Mourningsteel Stiletto (Patreon)

Weapon (dagger), rare (requires attunement)

This narrow, finely serrated blade is made of mourningsteel, a metal that's been tinged with the blood of countless fallen warriors. The first creature you hit with this weapon on each of your turns takes an extra 1d4 necrotic damage from the attack, and it takes a penalty to the first saving throw that it makes before the start of your next turn. The penalty is equal to the necrotic damage dealt in this way. A creature is immune to this effect if it is a construct, undead, or has legendary actions.

She had called him a villain once, but he was merely an experimenter—doing the work that his peers were too afraid to. He had transcended the limitations that stopped his lesser alchemists and was on the verge of discovering godhood. He had known it. He had felt its call approaching.

But he didn't even stand a chance against her the first time. She was far too strong, and he had been too focused on his work to defend himself.

Whether or not he killed her was beyond the point: he just wanted to mar her red, unscathed skin. To watch it fester with an unhealing wound that he, even in his last moments, delivered. She had destroyed his plans, his life's work, and left him for dead. Now, the only thing that gave him solace was the thought of returning the favor.

Pinned to the wall like an insect by her mighty greatsword, he slipped the needle-like dagger between her silvery armor plates. He felt the blade puncture flesh, and her eye twitched in a well-masked grimace. His life could end with fulfillment now, even if the rest of it would matter naught. His vengeance would live on, if just for a little while longer, and tarnish the beautiful skin that had ruined him.