Dakkon, Shadow Slayer

Dakkon was once a gifted blacksmith who some say had

sold his soul for his uncanny ability to shape steel. Many
in his village would hear him working at night as he
chanted unknown litanies to the fire and steel. They say
the litanies were taught to him by the fire, turning his
forge into a portal so that he could bring forth a being of
shadow—a master—to teach him the art of steel. Many
nights a plume of red-hot embers crackled into the
darkness as his hammer rang to the incessant gasping
of the bellows. Some who spied on him as he worked
swore that they saw a shadow appear from within the
forge and slide up the glowing steel, entering the veins
that bulged on his powerful arm.
As his clientele grew, Dakkon became less and
less aware of those who peered into his smithy. They
were gawkers and mere strewers of tales about town,
chickens who clucked and kicked the dirt with nothing
better to do. He was more focused on the voice in his
head. A voice that sounded like a silver wind and the
swelling sigh of the incoming tide. It told him how hot
the forge should be, what metals to mix together, and
where to strike the steel. The voice spoke in words and
images; it showed him beautiful shapes and revealed
complex secrets of the steel. Then the voice mentioned
Shadow Slayer. It gave Dakkon a glimpse of a sword
beyond the skill of any mortal master, a sword that
longed to be alive. As the painter might dream that their
work could walk off the canvas, so this voice spoke
to Dakkon of Shadow Slayer, infusing his mind with
inspiration and desire to make a sword of legend.
As Dakkon labored harder and harder, increasing
his prowess so that he could one day attempt Shadow
Slayer, the voice began to shift its way of speaking. It
turn back. To withstand the final process, he donned
was now as if Shadow Slayer itself was speaking to
the armor and drew on its magic, and began to heat the
him, giving him instructions on how it wished itself to
steel. With each blow of his hammer, Dakkon could feel
be made. As Dakkon followed the voice, the more his
a part of his soul being consumed by Shadow Slayer.
skill progressed and the more secrets it divulged. He
He could feel its hunger; the blade was starving for life
learned how to fold and forge spectral symbols into
and Dakkon suddenly became aware of the pulsing
the steel to suffuse his work with magic. Under the
energy of the village and its inhabitants as he pulled
guidance of the voice, he fashioned armor—a shield,
Shadow Slayer from the fire. He left the forge, Shadow
a helm, and pauldrons—all of which would imbue
Slayer still glowing, and went into the village to quench
his body with the unearthly power needed to wield
its hunger.
Shadow Slayer.
With the armor complete, he followed instructions
to prepare the forge to birth his final masterpiece.
Dakkon and Shadow Slayer
By this time, he was no more than a mortal shell, his Dakkon and Shadow Slayer are entangled in a cursed
body wasted away by neglect. Without any conscious dance. Shadow Slayer needs Dakkon so it can access
understanding, guided by Shadow Slayer, he inscribed the Material Plane and reap a harvest of souls. Dakkon
demonic sigils into the interior of the forge and over his needs his armor to sustain his life so that he may wield
body. When he did, he could feel arcane forces flood the power of Shadow Slayer. Very little of the original
into his limbs, instilling them with enough energy to Dakkon remains, but what does clings to sanity with an
continue. On some level, he knew the energy from the iron grip. Although it fills his body with power enough to
sigils also bound him to the forge and would destroy wield Shadow Slayer, his armor is essentially a prison,
what remained of his body, but the drive to complete for should he remove it, Dakkon would skeletonize and
Shadow Slayer was too great. He had come too far to turn to dust in a matter of seconds.
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 When Shadow Slayer needs souls, it becomes the Once the armor is donned, it takes over as the source
dominant persona until its otherworldly hunger is of life force for its wearer. If the armor is removed, the
slaked. In these moments, Dakkon must hunt. Where wearer’s drained body cannot support itself and turns to
once a lowly commoner would satisfy Shadow Slayer’s dust. Only three wish spells cast in unison can reverse
thirst, now only the most powerful souls will suffice, this effect of the Ur-Armor.
forcing Dakkon to track down ever more dangerous
prey. Once it is satiated with souls, Shadow Slayer’s The Ur-Armor as a whole is a suit of plate mail +3
influence lessens and Dakkon has more control over and each individual piece also provides the following
himself. Although, as time has gone on, one could say properties:
that differentiating between the two is becoming harder Helm. Wearing the helm grants darkvision 120 ft. and
and harder. covers the wearer’s eyes in a shroud of darkness that
cannot be dispelled by magic. It also allows the wearer
to speak and understand Infernal.
Pauldrons. Wearing the pauldrons allow the wearer to
speak Draconic and grants the wearer immunity from
Epic Level Items fire. The faces on the pauldrons animate from time to
Caveat emptor!
time to grimace and snarl.
Dakkon is meant to be a quest giver or a terrible threat Breastplate. The armor allows the wearer to regenerate
monster to lower level characters and his items remain with 20 hit points at the beginning of the wearer’s turn as
him. Only epic level characters should even dream of trying to long as they have 1 hit point.
get some of Dakkon’s items—and DMs should consider each Belt. The belt contains an onyx eye, a magic gemstone,
item carefully within the context of their campaign. A way of
which is set into the buckle. This onyx eye grants the
avoiding an overpowered character is to have Dakkon’s items
be annihilated or become depowered when they are separated
wearer the boon of immortality (see Epic Boons in the
from their master. Dungeon Master’s Guide).
Vambraces. The left vambrace of the Ur-Armor has two
Epic level items should be handled with care. Allowing a
character access to the full suit of Ur-Armor can tilt the power
onyx eyes that imbue damage dealt by the wearer with
level in a campaign; DMs are advised to tread carefully and Abyssal energy, dealing double damage to Celestial
make sure all suitable countermeasures are considered when creatures.
giving over a single one of these items. Greaves. The greaves grant the wearer resistance to
Now enjoy some epic items! non-magical damage.

