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Dagger of Venom

Dagger Of Venom
  • Category: Weapon (Dagger)
  • Rarity: Rare

You gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls made with this magic weapon.

You can take a Bonus Action to magically coat the blade with poison. The poison remains for 1 minute or until an attack using this weapon hits a creature. That creature must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 2 d 10 Poison damage and have the Poisoned condition for 1 minute. The weapon can't be used this way again until the next dawn.

Tactical Applications​

Combat Strategy: Provides enhanced damage through poison coating combined with reliable +1 enhancement. Most effective for characters who can consistently land attacks and benefit from condition application.

Class Synergies:

  • Rogues: Exceptional for sneak attack combinations and condition application
  • Rangers: Perfect for characters focused on single-target elimination
  • Two-Weapon Fighters: Excellent for off-hand weapon with poison threat

Build Considerations: Most valuable for characters with high attack bonuses who can reliably land the poison-coated attack and benefit from applying the poisoned condition.

Acquisition Methods​

Crafting Requirements: Requires venom collection, blade enchantment expertise, and poisoncraft knowledge. Typically costs 8,000-15,000 gp.

Common Sources:

  • Rewards from eliminating poison-using assassins or venomous creatures
  • Inheritance from assassins' guilds or poison specialists
  • Commission from alchemists specializing in weapon enhancement
  • Trade agreements with organizations requiring stealth elimination capabilities

Alternative Acquisition: Some ranger lodges and specialized hunter groups craft these daggers for members dealing with dangerous creatures.

Value & Trade​

Estimated Value: 12,000-18,000 gp, with higher demand from rogues and rangers needing poison capabilities.

Trade Considerations: Often viewed with suspicion in civilized areas due to poison associations, but valued by adventurers.

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: Suggests practical approach to combat, experience with dangerous creatures, or connections to poison-craft communities.

Character Concepts:

  • Experienced monster hunter who uses specialized tools against venomous creatures
  • Former assassin who has reformed but retains practical skills
  • Ranger or scout specializing in dangerous wilderness elimination
  • Character with connections to alchemist or poison-craft communities

Adventure Hooks​

The Poison Investigation: Mysteries involving poisoning require characters with understanding of venom delivery methods.

The Creature Hunt: Dangerous venomous creatures require specialized equipment and poison countermeasures.

The Stealth Mission: Scenarios requiring quiet elimination benefit from weapons with incapacitating capabilities.

The Assassin's Trail: Adventures involving professional killers where poison expertise becomes crucial evidence.

Variants & Customization​

Greater Dagger of Venom (Very Rare): Provides enhanced poison damage, additional daily uses, or different poison effects.

Serpent's Fang Dagger (Rare): Enhanced with specific creature venom or additional poison-related abilities.

Assassin's Silent Blade (Rare): Includes stealth enhancement alongside the poison capabilities.

Specialized Variants:

  • Hunter's Venomous Edge: Optimized for specific creature types or enhanced tracking
  • Alchemist's Test Blade: Multiple poison types or enhanced analytical capabilities
  • Scout's Swift Strike: Enhanced for quick application and retreat tactics

Lore & History​

Origins: Created by specialists who needed reliable methods for incapacitating dangerous creatures or eliminating threats silently.

Historical Significance: Famous assassination attempts and creature hunting expeditions succeeded using enhanced venom delivery methods.

Cultural Impact: In hunting and scouting communities, these daggers represent professional expertise in dealing with dangerous threats.

Poison Craft: The daggers reflect advanced understanding of venom enhancement and magical poison delivery systems.

Balancing Notes​

Introduction Timing: Can be introduced at mid-levels (6-10) when poison resistance becomes common but enhanced poison remains valuable.

Campaign Impact: Provides significant single-target threat without overwhelming encounters. The once-per-day limitation maintains balance.

Poison Considerations: May require adjustment in campaigns with heavy poison immunity among enemies.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Combat scenarios against single powerful enemies where condition application is valuable
  • Stealth missions requiring quiet incapacitation rather than loud combat
  • Wilderness encounters against venomous creatures where poison expertise is thematic
  • Investigation scenarios where poison knowledge becomes plot-relevant

Tactical Adjustments: Enemies may carry antidotes or have poison resistance that challenges the weapon's effectiveness.

Poison Enhancement Equipment: Other items that provide poison capabilities or enhance venom delivery.

Stealth Weapons:

  • Items that enhance stealth combat or provide quiet elimination options
  • Equipment that works synergistically with condition application and stealth tactics
  • Tools that provide complementary incapacitation or tracking capabilities

Complementary Equipment: Items that benefit from or enhance the tactical advantages of poison application and stealth combat.

Roleplay Opportunities​

Professional Expertise: Characters develop understanding of poison craft, creature biology, and professional elimination techniques.

Moral Complexity: The poison capability raises questions about the ethics of incapacitation versus elimination.

Tactical Thinking: Players learn to consider when poison application provides strategic advantages over direct damage approaches.