Stormbringer is referenced in a handful of D&D sourcebooks and Dragon magazines, usually either as an example of an unreasonably powerful artifact weapon which can disrupt a D&D campaign, or as an excellent example of a unique and interesting weapon name. In Rules Compendium (3e) (2007), p.13, designer David Noonan cites Stormbringer as a direct inspiration for D&D's cursed artifacts. It is thought to have been inspired by the Norse myth of Tyrfing, a sword cursed that it cannot be sheathed without killing, will kill its wielder's own kinsmen, and will ultimately destroy its owner. It first appears in The Dreaming City (1961). Stormbringer is the cursed blade wielded by the antihero Elric of Melniboné in the works of fantasy writer Michael Moorcock. In Final Quest: They deserved it, Dragon #228 (Apr 1996), p.15-17, a D&D character's famous last words are cited as 'Guys, look! I found Stormbringer in the chest!' Stormbringer's statistics from Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes are reprinted in Encyclopedia Magica Volume Four (1995), p.1405-1406. They were omitted from subsequent printings of the book over copyright issues. Stormbringer appears in Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes (1976), p.52.Įlric and Stormbringer appear in the original printing of Deities & Demigods (1e) (1980), p.86-87. In this state, the wielder will slay even their allies, whose souls Stormbringer particular enjoys consuming. The sword has a mind of its own, and occasionally sends its wielder berserk to satisfy its desire for souls. Stormbringer has on rare occasion been known to fight by itself, particularly when in the presence of its counterpart Mournblade. The wielder of Stormbringer can summon it to their hand at will from anywhere in the multiverse, although this ability is not reliable. Weaker combatants are magically compelled to flee in panic at the mere sight of the weapon. The sword temporarily empowers its wielder with the energy of those it slays. It absorbs and consumes the souls of those it slays, and such creatures can never be returned to life. In addition to powerful magical enhancement, the sword drains levels from those it wounds. Stormbringer is one of the most powerful weapons in the known multiverse. In battle, it emits a horrible eager moaning, and radiates a visible black energy. It is a chaotic evil extraplanar being given form.

Stormbringer is sentient, with genius-level intelligence. In battle, it emits a frightening black radiance. Stormbringer is a huge black sword whose blade is carved with runes.

Elric and stormbringer