Author Daniel Burnet Ninth and Tenth centuries to Napoleon's Pioneer
Illustrator Brian Bond Corps.
Weapon Focus is a PDF series exploring
weapons from different sources and genres, and
providing a more in-depth look at some of the most
common and popular weapons, providing new
feats, rules variations, and examples of special
magical weapons, as well as exploring the origins
of the weapons from an in-game perspective as
well as the real world history of the weapon's
development and use.
The Real Of It
The first axes made their appearance not as
weapons, but as tools used for simple agricultural
purposes, such as cutting wood or harvesting
various crops. While items such as this shared a
similar design to the battle axe, the edge used was
often bigger and wider than those that would be
found on axes designed to inflict damage on living
animals.
Battle axes have been discovered as far
back as 3,000 B.C. In the next few thousand years,
advancements in working materials would allow
better weapons to be created, first out of copper
and bronze, with iron and steel following later.
Battle axes have been used in some form or
another by nearly every military force that was
aware of their existence, from the Vikings in the
The Game Of It
The battle axe's first use came about quite
by accident. A young human named Noon Carha
was returning to his farm with a load of freshly cut
wood which would be used to build a new fence to
protect his livestock from nearby goblin raiders.
When Noon arrived at his farm, he found
that the goblins had already returned and were
helping themselves to his chickens and their eggs.
Noon ran towards the goblins waving his arms in
an attempt to scare them away, still holding the
maul he had used to cut down the wood. When
one goblin turned towards Noon and charged him,
the maul accidentally connected with the side of
the goblin's head, killing him instantly. The
remaining goblins, easily scared, ran off.
Two weeks later, after selling his wares in
the city, Noon described the event to a dwarf he
encountered at a tavern. The dwarf's name is lost
to history, but is known that he was inspired by
Noon's tale and began researching the basics of
weaponry, and two months later he had created the
first battle axe. News of the new weapon and the
recipe for its construction spread quickly, with new
variations constantly being developed.
New Feat
AXE ASSAULT
You sacrifice accuracy for increased damage with
an axe.
Pre-Requisite: Axe Focus
Benefit: When you use the attack action or the
full attack action in melee while wielding an axe,
you can take a 2 penalty on this attack, but deals
+1 die of damage with a successful hit. -2 to
attack roll, +1 die of damage.
New Feat
AXE FOCUS
Your skill with an axe allows you to deal
additional damage.
Benefit: Deal an additional point of damage
when attacking with any type of axe.
New Feat
AXE FURY
You may sacrifice dodging ability for accuracy
when wielding an axe.
Pre-Requisite: Weapon Focus or Axe Focus,
Dexterity 13
Benefit: When you use the attack action or the
full attack action in melee, you can take a penalty
of as much as your Dexterity modifier to your
Armor Class and add the same number to your
attack roll. The changes to Armor Class and
attack rolls last until your next action.
New Feat
AXE OFFENSIVE DEFENSE
Pre-Requisite: Dexterity 13
Benefit: When wielding two axes and attacked
and missed in melee, you may make an
immediate Attack of Opportunity against the
attacker. This counts against your maximum
number of Attacks of Opportunity per round.
This does not allow you to make more Attacks of
Opportunity in a round than you normally could.
New Feat
POWER AXE
You sacrifice accuracy to increase the chance of
scoring a critical strike.
Pre-Requisite: Power Attack
Benefit: When you use the attack action or the
full attack action in melee, you can take a penalty
of as much as 5 on your attack roll and add the
same number (+5 or less) to your Critical Threat
Range. This number may not exceed your base
attack bonus. The changes to attack rolls and
Critical Threat Range last until your next action.
New Feat
WIELD AS ONE
You wield two axes as a single weapon,
combining the damage between the two.
Benefit: When you use the attack action or the
full attack action in melee while wielding two
axes, you may fight with the two axes as though
they were a single weapon, adding the damage
from the second axe to the damage of the first
axe. While doing so, you take a -2 dodge penalty
to your Armor Class, and you do not gain extra
benefits from fighting with two weapons.
New Magical Item
Spectral Axe: This magical axe appears to
simply be a +1 battle axe, but the axe's true power
is unleashed with a command word. When in
battle, when commanded, the axe will fire a
spectral duplicate of itself at a target within 30
feet, dealing normal damage.
Faint Necromancy; CL 5th; Craft Magic Arms and
Armor, spectral hand; Price 8,000; Cost 4,000
+800 XP
Brightblade
Brightblade is legacy battle axe made of solid silver. Each edge of the blade is curved, giving it an
especially wicked cut. A small pike protrudes from the end of the handle, allowing the axe to be able to
function as a piercing weapon (1d4+1 damage) should the occasion require it.
Omen: The Brightblade constantly emits light, even when there is no source of illumination nearby.
Non-Legacy Game Statistics: Masterwork/+1 silver battle axe

