dar Origo Liber

dar bahr'Hærx

Being a Transcription on Magic and Mentalism in the lands of Vermé

Magic Items

Magic items in the lands of Vermé while not being impossible to find, are nonetheless unique items, designed for very specific purposes, by very specific personalities throughout history. Each and every enchanted item — sword, weapon, armor, book, miscellaneous item, scroll, ring, etc. — in addition to any possible positive abilities it might have, each enchanted item also carries with it a potential risk. And this risk is magnified with frequent uses of the item in question. Any enchanted item discovered in the realms of Vermé might be considered an artifact to one degree or another.

When determining the details of your specific artifact, select the item according to your normal methodology, or based upon your gaming requirements. When the primary properties of the item are known — a +1 long sword for example — it will then be necessary to determine for what purpose the item was made, who the item was crafted/enchanted by (which will also partially determine the region and artistic quality of the piece in question, as most necromancers who engaged in this sort of profession will have specific craftsmen they prefer to work with, as well this determines the point in history in which the item was made), and what (if any) risks use of the item will carry. You should consult the tables below to build the history of your item. The GM should elaborate in the results where needed to fit in with the particular situation in which the item was found. The list which follows should be regarded as a partial list only, and merely represents the most notable personalities in the history of enchanted items creation. Use of the table is of course completely optional, but this may be used to add color and background to your campaign. Unless otherwise noted, assume all magic-users mentioned here are human;

[1] When determining an enchanter for your item, keep alignment under consideration. Alignments listed as 'neutral', 'good', or 'evil' have some degree of latitude as the nature of the item. Where specific alignments are listed—'chaotic evil', etc.—do use where the item would be in opposition of the listed alignment.

[2] Syth Sulesh is the only known elf to appear on this list

[3] Efram the Younger...

[4] Efram the Elder...

[5] Rot Muzgrot is the only known full-blooded Sarngoch to appear on this list

Magic items provide your players and their characters with no end of possible beneficial effects. But the use of such magic items can have a toll of the character who uses them with regularity. As each and every magic item has some kind of history behind it, each enchanted item also carries with it some negative effect; some benign, some dangerous, and some deadly. Consult the table that follows for a few suggestions on what these effects could entail. GM's are fully encouraged to develop their own unique side effects.

[1] 'continued' and 'frequent' to be defind by GM

Dangerous/Deadly Side Effects

Dark Mold

A character or creature that falls victim to this brutal disease spends most of his time coughing and suffers a -4 penalty on all die rolls. Dark mold is also known variously as thief's doom (reduces the chance of success on all thieving rolls by 50%) or the mage silencer, the latter because spell-casters suffering from the sickness have a 50% chance of miscasting any spell with a verbal component. The disease cures naturally, with a cumulative 2% chance per day that the disease will have run its course. Until the disease has either been cured or the sufferer recovers naturally, the victim of the Dark Mold disease looses CON 1d4 points for the duration of the disease.

OGC Source; Dungeon Hazards, by Finch & Reed, 2006, Ronin Arts

Weapons

Grimie's Arcois Swords

Harald Grimie was an enchanter to the paladin forces of Bodibeve, and assisted in the creation of many weapons; both deadly and holy. Swords of this type are always of the highest craftsmanship, and never require sharpening. The blades are of highly polished steel, but the cross guards and pommels are always arcois. The blades always shine light according to their purpose (see the descriptions below). The sword types these swords may be found in are short (01-05), long (06-25), bastard (26-65), broad (66-90), and two-handed (91-00).

Any evil creatures touching one of these swords will receive 4d6 electrical shock damage. Chaotic Neutral and Chaotic Good creatures touching one of the weapons will receive 2d4 electrical shock damage. Lawful Neutral, Neutral Good, and True Neutral creatures may handle the weapons, but will benefit only from a +1 TH and DAM bonus from the sword.

Defender: these swords function much the same as other Defender-type swords (refer to your DMG or OSRIC SRD). Their enchantment varies with a bonus of 1d6. Swords with bonuses of 5 or 6, will always be imbued with intelligence and ego, and are always of lawful good alignment. In the presence of potential enemies, the blade glows blue; the stronger the potential enemy, the brighter the glow becomes.

EXP/GP value; 3,000/15,000

Destroyer: the Destroyer swords are always 'programmed' to fight a specific enemy type. Most of these swords (01-65) will be programmed against a type of creature of chaotic evil alignment specifically. The rest will be programmed against a chaotic creature (66-85) or an evil creature (86-00). Typically, the enemy of the sword will be some type of demon or devil, intelligent undead (of at least a 'Very' intelligent rating), dragon, etc. However, the GM can specify any type of creature that falls within the alignment requirements. The sword will never be programmed against a specific entity (demon prince, arch-devil, etc.). Versus its enemy, the sword will function as +4 TH and DAM. On an unadjusted TH roll of 20, the sword will actually steal 1 HD from its opponent (as an energy drain). Against other opponents, the sword functions as +2 TH and DAM. In the presence of its programmed enemy, the sword glows red.

