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Not every magic item is equal. Being magical, items tend to absorb some qualities of their creators or wielders, or the cultures where they were made or most used. An intelligent magic item might manifest these qualities in a bevy of opinionated statements and biases, but few weapons are sapient. More common are magic items that pick up minor properties and quirks, if the DM chooses to include this optional rule. When the DM places treasure, he or she can choose from the following traits or determine randomly which to add to the magical discoveries.

6 Dagger Traits

Compass: When dropped, the dagger always points to the north.
Telltale Edge: After shedding blood, the dagger generates and drips blood for the next 10 minutes.
Gourmand’s Friend: When used in food preparation or consumption, this blade enhances flavor.
Perfectionist’s Knife: When thrown outside of tense situations, this dagger always hits the bullseye perfectly.
Odd Balance: This dagger will balance perfectly on any point.
Hard to Lose: When you leave this dagger behind, it reappears on your person within 6d10 minutes.

6 Sword Traits

Gravity Inconstant: The sword never falls unless it is being carried or wielded by a person who falls.
Hunger Only for Flesh: This sword passes harmlessly through unattended inanimate objects. This does not defeat or ignore worn armor in any way.
Sense of the Enemy: When a particular type of creature is near, this blade vibrates gently to alert its bearer.
Only for You: While sheathed, the weapon can only be drawn by its owner.
Mirror Image: When fighting an opponent wielding a sword, this sword appears identical to the opponent’s sword.
Whiff of Hellfire: Any creature cut by this blade smells sulfur and brimstone.

6 Helmet Traits

Late Warning: When the helmet’s wearer is ambushed, the helmet emits a low pitch just too late to do any good.
Blinder-Free: Though it appears normal to others, a creature wearing the helmet cannot see it, eliminating limitations on vision.
External Thoughts: The wearer of this helmet can pick up on surface thoughts of people nearby, but always in a murmured jumble.
Animal Friend: This helmet has a horsehair tail, and causes horses to be friendly with the wearer.
Uncomfortable Stare: Any person who looks at one wearing this helmet gets the sense the wearer knows he or she is looking.
Muffler: While wearing this helmet, a person can block out all sound at-will.