Is there a way to repurpose an evil aligned weapon?


Rules Questions


In our Wednesday game our group found a Dwarven War Axe +3 Icy Burst that has depictions of an evil God on the blade destroying Humans and monsters.

Does anyone know how it might be re-purposed or de-evilfied?

By way of explanation, my PC is a Dwarven Spell-less Ranger that had his Dwarven War Axe melted by a Remorhaz. So he is very interested in replacing it.


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I know of an artifact in an AP that can cleanse an evil object, but I don't know if you want the spoiler.

Otherwise...wet/dry sandpaper?


Without more information I can't think of a way within the rules that doesn't render it pointless. On the other hand, I'm not sure how that item could be created within the rules either.

+3 cost for the enhancement, +2 cost for icy burst, that puts it at +5 at crafting time. Nothing left to make it Unholy (+2). Unless I've missed something, (entirely possible)

So how the weapon mechanically acquired it's evilness is going to determine how/if you can make it useful. Does it actually have an evil aura?

EDIT: Please ignore my enchanting math fail, I have been corrected.


I believe there were rules for that in the book of exalted deeds. 3.5 so you would need to ask your gm


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evil god is fluff txt and has not function unless it is artifact or cursed. Odd are you took it off some undead dwarf that worshiped and evil good or anti paladin, cleric ect. hence the fluff txt of the evil god it was flavor for the npc that used it. There are some items that get stronger as you level.(item in legacy of fire ap) They are usually intelligent items. The item itself is not evil nor are the picture. it just a picture of evil god. if it is a Dwarven War Axe +3 Icy Burst then that is all that it is.

Aboniks has stated is does it actual have an evil aura? if not that will help you eliminate the intelligent item bit and plot item device possiablity.

Aboniks, the weapon can go up to +10 so +3+icybusrt and unholy is very possible. It could actual be +5 Keen, icy burst, unholy and not be an artifact. The actual enhancements bonus can't exceed +5 for a normal magic item, there are artifacts and ways to break this limit the axe of dwarf lords or whatever it is called is +6, bane property ect.


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aboniks wrote:


+3 cost for the enhancement, +2 cost for icy burst, that puts it at +5 at crafting time. Nothing left to make it Unholy (+2). Unless I've missed something, (entirely possible)

The +5 maximum is only for the enhancement. With special qualities, a weapon can go to +10.


Ah. Thanks to you both. I had a feeling I was missing something.


I don't know if there are rules for this sort of thing.

Sounds like a situation tailor made for a GM-created side quest.

Something along the lines of: [Relevant Holy Person] tells you the evil infused into the weapon can be lifted by a sacred rite utilizing [Phlebotinum], which can only be found in [the blood] of [Some Character-Relevant Evil Creature] which is located in the [Dark and Spooky Forest/Cave/Castle of Evilness and Such]. Also, ridding the [Dark and Spooky Forest/Cave/Castle of Evilness and Such] of its [Supreme Overlord of Terribleness] will cause [Much Rejoicing].

Happy hunting!

Dark Archive

Helm of opposite alignment could do the trick


lmao @ chopswil, that is how my frist paladin became anti-paladin in 2nd ed.


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There is a weapon enhancement called Redeemed . That's, if the weapon is really unholy.


As I am not the GM just a player, I wanted to know if it was possible to re-purpose it. When the GM was describing it and its appearance 2 other players said they were in favor of destroying it. My Dwarf has been aching to replace his damaged War Axe so he is dead set against destroying this item. Could create some interesting RP moments.

We had just destroyed a Child of Boreas in the temple and were getting the loot. BTW it was not described as an Unholy weapon. However, that could change between now and next week.


it sound like 100% reusable silverhair, the axe haft is more than likely made of wood so you can just re-haft it when you get back town, for rp reasons. no reason to destroy a perfectly good 50,000 gp magic item ooc. if the thing is not actual putting off an evil aura. destroying loot = weaker party in this game. This is why most pc hate sunder and rarely use it.


KainPen wrote:
it sound like 100% reusable silverhair, the axe haft is more than likely made of wood so you can just re-haft it when you get back town, for rp reasons. no reason to destroy a perfectly good 50,000 gp magic item ooc. if the thing is not actual putting off an evil aura. destroying loot = weaker party in this game. This is why most pc hate sunder and rarely use it.

Pretty sure you can't re-haft a magic weapon without phlebotinum, though. That's a rule. Pretty sure I read it somewhere.


From what I recall ( my memory isn't what it used to be, being 65) the depictions were on the blade.

The Exchange Owner - D20 Hobbies

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silverhair2008 wrote:
Does anyone know how it might be re-purposed or de-evilfied?

Pamper it and talk to it nicely... wait that is in RL.

In PF you could cast limited wish or wish to move the evil to another weapon. Ask your GM. YMMV.


2cp: Unless it's actually Unholy/intelligent evil then I'd go ahead and use it. Destroying it is simply because it's got an unpleasant engraving on it is akin to refusing to sleep at the only available inn simply because it's painted the wrong color.

There's also a certain poetic justice to be found in taking tool that has always been used for evil and smashing the crap out of evil things with it.


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I agree if not unholy or intelligent there is nothing to worry about.

