Sword wraiths, also known as swordwraiths, were undead creatures that would arise from the bodies of mercenaries whose lust for war was too great for death to extinguish.[4]
Description[]
Much like a revenant, sword wraiths looked like decayed and emaciated versions of their once-living selves. Their eyes gave off a faint glow that could only be seen in darkness or dim light.[4] Both their armor and weapons often carried a scent of mold and decay.[6]
Sword wraiths wore the same clothing that they died in, often a breastplate[4] or chainmail.[1][2]
Sword wraiths generally were known to wield longswords, heavy crossbows, large metal shields,[4] and longbows.[2][1]
Behavior[]
The driving force behind every sword wraith was a desire for combat, wishing to have their unlife ended gloriously on the field of battle. Though difficult, it was possible to calm a sword wraith's bloodlust and negotiate with them if convinced that the speaker was their military equal (or superior).[4][7]
They were also known to often be easily calmed by means of praise, such as performing a ballad in their honor. Though if a sword wraith's valor was ever questioned they would fly into a fit of rage.[1]
Society[]
Habitats[]
Sword wraiths were generally found prowling around the area in which they were buried or died. Though lone sword wraiths could be found, they more often were seen traveling with other sword wraiths whom in life were part of the same mercenary company or army squadron.[4]
A great many of them haunted the ruins of Anauril, the City of Swords in ancient Anauria.[8]
Besides Toril, sword wraiths were known to occur on the planet Oerth[5][6][9] and in the Domains of Dread.[9]
Notable Sword Wraiths[]
- The Order of One Thousand Nightmares: a knightly order of nearly 200 sword wraiths from the Fields of the Dead, equipped with nightmare steeds, was assembled by priests of Velsharoon.[10][11]
Trivia[]
Towns that were located close to ancient battlefields would often hold an annual festival in remembrance of sword wraiths in order to keep their raging spirits placated.[1]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ Despite their depiction in 5th edition art suggesting that they are incorporeal, 5e sword wraiths do not have the ability of "Incorporeal movement" like similar undead.
Appearances[]
Adventures
Novels & Short Stories
Elminster Must Die
Video Games
Card Games
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
A Handful of Dust
Gallery[]
External Links[]
Swordwraith article at the Greyhawk Wiki, a wiki for the Greyhawk campaign setting.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (May 29, 2018). Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 241. ISBN 978-0786966240.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 M. T. Black, Shawn Merwin (2018). Stardock Under Siege (DDEP08-02) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Waterdeep (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 58–59.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Stephen Schubert, James Wyatt (June 2008). Monster Manual 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 267. ISBN 978-0-7869-4852-9.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Eric Cagle, Jesse Decker, James Jacobs, Erik Mona, Matthew Sernett, Chris Thomasson, and James Wyatt (April 2003). Fiend Folio. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 173. ISBN 0-7869-2780-1.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Grant Boucher, William W. Connors, Steve Gilbert, Bruce Nesmith, Christopher Mortika, Skip Williams (April 1990). Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Adventures Appendix. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 58. ISBN 0-88038-836-6.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 James M. Ward (1988). Greyhawk Adventures. (TSR, Inc.), p. 31. ISBN 0-88038-649-5.
- ↑ Mellanie Black (2020). Tipping the Scales (DDAL09-10) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Avernus Rising (Wizards of the Coast), p. 5.
- ↑ Richard Baker, Ed Bonny, Travis Stout (February 2005). Lost Empires of Faerûn. Edited by Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 104. ISBN 0-7869-3654-1.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 William W. Connors (1996). Monstrous Compendium - Ravenloft Appendices I & II. (TSR, Inc.), p. 71. ISBN 0786903929.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 77. ISBN 978-0786906574.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (2001-12-05). “The Trail of Tears: Swordwraiths”. Perilous Gateways. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2004-02-23. Retrieved on 2020-04-19.