Vyncent Atham's Hood and Punishment

Long ago, in a kingdom forgotten by most of the world, there was a strict and imposing man called Vyncent Atham, head of the only executioner's guild in the realm. Despite his appearance and attitude, the people saw him somewhat as a symbol of justice and authority, no matter who the condemned was, he always carried out a quick and painless verdict. Sword in hand, some folk even looked up to him as they would to a hero.

However, on one certain ill-fated trial, the condemned was a hag, Mora, accused of various kidnappings and other more horrid crimes. Mora was weakened and wounded from fighting her captors, she barely had any power left, but refused to go down quietly. And thus, before Vyncent could descend the blade upon her neck, she cursed him. Sacrificing her life and soul to fuel the ritual, her body burst into green and black flame as soon as the blade connected, producing a cacophony of screams and wails. There was nothing left of her, only soot and ash.

Over the following weeks, the curse started to manifest, corrupting the executioner's mind and body, his veins turned jet black, his eyes became empty and his skin gained a grayish tone. Atham tried to seek aid, but to no avail, be it natural or divine, no method could fight his curse. Not long after these changes, he became increasingly ruthless and violent in his executions, until he finally snapped.

Vyncent Atham snapped in the middle of his last execution, slaughtering every spectator, passerby and guard within reach. He displayed vicious ferocity along with supernatural ability and endurance for hours, killing hundreds, but was eventually defeated by the king's guard.

Vyncent, bloody and beat, was beheaded shortly after the massacre. Before the execution, people reported how underneath the hood, his face had been twisted into a gruesome visage. In his final moments, he was clearly no longer human.

Rumour has it, that his own sword and hood had been slightly warped and changed by their owner's curse and the carnage he caused. Both were apprehended before his execution, and still carry some of the monstrous executioner's power.

Vyncent Atham's Hood

Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement)



This brown-whitish cloth hood was once worn by Vyncent Atham, an executioner from a long forgotten realm, transformed into a monster by a powerful curse. The hood completely covers the head of its wearer down to the collarbone, a black upside down Y shape adorns it's face along with two eye holes and it smells faintly of dry blood and old fabric. It has an eerie aura around it.



While wearing this hood you gain the following benefits:

Your Strength score increases by 2, to a maximum of 20.

You have darkvision out to a range of 60 feet.

You gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill. If you already have this proficiency, you have advantage on Intimidation checks.

You have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks to track Humanoids.

Bloodcurdling Aura. As an action, you can manifest an aura of dread through the hood. Each creature in a 30-foot cone must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or drop whatever it is holding and become frightened for one minute or until it breaks line of sight to you. If a creature's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to this ability for the next 24 hours. Once you use this feature, you must finish a short or long rest before you can use it again.

Punishment

Weapon (greatsword), very rare (requires attunement)



An intimidating double-edged greatsword with a square end and long straight guards. The blade is silvered, with a black channel along it's middle and golden runes inlaid on both sides. It was wielded long ago by Vyncent Atham, an executioner from an ancient kingdom, who fell victim to a curse that tainted his body and mind over time, eventually turning him into a bloodthirsty monstrosity. Even this long after it's owner was slain, it still carries some of the old executioner's curse and essence.



While attuned, you gain a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this weapon, as well as the following benefits:



Clean Cut. Your strikes have a chance of decapitating your foes. When you score a critical hit with this weapon, it deals an additional 1d6 slashing damage.

Remnants of the Curse. This sword still carries what remains of Vyncent's curse, even after all this time. When you hit with an attack using this weapon, the target takes an extra 1d6 necrotic damage.

Life Drain. You channel the curse trapped within Punishment, using it to steal your enemies life force. You can use this feature as a bonus action, it only applies to your next attack with this weapon, and lasts until you hit a creature or sheathe the sword. On a hit, the target must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, any amount of damage that you deal you can gain in temporary hit points, while on a failed save you gain half that amount. Once you use this feature, it can't be used again until the next dawn.