Shadow Slayer
Shadow Slayer is an evil entity that has brought itself
Dakkon’s Items into being using Dakkon’s skills as a blacksmith, and
Dakkon has forged his own arsenal of powerful now inhabits the sword known as Shadow Slayer. It is
magic items. an ancient intellect that understands a type of magic
powered by the consumption of souls. If Shadow Slayer
Wyvern Shield isn’t fed a steady diet of souls (100 hit points per week),
Dakkon’s Wyvern Shield works like a figurine of it begins to cause a conflict that can result in Shadow
wondrous power that contains Razharak, an elder Slayer consuming the soul of its wielder.
wyvern (see stat block for Razharak below). Whoever
attunes to the shield becomes the new master of
Razarak. Razharak can materialize for up to 24 hours
or until she is reduced to 0 hit points. Once it has been
used, the shield can’t be used again until 2 days have
passed. As a magic item, it is a shield +3.

Ur-Armor
The secrets of creating the Ur-Armor were given to
Dakkon by the evil entity that inhabits Shadow Slayer.
Donning and attuning to the armor provides the wearer
the power and protection to wield Shadow Slayer,
otherwise any attempt to attune would instantly result
in Shadow Slayer consuming their soul.

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 Every morning Shadow Slayer’s persona attempts to Here’s one story possibility:
supplant the wielder’s. The wielder must make a DC 20
Charisma save or be taken over by Shadow Slayer’s will Curse of Shadow Slayer
for 12 hours or until Shadow Slayer’s 100 hit point soul In this scenario, Dakkon, in a moment of lucidity,
requirement is fulfilled. wishes for the end to his cursed existence. He has
caused so much bloodshed and pain that he longs only
Anyone wielding Shadow Slayer gains +3 to attack for the end. But Shadow Slayer is no fool and is slowly
and damage rolls. It has the following additional taking over the tiring Dakkon, grinding him down and
properties: crushing his will. He’s desperate; there may only be one
last chance before he is subsumed entirely under the
Psychic Intensity. While holding Shadow Slayer, you might of Shadow Slayer. He reaches out to the party,
can’t be charmed or frightened. believing that they are the ones who can free him from
Consume Soul. When Shadow Slayer reduces a his prison of torment. Dakkon knows of the “kill switch”
creature to 0 hit points, it consumes its soul (if it has for Shadow Slayer, but it’s a quest that is not to be
one). That creature can only be restored to life by a taken lightly.
wish spell. From here, you can make the quest to release Dakkon
Soul Sense. While holding Shadow Slayer, the wielder as hard or as easy as you’d like. It could be that the
can sense the direction of the nearest soul within solution to ending Shadow Slayer’s hold on Dakkon is
300 yards and feels a growing hunger the closer they on another plane, which opens up the whole multiverse
get to it. to your adventure. If the journey takes the characters
Necrotic Bolt. Shadow Slayer can discharge a into Celestial and Abyssal realms, Dakkon might be
bolt of necrotic energy which does 16 (3d8 + 3) willing to pry out two of the onyx eyes from his armor.
necrotic damage. As they bounce from plane to plane, Dakkon becomes
a hub for the adventurers to return to after they have
Using Dakkon In Your Game completed their missions. You can have fun switching
There’s one main question to answer in order to unlock personas for Dakkon—one time he is himself but the
the mystery of Dakkon: Is he in accord with Shadow next time the adventurers might encounter Shadow
Slayer, is he locked in conflict with it, or is he the master Slayer. This makes for a dangerous game, especially if
of it? Here are some related questions to ponder: your adventurers are not epic level. One slip and they
could be found out, making their souls an easy banquet
• Is Dakkon just a death dealer, bent solely on for Shadow Slayer.
harvesting souls for Shadow Slayer, or is there still At the end of the quest, the adventurers have a
humanity left that is looking for a way out of choice—allow Dakkon to end Shadow Slayer’s curse
this curse? and be freed from his torment or try to steal Shadow
• Has Dakkon become a mouthpiece for Shadow Slayer, Slayer and the Ur-Armor. Be sure to have a moment
his body and mind now a puppet for its ancient where Shadow Slayer appeals to one of the characters—
intellect or does he now enjoy his existence, wielding it chooses the one most tempted by its power—and tries
the power of Shadow Slayer to achieve his own goals? to make a deal with them. If Dakkon breaks the curse,
• What does Shadow Slayer want other than Shadow Slayer shatters—its essence banished to the
more souls? Abyss—and Dakkon turns to dust.
• Is there an endgame that Dakkon and Shadow Slayer
are seeking together or are their ends separate and in
conflict with one another?