EXP/GP value; 2,000/10,000

Disrupter: Disrupter swords were specifically created during those struggles that later became known as the Undying Wars. In battle, they are +2 TH and DAM against all enemies. However, on a successful hit versus any undead creature, the creature may be blasted out of existence utterly, according to the table below;

On a successful TH attempt, roll 1d20 using the chart to determine disruption of the opponent. Success indicates the undead opponent is completely blasted out of existance. Failure will still inflict normal weapon damage, plus the magical bonus of the sword and any other bonuses the character may have.

[1] Attacker's Level assumes that either a paladin, fighter, ranger, or Lyrist Veteran will be wielding the weapon. In the hands of any other character class, the probability of disruption is made at two levels below the attacker's level. Non-weapon proficiencies apply.

[D] indicates immediate disruption of the undead opponent on a successful hit.

Within 90 ft of any of the above listed undead creatures, the sword glows silvery-white; the stronger the potential enemy, the more intense the sword will glow. Within 60 ft of a vampire, ghost, or lich, the weapon actually emits a low, throbbing hum.

EXP/GP value; 1,750/17,500

Armor

Plemintine's Plates
of Perpetual Crushing (cursed)

This suit of plate mail armor does in fact offer +2 protection. However, when a hit is scored against the wearer which causes more than 4 hit points damage, the curse is activated. This curse causes the plate mail to begin crushing the body of the person wearing it, for 1d3 damage per round until the wearer is dead. The wearer's body will rupture and explode from various places as the pressure of their blood builds up beneath the armor. The only ways to halt the crushing curse is through either a remove curse spell (which destroys all enchantments of the armor), or transmute metal-to-wood spell (which will destroy the armor utterly).

Elemental Armors

During an ancient conflict between the elemental gods, armors were created for the mortal followers of each of the four elements. Each of the different types are considered the equivalent of plate mail armor. In addition to providing physical protections, the armors bestowed other powers to the wearer;

Air armor: this suit of white plate armor is subtly decorated with light blue and gray mottling, resembling clouds. The suit provides +1 AC protection. Also, it allows the wearer the ability to cast a fly spell as a 7th level magic user, 3x/day. This flying ability is at will while on the Elemental Plane of Air. The wearer also gains the benefit of a +1 saving throw versus all electrical-based attacks. A gust of wind spell, cast by a magic user of at least 10th level, will cause the armor to be blown away in the magical breeze, rendering the wearer completely unprotected.

Earth armor; this suit of armor plating literally resembles stone flags attached to the wearer's body. The suit provides +2 AC protection. Also, it allows the wearer the ability to travel through solid stone and similar materials according to the 5th level magic user spell passwall, 3x/day at the 10th level of ability. This passwall ability is at will while on the Elemental Plane of Earth. The wearer also gains the benefit of a +1 saving throw versus all cold-based attacks. Transmute rock to mud spells will effectively destroy the armor as it veritably melts from the wearer's body.

Fire armor; this suit of plate mail armor glows with light ranging from white-yellow to crimson. The suit provides +1 AC protection. Also, can cast a fire resistance spell on themselves, 3x/day. This fire resistance ability is at will while on the Elemental Plane of Fire. The wearer also gains the benefit of a +1 saving throw versus all cold-based attacks. A chill metal spell (the reverse of heat metal) cast on the armor will remove all enchantments, rendering it to be nothing more than ordinary plate mail.

Water armor; this suit of aqua-blue tinted plates are elaborately decorated with fluid lines and graceful curved which mimic gently rolling waves of water. The suit provides +1 AC protection. Also, it allows the wearer the ability to breath underwater as a 6th level druid, 3x/day. This underwater breathing ability is at will while on the Elemental Plane of Water. The wearer also gains the benefit of a +1 saving throw versus all fire-based attacks. Cold-based attacks, such as ice storm and cone of cold, will cause the armor to freeze, and shatter.

EXP/GP value; 1,500/11,000

Grimie's Arcois Armors

Another achievement of Harald Grimie, was the creation of special armors for the paladins, knights, and clerics of the Bodibevian armies. These armors, unlike Grimie's Arcois Swords, were tailored exclusively for the military and religious elite. Therefore, each of these items should be traceable back to a specific personality in the history of the Bodibevian armies. The armors are always of the highest quality of craftsmanship, mirror bright and never requiring polishing. The armors will always bear some markings relating to the original owner; inlaid designs, golden seals, etc.

