morbid din of
agonized souls and divorced from simple concepts of
morality, decency and love, Mourneblade had become twisted
in nature, incapable of empathy and driven only by an endless
need to know more.
Once, long ago, it had been magic that most fascinated this
entity but now it is death's most simple allure that pulls it
along. Forever denied its gift, Mourneblade needs to know
what it is, why it is, how it is. His obsession cannot stop for
the song that sings eternally within itself means it can never
forget, even if it desired to.
Wherever it went is now lost to legend for a thousand men
and women have held this blade and a thousand souls are
trapped within. All that is known is that no matter where it is
hidden, it will soon find its way out for its hunger cannot be
sated in isolation.
And mercy befall those who find this blade for it shall grant
you none.
Mourneblade (Dormant)
Magical Longsword, Artefact
When first acquired, Mourneblade will frequently
hide its true nature, eager to ensure its quarry does
not throw him aside in horror. While obviously
magical to those with a sense for such things, only
the most powerful scrying magics will reveal
anything of its nature.
Mourneblade (Dormant) is a Magical Longsword
that provides no other benefits.
Awakening: Upon reaching Level Five, Mourneblade
will begin to exert its influence upon the wielder,
unlocking some of its powers in the progress. At
this point, Mourneblade (Dormant) becomes
Mourneblade (Stirring).
Mourneblade (Stirring)
Magical Longsword, Artefact
As the one who wields it begins to show greater
promise, Mourneblade will begin to awaken more
fully, using its powers to influence them towards
knowledge and power. It is at this stage that
Mourneblade begins to communicate with its
partner, sending emotional impulses to encourage
or dissuade from certain actions and imparting
small pieces of knowledge as flashes of insight in
order to further intrigue its wielder.
Mourneblade (Stirring) is a Magical Longsword
with a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made
with it and hits deal an additional 1d8 necrotic
damage. It requires Attunement.
Malevolent Intellect: Once per Long Rest, the
wielder may elect to have Mourneblade roll an
Arcana, History, Religion or Nature check instead
of himself. Mourneblade is considered to roll an
automatic 15 in these skills. If possible, this
information should be framed in such a manner
that it encourages the wielder towards finding out
more or to performing a dangerous act.
Awakening: Upon reaching Level Ten and after
performing an act of great danger for the purpose
of knowledge, Mourneblade will further awaken and
provide greater benefits upon its wielder. At this
point, Mourneblade (Stirring) becomes
Mourneblade (Awakened).
 Mourneblade (Awakened)
Magical Longsword, Artefact
Safely in the hands of one who can further its goals,
Mourneblade beings to abandon its caution,
reaching out to talk telepathically with its wielder.
With clarity now an option, Mourneblade begins to
teach its ward greater mysteries... and urge him on
to further ruin.
Mourneblade (Awakened) is a Magical Longsword
with a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made
with it and hits deal an additional 2d8 necrotic
damage. It requires Attunement.
Malevolent Intellect: Once per Short Rest, the
wielder may elect to have Mourneblade roll an
Arcana, History, Religion or Nature check instead
of himself. Mourneblade is considered to roll an
automatic 20 in these skills. If possible, this
information should be framed in such a manner
that it encourages the wielder towards finding out
more or to performing a dangerous act.
Awakening: Upon reaching Level Fifteen and after
performing an act of great evil for the purpose of
knowledge, Mourneblade will further awaken and
provide greater benefits upon its wielder. At this
point, Mourneblade (Awakened) becomes
Mourneblade (Ascendant).
The Harlequin's Masque
Who are you beneath the Masque? Nothing, no myth, no
fable, no tale's told. What fame you have is nought but the
faces you choose to wear. You are like all legends, a lie
dressed up as greater men.
The Harlequin in Black and Grey
Many artefacts that have fallen in to infamy are craft by those
whose own insanity has fuelled them towards the most
dangerous of creations. Others whose very nature preclude
the creation of anything that cannot cause harm.
In truth, while vile, these creations are frequently the least
dangerous for their darkness is readily apparent. It is the
device craft by the ignorant, the desperate or the foolish that
can cause the most harm for they are the false smile, the
white lie. They are items whose destruction is hidden behind
a false persona.
