Holy avenger

A holy avenger was a rare type of sword that were forged to battle evil in all of its forms They were greatly prized by paladins from all across the Realms. They possessed great and magnificent powers that were only fully realized in the hands of a benevolent holy warrior.

One paladin famously said his holy avenger was his "best and last friend in any situation".

Powers
Prior to the Spellplague a newly-forged holy avenger was merely a sword that had been forged from cold iron. Its true might was released only when it was placed in the hands of a paladin, whereupon it became a more powerful holy cold iron sword. The blade provided significant protection from magical spells and spell-like abilities to its wielder and their allies. When holding their holy avenger, they were capable of casting greater dispelling at will.

Holy avengers forged after the Second Sundering were particularly deadly when wielded against undead and fiends. Like those crafted during earlier centuries, they radiated a magical aura that benefited the wielder's allies. This radiance emanated out for 10' (3 m) except when in the hands of most champions. When it was wielded by the most skilled and veteran paladins, this effect extended out for 30' (9.1 m). In addition they only reached their true potential after having been wielded by a specific paladin for some time.

Creation
To forge a holy avenger, a craftsman had to have both been of good alignment and have access to the holy aura spell. The creation of such a great holy blade required at least 60,000 gold pieces along with great amount of time and heroic levels of energy.

Notable Holy Avengers

 * Carsomyr, a greatsword that had been hoarded away by the red dragon Firkraag.
 * Cera Sumat, this blade was used by Old Duke Ehld to slay the Lost Followers of Bane.
 * Crusader, the blessed longsword of Sir Gareth Dragonsbane.
 * Duty's Bond, the sword of the mortal Torm.
 * Hill Cleaver, a longsword wielded by Dragonbait.
 * Pale Justice, a Tyrran longsword.
 * Purifier, the bastard sword carried by the legendary Sir Wediyer.
 * Sword of Peredus, a lesser version of a holy avenger, wielded by Peredus the Great.
 * The sword wielded by the celestial paragon Raziel.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Tomb of Annihilation
 * Novels
 * Azure Bonds
 * Video games
 * Baldur's Gate series (Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn (game) • Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal (game)) • Icewind Dale series (Icewind Dale (game) • Icewind Dale II) • Neverwinter Nights series (Neverwinter Nights • Neverwinter Nights 2 • Neverwinter Nights: Darkness over Daggerford • Neverwinter Nights: Tyrants of the Moonsea) • Tales from Candlekeep: Tomb of Annihilation • Sword Coast Legends • Warriors of Waterdeep
 * Card Games
 * AD&D Trading Cards • Adventures in the Forgotten Realms