Axe of Disappearing Flight
This strong magic weapon resembles that of a regular throwing axe except for the thin trim of gold around the edge of the blade and its continual sharpness. The sides of the blade shows that of a dull finish along with some pitting so as to disguise its true nature. The handle is made of oak and looks well battle worn, with twisted leather strands around its base. Upon very close inspection, the small pitting in the metal spells out a magical word which will activate the magic within it, although it will not fully work unless the user knows what to do. No means other than specific spells or spell-like abilities to detect magic will alert anyone to the fact that it radiates any at all.
When wielded in combat, it acts like any normal axe of its kind, causing whatever normal damage as described, except for its +2 added bonus which applies to attack and damage rolls. The real magic begins once the axe is used as a missile weapon. At the beginning of initiative in any combat round, the wielder must declare if they are going to use the axe as a missile weapon or not. If a missile weapon is chosen, the alternate magic will take place. On a successful roll to hit, the individual says the magical word on the side of the axe and then throws it at the opponent. Immediately upon leaving his or her hand, the axe disappears, becoming invisible in flight toward the intended target.
This invisibility is not that of normal means, however. The weapon actually disolves into an unseen ball of non-physical matter until it hits the target. At that time, the weapon reconstructs itself and becomes visible, doing whatever damage was rolled plus bonuses. Therefore, no creature with an ability to catch or deflect incoming weapons may use their ability to do so, since they can not see it coming. Even targets with magical protection or a globe against magical weapons can not stop its progress since its non-physical matter can pass right through any object with ease. In all reality, if an individual could see their intended target through a wall or any other object, they could wield the weapon at the target and actually hit them on the other side. This could make hiding at times difficult at best.
Also, any area containing anti-magic or dead-magic will have no effect on this weapon as long as it is hurled into the affected area from outside of the area first, and ends up on the other side of the area before reaching its maximum distance. Therefore, if a seen target runs through an anti-magic area and out the other side, the weapon could pass through also and still hit the target. If the weapon does not make it through the affected area on a throw, it will be forever lost until such time as the anti-magic or dead -magic area can be dispelled. The weapon will then be found on the ground at its maximum distance traveled at the time.
Creatures with inate abilities of the same, such as a beholder also have no effect on the axe with their main anti-magic eye. This is because the creature's aura of anti-magic radiates out away from the eye itself and is not directly in the eye. As an example, the axe could be hurled at a beholder, which on its way disolves into non-physical matter. The axe is no longer magical in nature and will hit the target's flesh, becoming physical once again well past the point of the aura of anti-magic, and doing the calculated damage. The Axe of Disappearing Flight has a range of up to 150 ft and can be used over and over again once the wielder retreives it. This weapon is a rare find.
(c) John (Jake) Brunette 1998