Hew

A simple, yet sturdy, battleaxe of Dwarven manufacture. Runes in Dwarvish along the axe head read “Hew”. The axe’s creator, Dwarven smith Thafram Anvilmail, feuded with the dryads of the forest where he cut firewood to fuel his furnaces. Unable to run his smithy, he was forced to sell most of his possessions for enough fuel and materials to forge this battleaxe. Named 'Hew' by it's creator, the axe served as a symbol to the fey that the smiths would take as they needed to protect their way of life.

Sadly, shortly after completing the axe, Thafram was felled in battle by orcs during the uprising of 951 DR. Since then, the axe has switched hands many times, finally falling into the possession of a derranged Nothic, who had stashed it away in his damp cave to rot for over 300 years.

Reforged in year 1490 DR by Dersak Warcrown, son of Emerus Warcrown, the axe now combines the original structure of Hew, with mithral from an ancient relic of giant-kind; a spear tip once used in divination ceremonies. Dark powdered obsidian accents the original runes enscribed into the blade.

magic weapon

Hew is a magic weapon that grants a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with it. The axe also functions as a sword of sharpness, and a belt of hill giant strength.

sword of sharpness

weapon (any weapon that deals slashing damage), very· rare (requires attunement)

When you attack an object with this magic weapon and hit, maximize your weapon damage dice agains the target.

When you attack a creature with this weapon and roll a 20 on the attack roll, that target takes an extra 14 slashing damage. Then roll another d20. If you roll a 20 you lop off one of the target's limbs, with the effect of such loss determined by the DM. If the creature has no limb to sever, you lop off a portion of its body instead.

In addition, you can speak the weapons's name to cause the blade to shed bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet. Speaking the command word again or sheathing the sword puts out the light.

belt of hill giant strength Wondrous item, (requires attunement)

While wearing this belt, your Strength score changes to 21. If your Strength is already equal to or greater than the belt's score, the item has no effect on you.

properties

vengence of the master-smith

This weapon deals maximum damage when the wielder hits a fey or plant type creature.

eye of the all father

While attuned to the axe, you can use an action to cast Locate Animals or Plants, as per the 2nd level Ranger spell. Once you use this ability, it cannot be used again until next dawn.

locate animals or plants 2nd-level divination (bard, druid, ranger)

Casting time: 1 action

1 action Range: self

self Components: V, S, M

V, S, M Duration: Instantaneous

Describe or name a specific kind of beast or plant. Concentrating on the voice of nature in your surroundings, you learn the direction and distance to the closest creature or plant of that kind within 5 miles, if any are present.

neverending unease

While attuned to this artifact, you cannot take long rests in wooded areas.

dedicated bond

While attuned to this artifact, you are blinded when you are more than 10 feet away from it.

enemy of the woodlands

While in possession of this artifact, all fey and plant type creatures are hostile towards you. Creatures do not need to see the axe to become hostile. You also have disadvantage on any animal handling checks you make.