Broadside
The bladesmith Orveth Caul had a problem: his finest work kept getting stolen and sold under other names. His solution was a commission that could never be quietly credited to anyone else, a greatsword that announced its wielder to every creature in earshot the moment it drew blood. The current holder, a Fighter who reviews weapons on commission for adventuring guilds, found Broadside at a road-market stall between a broken crossbow and a crate of questionable rations, paid what he describes as 'criminally fair value,' and has not stopped talking about it since.
Mechanics
A lightning-wreathed greatsword that crackles with visible arcs of power on every hit and lets its wielder strike with blinding theatrical force once per day.
Voltage Display
This greatsword deals an extra 1d6 lightning damage on a hit. The arc of electricity is visible up to 60 feet and produces a sharp crack audible up to 300 feet, effectively announcing the wielder's position and presence with every strike. Creatures within 10 feet of the target when it is hit must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or have disadvantage on their next attack roll before the end of their next turn as they flinch from the flash and noise.
Center Frame
When you score a hit with this weapon while at least two other creatures that are not your allies can see you, you may use your reaction to add 2d8 lightning damage to that hit. The bolt erupts outward from the blade in a dramatic pillar of light, and you may immediately make a DC 14 Charisma (Persuasion) or Charisma (Performance) check, on a success, one creature of your choice that witnessed the strike is charmed by you until the end of your next turn. Once you use this reaction, you cannot use it again until the next dawn.
Brand Recognition
While this sword is sheathed or carried visibly on your person, you have advantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks made to establish your reputation, secure lodging or sponsorship, or negotiate fees for your services. Humanoids who have witnessed Broadside's lightning discharge within the past 24 hours have disadvantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks made against you, their awe edges out their aggression.
DM Notes
Balance consideration: the reaction effect adds up to 2d8 damage once per dawn and a conditional one-round charm, which is strong but appropriately gated. The crack-and-flash from Voltage Display is a meaningful drawback in stealth-heavy scenarios, every combat engagement is announced. Lean into this: ambushes become harder to maintain, and enemies may prepare for the wielder specifically. The Brand Recognition property is purely social and out-of-combat, so it adds roleplay texture without combat power. The charm from Center Frame requires at least two visible enemy witnesses, so it naturally fails in solo encounters or small-group fights in tight spaces, adjust encounter geography to make this sometimes matter and sometimes fail. The fighter's personal-brand angle makes the noise and visibility property feel like a feature to him rather than a flaw; reward roleplay that leans into the theatrics.
Generated with: Level 8 · Fighter · Echo Knight · Weapon (Greatsword) · A theme that fits the character · Heroic · Lightning · Rare