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Frost Brand

Frost Brand
  • Category: Weapon (Glaive, Greatsword, Longsword, Rapier, Scimitar, or Shortsword)
  • Rarity: Very Rare (Requires Attunement)

When you hit with an attack roll using this magic weapon, the target takes an extra 1d6 Cold damage. In addition, while you hold the weapon, you have Resistance to Fire damage.

In freezing temperatures, the weapon sheds Bright Light in a 10 -foot radius and Dim Light for an additional 10 feet.

When you draw this weapon, you can extinguish all nonmagical flames within 30 feet of yourself. Once used, this property can't be used again for 1 hour.

Tactical Applications​

Combat Strategy: +1 weapon that deals additional cold damage and provides fire resistance to wielder. Creates bright light and extinguishes fires in area. Excellent against fire-using creatures and in high-temperature environments.

Class Synergies:

  • Fighters: Multiple attacks maximize cold damage potential and benefit from fire resistance
  • Paladins: Cold damage complements divine smite, fire resistance aids survival
  • Rangers: Highly effective against fire elementals and heat-based creatures
  • Any Martial Class: Universal benefits from enhanced damage and elemental resistance

Build Considerations: Fire resistance provides significant survival advantage in fire-heavy campaigns. Light generation and fire extinguishing create tactical options.

Acquisition Methods​

Crafting Requirements: Requires master weaponsmithing, ice elemental essence, and frost enchantment magic. Creation cost 12,000-20,000 gp and takes 3 months.

Common Sources:

  • Ice elemental planes and glacial forges
  • Treasure hoards of frost giants and white dragons
  • Rewards from ice elemental allies or arctic communities
  • Commission from specialized cold-climate weaponsmiths
  • Found in the armories of winter-themed organizations

Alternative Acquisition: Sometimes discovered in frozen ruins or obtained through trials involving ice elemental challenges.

Value & Trade​

Estimated Value: 15,000-25,000 gp, with premium pricing in volcanic regions and fire-heavy campaign areas.

Trade Considerations: Extremely valuable against fire-using enemies and in high-temperature environments. Fire resistance makes it essential survival equipment.

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: Suggests experience with cold magic, elemental planes, or specialized training for fire-heavy environments.

Character Concepts:

  • Ice-themed warrior with elemental connections
  • Veteran of campaigns against fire elementals or dragons
  • Character trained by frost giant or winter fey mentors
  • Fire-fighting specialist or volcanic region explorer

Adventure Hooks​

The Volcanic Expedition: Exploring active volcanoes or fire elemental planes where fire resistance becomes essential for survival.

The Dragon War: Campaigns against red dragons where fire resistance and cold damage provide crucial tactical advantages.

The Elemental Balance: Quests involving the eternal conflict between fire and ice elemental forces.

The Arctic Mystery: Investigating frozen ruins where the weapon's heritage connects to ancient ice magic traditions.

Variants & Customization​

Greater Frost Brand (Very Rare): +2 weapon with enhanced cold damage and immunity to fire damage rather than resistance.

Flame Brand (Very Rare): Fire damage variant that provides cold resistance and functions as opposite element counterpart.

Elemental Brand (Legendary): Can switch between frost and flame modes based on wielder's need.

Specialized Variants:

  • Giant's Frost Brand: Enhanced effectiveness against giants and large creatures
  • Dragon's Bane: Specifically crafted for battling fire-breathing dragons
  • Elemental Warden: Enhanced power when fighting opposing elemental types

Lore & History​

Origins: Forged by ancient ice mages who needed weapons capable of surviving and thriving in extreme fire environments.

Historical Significance: These weapons enabled exploration of fire elemental planes and victories against otherwise overwhelming fire-based threats.

Cultural Impact: Represents the mastery of opposing elemental forces and the balance between fire and ice magic.

Magical Craft: Demonstrates sophisticated understanding of elemental opposition and resistance enchantment techniques.

Balancing Notes​

Introduction Timing: Appropriate for levels 7-13 when fire resistance becomes crucial and cold damage provides meaningful tactical options.

Campaign Impact: Provides significant advantage against fire threats without overwhelming other encounter types.

Environmental Utility: Fire extinguishing and light generation provide utility beyond combat applications.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Encounters with fire elementals, red dragons, and fire-using creatures
  • Environmental hazards involving extreme heat or volcanic conditions
  • Combat scenarios where fire extinguishing provides tactical advantages
  • Situations where fire resistance enables otherwise impossible actions

Tactical Adjustments: Fire-using enemies may need enhanced tactics or alternative damage types when facing frost brand wielders.

Elemental Weapons: Flame Tongue, Lightning weapons, and other items that provide elemental damage and resistance.

Cold Magic Equipment:

  • Items that enhance cold-based magic and damage
  • Equipment that provides cold resistance or environmental protection
  • Tools for ice elemental interaction and frost magic

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

Roleplay Opportunities​

Elemental Mastery: Characters develop understanding of elemental opposition and the balance between fire and ice.

Environmental Adaptation: Fire resistance enables exploration of previously inaccessible hot environments and fire planes.

Cultural Bridge: Cold weapons may create unique relationships with fire-based creatures who respect elemental opposition.