Moon-Knotted Ropeblade

“This ain’t a whip. It’s a silver-threaded nightmare that unties yer sanity before it strangles yer lungs.”

The Moon-Knotted Ropeblade is spun from sea-silk, grave-thread, and slivers of silver pulled under a full moon. It holds a dozen sailor’s knots that shift on their own when the moonlight touches ‘em—tightening, loosening, retying thoughts ya didn’t mean to share. The handle smells like brine. The tip? Like moon-touched madness.

Mike says he got it from a sailor who didn’t speak Common no more. “He whispered in tides,” Mike muttered. “Then tied a noose in the air and walked through it.”

It don’t just bind yer enemies—it knots yer bloody brain.
👉 Bring this rope into a session and watch the table panic. More unsettling tools at the Tavern Armory, or tell us what you’d tie it to.

Moon-Knotted Ropeblade – Weapon Stats

Weapon Type: Martial Melee Weapon (Reach, Finesse)
Damage: 1d6 slashing + 1d4 psychic
Properties: Finesse, reach, special (requires attunement)
Special: Moonbind & Madness

• Moonbind (Night Effect):
  Under natural moonlight, the Ropeblade can grapple incorporeal or ethereal creatures as if they were physical, using Dexterity in place of Strength for the check.

• Whispersnare (Crit Effect):
  On a critical hit, the Ropeblade embeds a knot of silver will in the target’s mind. They must succeed a Wisdom save (DC 15) or be Silenced and Frightened until the end of their next turn, as their thoughts tangle.

• Mental Tripwire:
  When held, the Ropeblade allows the wielder to sense hidden thoughts. Once per short rest, they may ask the GM for a vague emotional “pulse” from one nearby creature (as detect thoughts, surface only).

• Knot Echo (Defensive Reaction):
  When hit by a melee attack, the wielder can force the attacker to make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 13) or hesitate as their own memories loop (attacker loses reaction next round).

• Cursed – Unraveling:
  While attuned, you must pass a DC 13 Intelligence save each dawn or suffer -1 to Insight, Investigation, and Arcana checks for the day. The knots remember too much—and they start with you.

GM Notes:

Fits best in eldritch or nautical arcs—deep sea temples, forgotten lighthouses, lunar cults. Makes a beautiful contrast with more grounded weapons like Stonehearth Grudgeplate. Great for dex-based control builds or haunted bards who’ve seen too much.

Pair it with:

• Mistweave Leathers for rogue synergy

• The Tiefling Who Was Never Really There for teleport-and-bind builds

• The Sorceress Who Glows Like a Villain But Fights Like a Hero for duality-rich party dynamics

• About Mike’s Tavern if you’re wonderin’ who’s crazy enough to stock this thing

Wrap it tight. Don’t listen too long. And for the love of Bahlin’s bent fork—don’t untie the middle knot.
👉 There’s more where this came from: the Tavern Armory’s full of bad ideas with sharp edges. Pick one. See what unravels.

FAQ

Q: Can this be used to tie creatures up like a normal rope?
A: It can—but it don’t stay tied unless the creature’s will stays tangled. You’ll feel when it’s slippin’.

Q: What if the moon isn’t out?
A: Then it’s just a real fancy whip… until the next night. Hope yer not in a cave.

Q: Can the knots be untied manually?
A: Go ahead. If ya like forgetting yer own name.