The armors are constructed of arcois, as the name would imply, decorations are always golden, and leather straps and linings are always of the softest, most supply varieties.

The armors come in a variety of defensive strengths and special enchantments;

• Each suit is permanently imbued with a detect chaos spell which functions similarly to the spell detect evil.
• Each suit will have an AC bonus of 1d4+1
• Rarely (90-00 on d00), a suit will have one of the following additional abilities; cure disease 1x/day, cure light wounds 2x/day, remove fear 1x/day, prayer 1x/day, protection from evil 1x/day

Any evil creatures touching one of these armors will receive 4d6 electrical shock damage. Chaotic Neutral and Chaotic Good creatures touching one of the weapons will receive 3d4 electrical shock damage. Lawful Neutral, Neutral Good, and True Neutral creatures using the armor, will benefit only from a +2 bonus from their AC, and will be unable to command the armor's other functions.

The Arcois Armors come in scale (30%), chain (50%), and plate (20%).

EXP/GP value; (scale) 1,500/11,000, (chain) 2,250/12,500, (plate) 3,000/15,000

Miscellaneous Magic

Enoch Kris' Spectacles of Comprehensive Reading

Enoch Kris was at one time a librarian in the great library of Carastrid within the righteous city-state of Bodibeve. To assist the noble clientele of Bodibeve, Kris had constructed many pairs of these powerful reading glasses. The primary ability of these glasses allowed the wearer to read any mortal language (native to the lands of Vermé). They also provide the wearer the ability to read magic as the magic user spell of the same name.

A potential side effect from prolonged or repeated use of the Spectacles is rumoured to be a total dependence on the glasses; the powerful magics having rendered the mortal eyes of the wearer virtually blind without them.

EXP/GP value; 650/7,000

Instruments of the Bards

There are 5 magical instruments unique to the Verméan continent. These instruments were developed during the Dragons Wars to aid the legions of bards upon both sides. Each can be fully utilized only by a bard of the type and level indicated below. Bards of lower status, as well as other characters able to play such an instrument, will be able to use the device with only limited results (see item descriptions).

Racaraide Lute; The lute is the only bard instrument listed here that can be utilized by any bard sub-class (including standard First Edition bards). The lute will deliver 3d8 HP DAM to any non-bard, or any bard under 6th level who picks it up and attempts to play it (saving throw versus spell applies). A 6th level or higher bard who uses the lute will decipher legend as a 16th level Racaraid Bard (or as three levels above his or her current level, which ever is higher) and can sing the following songs once per day:

1. comprehend languages
2. hold person
3. teleport

Bards below 6th level cannot use the lute even if they do not receive damage as described above.

EXP/GP value; 6,000/20,000

Lorist Harp; This magical harp will deliver 2d6 HP DAM to any non-Lorist Priest/Ovate or Lorist Priest/Ovate under 5th level who picks it up and attempts to play it (saving throw versus spell applies). A 5th level or higher Lorist Priest/Ovate who uses the harp has a 15% better chance of boosting morale and can sing the following songs once per day:

1. protection from evil/good
2. cure serious wounds
3. call woodland beings

Lorist Priests/Ovates below 5th level cannot use the cittern even if they do not receive damage as described above.

EXP/GP value; 4,000/15,000

Lyrist Cittern; This lute-like instrument will deliver 3d4 HP DAM to any non-Lyrist Veteran or Lyrist Veteran under 4th level who picks it up and attempts to play it (saving throw versus spell applies). A 4th level or higher Lyrist Veteran who uses the cittern has a 15% better chance of inspiring greatness and can sing the following songs once per day:

1. shield
2. cure light wounds
3. remove fear

Lyrist Veterans below 4th level cannot use the cittern even if they do not receive damage as described above.

EXP/GP value; 3,000/12,000

Sonneteer Lyre; This magical harp-like instrument will deliver 3d4 HP DAM to any non-Sonneteer Magician/Trickster or Sonneteer Magician/Trickster under 5th level who picks it up and attempts to play it (saving throw versus spell applies). A 5th level or higher Sonneteer Magician/Trickster who uses the lyre has a 15% better chance of charming/befriending and can sing the following songs once per day:

1. polymorph self
2. ray of enfeeblement
3. monster summoning I

Sonneteer Magicians/Tricksters below 5th level cannot use the lyre even if they do not receive damage as described above.

