Embersnap
Embersnap was forged by a gnomish artificer who found the traditional grimness of battle axes deeply unfunny. She enchanted this one to celebrate every exceptional strike with a little flourish of fire, reasoning that if you're going to cleave something in half, you might as well feel good about it. Subsequent owners have noted that the axe seems to enjoy being swung by someone who is, statistically speaking, too small to be this threatening.
Mechanics
A fire-kissed greataxe that heals its wielder in a small burst of cheerful flame whenever it scores a critical hit.
Tiny Inferno
This greataxe's blade is perpetually warm to the touch and sheds dim light in a 5-foot radius. It deals an extra 1d4 fire damage on a hit. This damage does not harm the wielder even if it splashes or reflects in some narrative or environmental way.
Triumphant Flare
When you score a critical hit with this weapon, a burst of jubilant orange flame erupts from the blade and washes over you. You regain 1d6 hit points. The fire makes a sound like a tiny, enthusiastic cheer, audible up to 10 feet away.
DM Notes
Balance: The 1d4 fire damage on every hit is the primary offensive contribution and is solidly within uncommon range for a martial weapon property. The healing on critical hits is conditional enough that it won't feel oppressive, a barbarian crits roughly 10% of the time normally, slightly more with Reckless Attack, so the healing fires occasionally but not constantly. It's a feel-good heal that rewards good rolls rather than a reliable sustain engine. The tiny cheer sound is a roleplaying hook, it can alert enemies or NPCs in stealth situations, which is a minor soft drawback that adds texture without being punishing. No attunement is warranted since neither effect is a significant ongoing passive benefit beyond a moderate damage rider.
Generated with: Level 5 · Barbarian · Path of Wild Magic · Weapon (Greataxe) · A theme that fits her character · Whimsical · Fire · Uncommon