Perhaps most notable of such trinkets is The Harlequin's
Masque for it was little more than a bad choice and childish
dream that led to its creation. There was once a young man
whom history forgot, who desired more for his life as we are
want to do. So embroiled was he in tales of glory and songs
of war that his desire to be a hero soon outstipped all else
and so he forgot the most important lesson of all.
That the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Mourneblade (Ascendant)
Magical Longsword, Artefact
Now on the path to true power once again,
Mourneblade unleashes its insanity upon the
wielder, taunting them with the promise of what it
could know if only he is willing to take the most
dangerous steps. Mourneblade has once more
returned to the world of men.
Mourneblade (Ascendant) is a Magical Longsword
with a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls made
with it and hits deal an additional 2d8 necrotic
damage. It requires Attunement.
Malevolent Intellect: The wielder may elect to have
Mourneblade roll an Arcana, History, Religion or
Nature check instead of himself. Mourneblade is
considered to roll an automatic 25 in these skills. If
this provides insight into further power or
knowledge (such as learning the True Name of a
Fiend) he must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC
20). If he fails he must try to uncover this further
information, no matter the cost.
Betrayer: The wielder of Mourneblade has his
Alignment shift to Neutral Evil and he becomes
incapable of valuing anothers life. His companions
are now mere tools to further his knowledge.
Furthermore, they are no longer able to unattune
Mourneblade and any attempt to remove it from
their possession drives them into a violent rage.
Only direct intervention from a Divine Entity or the
Wish spell is able to remove this.
He ignored the advice and the counsel of the wise and
instead sought power at any cost, confident in his ability to
resist temptation, not realizing that it was a fight he'd already
lost.
To a crossroads he went and he called upon the spirits that
linger in such lands. He promised them everything he
possessed in exchange for the strength to bring himself fame
and fortune. Hearing of his plight, a Devil appeared but in a
form most pleasing to the eye. She appeared in awe of his
dedication, in love with his dream and so she agreed to his
demands and gave upon him a simple masque of carven
wood and painted rune.
At first he was confused but his fears were allayed for the
Devil spoke in tones endearing.
"Merely place it upon your brow and all shall be done.
Think clearly of your dreams and a hero you'll become,
Whomever it is you desire to be
Is what the world shall truly see."
Delighted that at last, it was all within reach, he put on the
masque without further thought. He imagined himself as a
hero of old, a legend of health and stamina with crooked
smile and fearsome eyes.
He went on to become a legend, or at least that's what they
saw and when he grew bored of one look he switched to
another, better to encapsulate his fame.
As time went on however he began to forget who he had
been, no matter how hard he tried. His family were gone to
him, lost in a haze and all that he loved had faded away.
Desperate to undo what he had created he attempted to
make his way back to where the deal had first been struck but
to his horror he could not recall where it had been. Soon
enough he could not remember that he wore a masque at all.
What happened to him after has been lost to the legend.
Some say that still he wanders, trying to recall who he may
have been while others say that he was struck down by a hero
he'd sought to copy, angered that another would dare sully his
name.
But the Devil whom first struck the bargain is known and
to her collection of faces she had his own. One more memory
amongst a thousand more, a collection of identities from
kings to the poor.
Artwork: Evil Sword (nitro-killer.deviantart.com)
Necromancer (Martin Driver)
Fire (HD Wallpapers Inn)
Harlequin Masque (Hollllow.deviantart.com)
The Harlequin's Masque
Magical Trinket, Artefact
A tool to allow one to become whomever they
wish, the wise are well aware that such a desire
holds far more danger than promise. Death, after
all, can come in many forms.
The Harlequin's Masque is a Magical Trinket that is
placed over the face. It requires Attunement
Faces of Many: The wearer of this Artefact may cast
Alter Self and Disguise Self without limit. This does
not require Concentration to maintain and lasts
until dispelled.
An Empty Shell: Once equipped, this item may not
be removed unless Remove Curse or similar magic
is employed. For each month this item is equipped,
the wearer must make a DC 15 Intelligence saving
throw or forget a detail about their life before they
donned the Masque. This could be anything from
their physical appearance to a loved one or even
their own companions.
For every year they wear this Artefact, they
automatically lose one memory irregardless of their
previous successes.