EXP/GP value; 4,000/15,000

Jongleur Pipes; The pipes will deliver 2d4 HP DAM to any non-Jongleur Magsman or Jongleur Magsman under 4th level who picks it up and attempts to play it (saving throw versus spell applies). A 4th level or higher Jongleur Magsman who uses the pipes has a 15% better chance of charming/befriending and can sing the following songs once per day:

1. invisibility
2. silence 15' radius
3. find traps

Jongleur Magsmen below 4th level cannot use the pipes even if they do not receive damage as described above.

EXP/GP value; 2,500/10,000

Artifacts

All artifacts are generally assumed to be one-of-a-kind, unique items.

Alignments; The alignment given for an artifact is the alignment of the object itself. Some artifacts will have multiple alignments noted, such as; Good, Chaotic. This indicates that users may be of alignments for those listed, but not if part of the user's alignment is in opposition to those listed in the artifact descriptions. For instance, an artifact list as Good, Chaotic may not be used by any Lawful nor any Evil alignments without potential serious repercussions. Also in this example, True Neutral alignments may expect negative, though less harsh, consequences for using the artifact in question.

Powers and Effects; Each artifact, in addition to its powers listed in the artifact description, will have one each of three powers and three effects (refer to the tables that follow the Artifacts section below). Powers and effects can be assigned randomly, by selecting those elements that best suit your campaign, or, feel free to create your own.

Even if a class or alignment cannot command the artifact's special properties as described, any user of the artifact may call upon the minor and major benign powers, as well as the primary power.

EXP/GP value; These values for artifacts are not listed here. GM's are encouraged to evaluate any awards of EXP or resale value according to the requirements of your individual games.

Armor of the Immortals; Copper Plates of Mescagni

(Neutral, Lawful)

This is a full suit of plate mail armor, constructed from sturdy copper plates. The plates have been etched into extraordinarily intricate patterns and designs. The designs seem to form a story if one takes the time to examine it thoroughly. Starting at the helmet where a scene depicts what might seem to be a blacksmith at a forge, accompanied by what might be a magic user casting spells over the blacksmith's work. Following the patterns reveals other scenes of a mail-clad knight engaged in combat, courting maidens, riding horses, being knighted, participating in jousts, and so fourth. Hundreds of scenes can be identified upon the armor. Only one portion remains undecorated; the left leg below the knee.

Once donned, the wearer and witnesses, will see a bright spark where the etchings on the copper plates ends. An examination reveals nothing. But through continued use, the wearer will observe his or her history being engraved into the copper plates.

Through the centuries, it is rumoured that the plates have taken a mind and an awareness of their own, and that upon the death of the current owner, the plates teleport themselves to a place of safe-keeping, until such a time a new hero of worthy courage and morals should come to claim the chains as his or her own. Where the hidden location of the plates is remains a mystery.

The suit will fit individuals who share typical proportions of well-muscled humans of average height.

Artifact Powers; performs as +2 armor, but also has the following abilities;

• Fire resistance as the ring of the same name.
• Warmth as the ring of the same name.
• Create fire without any fuel, the flame seeming to spring from the very ground, 3x/day. The fire will be small (1 ft. square area), and smokeless, regardless of prevailing weather conditions. However, such fire cannot be created in the absence of oxygen (i.e., the vacuum of space, under water, etc.).
• The wearer may command the suit to burst into magical flame, 1x/day. Any creature engaged in close-quarters combat with the wearer will suffer 1d4 fire damage each round. The flames will last 2d4 rounds.
If the suit is worn before this power is known, the suit will burst into flame, uncontrolled by the wearer, whenever the wearer is engaged in combat. The likelihood of this event is 55%. Once the power is known, the PC may have some control, but still runs the risk of not being able to control the flame 15% of the time. Such uncontrolled bursts may happen at anytime the PC is in an excited or agitated state (GM's discretion), and is not limited to the 1x/day rule.

Alignment opposition; Any class ordinarily allowed the use of plate mail armor are may wear the armor, and command its uses as described above.

Chaotic alignments of any type cannot wear the armor. Attempts to do so will cause the plates to constrict upon the wearer, crushing them within. This crushing action will inflict 2d4 HP damage per round to the wearer until dead. During the period of crushing, the wearer will be unable to do anything to aid themselves. A remove curse spell cast upon the armor will halt the crushing action for 1d4 rounds. During this period, associates may attempt to remove the plates, which will take 1d4 rounds to do so. Crushing will resume upon conclusion of the remove curse spell.

Good and evil alignments of any type benefit from the armor's protective properties, but cannot command the other abilities.

