Weapon (whip), rare (requires attunement)
Description:
The Whip of the Eldritch Maw is a horrifying weapon, crafted from the severed tentacle of a Ghatanothoa, known in ancient myths as the Primordial Horror. It is said to have dwelled beneath the surface of the world for eons, sealed in a volcanic mountain deep beneath the ocean. Ghatanothoa's true form is unknown to mortals, for any who glimpse it—even indirectly—are immediately driven mad or petrified, their bodies turned into living mummified husks, while their minds remain conscious, trapped in eternal horror
The tentacle retains its slimy, dark purple hue, lined with small, barbed suckers that pulse faintly with a sickly green glow. Its tip ends in a serrated, almost sentient maw that twitches as though still hungry for the blood of those it strikes. The whip is flexible yet unnaturally strong, making it a fearsome tool in the hands of those daring enough to wield it.
When wielded, the whip seems to writhe and squirm in the wielder’s hand, as if still alive, its connection to the eldritch powers from which it was torn imbuing it with a terrifying, otherworldly presence.
Weapon Properties:
+1 to attack and damage rolls made with this magical whip.
Special Power – Grasp of the Void:
Once per long rest, the wielder can activate Grasp of the Void, drawing on the eldritch power within the whip. Upon activation, the whip’s tentacle comes alive, extending to wrap around a target within 15 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or become grappled by the whip. While grappled in this way, the target takes 1d6 psychic damage at the start of each of its turns, as the whip’s eldritch essence invades its mind, bombarding it with visions of cosmic horrors. The grapple lasts for 1 minute or until the creature breaks free by succeeding on a Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check at the end of its turn (DC 14).
Attunement:
The Whip of the Eldritch Maw requires attunement by a creature with a strong will to resist the madness of the Far Realms. Attuning to the whip involves spending one hour meditating on the Lovecraftian visions the weapon shares, which can leave the wielder haunted by nightmares of tentacled horrors if they are not strong enough of mind.
Personality and Lore:
The Whip of the Eldritch Maw harbors a faint, lingering sentience—an alien, barely comprehensible mind that murmurs to its wielder in broken whispers of forgotten realms and ancient horrors. It doesn’t communicate with words but rather flashes of incomprehensible visions and feelings of longing for a return to the depths of the Far Realms, where it was once a part of something far greater and more terrible.
The weapon was crafted from the severed tentacle of a creature said to serve an Eldritch Horror worshiped by long-forgotten cults. The whip retains a sliver of its connection to those otherworldly powers, making it both a dangerous weapon and a key to unlocking further madness and power.
Summary of the Whip of the Eldritch Maw:
- Type: +1 Whip (rare, sentient)
- Special Power: Grasp of the Void – grapple a target and deal psychic damage while exposing them to eldritch horrors (once per long rest).
- Attunement: Requires attunement, involving an hour of meditating on eldritch visions.
- Sentience: Whispers of an alien consciousness, haunted by memories of the Far Realms, eager to return.
The Whip of the Eldritch Maw is a terrifying weapon, combining physical damage with eldritch psychic assaults, and the ability to momentarily ensnare victims in the tendrils of madness. Only the strong-willed dare wield it, lest they succumb to its whispering madness.