The Sword of the Last Stand

The Sword of the Last Stand is one of the Artifacts of Skaldor, forged by a Zawalite master bladesmith whose name is lost to time. The sword can be given an offering of vitality through a special ritual that leaves the blood-giver nearly dead. This ritual can be repeated as often as it's master likes, each offering turning the blade a deeper and deeper shade of red. In such a state, the sword seems to ripple and move as though it is liquid, but it is in fact an enchanted alloy of falseiron and Runestone, imbued with Zawalite forge-magic to make it as hyperdurable as their legendary khopesh swords. 
When the sword's master would die in combat, the stored vitality is released into them all at once, instantly healing all their wounds. Each time this happens, the ritual to recharge the blade demands more and more blood, eventually reaching a point where the sword kills it's master in the process. It then expels all remaining vitality and waits for the next warrior to collect it. The sword contains an intelligence that brushes against the minds of those near it, but never speaks, and it is unclear what it actually wants. 
Legend holds that the sword was the final work of the nameless Zawalite swordsmith, and that his ghost possesses the blade, giving it it's thirst for living blood. 
The sword was commissioned by agents of Skaldor in the early days of his existence on the continent.

Item type

Weapon, Melee