Vermis Ruina

Weapon (shortsword), legendary (requires attunement)

Mechanics & Inner Workings

+1 Magic Weapon. (increases to + 2 and 3 as the weapon grows)
Forged in the Rotting Crucible of the 7th Hell, Vermis Ruina carries the will of Lord Vrothak — a hunger to see all things crumble into dust. The blackened blade is pitted and veined with a shifting green patina that seems to crawl beneath its surface. When drawn, the air grows heavy with the scent of decay, and faint skittering whispers at the edge of hearing.

Corrupting Bite
Once per short rest, when you strike a creature with Vermis Ruina, the blade releases a burst of hellborn decay into the wound. The target must make a Constitution saving throw (DC 14). On a failed save:

• The wound blackens and spreads rot, dealing an additional 2d4 necrotic damage.
• Until the start of your next turn, the target’s movement speed is reduced by 10 feet, and they cannot regain hit points from any source.

Alternatively, if you score a critical hit with Vermis Ruina, you may choose to release a wave of rot. All creatures of your choice within 15 feet of the target must make a Constitution saving throw (DC 14) or take 1d6 necrotic damage and have their AC reduced by 1 until the start of your next turn as the air itself corrodes their defenses.

Weapon Stats:

• Type: Shortsword
• Damage: 1d6 piercing (finesse, light) + 1d6 poison damage
• Bonus: +1 to attack and damage rolls made with this weapon.

Level-Based Powers

Level 6 — Rot’s Advance

Once per short rest, when you hit a creature, you can unleash creeping rot. The target must succeed on a Constitution saving throw (DC 15) or:

• Take 2d8 necrotic damage.
• Have their AC reduced by 1 (minimum 10 if unarmored) until the start of your next turn as armor, skin, or magical barriers corrode.

Level 10 — Withering Wave

On a critical hit, you may release a 15-foot-radius pulse of decay centered on your target. Creatures of your choice in the area must make a Constitution saving throw (DC 15). On a failed save:

• They take 2d6 necrotic damage.
• Their movement speed is halved until the end of their next turn as the ground beneath them softens and rots.

You may use this ability a number of times per long rest equal to your proficiency bonus.

Level 15 — Entropic Feast

Whenever you reduce a creature to 0 HP with this weapon:

• You regain hit points equal to the necrotic damage dealt on that killing blow.
• All nonmagical organic matter on the creature instantly rots to dust.
• Once per long rest, when this triggers, you may choose to instead spread the Feast, targeting up to 3 creatures of your choice within 30 feet. Each must make a Constitution saving throw (DC 16) or take 4d8 necrotic damage as spectral worms burst from the corpse and swarm them.

Curse — The Sheath of Worms

When you attempt to store Vermis Ruina, the blade unravels into spectral worms that burrow into your body. This deals 1d4 poison damage and leaves a crawling, itching sensation under your skin for 1 hour. Over time, these whispers grow more insistent, urging you to bring ruin to all you touch.