The Pilum of Fire
Sometimes, even educated magi can make decisions on impulse, instinct, or ill-humor. Thus, the Flambeaux Incarnos, who while drunk, promised he would craft a Pilum of Fire for his grogs to use. There were a lot of witnesses, and despite his inexperiences with magical item crafting, instead of creating some wand or item that could spit gouts of fire, he instead opted to create a spear that ignited itself, and to make sure it worked right, he had to push his limits a bit too far...
The Pilum of Fire (Creo Ignem 35)
This stylized roman pilum has inset rings of brass around the handle, and a sharp steel tip. With a twist of the rings and a sweep of the spear, the head of it ignites in a white-hot flame, with fiery feathers swirling around it. While ignited, the short spear does an extra +5 damage with +20 penetration. There is some risks of damaging the item if used for prolonged periods, and after any use it should be allowed to cool for the same duration it was ignited.
(Base 5, +1 Touch, +1 Diameter; Unlimited uses, +20 Penetration)
Side Effects table (1d10)
1 Exaggerated Sigil: When ignited, the spear's tip seems wreathed in a fiery phoenix-bird, leaving afterimages of glittering birds in flight when swung, and seeming to beat its wings and guide itself into every strie.
2-3 Minor Flaw: The flames of the spear lick down over the entirety of the spear, and can scorch the wielder if gloves are not worn, or if flammable items are held near.
4-5 Minor Side Effect: The person wielding the spear feels as if their heat is being drawn out of them and into the spear, leaving their skin chilled to the touch.
6 Minor Benefit: After the flaming effect is extinguished, the spear's tip is still red-hot for a time. This raises the spear's damage by +2 for 3 rounds after the flames extinguish.
7 Major Flaw: The heat of the flames are somewhat dangerous to the spear itself, and after each use, it will need to be left to cool for an hour, or quenched in water to cool it to a reasonable temperature again. This lingering heat offers no extra damage.
8 Major Side Effect: While the flames are burning, the pilum's wielder seems to be a more vibrant and active figure, the colors of their body enhanced. Similarly, they perceive everything around them more vividly, making it easier to pick out differences in shade or hue.
9 Major Benefit: The flaming spear seems to draw in nearby fires to feed itself. Any flames touching the bearer of the Pilum will be extinguished unless magically fueled (with no penetration), or if the spear is thrust into them. The round after this occurs, the spear gets an additional +2 to its damage from the enhanced flames..
10 Fatal Flaw: After every strike, the bird-like flames leap onto the target struck. This does no additional damage, though it will singe hair, smolder tinder, or damage parchment. This effect immediately ends the effect on the spear, but the spearhead still needs to cool off to be used again safely, as if it had been active for the entire duration. This leap of flames is not enough to ignite the struck opponent.