Tongue of Demons
A loud crack broke the silence of the night. A piercing howl of pure agony followed, but was cut short after a moment by a low gurgle and a thump. Cedir smiled coyly, just another victim of the Tongue of Demons
Full Item Description
The Tongue of the Demon is an ebony whip made from the hides of several demons slain during the purging of Tevish'Hizal. The handle is covered in runes scribed in the blood of the same demons who gave their hide and the end is forked like the tongue of a serpent.
History
The Tongue of Demons is a relic that serves as a reminder of the devastation at Tevish'Hizal. Demons had taken over the once peaceful and solemn temple. Seven of the ten demon lords were slain in the battle, their heads mounted on pikes and their hides removed to show they were viewed as nothing more than animals. The corpses were burned, the flames' heat so intense it seemed to cleanse the evil that had saturated the area.
An assassin named Cedir took strips of hide from the slain demons and spent weeks crafting a weapon that he would use to avenge the death of seven who were slain. He toiled over the hide day and night, working it to the point that it felt like soft, supple leather. The color was what made it unique, a soft black like ebony.
Cedir saved some of the blood from the seven who were slain, demon blood does not coagulate like human blood so it kept longer. He used the blood to scribe passages in demonic from the hilt to the tip. The hide seemed to absorb the blood; the scribing still visible as though the hide were dyed by the blood.
The combination of blood and hide from the demons seemed to infuse the whip with some powers from the since dead demons. Cedir felt his wounds close after striking someone with the left lash, and significantly weakened his foe when he struck them with the right lash. Striking the with the combination of both lashes seemed to be the most devastating. Anyone he managed to do that to instantly burst into flames that could not be quenched by natural means.
Over the years Cedir took the lives of many innocents as well as those involved in the cleansing. For every life taken with the whip with the unquenchable fire, the seven who were slain regained a bit of themselves. This continued until the seven were reborn (they were manifested into physical form through a ritual performed by some cultists) and rewarded Cedir with extended life. From then on, those slain by the whip allowed Cedir to live beyond natural means. In addition, if Cedir were to be slain the whip has the power to bring him back; the same way it restored the seven who were slain (no ritual would be required since the whip would restore Cedir's physical form directly).
Magic/Cursed Properties
Tongue of Demons is a whip of average size, but the force that is delivered had been compared to the destructive force of a dragon's tail. The whip forks into two at the end, each with a separate ability.
The left lash increases the damage dealt and converts that damage into healing power for the one who wields the whip.
The right lash strikes the very core of the victim. Upon being struck with the right side, the whip causes the experience the victim has acquired to be drained (in d20 terms, negative levels).
When both lashes strike together, the target is engulfed in unholy flame that drains their life and soul. The flame is not instantaneous, allowing the victim a chance to avoid the burst, though it is quite difficult and the average person does not contain the agility/ reflexes required to safely avoid it. In addition to being engulfed in flame, anyone slain in this matter has their soul sucked into the whip; from there it is used to prolong Cedir's life.
Destroying the whip is not easily done. The only way to destroy Tongue of Demons is to set it ablaze with pure/holy fire. The only known source of such flame is in the home plane of the Celestials. If someone were to manage to destroy the whip, Cedir would be no more and all the souls he collected would finally be at rest.
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? Responses (19)
It's a bit munchkiny to me, but the backstory is somewhat interesting. I'd like to know more about Cedit. Why'd he decide to make such a powerful whip? What's his motive? Not bad, though, overall.
A good idea but a bit overpowered. What if there were lesser versions of this whip in existance?
I actually thought this was going to be about the language of demons, and when it started with the crack of a whip I was paralyzed with excitement. Then I understood that I had it all wrong. Awww.
I haven't seen many whips around, and this one seems fairly powerful, but from what I can tell its the only one that exists so that can be the balance. I like the concept. The back story seems to provide a fair amount of intrigue as well. Lets hear more about Cedir, but this is a nice item.
Very munchkinous, but I guess it fits the game. Now, the concept of a whip having effect depending on which lash hits the victim is quite original, that could be adapted to something. I take it that the final effect would be quite rare, if the lashes have to hit the victim in the very same moment. Too bad the wielder won't probably stop until it happens. :/
Demonic whips are not destined to be liked, but it has a nice idea seed.
Now that you mention it, the "one effect for each tail" thing is pretty unique. Perhaps a scroll for a similar whip is in order, and we can add tails and effects.
Though I fear what might come of such a scroll, I say: bring it on! :D
And I think a single whip with dozens of effects could be a bit strange (though possible) - how about actual whips with small lists of effects?
Railus, just so you know... Next time you run a game: It is my Quest to find Cedir, kill him, and take the whip for my own! I will do everything within my power to acquire this whip and use it to be the best murderer ever. Wooohoo! So be prepared with stats and such for this Cedir fellow. *Pieh prays to Double G that he wont be killed by this whip, ever...* I do hope to bond it to myself. Wait! Better yet: Can I be Cedir? And create the whip myself? And then go on a rampage and kill all the good guys? Just a thought... >:-D
I do not think that people are aware that I am posting one of a kind artifacts from my gaming world. After reading these comments, I guess I am done posting.
Well, we cannot know, if you don't say it. If they were advertised as powerful, one of a kind artifacts, people might look differently at them. Then again, we tend to be very picky around here. So don't be discouraged; from what I have seen, you do have some interesting ideas and can write pretty good descriptions to them, I'm sure we can work something out. :)
I thought it seemed fairly obvious that the items in question were unique... Especially this one. And recently realizing I was already the victim of this item once; I must say it is powerful in the wrong hands (Cedir's hands). and it could make an interesting quest to figure out how to stop this crazy assassin.
I make an attempt to portray the fact that they are unique in the history. This one is particular was made by a single person as a result of a specific event. The rings I have previously posted contain a similar descriptor in their respective histories. I am posting ideas so that they can be used by other people, possibly altered to fit their game better, not because I intend on changing my ideas.
I do admit to being caught in the moment, I probably will post more at some point.
Cheer up, guys. These comments are here for your sake. It is the purpose of the citadel.
Think about it for a while:
Do you post here for the sake of feedback and learning?
or
Do you post here just to get rated and teach us how it is done?
If you belong to the former, well, this is what you asked for. The best kind of feedback there is: The gut honest kind.
While the idea of the demon whip is a bit old, the presentation is well done and the resurrection of slain demons by use of the whip is pretty nifty. Nice work Railus.
I agree that a demon whip is not a fresh idea, however, I searched the site for another whip and did not see one. So I think its a good idea to post something like this. I don't agree with artifacts being overpowered, this seems pretty nice.
It's actually a good point, that we don't have here many whips, but there are some at least - Venom's Caress, for example.
I guess I missed that one, I do think of a whip as more of a ranged weapon though. The distance required between target and user seems to be further than most melee weapons. Just a matter of oppinion I guess.
Again, another great unique item! I dont get why other folks cant tell these are supposed to be one of a kind items. You have the specific people who made the item in the back story...i thought it was pretty obvious :/
Pieh!! I will either stop you from getting this Item, or grab it for myself first!
I can vote now, so here it is.