Cindersunder
Cindersunder was forged in the caldera of Mount Vrethak by a smith who believed that true heroism should leave a mark the earth itself remembers. The axe head is black iron threaded with veins of hardened magma that never fully cool, and legends say the weapon was quenched not in water but in the breath of a sleeping fire giant. Warriors who have wielded it describe the first swing as feeling like punching through the side of a volcano.
Mechanics
A thunderous greataxe wreathed in volcanic fire that deals bonus fire damage on every hit and erupts in a crushing shockwave of flame when it strikes with full force.
Volcanic Edge
This greataxe is a +1 weapon. On a hit, it deals an extra 1d6 fire damage. The head of the axe runs with slow-moving embers at all times, shedding dim light in a 10-foot radius.
Earthshatter
When you roll a 20 on the attack roll with this weapon, the blow releases a concussive burst of superheated force. The target and each creature within 10 feet of it (other than you) must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone and pushed 10 feet directly away from you. Creatures that fail also take an additional 2d6 fire damage. Creatures that succeed take no additional damage and are not moved.
Smoldering Impact
Once per day, when you hit a creature with this weapon, you can call upon the axe's inner heat to maximize the fire damage die for that hit, treat the 1d6 fire damage from Volcanic Edge as if it rolled a 6. This is decided after you see the attack roll but before you roll any damage.
DM Notes
The +1 bonus and 1d6 fire damage on every hit represent solid but not overwhelming DPR increase at the rare tier, a level 5-10 barbarian will notice this without it dominating encounters. Earthshatter's knockback on a natural 20 creates exciting moments without being reliable enough to design around, though the DC 15 Strength save will frequently stick against lower-Strength creatures. Watch for encounters in tight corridors where the 10-foot push could shove enemies into walls or off ledges, that interaction is part of the fun, not a problem. Smoldering Impact is a once-per-day precision finisher best used when the player wants to guarantee meaningful fire damage on a high-stakes swing; it gives the player agency without adding ongoing complexity. The embers' dim light is intentionally minor, in dark dungeon environments it may occasionally be relevant as a soft drawback against stealth, which is worth noting to the player.
Generated with: Level 5 · Barbarian · Path of the Beast · Weapon (Greataxe) · Big smash · Heroic · Fire · Rare