Sword Wraith Warrior (/ˈsɔːd ˈrɑːɪt ˈwɒr.ɪə/)
The Deathly Warrior
The creature is an incorporeal form and appears as a swirling dark mist of negative energy, with the vague spectral form of a glory-obsessed warrior.
Sword wraith warriors are most often found on ancient battlefields where soldiers were hemmed in and slaughtered without quarter.
Sword Wraiths
When a glory-obsessed warrior dies in battle without earning the honor it desperately sought, its valor—hungry spirit might haunt the battlefield as a sword wraith. Brooding Spirits. The most likely spots for encountering sword wraiths are scenes of ancient ambushes, battlefields where soldiers were felled by magic with no chance to fight back, and sites where enemies were hemmed in and slaughtered without quarter. Honor Above All. Sword wraiths fly into a rage if anyone questions their valor. Conversely, they are easily appeased by praise. Little pleases them more than hearing a ballad performed in their honor. Towns located near ancient battlefields hold annual festivals of remembrance to keep sword wraiths there placated. Undead Nature. A sword wraith doesn't require air, food, drink, or sleep.The Menagerie fought one in the Ziggurat of Tharizdun, below Skola Vale.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Description
Much like a revenant, sword wraiths looked like decayed and emaciated versions of their once-living selves. Their eyes gave off a faint glow that could only be seen in darkness or dim light. Both their armor and weapons often carried a scent of mold and decay. Sword wraiths wore the same clothing that they died in, often a breastplate or chainmail. Sword wraiths generally were known to wield longswords, heavy crossbows, large metal shields, and longbows.Ecology and Habitats
Habitats
Sword wraiths were generally found prowling around the area in which they were buried or died. Though lone sword wraiths could be found, they more often were seen traveling with other sword wraiths whom in life were part of the same mercenary company or army squadron. A great many of them haunted the ruins of Anauril, the City of Swords in ancient Anauria. Besides Toril, sword wraiths were known to occur on the planet Oerth and in the Domains of Dread. Environment: Grassland Terrain, Swamp TerrainBehaviour
Behavior
The driving force behind every sword wraith was a desire for combat, wishing to have their unlife ended gloriously on the field of battle. Though difficult, it was possible to calm a sword wraith's bloodlust and negotiate with them if convinced that the speaker was their military equal (or superior). They were also known to often be easily calmed by means of praise, such as as performing a ballad in their honor. Though if a sword wraith's valor was ever questioned they would fly into a fit of rage.Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Usage
Some were known to use the dust left behind by destroyed wraiths as a material component for the spell wraithform. This wraith residue was a shadowy ichor, sometimes used in creation of magic items, and sold for over 370 gold coins per a single pouch.Harvesting
Instructions
Instructions: Because this creature is an Undead, the player should roll a Arcana Check using the DCs in the table below. On a success, the player is able to harvest the item. On a failure, the item cannot be harvested (either because the character is not skilled enough, or because the item is ruined). The DM should note that many of the items have an expiration, and can not be sold or used after the expiration has passed.
| DC | Item | Description | Value | Weight | Expiration | Crafting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Wraith Dust | When a sword wraith is killed, its form disperses into a fine mist, often scattering tiny motes of dust. The dust is difficult to see, but resonates with dark necrotic energy. Spellcasters, especially necromancers, can use the dust in spells and rituals. The dust is also a useful alchemical ingredient. | 30 gp | 1 lb. | ∞s | - |
This kind of creature does not normally carry treasure. This kind of creature does not normally have or collect treasure. However, the creature may have a lair full of bodies, or reside somewhere that treasure already exists.
This creature produces no Harvested Meat. The meat of an undead creature, if any still exists, is decayed, rotten and often riddled with disease. Eating the meat can cause serious illness, and even death. Dungeon Master's discretion.
Civilization and Culture
Historical Figures
Notable Sword Wraiths
The Order of One Thousand Nightmares:
a knightly order of nearly 200 sword wraiths from the Fields of the Dead, equipped with nightmare steeds, was assembled by priests of Velsharoon.Common Myths and Legends
Towns that were located close to ancient battlefields would often hold an annual festival in remembrance of sword wraiths in order to keep their raging spirits placated.
Sources
Source(s):
- Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (May 29, 2018). Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 241. ISBN 978-0786966240.
- M. T. Black, Shawn Merwin (2018). Stardock Under Siege (DDEP08-02) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Waterdeep (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 58–59.
- Mike Mearls, Stephen Schubert, James Wyatt (June 2008). Monster Manual 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 267. ISBN 978-0-7869-4852-9.
- Eric Cagle, Jesse Decker, James Jacobs, Erik Mona, Matthew Sernett, Chris Thomasson, and James Wyatt (April 2003). Fiend Folio. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 173. ISBN 0-7869-2780-1.
- Grant Boucher, William W. Connors, Steve Gilbert, Bruce Nesmith, Christopher Mortika, Skip Williams (April 1990). Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Adventures Appendix. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 58. ISBN 0-88038-836-6.
- James M. Ward (1988). Greyhawk Adventures. (TSR, Inc.), p. 31. ISBN 0-88038-649-5.
- Mellanie Black (2020). Tipping the Scales (DDAL09-10) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Avernus Rising (Wizards of the Coast), p. 5.
- Richard Baker, Ed Bonny, Travis Stout (February 2005). Lost Empires of Faerûn. Edited by Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 104. ISBN 0-7869-3654-1.
- William W. Connors (1996). Monstrous Compendium - Ravenloft Appendices I & II. (TSR, Inc.), p. 71. ISBN 0786903929.
- Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 77. ISBN 978-0786906574.
- Eric L. Boyd (2001-12-05). “The Trail of Tears: Swordwraiths”. Perilous Gateways. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2004-02-23. Retrieved on 2020-04-19.
Scientific Name
Exnihilia, Inmortui, Exspiravit, irae, Wraith (Sword Wraith Warrior)
Origin/Ancestry
Undead (Incorporeal Wraith | Sword Wraith Warrior)
Lifespan
Undead
Conservation Status
None. Most civilized nations outlaw such necromancy and request a "kill on sight" to all such undead.
Average Height
6'
Average Weight
Incorporeal
Geographic Distribution
Related Ethnicities
5E Statistics
Wraith
| Size | Medium |
| Type | Undead |
| Alignment | Lawful Evil |
| Challenge Rating | Warrior (3) Commander (8) |
General Information
| Movement | Walking |
| Vision | Darkvision |
| Diet | None |
| Language(s) | The languages it knew in life |
| Favored climate | Any | Favored terrain | Any, Underground, old battlegrounds |
History
| First Appearance | Greyhawk Adventures (1988) |
See Also: Sword_wraith on Forgotten Realms Wiki