Lore24 Mar 8: The Axe of Haator

This copper battleaxe is quietly humming with power. When picked up, the wielder can feel it vibrating, and the tone changes slightly. The handle is wrapped in oxhide leather and the pommel houses a large agate. The blade has a hole in it the size of a child’s fist, to make the weapon lighter.

The Axe of Haator is enchanted with a rather gruesome spell. Whenever metal is hit with the axe, it absorbs the power of the blow, with a corresponding slight increase in the vibration of the blade. If this was a result of the axe hitting an armored opponent, the opponent would feel as if their armor was only lightly tapped, even if a mighty blow was struck. On the other hand, when the blade hits flesh, it releases all the energy stored in it, often cleaving men completely in half in a gory display. If not used, the stored energy slowly dissipates over the course of the next hour or so.

Haator was a demigod and a master artificer, credited with the creation of many magical artifacts whose power has not been matched since. This axe was originally created at the request of a human warlord, but Haator decided it was too dangerous to be used, so he kept it for himself. After his death the axe was looted from his tomb, and it has found its way to the hands of many conquerors since. Its last known location is the royal armory of Nashat-Ippur, but it hasn’t been wielded by its Sorcerer-Kings in some time leading to the speculation that it was stolen.

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