Armor of the Immortals; Elven Scales of Pastor

(Good, Chaotic)

This is a full suit of scale mail armor. Bards sing tales of the lands of Parad'yse Isle. Their descriptions paint the mythical island in shades of peace, and of beauty, and of plenty. But at a time not long before the coming of Perciful the Elf-Friend, they did experience a war as dark as the Abyss. During this time, called by the elfish historians, Ages Dermonoir, the elves developed their strategies for battle. And they created many unique and powerful items. One such item is this suit of exquisite armor.

The Scales are said to be forged from hardened electrum. The elves at that time were very fond of scale mail armor, though their armor was made more ceremony than its battle properties. Upon each scale is inscribed the portrait of a past owner. Upon the death of the current owner, his or her image is added to one of the scales.

The elven hero, Raltasi dar de Pastor, is said to have created the suit scales for himself.

Its scales were strengthened by rare enchantments. Exactly what those enchantments were, has never been confirmed, but eye-witness accounts say that the General had been seen on several occasions flying over battlefields, speaking with birds and using them as war-time spies, and controlling winds to use against invaders.

The ultimate fate of the knight wearing the Scales is ever a debate among scholars, historians, and bards. For on the rare times in battle when the knight is slain, his mortal body remains behind, but the armor mysteriously vanishes, only to return decades, and sometimes centuries later upon the body of another knight. Some say it is the same person, but resurrected in a new form. Others contest that it is a fate bestowed by the gods; that a mortal has been chosen at time when a hero is required to perform a task. Others, say, it is just an accident; that the armor is found by happenstance.

Through the great history of the elven peoples, the location of the armor has been lost, though stories of a knight in glittering scales can be found in many different civilizations; human, elven, dwarven, and even halfling among others. All these sources bear several themes; the wearer could fly, speak with birds, and control winds. Several accounts even state the knight was seen to transform himself into a light wispy cloud of vapor. Through the centuries, it is rumoured that the scales have taken a mind and an awareness of their own, and that upon the death of the current owner, the scales teleport themselves to a place of safe-keeping, until such a time a new hero of worthy courage and morals should come to claim the scales as his or her own. Where the hidden location of the chains is remains a mystery.

The suit allows itself to be worn by all races, magically adjusting its size to fit the current wearer perfectly.

Artifact Powers; performs as +2 armor, but also has the following abilities;

• Fly as the magic user spell of the same name, 1x/day.
• Wind Walk as the cleric spell of the same name, 1x/day.
• Control Winds as the druid spell of the same name, 1x/day.
• Gaseous Form as the scroll of the same name, 1x/day.
• Communicate with non-fantastical birds, at will.

Alignment opposition; Evil alignments of any type cannot wear the armor. Attempts to do so will cause the links to become red-hot, burning through any cloth they come into contact with, heating other metals as the druid spell of the same name, and inflict 2d10 HP damage should the chain come into contact with bare skin.

Lawful and chaotic alignments benefit from the armor's protective properties, but cannot command the other abilities.

Armor of the Immortals; Golden Links of Echtel, the Fair

(Good, Neutral)

This is a full suit (coif, shirt, and pants) of the most fair golden chain mail ever made. It was made, for a nobel's son of Olphinecta named Echtel, the Fair. The Marshall of a neighboring kingdom, in a gesture of goodwill, gifted to Echtel this suit of fine golden chain mail. But before the Marshall could present the gift to young Echtel, the Marshall's own jealous sons thought to curse Echtel for the affections bestowed upon him by their father. And the sons took the golden chain mail to a renowned witch who lived high in the mountains above their kingdom, and their did place upon the chains what the sons thought to be curses of ill omen. But the witch saw into the hearts of the sons of the Marshall. And into the chain mail did she instead pour the Gift of Making, and placed upon the chains magical enchantments to protect the young man from harm, for she knew sure the sons of the Marshall would surely seek their revenge against Echtel.

Through the centuries, it is rumoured that the chains have taken a mind and an awareness of their own, and that upon the death of the current owner, the chains teleport themselves to a place of safe-keeping, until such a time a new hero of worthy courage and morals should come to claim the chains as his or her own. Where the hidden location of the chains is remains a mystery.

The suit will fit individuals who share typical proportions of humans of average height.

Artifact Powers; performs as +3 armor, but also has the following abilities;

• Bards receive a bonus of 15% to their ability to charm, 3x/day.
Non-bards have a base chance of 10% + 1% per point of CHA to successfully use charm 1x/day.
• Bards receive a bonus of 5% to their Decipher Legend [1] and Know Item [2] abilities, 3x/day.
• A bard wearing the armor may command the armor to chime for 3d4 turns 2x/day. The chiming benefits all associates of the bard, who gain a 5% bonus to morale checks (associates must be within 40 ft. of the bard for the bonus to take effect). Additionally, enemies of the bard, greater than Animal intelligence but below Average intelligence will suffer -5% to their morale checks during this period (enemies must be within 40 ft. of the bard for the penalty to take effect).
Non-bards may not command the chime ability.

