Skordýr Nightmare ((skroh - desh))

Skordýr Nightmare is a powerful staff wielded by Vulyeva, Fate of Shadows and connected to insects, but mainly arachnids. When first discovered by Oliver McKinney in the Forest of Jarisi in 2019 AD, the staff was in the shape of a bronze-hued chrysalis. This was the source of the buzzing that Oliver heard while waiting for Riley Norma to return from his trip into the forest.

Oliver McKinney: "What is that noise? It...it sounds like a million buzzing wings. Do you not hear it?"

Oliver chased after the buzzing and found the chrysalis hanging from a low branch. As he got closer to it, the chrysalis shook, eventually snapping from the tree and dropping into Oliver's outstretched hands. A few seconds passed before the chrysalis pulsed a bright purplish-black color and a burst of smoke emitted from it, covering Oliver and everything else in a 5-foot radius. When the smoke dispersed a few seconds later, Oliver now stood holding the Skordýr Nightmare staff.

Description

The staff is made of redwood, making the staff very lightweight and reddish-brown. The best traits of the staff are rot resistance and insect resistance. When not used, the staff reverts to its chrysalis form for easy carry.

Spells

There are four spells -- each associated with a deadly spider -- these spells can only be used with this staff. Each spell drains a quarter of the chrysalis' color and doesn't return until the next dusk. The save DC against spells cast with the staff is 18 . Each spell has a unique property:

• Black Widow. As your action, you can cast this spell toward one target. On a hit, the target takes 12d6 poison damage. The target also gains severe muscle pain and cramping, nausea, and mild paralysis of the diaphragm, which makes breathing difficult.
• Brown Recluse. As your action, you can cast this spell toward one target. On a hit, the target takes 4d8 poison damage. The target also gains increased discomfort and pain, fever, chills and body aches, the flesh around the bite turning dark blue or purple with a red ring around it and then slowly grows into an open ulcer with the skin dying. The target takes an additional 4d6 necrotic damage.

by Tirin (Wikimedia)
• Sydney Funnel-Web. As your action, you can cast this spell toward an unoccupied space on the ground that you can see within 60 feet around you, but no attack roll is required. A Giant Sydney Funnel-Web Spider is summoned in that space. The spider understands your verbal commands and obeys them as best as it can, and it takes its turns immediately after you. The emissary remains for 1 hour before fading away. If the emissary bites a target, the target gains the following symptoms: copious secretion of saliva, muscular twitching and breathing difficulty, disorientation and confusion, leading to unconsciousness, and eventual death if antivenom is administered after 45 minutes.
• Wolf Spider. As your action, you can cast this spell toward one target. On a hit, the target takes 9d6 poison damage. The target also gains swelling, mild pain, itching, and necrosis, taking an additional 3d6 necrotic damage.

Table of Contents

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by Amelia Nite (Artbreeder)

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Titles/Nicknames

Insect Staff

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Quick Facts

Type:

Staff

Current Location:

Forest of Jarisi

Current Holder:

Oliver McKinney (in Their Moon, book 3 of the Shadows Saga)

Attunement:

Yes, to an Entomancer who is a Champion of Vulyeva

Rarity:

Legendary

Length:

Adjusts size user
For Oliver: 5'3" (160.02 cm)

Materials:

Fossilized chrysalis
Redwood

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Properties

Dormant State

• The holder gains +1 Constitution when carrying the staff.
• The holder can use an action and expend 1 charge to cause a swarm of harmless flying insects to spread out within a 30-foot radius from you. The insects remain for 10 minutes, obscuring the area for creatures other than the holder. The swarm moves with the holder, remaining centered on the holder. A wind of at least 10 miles per hour disperses the swarm and ends the effect.

Awakened State

• The staff grants advantage to attack rolls and Dexterity saving throws and can only be used against after a long rest.
• A target hit with one of the spells takes an additional 3d6 necrotic damage.

Exalted State

• The advantage on attack rolls and Dexterity saving throws can now be used twice per long rest. Additionally, the necrotic damage dealt increases to 4d6 .
• The staff chitters in the holder's mind, letting the holder know if danger is approaching. If the holder was attacked sometime before their next turn, the holder can summon a Swarm of Spiders to act as armor. The holder's AC increases by +2. Additionally, anyone attacking the holder takes 2d6 necrotic damage from the armor and the holder's AC drops by -1.

Vulyeva and Skordýr Nightmare

Skordýr Nightmare is an ancient staff that Vulyeva, Fate of Shadows uses to hoard her insects, extending like a long shadow. In the hands of the Fate of Shadows, the staff reaches out and instructs her army of spiders to gather intel on the world. When Vulyeva grants her weapon to a mortal follower, it's typically to seek hidden secrets she does not know about or to put an end to foul creatures who dare turn her shadows into nightmares.

Fear of Arachnids?

Destroying the Staff

Skordýr Nightmare is considered a nightmare to those with a fear of insects, especially those with a fear of arachnids. This staff can easily conjure large swarms of spiders or a massive Sydney Funnel-Web Spider the size of a tractor.

To destroy the staff, it must be taken to the heights of Mount Covensonee in Soartoan and used to sacrifice a champion of Vulyeva to Zoheia, The Frozen, Skordýr Nightmare is either destroyed or fundamentally twisted to Zoheia's service.