Gambler's Blade

A Gambler's Blade is a cursed magical sword that allows a wielder to choose a magical bonus by taking a corresponding penalty to death saving throws. Bertrand Bell wielded a Gambler's Blade Rapier for over thirty years. After Bertrand's death in 843 PD, the rapier went into the ownership of Dorian Storm.

Description
The attuned wielder can choose a magical bonus of +1 to +3, giving the Gambler's Blade that bonus to its attack and damage rolls. The wielder takes a corresponding penalty, -1 to -3, to their death saving throws. The bonus can be changed each dawn.

The sword is cursed, so the wielder bound to it wants to remain bound to it and feels a compulsion to keep it with them. A Remove Curse spell or similar magic cast upon the wielder ends this curse.

History
Bertrand Bell owned a beautifully crafted Gambler's Blade Rapier, sometimes referred to simply as a Gambler's Rapier, when he accompanied Vox Machina into Pandemonium in early 812 PD, during his appearances in and. Over the course of these one-shots, Travis chose a bonus of +3.

In Campaign 3, set thirty-one years later in 843 PD, Bertrand still carried his Gambler's Blade Rapier while living in Jrusar. As before, Travis always chose to take a weapon bonus of +3. When Bertrand was cornered by Dugger in an alley at the end of, Bertrand calmly drew the sword to stop Dugger's approach and to attempt to intimidate him. Bertrand was swiftly killed without opportunity to defend himself, losing consciousness after being stabbed twice and ultimately being stabbed six times total, and he died with the Gambler's Blade Rapier in hand.

The rapier was found with his body shortly after by his allies, and Dorian Storm took it into his possession. Dorian snuck it into a masquerade ball held by the Chandei Quorum by disguising it as an ornamental blade he called "Typhonus".