Brightblade Legacy Statistics

Wielder Save Skill Caster Spell Legacy Abilities
Level Penalty Check Level Slot
Penalty Penalty Loss
5th -1 - - - Blade Barrier 1/week
6th - - - 1st Blade Vision
7th - - -1 - Blade Embrace
8th - -1 - 2nd Disrupting Weapon 1/day
9th - - - - Stand to the Last
10th - - -2 3rd Dispel Magic 1/day
11th -2 - - - Order's Wrath 1/day
12th - - - 4th Disrupting Weapon 2/day
13th - -2 - - -
14th - - - 5th Dispel Magic 2/day
15th - - - - Protection from Evil
16th - -3 - 6th Order's Wrath 2/day
17th - - - - Blade Barrier 2/week
18th -3 - - 7th Slow 3/week
19th - - -3 - -
20th - - - Protection from Chaos

Brightblade History
Brightblade appears to be a silver battle axe and focus to those marching into battle. Those
created by one of the dwarven master weapon who carried Brightblade into battle would often
smiths in a time when dwarves were at constant perish, remaining standing only long enough to
war with the chaotic orcs and rationing supplies so ensure that the work was done, and the forces of
that the militia would be properly armed caused chaos were pushed back once again. It is believed
some villages to receive only a single new weapon by many that the souls of those who fell wielding
with which to defend themselves. Brightblade became a part of it, infusing it with
Brightblade was carried into battle time and again their knowledge and power.
by dwarven clerics and paladins who would lead Centuries after Brightblade was first forged, it was
troops into battle, providing a source of inspiration carried to the Temple of Chaos where it was used
by the dwarven paladin C'than to smite the chaos
demon Ry'lesh. The power unleashed at the death
of Ry'lesh was enough to bring the Temple of
Chaos down upon them, destroying the portal to
unfathomable hells. Brightblade was later
retrieved from the ruins of the temple by priests ofperform the Order's Wrath ritual.
C'than's order, who vowed to preserve it until it
would be needed once again.
Legacy Rituals
Guarded Secrets: You must keep the legacy
abilities of Brightblade a secret from everyone
until all three legacy feats have been gained for
Brightblade. The secret must be kept for one
month in order for the ritual to be completed. Feat the benefits of this feat until this has been done.
Granted: Least Legacy (Brightblade).
Order's Wrath: You must seek out a group of
chaotic evil creatures which prey on those weaker
than themselves, and you must smite them so that
they permanently cease all predatory activities.
Feat Granted: Lesser Legacy (Brightblade).
Honored Justice: You must uncover a forgotten
heroic deed that was done in the pursuit of justice
and remind the world of this deed. Feat Granted:
Greater Legacy (Brightblade).
Legacy Feats
LEAST LEGACY (Brightblade)
You awaken the basic abilities of the legacy
weapon Brightblade.
th
Pre-Requisite: Character level 5 , learn and
perform the Guarded Secrets ritual.
Benefit: Gain access to Legacy abilities of
Brightblade. This feat does not grant access to
abilities which require a wielder to be 11th level or
higher.
Special: After one month of guarding
Brightblade's secret, this feat is gained. The
benefits of this feat are lost if the possessor ever
reveals Brightblade's secret. This does not apply
to information revealed or discovered by another,
and the wielder may freely discuss Brightblade so
long as he or she does not purposefully cause any
new information to be revealed.
LESSER LEGACY (Brightblade)
You awaken the basic abilities of the legacy
weapon Brightblade.
Pre-Requisite: Character level 11th, learn and
Benefit: Gain access to Legacy abilities of
Brightblade. This feat does not grant access to
abilities which require a wielder to be 17th level or
higher.
Special: Should the character ever discover that
those smote as part of the Order's Wrath ritual
have resumed their predatory nature, he or she
must immediately begin questing to seek them out
and once again put a stop to their actions, or lose
GREATER LEGACY (Brightblade)
You awaken the basic abilities of the legacy
weapon Brightblade.
Pre-Requisite: Character level 17th, learn and
perform the Honored Justice ritual.
Benefit: Gain access to all remaining Legacy
abilities of Brightblade.
Special: Should the heroic feat ever be once
again forgotten, the Honored Justice ritual must
be performed again, or all benefits of this feat are
lost.
Wielder Requirements
Ability to cast divine spells
Lawful good alignment
Knowledge (law) 3 ranks
Speak Language (Dwarven)
Legacy Feats
Item Abilities
Blade Barrier (Sp): At 5th level and above, once
per week on command, you can use blade barrier,
as per the spell. The save DC is 15, or 14 + your
Wisdom modifier, whichever is higher. Caster
Level 14th. At 17th level and above, you may use
this ability twice per week.
Blade Vision (Su): At 6th level and above, the
wielder gains the Dark Vision ability.

