The diaries of Jairall suggest that the Black Banner was initially a rather feeble instrument It was employed to embolden allies, instill dread in foes, and fortify the undead, yet it lacked many of its blasphemous abilities at that time It is hypothesized that the banner was imbued with this power and potentially additional enhancements after it had been utilized extensively in the service of Thasmudyan The banner was typically carried by Jairall and then planted in the ground when combat commenced
| Category | Magic Items |
| Type | artifact, banner |
| Forge | Buldavile |
| Smith | Thasmudyan |
| Enchanter | Thasmudyan |
| Location | Godhead's Revenge |
The Black Banner is a battle flag forged and magicked by Thasmudyan. It was created at the Buldavile forge, utilizing negative energy from the Night Vats. The rod of this item is composed of bonebrack and inset with cabochon-cut black opals and lich tears. The head of the Black Banner is a jagged, barbed glaive. Just below the 10-foot-long weapon's head is an ever-flowing ebon banner displaying the heralds of Thasmudyan, which include a hyena, a vulture, and a worm. These images are surrounded by sigils of necromancy. The banner can extend to a height of 100 feet when planted vertically, and its size expands proportionally. When uncharged, it functions as a +1 profane glaive, gaining an additional enchantment bonus for each charge it holds, up to a maximum of +6. There is no limit to the number of charges it can retain.
This relic was utilized by the adventuring troupe Black Banner and later functioned as a rallying standard for the armies of the Black Tide of Thasmudyan.
Admiral Bloodtusk was the final hero to hold this artifact. During the Battle of Bloodtusk Bay, this undead admiral-king and his flagship Godhead's Revenge were consigned to the depths. It is presumed The Black Banner remains entombed within this sunken, desecrated husk.
The Black Banner amasses charges by siphoning the life energy of those it strikes. As it drains life energy, the weapon gains a charge for each level taken. For every charge the weapon holds, the Fortitude DC increases by 1. During the Black Tide War (1465 - 1486), the weapon reportedly became so formidable that nothing could withstand its deadly touch.
| Name | Description | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeforce Feed | when struck, the victim must make a Fortitude DC15 (plus current number of charges) or gain a negative energy level. For each life level energy drained, the weapon gains one charge. Those killed by having all their life levels taken are raised as the animate dead spell | 1/round |
| Tomb Marker | when planted in the ground, all allies within 50' of the banner gain +1 initiative | continuous |
| Thasmudyan's Overwatch | +3 to morale and +3 on saves to all allies within 50' of the banner | 1 charge / hour |
| Death Camp | provides 5 hp/hour regeneration when sleeping among corpses, all allies within 50' of the banner | 1 charge / day |
| Hardened Flesh | as spell, undead gain +2 natural armor, all allies within 500' of the banner | 1 charge / day |
| Nimble Bones | as spell, undead gain +4 initiative and gain movement increase of +10 ft./round, all allies within 500' of the banner | 2 charges / hour |
| Destructive Retribution | as spell, undead deal negative energy when killed, all allies within 500' of the banner | 3 charges / hour |
| Consume Heretic | any non-Thasmuduyan worshipper grasping the item must make a Fortitude DC 25 or die, whereupon they are raised as the animate dead spell | continuous |