Crescent of the Moon

Legend says that the stone blade of this ancient scythe is carved from rock that came from the moon. Given the age of the specimen, this seems patently impossible, but its previous owners have been unwilling to submit the crescentto scientific examination. Experts estimate that it was made during the early iron age, though why one would make a stone blade when metal ones were widely available, no one can say. The crescenthas a long and colorful history as an object both desired and feared by pagan sects.

This +3 scythe, with images of the lunar cycle and baying wolves carved into its shaft, also has the quality of lycanthrope bane (gaining an additional +2 enhancement bonus and dealing an additional +2d6 points of damage to werewolves, wererats, and other lycanthropes).

The crescent of the moonhas other enchantments that activate only during specific phases of the lunar cycle. The following effects are active only from dusk to dawn on the days in question:

*New Moon:*On the three nights of the new moon, the crescentgrants its wielder the ability to recognize lycanthropes by sight regardless of their current form—humanoid, hybrid, or animal.

*Waxing:*During the period of time between new and full moon, the crescentgrants its wielder darkvision out to a range of 60 feet.

*Full Moon:*On the three nights of the full moon, the crescentgrants its wielder the ability to throw himself into a violent rage once per night. This rage lasts 1d4+3 rounds, and the wielder cannot choose to end it prematurely. Beginning a rage is a free action. In the rage, the wielder temporarily gains +4 Strength, +4 Constitution, and a +2 morale bonus on Will saves, but suffers a –2 penalty to Defense. The increased Constitution increases the wielder’s hit points by 2 per level, but these hit points go away at the end of the rage when the Constitution score drops back to normal. (These extra hit points are not lost first the way temporary hit points are.) While raging, the wielder can take no action other than attacking; if there are no foes to attack, he must forfeit all actions until the rage has passed—he does not have to attack his friends. At the end of the rage, the wielder is fatigued (–2 to Strength, –2 to Dexterity, can’t charge or run) for 1d4+3 rounds. The wielder may only fly into a rage during his action, not in response to somebody else’s action.

*Waning:*During the period of time between full and new moon, the crescentgrants its wielder the scent special quality.

*Type:*Artifact (magic); Caster Level:—; *Purchase DC:*68; *Weight:*12 lb.