Blade Embrace (Su): At 7th level and above, the

wielder gains DR 3/-.

Disrupting Weapon (Sp): At 8th level and above,

once per day on command, you can use disrupting
weapon, as per the spell. The save DC is 15, or 14
+ your Wisdom modifier, whichever is higher. At
12th level and above you may use this ability twice
per day.

Stand to the Last (Su): At 9th level and above, the

wielder of Brightblade remains conscious until
reaching -10 hit points, at which point he or she
will succumb to the wounds and die.

Dispel Magic (Sp): At 10th level and above, once

per day on command, you can use dispel magic, as
per the spell. At 14th level and above you may use
this ability twice per day.

Order's Wrath (Sp): At 11th level and above,

once per day on command, you can use order's
wrath, as per the spell. The save DC is 15, or 14 +
your Wisdom modifier, whichever is higher. At
16th level and above you may use this ability twice
per day.

Protection From Evil (Sp): At 15th level and

above the wielder is affected by protection from
evil, as per the spell.

Slow (Sp): At 18th level and above, the wielder

may, three times per week on command, slow a
target creature, as per the spell. The save DC is 15,
or 14 + your Wisdom modifier, whichever is
higher.

Protection From Chaos (Sp): At 20th level and

above the wielder is affected by protection from
chaos, as per the spell.
OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a
The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and is Copyright 2000 Wizards of the
Coast, Inc ("Wizards"). All Rights Reserved.
1. Definitions: (a)"Contributors" means the copyright and/or trademark owners who have contributed
Open Game Content; (b)"Derivative Material" means copyrighted material including derivative works
and translations (including into other computer languages), potation, modification, correction, addition,
extension, upgrade, improvement, compilation, abridgment or other form in which an existing work
may be recast, transformed or adapted; (c) "Distribute" means to reproduce, license, rent, lease, sell,
broadcast, publicly display, transmit or otherwise distribute; (d)"Open Game Content" means the game
mechanic and includes the methods, procedures, processes and routines to the extent such content does
not embody the Product Identity and is an enhancement over the prior art and any additional content
clearly identified as Open Game Content by the Contributor, and means any work covered by this
License, including translations and derivative works under copyright law, but specifically excludes
Product Identity. (e) "Product Identity" means product and product line names, logos and identifying
marks including trade dress; artifacts; creatures characters; stories, storylines, plots, thematic elements,
dialogue, incidents, language, artwork, symbols, designs, depictions, likenesses, formats, poses,
concepts, themes and graphic, photographic and other visual or audio representations; names and
descriptions of characters, spells, enchantments, personalities, teams, personas, likenesses and special
abilities; places, locations, environments, creatures, equipment, magical or supernatural abilities or
effects, logos, symbols, or graphic designs; and any other trademark or registered trademark clearly
identified as Product identity by the owner of the Product Identity, and which specifically excludes the
Open Game Content; (f) "Trademark" means the logos, names, mark, sign, motto, designs that are used
by a Contributor to identify itself or its products or the associated products contributed to the Open
Game License by the Contributor (g) "Use", "Used" or "Using" means to use, Distribute, copy, edit,
format, modify, translate and otherwise create Derivative Material of Open Game Content. (h) "You" or
