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Flame Tongue

Flame Tongue
  • Category: Weapon (Any Melee Weapon That Deals Slashing Damage)
  • Rarity: Rare (Requires Attunement)

You can take a Bonus Action to cause flames to appear along the blade of this magic weapon. These flames shed Bright Light in a 40-foot radius and Dim Light for an additional 40 feet. While the flames are present, the weapon deals an extra 2d6 Fire damage on a hit. The flames last until you take a Bonus Action to extinguish them or until you drop or stow the weapon.

Tactical Applications​

Combat Strategy: Versatile weapon that can switch between normal and flaming modes. When activated, provides additional fire damage and bright light. Excellent against creatures vulnerable to fire damage.

Class Synergies:

  • Fighters: Benefits from multiple attacks and action surge for sustained damage
  • Paladins: Fire damage complements divine smite for devastating combinations
  • Rangers: Effective against plant creatures and undead vulnerable to fire
  • Any Martial Class: Universal benefit from additional elemental damage

Build Considerations: Activation requires a bonus action, so plan usage around action economy. Most effective against creatures without fire resistance.

Acquisition Methods​

Crafting Requirements: Requires master weaponsmithing, fire elemental essence, and flame enchantment magic. Creation cost 8,000-15,000 gp and takes 2 months.

Common Sources:

  • Fire elemental planes and volcanic forges
  • Treasure hoards of fire-using creatures like red dragons
  • Rewards from fire elemental allies or salamander communities
  • Commission from specialized magical weaponsmiths
  • Found in the armories of fire-worshipping cults

Alternative Acquisition: Sometimes discovered in ancient forges or obtained through trials involving fire elemental challenges.

Value & Trade​

Estimated Value: 12,000-20,000 gp, with higher demand in regions facing cold climates or plant-heavy threats.

Trade Considerations: Popular among adventurers facing diverse enemy types. Fire damage utility makes it valuable across many campaign settings.

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: Suggests experience with fire magic, elemental planes, or specialized combat training with flaming weapons.

Character Concepts:

  • Fire-themed warrior with elemental connections
  • Veteran of campaigns against cold-based or plant enemies
  • Character trained by fire elemental mentors
  • Adventurer specializing in diverse damage types for tactical advantage

Adventure Hooks​

The Elemental Forge: Commissioning or repairing the weapon requires access to fire elemental plane forges and their dangerous inhabitants.

The Cold War: Campaigns against frost giants, ice devils, or winter-themed threats where fire damage provides crucial advantages.

The Plant Plague: Defeating invasive magical plants or corrupted forests where fire becomes essential for victory.

The Dragon Hunter: Preparing for battles against red dragons who respect the weapon's fire affinity.

Variants & Customization​

Greater Flame Tongue (Very Rare): +2 weapon with enhanced fire damage and resistance to cold damage when activated.

Frost Tongue (Rare): Cold damage variant that functions similarly but with ice instead of fire.

Elemental Tongue (Very Rare): Can switch between fire, cold, lightning, or acid damage types.

Specialized Variants:

  • Dragon's Tongue: Enhanced effectiveness against dragons and draconic creatures
  • Plane-Touched Tongue: Carries additional elemental plane magic beyond just fire
  • War Tongue: Military-grade version with enhanced durability and damage

Lore & History​

Origins: Forged by ancient weaponsmiths who sought to create weapons capable of adapting to different battlefield conditions.

Historical Significance: These weapons enabled victories against creatures that would otherwise be nearly invulnerable to physical damage.

Cultural Impact: Represents the evolution of weaponry from purely physical to magically enhanced tools of war.

Magical Craft: Demonstrates mastery of weapon enchantment and elemental binding techniques.

Balancing Notes​

Introduction Timing: Appropriate for levels 6-12 when magical weapons become important and diverse damage types provide tactical value.

Campaign Impact: Provides meaningful damage upgrade without overwhelming encounters. Fire damage is commonly resisted, maintaining balance.

Activation Management: Bonus action requirement creates tactical decisions about when to activate the flame effect.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Encounters with creatures vulnerable to fire damage
  • Combat scenarios where light generation provides tactical advantages
  • Battles against regenerating creatures where fire prevents regeneration
  • Environmental challenges where fire damage interacts with terrain

Tactical Adjustments: Enemies may adapt tactics when they observe the weapon's fire capabilities.

Elemental Weapons: Frost Brand, Shock weapons, and other items that provide elemental damage enhancement.

Fire Magic Equipment:

  • Items that enhance fire-based magic and damage
  • Equipment that provides fire resistance or immunity
  • Tools for fire elemental interaction and control

Complementary Equipment: Items that enhance weapon combat effectiveness or provide additional elemental damage types.

Roleplay Opportunities​

Elemental Affinity: Characters develop understanding of fire magic and its applications in combat and utility.

Tactical Adaptation: Learning to switch between normal and enhanced modes teaches strategic thinking.

Cultural Connection: Fire-based weapons may create connections to fire elemental communities and flame-worshipping cultures.