The Lion's Jaw

Twin Swords of the Shen Founder

Overview

Recently given to the scion of the Shen Line, Shen Yoru, for undisclosed reasons, The Lion’s Jaw is a pair of long, savage blades, each forged from half of the The Shen Family founder’s skull — one from the upper jaw, the other from the lower. Their edges are jagged, saw-like ridges of bone bound in silver, meant less to cut cleanly than to rip, tear, and maul. The weapons embody not leadership or regal command, but the raw savagery of the predator’s strike.

To carry them is to accept the founder’s hunger: perfection through brutality, prey reduced to bone and blood. They are symbols of the Shen family’s darker philosophy, wielded only by those who would embrace the lion’s most merciless instincts.

Abilities

Jagged Rend – The Lion’s Jaw is honed for carnage. Attacks with either blade critically hit on a 19–20.

Unnatural Savagery – Each blade deals 2d8 damage. When striking, the wielder chooses slashing or piercing, whichever is more effective against the target’s resistances.

Predator’s Pairing – When wielded together, the blades confer the Two-Weapon Fighting Style even if the wielder does not possess it.

Upgrades (Awakened)

Ripping Jaws – If the wielder scores critical hits with both blades against the same target in a single turn, the jaws close as one: the target suffers an additional 8d8 damage as bone teeth tear through flesh and armor.

Relentless Predator – While wielding both blades, the wielder cannot be magically slowed, restrained, paralyzed, or knocked prone. Physical restraints (chains, grapples, natural hazards) still apply — for even the lion bows to superior strength.

Legacy & Lore

Where the White Crown rules through command, the Lion’s Jaw rules through terror. It is the weapon brought forth when diplomacy is exhausted, when intimidation has failed, and only blood will carry the Shen name forward.

Legends whisper that the Shen founder knew the danger of leaving his beast-nature behind — and so gifted it back to his descendants, sealed in these terrible weapons. To wield the Lion’s Jaw is to risk losing one’s humanity, consumed by the predator’s hunger. Few have borne them long without bearing scars — inside and out.