[1] Legend Lore in the First Edition bard class.

[2] Item Knowledge in the First Edition bard class.

Alignment opposition; Evil alignments of any type cannot wear the armor. Attempts to do so will cause the links to become red-hot, burning through any cloth they come into contact with, heating other metals as the druid spell of the same name, and inflict 2d10 HP damage should the chain come into contact with bare skin.

Lawful and chaotic alignments benefit from the armor's protective properties, but cannot command the other abilities.

Eagles' Wings of Arcadia

(Lawful Neutral)

These wings are presented to devotees of Caelis, as a means of communicating with the Lawful Neutral Goddess. When discovered, the wings will appear as nothing more than pair of costumed eagles wings. Though in good condition, they appear very old, with some of the feathers being rather worn. The wings are connected together, with a harness that would seem obvious to strap to a person's back, much as a back pack. If donned, the wings immediately graft themselves to the back (see below for the consequences for chaotic alignments). This will destroy any garment, including armor, the wearer happens to have on at the time.

The wings will provide the wearer with the ability of flight, at the movement rate of an astonishing 200 ft., agility class A (First Edition)/level VI (OSRIC). Once attached, to the user, the wings may only be removed via an alter reality spell. Once removed, the wings may not be re-attached to the same character/being.

This pair of massive eagle's wings measures 30 ft., wing tip to wing tip when fully extended. Prolonged use will ultimately change the alignment of the bearer to Neutral Good.

In addition to the ability of flight as detailed above, other abilities of the Wings are;

• Communicate with all non-fantastical avians.
• Animal Friendship as the first level druid spell of the same name, as if cast by a 5th level druid, 1x/day. Only non-fantastical avians may be targeted with the spell.
• Cast Commune spell as 20th level cleric, 1x/week. Answers may be more involved than 'yes' and 'no' as prescribed in the spell description, at the GM's discretion.
• Travel astrally, as the clerical spell, astral spell. The wearer of the wings may carry up to 400 lbs.

Alignment opposition; Lawful Good and Lawful Evil alignments may use the wings as described above, with the exception of commune ability. Other alignments are limited to using the Wings' flying abilities.

All non-Lawful Neutral alignments attempting to use the commune ability will instigate an immediate visitation by 1d4 members of the School of Seasons, and will be placed under their control, and held captive within Caelis' castle on Klaron, second layer of the plane of Arcadia. (see the section on Pantheons for more information on the Inner Planes).

Any chaotic alignment attempting any use of the Wings will suffer unique damage as the Wings will immediate rise to a height of 6d10x100 ft., and then release themselves from the character. The character will suffer the appropriate falling damage.

Challis of Faithfulness (Sol)

(Good, Neutral)

This artifact is an elaborately decorated drinking vessel made of arcois. The stem and base are encrusted with several thousand gold pieces worth of rare and valuable gems. The reservoir has been inlaid with patterns of eagles' wings around its entire circumference.

Drinking from the challis provides the imbiber with god-like charisma for a 24-hour period, effectively quadrupling the CHA attribute of the PC. The effects slowly dissipate such that; for hours 1 through 8 CHA is 4x normal[1], hours 9 through 16 CHA is 3x normal[1], for hours 17 through 24 CHA is 2x normal[1]. During the effective periods, the user has the following abilities;

[1] Minimum CHA attribute while under the influence of the Challis is 19.

[2] Maximum of 95% for Henchman Loyalty, and maximum 90% for Reaction Adjustment.

This powerful artifact must be used with extreme caution though. Following the effective 24-period, unless the PC immediately consumes additional fluid from the Challis (within 1 hour of the ending of the 24-hour period), the PC's CHA will be reduced to one-half its normal attribute score (minimum CHA 3). The PC will recover CHA points at the rate of 1 point every 2 hours. If the PC consumes liquid from the Challis again during this period of recovery, the CHA score is increased as described above based on the character's normal CHA score

There is a 25% probability that the character will permanently loose 1 point of CHA after each use of the Challis.

To use the powers of the Challis, the cup must be filled to at least three-quarters full (equivalent of 18 ounces) of expensive red wine. The entire quantity must be consume. Effects will begin 1d4 turns thereafter. (GM's may wish to include the effects of alcohol on the PC at their discretion.)

