Shade and Shine (Patreon)

Weapon (handaxe), legendary (requires attunement)

These two axes are magically bound and count as a single magic item with regard to the number of magic items you can attune to. You gain a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with these magic weapons, which return to your open hand after you make a ranged attack with them. If the two axes are separated and you are holding one of them, you can use a bonus action to cause the other one to teleport and reappear in your open hand or at your feet (your choice each time).

When you make an opportunity attack using the axes, you can make two attacks against the provoking creature instead of one, once with each axe.

Shade. The first axe, named Shade, is made from an inky black metal. Thin plumes of smoke emanate from several small holes found across it. While holding Shade, you can use a bonus action to exude a dark aura, which lasts for 10 minutes or until you use the weapons' Shine property. For the duration, any creature within 10 feet of you that attacks you immediately takes 2d6 necrotic damage, as smoke-like blades lash out and strike it in return. In addition, your attacks with Shade and Shine deal an extra 1d6 necrotic damage to any target you hit with them. Once this property has been used, it can't be used again until the next dawn.

Shine. The second axe, named Shine, is made from a pale silver metal. Thin rays of light glimmer from a series of small holes found across it. While holding Shine, you can use a bonus action to exude a brilliant aura, which lasts for 10 minutes or until you use the weapons' Shade property. For the duration, any creature within 10 feet of you that attacks you immediately takes 2d6 radiant damage, as blades of pure radiance appear in a flash of light and strike it. In addition, your attacks with Shade and Shine deal an extra 1d6 radiant damage to any target you hit with them. Once this property has been used, it can't be used again until the next dawn.

Special Reaction. While holding at least one of the axes, you can use a special reaction when a creature that you can see within 30 feet of you is hit with a melee attack. When you do, you immediately teleport to an unoccupied space that you can see within 5 feet of the target, and the attacking creature takes a −10 penalty to the triggering attack roll, potentially causing it to miss. If you're surrounded by the aura from Shade, the attacker also takes 2d6 necrotic damage, or 2d6 radiant damage if you're surrounded by the aura from Shine. This special reaction doesn't count towards the normal number of reactions you can take. This property can be used twice, and Shade and Shine regain all expended uses of it daily at dawn.

The thin old half-orc sat in the sand, battered and exhausted. He gazed listlessly into the distance and listened to the heavy heartbeat in his ears. His mind was empty, filled with the fog of adrenaline, yet through it he slowly reflected on how he wound up here.

He remembered the years growing up in that damp city alley. Then the years spent training to join the guard. Then his prime, and then the time after.

He wasn't special—countless before him had the same story—but yet, here he was. Among all other people, somehow he was chosen to wield this power—this responsibility—in some far-flung desert. He had merely done the right thing, the thing that anyone would have done in his place: he found a great evil and rid the world of it. He wasn't special.

The sound of his heartbeat, like a drum, slowed and began to quiet. How long had he been—

"...ac! Mac! Mac, we did it! Mac! Look at me!"

The voice seemed almost foreign, like a shadow through the fog, before a familiar elf stepped in front of him and pulled him to his feet. While he was still stiff, his knees ached less than usual, and his back straightened with newfound purpose. With the axes in his hands, he felt a little lighter.

She was right. They had done it. And now he could rest.