Intelligent Magical Battle Axe,
Chaotic Evil
Maleffluent has an Intelligence of 17 and an ego of 21. He can speak the common tongue of Faerun, elvish, and orcish. He is also telepathic and can communicate directly with the minds of others out to sixty feet. This evil weapon always seeks to dominate its owner.
Background: Next to nothing is known about this magical weapon. Chardath Spulzeer discovered Maleffluent in Kartak's laboratory the same night he encountered the djinn, and has wielded it ever since.
It is quite likely that the lich Kartak knows much about this magical battle axe. If pressed on the subject, Maleffluent claims to have created himself. Whether this is true or not may never be known.
Maleffluent has been the primary weapon of Chardath Spulzeer since the day he found the axe in the tunnels beneath his ancestral castle. While he claims to own the weapon, however, the reverse is more the case. Maleffluenfs mental domination of his master has left Chardath little more than an insane puppet.
Current Sketch: Outside of Aggarath, this weapon all but dominated the actions of Chardath. Since the pair were drawn into the gemstone universe, things have been different. In Aggarath, Chardath is lord and master of all things. At present, he is immune to Maleffluent's attempts to dominate his mind or direct his actions.
Maleffluent is well aware of this reversal and desires nothing more than being rid of Chardath. The axe constantly schemes to escape from his master. Finding another owner - one that he can control as he once did Spulzeer - would be an ideal solution.
During this adventure, Maleffluent acts as a guide and mentor to the heroes. He hopes to use them to free himself from Chardath. This plan will almost certainly involve coming into the possession of one of the player characters, if this event happens, the axe tries to control the character through suggestion and helpful advice. Should that fail, he resorts to more direct methods, exerting the full force of his will to dominate his owner. Details on this power of intelligent weapons can be found in the Dungeon Master Guide.
Combat: CInlike some magical weapons, Maieffluent cannot levitate or otherwise move on his own. Only when he is in the hands of living person can he engage in combat.
Maleffluent is a +2 weapon, or +5 when used
against the incorporeal undead. He is also a vorpal
weapon and delights in being used to sever heads.
The table below indicates the chances of
decapitation when he is used in battle against a
humanoid foe:
| Opponent is: | Modified Score to Decapitate: |
|
| Normal/armored | 18-23 | |
| Larger than human size | 19-23 | |
| Solid metal or stone | 20-23 |
At will, this evil blade can detect good or detect traps in a 10-foot radius. He can create illusions within 120 yards of himself (per a wand of illusion} twice each day. He can also empower his wielder per a strength spell with an eight-turn duration once each day.
Use of this sinister weapon is a decidedly evil act. In Raventoft, a powers check must be made each time Maleffluent's wielder invokes one of his special powers or fights a battle with him.