Alignment opposition; Evil alignments with less than 10 HD attempting to drink from the Challis will be poisoned, making their saving throw vs. poison at -5. Failed save will cause the victim to die within 2d4 rounds. A successful save will still inflict 4d6 HP DAM. Evil alignments that have 10 HD or more make their save vs. poison as normal, or suffer 4d6 HP DAM. A successful save will halve the damage inflicted. Evil alignments in any case will not be able to make use of the Challis' powers.

Lawful and chaotic alignments attempting to drink from the Challis must save vs. poison or suffer 2d4 HP DAM with each use. A successful save avoids damage. Lawful and chaotic alignments may use the Challis powers, but the effective duration is halved.

Chaos Horn

(Chaotic Neutral)

This magical horn appears as a bulls horn; large and black, being some 18 inches long in total. The exterior and hollowed-out interior of the horn are highly polished to a mirror-like sheen. The horn is engraved and inlaid all around its circumference with images of wild life, and inscriptions and holy symbols dedicated to the deity Bolc. Both the inlays and the mouth piece are arcois.

The horn was once used by high ranking druids, clerics, and bards dedicated to the teachings of the Horned God.

The Chaos Horn can be blown as a normal horn, providing an elk-like blast of noise. If the correct command words are known and recited before the horn is winded, the horn creates a cone of sound waves 180 ft-long and 60 ft-wide at its terminus. The noise immediately slays any creature of less than 5 HD without a saving throw. Creatures 5 HD or greater within the area of effect are entitled a saving a throw versus death magic. A successful save still inflicts 3d10 DAM.

Alternatively, if the correct command words are known, ,the possessor may use the horn to stun all creatures within the same area of effect. Creatures below 7 HD are stunned for 3d6 turns with no saving throw. Creatures with 7 HD and above are entitled to a saving throw. A successful save halves the amount of time stunned. Creatures above 15 HD are not affected by the stunning affects.

The possessor can also cast animal friendship as the druid spell, but the maximum HD of the animals charmed is twice that of the horn's possessor. All animal friends are lost if the possessor loses possession of the Horn.

Alignment opposition; Lawful alignments of any color will suffer 3d4 DAM merely handling the horn. If a lawfully aligned creature actually attempts to wind the horn, the horn inflicts 3d12 DAM.

All other alignments (with the exception of Chaotic Neutrals) may only wield the Horn's Minor and Major benign powers, as well as the ability to cast animal friendship.

Composition of Olympus

(Chaotic Good)

This takes the form of sheet music spanning 100 pages. The composition has embedded within its themes several magical enchantments that a musician may extract in order to cast spells. These spells may only be employed by bards of the appropriate levels indicated below;

[1] Levels indicated in paentheticals refer to the standard First Edition bard PC class. Otherwise, the level indicated is for all Verméan Bard classes, unless otherwise indicated.

Alignment opposition; Non-good alignments of any color will suffer 3d6 DAM by attempting to play the Composition, or any of the themes it contains. Lawful alignments will not be able to make any sence of the notes contained on the Composition's pages. Lawful Evil creatures less than 6 HD attempting to read the Composition will be slayed immediately with no saving throw.

dar Kuaz de Omanthrid

(Evil, Chaotic)

This tome of unspeakable evil is said to be responsible for the destruction of the Plains of Parad'yse and the kingdom of the Omanthrid del Rin (refer to the histories section for more details). The book is described as follows;

...the dimensions of the book is 4 hands tall by 3 hands wide, and filled with many sheaves until its thickness equals its width. The covers are bound in dark hide, and is covered in dark patches, as of dried blood. And there remain tufts of the bristling hair of the wretched creature from which the skin was shorn. It is bound in iron, and fastened and locked with great claws of blackened steel...

Unknown to even the most knowledgable scholar, is that the book was created at the time that Tau populated and ordered the Koh; for the dar Kuaz de Omanthrid is the antithesis of All. And thus, it renders the destruction of all it touches. To protect the Prime Material Plance from the effects of the evil book, it was hidden in the Mausoleum of Kos'ozmuth (details located in the module The Door of Infinite Portals by Usherwood Publishing).

The principle power of the book is that it can annilhilate any object, material, or creature of the Prime Material Plane, at its own discretion. Such an attack by the artifact is allowed a save vs. death magic at -10.

Alignment opposition; Any non-chaotic evil creature touching the book must save vs. death magic at -5, or be drawn into the book to be tormented by the book's evil for eternity. Those who roll a successful save will go insane. If drawn into the book, successful resurrection and exorcisim spells will draw the victim back out of the book.

Chaotic evil alignments must also make a save vs. death magic, but do so without penalty.