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 Razharak, Dakkon’s Wyvern
Dakkon, Shadow Slayer Under the arcane instruction of Shadow Slayer, Dakkon
Medium Humanoid (Human)
forged the soul of a wyvern into a shield. The wyvern,
Armor Class 21 (Magic Armor) Razharak, can be summoned from the shield by
Hit Points 256 (27d8 + 135) speaking her name aloud.
Speed 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

23 (+6) 21 (+5) 20 (+5) 17 (+3) 22 (+6) 21 (+5)
Razharak
Large Dragon
Saving Throws Str +13, Dex +12, Con +12
Skills Athletics +13, Intimidation +12, Perception +13
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Damage Resistances necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing, and
Hit Points 178 (17d10 + 85)
slashing from nonmagical attacks
Speed 20 ft., fly 80 ft.
Damage Immunities poison, fire
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened,
paralyzed, poisoned STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 23 19 (+4) 10 (+0) 20 (+5) 5 (-3) 12 (+1) 6 (-2)
Languages Abyssal, Common, Draconic, Infernal
Challenge 22 (41,000 XP) Proficiency Bonus +7 Skills Perception +4
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Dakkon fails a saving throw, Languages –
he can choose to succeed instead. Challenge 9 (5,000 XP) Proficiency Bonus +4
Planeswalker. Dakkon can use an action to cast the plane shift
spell (no spell slot or components required), targeting himself
Actions
only, and travel to the chosen plane, or from that plane back Multiattack. Razharak makes two attacks: one with her bite
to the Material Plane. Once he uses this boon, he can’t use it and one with her stinger or tail. While flying, she can use her
again until he finishes a short rest. claws in place of one other attack.
Rampage. When Dakkon reduces a creature to 0 hit points with Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one creature.
a melee attack on his turn, Dakkon can take a bonus action to Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) piercing damage.
move up to half his speed and make a shield bash attack. Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Regeneration. Dakkon regains 20 hit points at the start of his Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) slashing damage.
turn if he has at least 1 hit point. Stinger. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one
creature. Hit: 14 (3d6 + 4) piercing damage. The target must
Actions make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 24 (7d6)
Multiattack. Dakkon makes three attacks with Shadow Slayer. poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a
Shadow Slayer. Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 5 ft., successful one.
one target. Hit: 19 (3d6 + 9) slashing damage, or 22 (3d8 + Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one creature.
9) slashing damage if used with two hands to make a melee Hit: 18 (4d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a
attack, plus 16 (3d8 + 3) necrotic damage. creature, it must succeed on a DC 19 Strength saving throw or
Wyvern Shield. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 5 ft., one be pushed up to 20 feet away and knocked prone.
target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage.
Necrotic Bolt. Ranged Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 60 ft.,
one target. Hit: 16 (3d8 + 3) necrotic damage.

Legendary Actions
Dakkon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the
options below. Only one legendary action option can be used
at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Dakkon
regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.
Charge. Dakkon moves up to his speed.
Backhand. Dakkon makes a Wyvern Shield attack. If the attack
hits, the target must succeed on a DC 21 Strength saving throw
or be pushed up to 10 feet away and knocked prone.
Feast of Souls (Costs 2 Actions). Dakkon makes a Shadow
Slayer attack against each creature within 10 feet of him.

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