Wandblade (Patreon)

Weapon (dagger), rare

You gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls using this magic dagger. Its hollow blade is made of magical glass, and its handle can be unscrewed to reveal a space for a single wand. It takes an action to remove a wand from the dagger or to insert one into it. While a wand is inside the dagger, you can use the weapon as either a dagger or wand while holding it. When you use an action for any of the wand’s properties or to cast a spell from it, you can immediately use a bonus action to make a single weapon attack using the dagger.

Alistair gripped the handle in his hand. As he readied the wand's spell, he felt its magic pulse and harmonize with that of the glass dagger that concealed it. The two formed song and dance: when one led, the other followed.

The torch-like wand in the dagger sparked, sending a plume of flame toward his medusan protégé, Mira. Though she was blind, her fluttering raven familiar let her see the fire coming in the nick of time. She dodged the magic flame and spun her jet-tipped lance to parry his follow-up slash. In the wake of his blade, she pressed forward to force him into a backpedal.

But Alistair couldn't be flustered that easily, and responded in kind with another dual front of fire and glass. His smile shone bright then in the firelight, through the eyes of the raven; so too did the glint of green as the dagger spun towards it—

A sharp gasp, and she was blind again. She knew that her mentor was there, somewhere, but finding a shadow in the dark was no simple task. She could feel the tug of her snakes turn her gaze when the heat of fire was met with the clatter of metal and crystal.

Crash!

The dark of Mira's vision flashed white with pain, and she was suddenly pinned down. She could hear Alistair sheath the dagger and step toward her. A moment later, and the chandelier was lifted from her back.

"You're an incredible fighter, Mira, you just need to see the next step before it's made. These fights are dances to the death, so don't lose your footing. Here, let me help you up."

She grimaced and flicked a hand. The raven returned, and with it, her sight. She could see him grinning again as she slithered upright and sighed.

"And you must make yourself at least pretend to kill me. A deathmatch isn't just some puzzle to solve," she said. Her hand drifted to ill-healed scars.

His smile faded. "I would beg to differ. We are each our own puzzle. To know the shape of a piece, you know the shape of a person, as well as their solution. For instance, one of your pieces is delightfully raven-shaped. If I can't find that piece, I can't finish the puzzle. Make sense?"

A pause. Mira sighed. "And I suppose one of your pieces is green and glassy?"

Alistair chucked, and his smile returned. "As is a serpentine one. But let's get you a healing potion. I doubt the dear duke would begrudge us a few while he's out of town. It's not like he has much use for them. The safe was just over here, as I recall: behind his portrait."