"Your" means the licensee in terms of this agreement.
2. The License: This License applies to any Open Game Content that contains a notice indicating that
the Open Game Content may only be Used under and in terms of this License. You must affix such a
notice to any Open Game Content that you Use. No terms may be added to or subtracted from this
License except as described by the License itself. No other terms or conditions may be applied to any
Open Game Content distributed using this License.
3.Offer and Acceptance: By Using the Open Game Content You indicate Your acceptance of the terms
of this License.
4. Grant and Consideration: In consideration for agreeing to use this License, the Contributors grant
You a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license with the exact terms of this License to
Use, the Open Game Content.
5.Representation of Authority to Contribute: If You are contributing original material as Open Game
Content, You represent that Your Contributions are Your original creation and/or You have sufficient
rights to grant the rights conveyed by this License.
6.Notice of License Copyright: You must update the COPYRIGHT NOTICE portion of this License to
include the exact text of the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any Open Game Content You are copying,
modifying or distributing, and You must add the title, the copyright date, and the copyright holder's
name to the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any original Open Game Content you Distribute.
7. Use of Product Identity: You agree not to Use any Product Identity, including as an indication as to
compatibility, except as expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner of each
element of that Product Identity. You agree not to indicate compatibility or co-adaptability with any
Trademark or Registered Trademark in conjunction with a work containing Open Game Content except
as expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner of such Trademark or
Registered Trademark. The use of any Product Identity in Open Game Content does not constitute a
challenge to the ownership of that Product Identity. The owner of any Product Identity used in Open
Game Content shall retain all rights, title and interest in and to that Product Identity.
8. Identification: If you distribute Open Game Content You must clearly indicate which portions of the
work that you are distributing are Open Game Content.
9. Updating the License: Wizards or its designated Agents may publish updated versions of this
License. You may use any authorized version of this License to copy, modify and distribute any Open
Game Content originally distributed under any version of this License.
10 Copy of this License: You MUST include a copy of this License with every copy of the Open Game
Content You Distribute.
11. Use of Contributor Credits: You may not market or advertise the Open Game Content using the
name of any Contributor unless You have written permission from the Contributor to do so.
12 Inability to Comply: If it is impossible for You to comply with any of the terms of this License with
respect to some or all of the Open Game Content due to statute, judicial order, or governmental
regulation then You may not Use any Open Game Material so affected.
13 Termination: This License will terminate automatically if You fail to comply with all terms herein
and fail to cure such breach within 30 days of becoming aware of the breach. All sublicenses shall
survive the termination of this License.
14 Reformation: If any provision of this License is held to be unenforceable, such provision shall be
reformed only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.
15 COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Open Game License v 1.0 Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.