Warblade

The Warblade (also known as the Noble Warrior's Blade, or Ary'Velahr'Kerym in Elven ), is one of three Elfblades created in ancient Cormanthyr to help the elves establish a ruling family. This particular blade is used to name the Arms-Major, the Defender by Arm, as he is called. The wielder of the Warblade is responsible for the primary armed forces of the realm at large, known as the Akh'Velahr.

History
The Warblade was created by Elven High Magic alongside its mates, the Artblade and the Rulers' Blade in -4000 DR, at the behest of the ill Coronal of Jhyrennstar, Oacenth, who desired the magical swords to determine the rulers of the united tribes and new nation of Cormanthyr.

Later, in -331 DR, Lord Orym Hawksong fell in battle at the siege of the Twisted Tower, but not before the Warblade suddenly sprang up and defended him for a time, before being paralyzed by drow magics. The body of the hero and the blade were stolen into the darkness, thereafter sought by more than a hundred elves fruitlessly. Since it was lost, the Arms-Majors have instead wielded Moonblades or one of the six Baneblades created by the human wizard Demron.

In 500 DR, the elven noble and bladesinger Josidiah Starym embarked on a famous quest to retrieve the Warblade from the Twisted Tower with a band of his adventuring friends. He returned in 674 DR not with the Warblade, but with the Artblade instead.

For a time, the Warblade was rumoured to be in a secret vault beneath a temple of Lolth in the ruins of Maerimydra, in the Underdark. However, near the end of 1374 DR, the elf Ilsevele Miritar was alerted by ancient wards that the Warblade had surfaced to the Realms Above, somewhere near the Twisted Tower.

Characteristics
The Warblade, like others of its type, shares some common characteristics with its kin (see Elfblade), but also has its own special powers, described here.

This sword constantly shines like silver and remains perfectly reflective despite any use. The sword and its hilt (as well as the wielder's hand) are constantly bathed in blue and silver harmless flames. Visible at the the seat of the blade is an elven rune meaning "weapon".


 * Chaotic Good
 * Wielder can cast strength 3 times per day
 * Wielder can cast detect evil/good at will.
 * By completing a complicating blade-dance with the ritual for two rounds, the wielder can summon a blade barrier for 2d6 rounds and is able to move from its stationary boundaries.
 * Failure to pass the tests of Blade-rite causes the wielder's hand to clench the sword as if it were an unsheathed blade, causing deep palm scars that can only be healed slowly and naturally and deal damage equal to the Elf's Strength score + 1d6.
 * If the the wielder is a N'Tel'Quess (non-elf or drow) or of Evil alignment, the sword becomes a dancing sword and attacks the wielder for upwards of an hour, attempting to slay him.

The characteristics of the weapons were revised in the 3rd edition of Dungeons and Dragons as follows.


 * The spell strength is replaced with bull's strength
 * Wielder must have a base attack bonus of +12 or higher, and have a high Charisma score.
 * Failure to draw the blade results in a single attack against the wielder, or continuous attacks for 2d6 rounds against a non-elf or drow. All damage dealt in this way can only be cured magically with a caster level check of DC 25 or higher.
 * Blade emanates overwhelming Evocation, and is Caster level 25th.