Mini Six Write Up: The Kandarian Dagger
The Demons don't like the sting....
Well I spoke about the Kandarian Dagger in the Deadite Posting, so I figured I would do quick write up of the Kandarian Dagger. Its fresh on my mind as I am reading some of the comics by Space Goat. Well here my write up of the dagger, its basic, but it has the opportunity for so much more.
Name: Kandarian Dagger (also known as The Demonic Dagger, The Champion’s Bane, and The Blade of Ereshkigal)
Description: An ancient dagger with a blade forged from an unknown, dark metal and a hilt carved from human bone. The dagger emanates a palpable aura of evil and seems to hum with a sinister energy.
Game Stats
Type: Melee Weapon (Dagger)
Damage: + 1D+2 (See Below)
Range: Short (If thrown)
Perks:
Burns on Touch (Evil Creatures): When the Kandarian Dagger strikes a demon, Deadite, or Dark One, the creature suffers an additional +2D burn damage.
Soul Absorption: If a creature is killed by the Kandarian Dagger, its soul becomes trapped within the dagger’s hilt. The Game Master can use these trapped souls as plot devices, sources of information, or to empower the dagger with additional abilities.
Dark Energy Conduit: The Kandarian Dagger can be used as a focus for powerful, dark magic, potentially opening rifts in time and space or summoning demonic entities. This ability should be used sparingly and with caution, as it could have unpredictable and dangerous consequences.
Complications:
Beacon for Evil: Due to the dagger being forged from the remains of Evil Ash and the mini Ashs—beings connected to dark forces—it carries a residual energy that acts like a magnet for evil. This would mean that while the dagger is a powerful tool for fighting evil, it also attracts more danger to whoever wields it. The Kandarian Dagger, while incredibly powerful against evil, carries a dark secret—it acts like a beacon, sending out faint signals that draw the attention of dark forces. Evil beings can sense its presence and know it’s out there, but they can’t pinpoint its exact location.
The Kandarian Dagger Theory:
The Kandarian Dagger is a mysterious and powerful weapon known for its effectiveness against Deadites. Its origins are complex and span multiple alternate realities. According to one timeline, it was created around 3000 BC by followers of the high priest Urigan. Originally called “The Blade of Ereshkigal” after the Sumerian goddess of death, it was later renamed the Kandarian Dagger, after the ancient Mesopotamian city of Kandar where it was forged.
So, why doesn’t the dagger appear in Army of Darkness? Here’s a theory that ties together its ancient origins, its eerie design, and its role as a beacon for evil.
After Ash’s battle at Castle Kandar and his return to the future, the wisemen knew that they would still have to battle against the dark threats, yet to come. After uncovering an ancient tome called the “The Book of Ereshkigal” and that it spoke of an ancient artifact that had been lost. Should the evil obtain this artifact, it would tip the tables in their favor as the artifact had various special powers if in the hands of true evil. After search and finding the artifact, which was a the “The Blade of Ereshkigal” also knows as the Kandarian Dagger. Quickly thinking the wisemen devised a plan to make the dagger even more powerful in the hands of the unsuspecting good. Created a new weapon inspired by the ancient dagger. They used the idea that clones and children of the Chosen One could inherit his powers, as hinted in Ash vs Evil Dead Season 3. They gathered the remains of mini Ashs and Evil Ash, using these remains to forge a new version of the dagger, by combining the two together. This version retained the dark energy of its predecessors, hence its creepy appearance with the tiny bones in the hilt.
However, the new dagger wasn’t just a weapon; it also became a beacon for evil. Because it was made from the remains of Ash’s dark counterparts, it attracted malevolent forces that could sense its power. While the dagger was highly effective against Deadites, its very existence drew dark entities toward it. An unusual side effect they didn’t realize would happen.
The sorcerers placed the new dagger next to the Necronomicon as a protective measure—a way to give future heroes a fighting chance against evil. This explains why the dagger wasn’t used in Army of Darkness: it hadn’t been created yet. It also clarifies why it eventually ended up at Castle Kandar—waiting for someone who might need it in the ongoing battle against darkness.