New Magic Items
by Denis Tetreault
Version 1.0
Charged or One-Shot Items
Web Capsules
When these 2 inch diameter white spheres are thrown at an opponent or
solid surface, there is a 95% chance they burst, expelling a 10 foot
diameter
sphere of sticky webs which lasts for 6 turns (as web spell).
They
can be hurled (according to grenade-like missile rules) or used as a
sling
stone. If a character carrying web capsules falls, there is a
20%
chance per 10 foot distance fallen (checked per capsule) of a capsule
exploding,
unless special precautions are taken.
Web Capsules can be used by any character class.
Permanent Items
Black Pearl of Alignment
This very rare item resembles a large pea-sized black bead that
radiates
magic. When carried for a minimum of 24 hours, the pearl masks
the
alignment of the bearer to all detection spells. If carried
continuously
for a week, the bearer can alter their alignment aura by thought to any
desired alignment, yielding false information from any spell or magic
item
performing know alignment, detect good/evil, or true
seeing.
Very few of these pearls have been found, though disturbingly,
one
was recently discovered on the body of a Scarlet Brotherhood spy
captured by the
Mayor's Special Guard in the city of Irongate.
Any character can use a black pearl, however some classes would
likely never knowingly use one (such as paladins and lawful-good
aligned
priests).
Black Ice Blade
Black ice blades are dagger-sized weapons enchanted from stygian
ice. They feel cold in the hand, though not uncomfortably so,
have
a leather-wrapped bronze handle and short guard, and a black,
razor-sharp, crystalline blade. The blades will not chip, and are
virtually unbreakable. If a sufficient force does manage to break or
damage the blade, the enchantment that preserves it is lost, and the
blade quickly melts away into harmless water. Black ice blades normally have an
enchantment of +2 to hit and damage. When held, they also provide a +2
bonus to all saves vs. cold.
Fire Cloak
When a command word is spoken, this normal-looking cloak functions as
the
spell fire shield. When active, the wizard is sheathed in thin
wispy
flames that shed no heat. Light given off is equivalent to only half
that
of a normal torch. Any cold-based attacks are saved against with a +2
bonus,
and either half normal or no damage is sustained. There is no bonus
against
fire-based attacks, but if the wizard fails to make the required saving
throw (if any) against them, he sustains double normal damage.
A fire cloak can be used by wizards and sorcerers.
Periapt of Poison Detection
This item resembles a small carved gem. When submersed in a liquid or
placed
in contact with an object, the gem will change color if a poison is
present.
The color indicates the type of poison present. Blue indicates a sleep
poison, red indicates a poison that causes physical damage, green
indicates
a poison which causes a physical illness, yellow indicates a mental
affect
of some kind, and black indicates a death poison. The periapt
can
normally be any of these colors, but cannot detect the one type of
poison
represented by that color. For example, a normally red periapt of
poison
detection cannot detect poisons that cause physical damage (though
a poison with multiple effects may show up as something else). Normally
colorless or white periapts can detect all types of poison. It
should
be noted here that there have been some periapts discovered,
stored
in the hoards of nefarious souls, that were purposely coated with a
contact
poison to thwart thieves. For example, a black periapt of poison
detection
may be one that cannot detect death poisons, or may be another type of
periapt
of poison detection coated with death poison.
Any character class can utilize a periapt of poison detection.
Wand of Spell Focusing
Wands of Spell Focusing are items very much in demand. They are
not charged, but rather draw upon magical energy from a spellcaster,
and
focus that energy into a specific spell effect (chosen when the wand is
created). Their purpose is to allow wizards more freedom in their
memorization
choices. For example, a wizard who attempts to cast a spell while
holding
a wand of magic missile focusing can convert any memorized
spell
(of a level equal to or higher then the wand's assigned spell effect)
into
a magic missile spell. What this means is that a wizard could
learn
a variety of different spells, rather then filling up his 1st level
choices
with multiple magic missile spells. Wands of spell focusing
almost always focus common and popular spells... the ones most
frequently
memorized by the average wizard, and normally are of low level spells.
These wands usually duplicate 1st level spells (70%), but may also
duplicate
2nd level spells (25%), 3rd level spells (4%), or higher (1%). Wands
of magic missile focusing are actually the most common type, for
obvious
reasons, and make up fully 40% of all wands of focusing.
Only wizards may use wands of focusing.
Unique Items
The Mask of Iggwilv
While now known as the Mask of Iggwilv, it is believed that
Iggwilv
did not create it, but rather "acquired" it early in her infamous
career.
If it had another name, it was lost long ago. The Mask is
composed
of a thin unbreakable ceramic, glazed white with blood-red patterning
(see
pg 55 of Return of the Eight). When held up to the face, the Mask
attaches itself firmly (without straps) and can only be removed if the
wearer so wills it (or dies). Once belonging to Iggwilv's mentor, the
mask
bestows upon its wearer the ability to see polymorphed or shape-changed
beings as they truly are, even through magical resistance (-40% to MR
rolls).
All reaction rolls (including for summoning purposes) made for the
wearer
are calculated as if she had an 18 charisma. Once per day the wearer
can
cast each of the following spells: suggestion, command, charm
person; and once per week can cast: charm monster, demand.
Wearing the mask for extended periods of time has an unfortunate side
affect...
Each week of use permanently lowers Comeliness by 1 point, to a low of
6 (hence the owner eventually takes to the practice of never taking it
off).
The Ring of Marchanter
Crafted by the infamous archmage of Melkot himself, the Ring of Marchanter is a fitting
symbol of his power. Former servants and hirelings confirm that
Marchanter wore his ring at all times, although none knew what it did,
if anything. It was presumably lost when Marchanter disappeared in CY
548. All that is known is that the ring is manufactured of an unknown
metal, set with a carved, red gemstone. The carving was Marchanter's
symbol, a pentagram with a stylized eye in the center, and two towers
behind. The Sons' of
Marchanter
use copies of this ring (based on the memories of Melkotia Castle
survivors) as their symbol, and would like nothing more then to find
the original. All attempts to locate it have thus far failed.
The original Ring is in fact
composed of the outer-planar metal tantulhor,
set with a perfect xenincoluite
gem, and is powerfully enchanted. When worn, the Ring of Marchanter provides a bonus
of +2 to Willpower,
and +20% Magic Resistance. It stores 25 spell levels (as a purple ioun
stone), and the wearer gains true seeing once per day, as
the spell. Perhaps most interesting, and likely the reason why the
special gemstone was used, the Ring
functions much as an amulet of life
protection (including immunity to possession by magic
jar), except at the moment the wearer would be slain, not only does
their psyche enter the ring for protection, but also their physical
body and all current possessions. There is no time limit to this state.
Artifacts
The Ashen Staff
The Ashen Staff is a 3-part artifact responsible in part for
the Rain of Colorless Fire that destroyed the Suel Empire and laid
waste thousands of square miles. Please see its newly added full
description
on my Secrets of the Twin
Cataclysms page.
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This page last modified on December 19, 2004