Shadowblade: This weapon is a prison or receptacle for an undead shadow, and it derives certain powers from its unholy occupant. It functions as a blade +1 (either a dagger or a type of sword), and in addition to inflicting normal weapon damage, it also drains ld4 points of Strength from a victim with each successful hit.

Anyone drained of all Strength by the weapon becomes a shadow under the command of the wielder. A shadowblade cannot be "turned" or controlled by a priest, though any shadows created by the weapon have no such immunity.

A shadowblade distinctly radiates evil and necromancy, both of which can be detected with elementary divinations. Only evil characters may employ this weapon. Good or neutral characters wielding the blade may be drained of 1-4 Strength points by its shadowy inhabitant unless they make a saving throw vs. death magic for each round they use the weapon. (XP 2,000.)