Sword of Three Traditions

The Sword of Three Traditions is a jewel-pommeled blade with the power to transform into other weapons—each specially suited for one of the eleven martial traditions. Originally called the Sword of All Traditions, over time the gems in the pommel were lost and now only three remain. Should its lost gemstones be returned, the blade might be restored to its full spectrum of glory and power.

Legends and Lore Success on an Arcana or History check reveals the following:

DC 15 This is the Sword of Three Traditions, which grants mastery of the techniques of combat. Each of the three gemstones in its hilt represents a tradition of combat.

DC 18 The sword can transform into other weapons based on the gemstones in its hilt.

DC 21 Only a dragon of the same color can destroy the sword’s gemstones.

Artifact Properties

The Sword of Three Traditions has two lesser artifact benefits, one greater artifact benefit, and one greater artifact detriment. For each of the first five magical gemstones restored to the sword, it gains 1 lesser artifact benefit. For each of the last three magical gemstones restored to it, the sword gains 1 greater artifact detriment and 1 greater artifact benefit.

The Sword of Three Traditions is a 1 longsword . Once you are attuned, you can use an action to turn the sword into a different 1 weapon . In addition, when you use a combat maneuver, the sword automatically changes into the weapon associated with that tradition. To change into a given weapon, the gem associated with that tradition must be attached. 

While holding the sword, when you use a combat maneuver of a tradition associated with an attached gem, its exertion cost is reduced by 1 (minimum 1 exertion).

Magical Gemstones

Each of the lost magical gemstones of the Sword of Three Traditions is a wondrous item and artifact that requires attunement. Once attuned to a magical gemstone, it bestows a minor artifact benefit. You can only attune to the magical gemstone if you know a combat maneuver from the tradition associated with it. 

You can use an action to attach a magical gemstone to the sword. No matter how many magical gemstones are attached to the sword, it counts as a single magic item for the purposes of attunement.

The sword normally comes affixed with its diamond, peridot, and sapphire (for the Adamant Mountain, Rapid Current, and Razor’s Edge traditions), but the Narrator may choose to have different magical gemstones attached to it or determine them randomly. 

When the sword turns into more than one item, the +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls only apply to any weapons created (there are no bonuses bestowed to the ammunition or shield). The additional objects materialize either in the attuned creature’s off-hand or strapped to their back. Any such item created by the sword disappears after 1 minute if it is no longer on your person, or when the sword changes shape again.

  The sword’s power increases when 7 gems are in its pommel (turning it into a 2 weapon that reduces exertion costs by 2) or when fully restored with all 11 magical gemstones (turning it into a 3 weapon that reduces exertion costs by 3). 

Seekers of the Sword

The Sword of Three Traditions is sought after by power hungry and righteous warriors alike, and any search for the fabled blade is certain to cause conflict with some of the following foes.

Destroying the Sword

The power which binds the Sword of Three Traditions is located in its magical gemstones. Each gemstone can be destroyed forever if it is removed from the pommel and fed to an adult or older true dragon of similar hue. Once each magical gemstone is destroyed, the blade crumbles into dust.