Ocanthus (3.5e Equipment)

Ocanthus
Summary::Named for the planar layer it hails from, ocanthus is a black shard of ice which has been alchemically stabilized and forged into a weapon. Its nature makes it dangerously sharp, but extremely fragile.  The black shards of ice which form on the lowest layer of Acheron naturally make up the deadly bladestorms there and this ice is harvested and cleaved into the shape of any slashing or piercing weapon. It is no good for bludgeoning weapons, nor any sort of armor or shield.

Weapons crafted out of ocanthus gain the damage of a weapon three times its normal size. It is considered ammunition even as a melee weapon which means it benefits from the 1/50th cost of enhancing ammunition. After striking a foe, the weapon loses its stability and immediately shatters and melts, gone but for telltale oily residue. The breaking overcomes even special material augmentations and effects which prevent breaking, and because it melts it cannot be repaired.

Ocanthus weapons are not automatically considered masterwork. Though they are made of ice, they are as durable and heat resistant as steel due to the alchemical alteration. Ocanthus has 5 hit points per inch of thickness and hardness 10. Ocanthus is immune to cold damage, and takes half damage from other sources.