Swordmites, as they are affectionately known, are chaos-infused offshoots of the Mimic species. When grasped, their minor telepathy allows them to sense the shape that their wielder desires, and shift to reflect that. The shapes are always slightly organic-looking, with crystalline blades, and odd horns, spikes, eyes, and other protrusions.
Swordmites are found in unusual places, often deep in the Underdark, though there are rumours of a weaponsmith farming them for sale somewhere in the Human realms. Those who bear a Swordmite often find themselves with a hand on the weapon's hilt or handle, which they find comforting. They often also sleep beside their weapons, and find the Swordmite's little mouth nuzzling up against their skin somewhere. Swordmites are slightly intelligent, and easy to please with attention and physical contact. They are able to speak, although they cannot pronounce or understand many words, and often resort to "baby speak". Swordmites that have experienced large amounts of combat often manifest magical qualities, and become more powerful as they age. If a Swordmite's wielder dies, the Swordmite suffers psychic feedback, and usually loses their gained powers. Once every few years, the Swordmite will crawl off somewhere to bud, laying little crystalline eggs. The wielder is aware of the Swordmite's absence, but feels unalarmed about the situation. Statistics: When unbonded, a Swordmite is a Tiny sized 1/2 HD Aberration, with Intelligence 2. When they have bonded with a host (taking a full round of skin-to-skin contact), they can change into the form of a normal melee weapon, with a clearly unusual appearance. They function as an ordinary weapon of that type, and function as a masterwork version of that weapon after their first five combats. Swordmites gain in experience when they have been used for particularly impressive acts (slaying a Fire Elemental, for example), and will gain the equivalent of a +1 enchantment or quality, after hibernating for about a week. They also have Intelligence 2, and can sense with sight and hearing within 10 feet, at +1 on any perception-related skills. Swordmites do not sleep except when hibernating, so they also guard their wielders while they rest. If sundered by an enemy attacking them directly, they can be harmed and slain as normal. A Swordmite gains 5 bonus hp each time it has gained an enchantment quality. A newly-hatched Swordmite sells for about 1,000 gold pieces to a discerning buyer. How you can use Swordmites in your game: - An enemy of renown might use a Swordmite weapon, which would 'reset' and assume its normal shape when the enemy is slain. It might bond to someone able to pick it up. - A Swordmite that has gained some qualities might try to influence its wielder to assist in finding an appropriate cavern for it to lay its eggs in. This hatchery might even have other Swordmites present, if the crystal radiation influences their growth... and Drow soldiers are coming to harvest the crop for this season. Your PCs might have to fight them off, without their faithful Swordmite handy to help out. - Swordmites are a good way for enemies to have additional powers which don't transfer to the PCs as treasure when defeated, although the Swordmites themselves have some value. Also posted on Game Masters Stash on 19 April 2019.
Luke
19/4/2019 03:22:39 pm
Yes- an extra 5 hp per enchantment of +1 ‘worth’ of quality, so a +1 Flaming Swordmite would have an extra 10 hot points. Comments are closed.
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