Ophidian Fang (Patreon)

Weapon (longbow), very rare (requires attunement)

A scaly bow with limbs branching out into writhing serpentine forms. Any damaged coils regrow twofold, just like those of the terrifying creatures they depict. You have a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon. This longbow has 7 charges and regains all charges at dawn. If you are decapitated while attuned to this weapon you do not die if this weapon has at least 1 charge. Instead, this weapon automatically loses a charge and a new head grows from your neck. If the source that decapitated you reduced you to 0 hit points or you had 0 hit points when the source hit you, you remain unconscious but are stabilized.

Split Shot. As an action you can spend 2 charges to cast the Conjure Barrage spell through this item without expending a spell slot when firing a piece of nonmagical ammunition.

Furcating Hydra. As an action you can spend 3 charges to draw the bowstring of this weapon back and make a ranged spell attack against one creature you can see within 60 feet of you, sending a spectral serpent head flying towards the target. The roll is a +7 to hit or your own spell attack bonus, whichever is higher. On a hit, the target takes 2d6 piercing damage. Hit or miss, the head then explodes into innumerable spectral serpents. The target and each creature within 15 feet of them must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save a creature takes 6d6 poison damage and becomes poisoned for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. On a successful save, a creature takes half as much damage and isn't poisoned.

In all my travels, I thought nothing left on these mythic lands could surprise me. I was proved wrong yet again when I saw a Hydra engaged in deadly combat against another titanic beast. With each head the creature lost in battle, two took its place, eventually overwhelming its prey. Watching the ever writhing mass of serpents grow larger and larger with each passing minute was mesmerizing, almost enough to keep me from turning on my heels to flee when a few of its heads turned to face me.