Sing a song of dying, a pocket full of doom...

Singing Death (#2/31, #337/365) [EA:V2] (Holy Item)

This is a magnificent no-dachi, a two-handed greatsword of Hachimanese design. The long, curved single-edged blade is made from white steel, with a hilt bound in white shagreen, and a scabbard of bright filigreed gold. Whenever Singing Death's blade whistles through the air to slay an Undead or Demon, the entire sword will pulse with a flash of bright white light, as the evil creature's spirit is sent screaming back to the Infernal Pit.

Singing Death is also known as the Dai-Katana, or the Sword of the Samurai, and this wondrous blade is the symbol of the power of the Shogun who rules the distant land of Hachiman. Legend states that should anything happened to Singing Death then Hachiman would collapse into anarchy, as rebel lords and barbarian raids and invasions tear the state apart. Legend also states that whoever has Singing Death and uncovers the secret of the sword will rule Hachiman. However, they who know the secret cannot reveal it freely, or else have their soul damned to the Nether Regions. 

Indeed, recently, during the reign of Shogun Kihei Hasekawa, his champion Kensei the Sword-Saint had to be sent to recover Singing Death, after it was stolen by the evil Ikiru, Master of Shadows, and hidden deep in his mountain lair, known as Onikaru, the Pit of Demons. Fortunately, Kensei succeeded on his mission, aided with the knowledge of the Secret of Singing Death. The latter was gleaned from the dying words of a demonic Dai-Oni after Kensei had bested the fiend's hellish Tourney of the Planes.

The 'Secret of Singing Death' is the command word 'Harmony', spoken in Hachimanese, which activates the weapon when held in the hands of the bearer for the first time. This will only happen if the bearer is of Goodly persuasion; the sword will not provide any bonuses for those of Chaos, Evil or Neutral disposition.

Powers:

General:

Singing Death counts as a magic weapon and adds a +1 bonus to all its wielder's combat rolls.

Uttering the command word 'Harmony' in Hachimanese will cause Singing Death to fly to its bearer's hands if the sword is within their visual range. This will take one Attack Round, during which the bearer will be unarmed.

Tier I

Whoever holds Singing Death in battle gains +2 SKILL, +4 STAMINA, and +2 LUGK, even if these bonuses take them above their initial scores. These bonuses are lost if Singing Death leaves their hands or the battle ends.

Tier II

Singing Death can be thrown with same range as a Throwing Dagger, though doing its own regular melee damage if it hits its target. It will not return to its bearer's hands, unless they utter the command word 'Harmony' in Hachimanese.

Tier III

A successful hit by Singing Death upon any Undead, Shadow or Spirit creature will slay them instantly.

Tier IV

Singing Death will absorb one magical or spell-like attack, or cast spell, from any Demon, once per Attack Round. The magic will be completely negated, and not affect the bearer of Singing Death.

Tier V

A successful hit by Singing Death upon a Lesser Demon will slay them instantly. If they are slain on Titan or elsewhere on the Earthly Plane, their spirit will return to the Pit. If however, the Demon is slain whilst in the Pit, their spirit will then be exiled to the Void.

Tier VI

A successful hit by Singing Death upon a Greater Demon or Demon Prince will slay them instantly. If they are slain on Titan or elsewhere on the Earthly Plane, their spirit will return to the Pit. If however, the Demon is slain whilst in the Pit, their spirit will then be exiled to the Void.

Unavailable to buy