Coral’s Bite

Coral’s Bite is a bright, turquoise-blue trident with serrated edges, grown from the hardest coral of the ocean. The sawlike edges of the trident’s prongs account for the slashing damage this weapon can deliver.

Nonlegacy Game Statistics: +1 trident; Cost 2,315 gp; can deal piercing or slashing damage. Omen: You do not take nonlethal damage from exposure to cold water, and you take 1d6 points of damage per 200 feet of water depth instead of per 100 feet (see Water Dangers, page 304 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide). HISTORY

Sajolveun was the fi nest example of everything decent and right about aquatic elven culture. He represented the best of his pod, as both a strong warrior and a tempered thinker. Devoid of ambition, Sajolveun was intent on doing whatever furthered the welfare of his people before serving his own interests. He led soldiers against invasions of sahuagin on multiple occasions, beating them back every time. Because of Sajolveun, the local currents were safe not only for aquatic elves, but also for the undersea community at large. It came as no surprise when the elders fashioned a trident made from the hardest coral in the known seas and gave it to Sajolveun as a reward for his tireless efforts. The presentation of Coral’s Bite was a great honor. It was also cause for celebration among common aquatic elves. Sajolveun had risen quickly in power and prestige, despite his humble beginnings. (DC 15) It was often said that Sajolveun came a long way in a short time, evolving quickly from a sullen introvert who lived in self-exile to a singular hero. Even the weapon he wielded acknowledged his status, protecting him in battle with an exoskeleton of coral. Sajolveun attributed his change of heart to the loneliness of his previous existence. He found greater fulfillment in being with his kin, rather than being apart from them. Many remarked that all

Sajolveun had failed to do for the good of his people was take a wife, ensuring his bloodline would continue. Many women were certainly willing, but Sajolveun always dodged the subject by making himself busy with work. He didn’t avoid the issue because he wasn’t fond of children—he thought they were wonderful. He didn’t avoid the matter because he wasn’t attracted to aquatic elf women. He found them extremely fetching. In fact, there was no part of aquatic elven culture that Sajolveun didn’t love more than his own, because Sajolveun was not an aquatic elf. He was a doppelganger whose real name was Ildashurn. (DC 20; Hero of the Pod) Long ago, Ildashurn had taken the form of a kuo-toa to travel underwater, not realizing they were a species reviled by other aquatic beings. The fi rst aquatic elf Ildashurn met attacked him on sight, compelling him to defend himself with lethal force. As the elf died, Ildashurn frantically read his mind and realized the misunderstanding. Ildashurn also learned the elf’s name. It was Sajolveun. Feeling guilty, the doppelganger studied the elf’s life from his underwater home, adopted Sajolveun’s identity, and returned to the aquatic elves. Ildashurn did everything in his power to amend the mistake he had made. In so doing, however, he fell in love with the aquatic elves and became their hero. Even his legendary weapon had embraced him completely. When Ildashurn could no longer politely avoid the topic of marriage, he announced that he would be leaving to fulfi ll a personal quest, promising to take a wife upon his return. Privately, Ildashurn had no intention of returning. When he reached the surface and tried changing back into an air-breathing creature, the doppelganger discovered that he could not. He was no longer a shapechanger. Somehow, he had become an aquatic elf. Perhaps it was some strange effect of his trident’s power, or perhaps it was the act of some benevolent deity. Crafted by sea elves, Coral’s Bite Ildashurn didn’t care. He just smiled transforms its wielder into an and dove back into the water. (DC 25; aquatic champion against sahuagin Embrace of the Sea)

Illus. by D. Martin