Devilblood Dagger

The Devilblood Dagger is a vicious magic weapon created by Leylin Faulen from a design in Beelzebub’s memories. It converts the flesh, blood, and spiritual power of its victims into energy for its wielder, allowing Leylin’s World of Gods body to advance with unusual speed.

History

Creation and first sacrifice

Leylin forges the dagger from cockatrice bone, fresh blood, and weeping spirits. Unlike Beelzebub’s version of the scheme, which uses such weapons to corrupt petitioners, Leylin modifies the flow so that the dagger’s harvest nourishes him. Mahnke becomes the first named captive used to test the weapon, while Howard only holds it temporarily under Leylin’s command. (Chapters 808–809)

Growth through devouring

Leylin uses the dagger on sea monsters, enemies, and ogres, converting their life force into physical attributes and spiritual force. The gains help his clone rise through the wizard ranks, but the energy must be digested and can become dangerous if accumulated too quickly. The dagger’s returns also diminish once an attribute passes a threshold, preventing unlimited growth. (Chapters 821–824, 837–850, and 861–865)

A weapon with limits

The dagger also serves as proof of frightening status among Beelzebub’s followers, who associate it with enormous sacrifices. Leylin continues to wield it in combat, but absorbing a high-ranked paladin’s draconic power nearly exceeds the limits imposed by its low-grade construction. By the time he receives a dragon-blood baptism, he judges that even the dagger cannot consume all of the available strength. (Chapters 869–882 and 911)

Abilities and properties

• Absorbs flesh, blood, life force, and spiritual energy, converting them into increases for the wielder. (Chapters 808, 821, and 850)
• Becomes less effective as the wielder’s attributes cross higher thresholds. (Chapters 821, 850, and 864)
• Carries a corruptive design capable of degrading a normal user’s mind and soul, though Leylin redirects its benefits to himself. (Chapter 808)
• Its structure has a finite capacity and can be strained by energy from sufficiently powerful victims. (Chapter 882)

Ownership and custody