Still If I were GM I would have the PC make sure by having it sanctified by a local high priest or something, dipped in a holy fountain, that sort of thing. Then the dwarf can change the engraving and rededicate it to his god. That could be a cool story arc.


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Fill in the engravings with molten metal, let them cool, then make your own engravings (or not). As stated, unless it's an unholy weapon, the markings are purely decorative.


It just re-skinning the item Fretgod99 for group rp reasons not actual plot, if it was on the haft it the weapon it serves no actual function. If it is plot device they yes phlebotinum would be necessary. I don't think any gm would have a problem with a character going to local magic item shop or weapon shop and have smith or magic shop change out the haft for a few coin for something less offensive to the group, that does not change anything mechanically do anything to the weapon that servers no plot purpose. It would be equal to preforming a repair to the weapon or maintenance. Also if you wanted to change the half to different marital then yes phlebotinum could also be used. It does leave to a good idea for maybe a little side quest, but not something a GM has to do. Especial if he does not want the characters going off in a different direction then current story.

It all about what the GM wants to put into to it. The weapon is mechanically based on information we have is a Dwarven War Axe +3 Icy Burst and is perfectly useable by anyone the depiction is fluffy and actually has no mechanically effect. Mechanically and by the rules the only way for it to be evil is for it to be currently under magical effect such bestow alignment, it is unholy or is intelligent item or it a plot based artifact.


KainPen wrote:
It all about what the GM wants to put into to it. The weapon is mechanically based on information we have is a Dwarven War Axe +3 Icy Burst and is perfectly useable by anyone the depiction is fluffy and actually has no mechanically effect. Mechanically and by the rules the only way for it to be evil is for it to be currently under magical effect such bestow alignment, it is unholy or is intelligent item or it a plot based artifact.

Pretty much this. If the GM wants to, s/he can make some fun side quest associated with "reclaiming" the weapon. Or, reclaiming the weapon can be as simple as killing X evil-aligned creatures or whatever (so it happens as you continue on the main quest).

Otherwise from a purely mechanical perspective, if it's just engravings, take it to a weapon smith and get it re-engraved as many have suggested.


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I appreciate all the comments and suggestions. This is one of the reasons I like the Paizo boards. Actually this is the only board I regularly check.

Our GM is basically an old school 1st/2nd edition GM. Doesn't use battlemats much. So he may just decide to rework the axe before next week. I will have to wait and see. One of the PC's who wanted to destroy the item collects animal parts (unmentionables) and another wanted to drain blood from an opponent wizard so she could learn new spells. So my PC having an axe that was used by an evil NPC shouldn't bother anyone.


Mechanically speaking, here's how it works:

In order to be "evil", the object must have an evil aura, either by having the Unholy weapon property or by being an Intelligent object with an Evil alignment. Even if it has a necromancy-based enhancement on it doesn't necessarily give it an "evil" aura unless it's an inherently evil spell. Moreover, being an evil weapon only has a credible effect on the wielder in specific, spelled-out situations. An Unholy weapon wielded by a Good-aligned creature causes a negative level so long as you wield it. That's all. If the Dwarf in question is Neutral and not Good, then this is a moot point. If it is an Intelligent object, it may whisper suggestions of murder into your ear, but that's an ego battle which has its own rules. Other than that, it's a tool like any other. If the depictions on the weapon are nothing more than art, it's no different than painting a demon face on your armor or wearing a scary mask to look more intimidating.


Addition to Kazaan

An object can be evil with an roleplay background. Maybe the axe was used to slaughter 100 children etc. This case is not covered by RAW but i used this background a few times to start sub-quests.

Knowledge Arcana or Religion can help. The spell Dispel Evil can help too or maybe you need to solve a special task to cleanse the item. Knowledge History or Local can help to get background informations as well as Bardic Knowledge.

Dont go to RAWisch on such kind of situations. Choose the roleplaying way as you did it. Your friends fear the item for RP reasons so solve this via RP.


Well, as I said, just having an evil aura is inconsequential, mechanically speaking, to the wielder. The Unholy property has two effects; evil aura and negative level. It's the negative level that's the meaty part that might deter a Good character from wielding it, the evil aura is just icing on the cake. Likewise, for the Intelligent weapon, the meaty part is the possibility of your weapon and you having a disagreement over who it should kill... and the possibility of the weapon winning that argument. The fact that the weapon exudes an evil aura is a byproduct or, at the very least, a conjoined effect (it wants to kill innocents because it's evil and it's evil because it wants to kill the innocent). But a Vorpal weapon, despite using a necromancy spell (circle of death) in its creation, doesn't have an evil aura, though the Nine Lives Stealer, a specific magic Longsword, does have an Evil aura despite only using Finger of Death which is not an inherently Evil spell (like undead-creating spells are).

So even if, because of a roleplay background, the axe has marinated in the blood of a demon before being used to slaughter 100 children, all that it gets is an evil aura for it... no mechanical effect thereof. If you went on to save 100 children with it, it might Brillo the evil off it.


Kazaan wrote:
no mechanical effect thereof. If you went on to save 100 children with it, it might Brillo the evil off it.

I have to say that the phrase "Brillo the evil off" just made my Friday.

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