Dragon Hordling Medallion

(see below)

Description to come...

Alignment opposition;

Gelatinous Mass of the Abyss

(Chaotic Evil)

Description to come...

Alignment opposition;

Locks of Divinity

(Lawful Good)

Located in a huge castle floating among the clouds, guarded some say by gold dragon of the largest most ancient kind, there exists box of exquisite crystal. About the size of a large book, the crystal box is locked by a golden pad lock. The key of gem-encrusted gold, lays, so others say, at the bottom of the ocean, guarded by a leviathan of unknown size.

Within the crystal box lay a fistful of curly brown hair. There are 1d4x500 hairs within, and each strand of hair is some 18 inches long. The hairs, reputedly from the head of the Lawful Good deity Avitori, are each power relics in and of themselves.

Each hair has the ability to;

• Cast the following spells as a 16th level cleric; Astral Spell, Cure Critical Wounds, Cure Light Wounds, Cure Moderate Wounds, Cure Blindness, Cure Disease, Detect Evil, Dispel Evil, Divination, Heal, Holy Word, Neutralize Poison, Plane Shift, Protection from Evil (10 ft. Radius), Restoration, Resurrection, True Seeing, each 1x/day.

Curative spells cast by a paladin will always restore the maximum HP allowed by the spell.

• Cast Commune spell as 20th level cleric, 1x/week. Answers may be more involved than 'yes' and 'no' as prescribed in the spell description, at the GM's discretion.
• Turn undead as a 10th level cleric.

Once used, the hair disintegrates into a pleasant smelling vapor, and is gone forever. Because of this, Avitori himself is aware each and every time one of the hairs gets used. If used for reasons not in keeping with the teachings of Lawful Good society, the user will be visited by one the Legion of Purity, who is likely to cast geas or quest upon the abuser.

Careless and frequently repeated uses will also instigate a visit from the Legion Purity, as will uses inspired by promises and hopes of personal gain.

Alignment opposition; Neutral Good alignments may use the hairs to cast all the spells list above (save commune) at the 6th level of ability.

Chaotic Good alignments may also cast the spells as Neutral Good alignments. However, there is a 45% probability that the resulting spell will actually be the reverse (where a reverse of the spell exists), or fail altogether (where a reverse of the spell does not exist).

All non-Lawful Good alignments attempting to use the commune ability will instigate an immediate visitation by 1d4 members of the Legion of Purity, and will be placed under their control, and held captive within Avitori's castle within the Seven Heavens (see Chapter 6 for additional information).

Any evil alignment attempting any use of the hairs will suffer 10d6 explosive damage. A successful saving throw versus breath weapon will halve the damage inflicted.

Pewter Ring of Halfling Sense

(Good, Lawful)

This is an unadorned ring of pewter. There are no markings, and no gems. The ring itself has the appearance of having been worn for many years, as it bears scratches and nicks around its entire perimeter. If detected for, the ring will indicate a small magical enchantment. Only a halfling druid may be able to correctly identify the ring and its properties. The ring was created by the halfling goddess Jessamine as a reward for her most selfless and humble followers.

The properties of the ring depend on the race of the character. If a halfling wears the ring, he/she will gain a +1 bonus to STR and a +2 to CHA. They will also gain the ability to change pure water to berry wine, and cast an animal friendship spell (as the druid spell of the same name), each once per day.

If the character is a non-halfling, he/she will gain a +1 bonus to CHA. They will also gain the ability to change pure water to berry wine, and cast an animal friendship spell (as the druid spell of the same name), each once per day. Non-halfling characters will also undergo a permanent and irreversible change, as described below.

Within one week of wearing the ring, if the ring is worn for more than 24 hours continuously, the character will begin to take on one of the familiar physical characteristics of the halfling; that is, their feet will grow quite large, grow a furry coat, and develop leathery soles. Within a week, the character will no longer be able to wear the normal shoes of their race as their feet will have effectively doubled in size. The feet will provide the characters with the same protection as low soft boots. During the period of this transformation, the character will be unable to walk under their own power due the excruciating pain. A remove curse spell will return the feet to normal size.

Alignment opposition; Evil alignments placing the ring upon the hand will suffer the loss of the entire hand, due to gangrene within 24 hours.

Other non-good alignments will find the ring powerless to their attempts to make it function.

Ravankaval; Broad Sword of Jonas the Lawful

(Lawful Good)

This weapon is utilitarian in appearance, being the weapon of a rather humble knight of the quest for dar Kuaz de Omanthrid; tome of legendary evil. This is the very weapon used to slay the red dragon Khurigheeri, the Ruby, and set into motion the events of the Drago'nith Karg; the Second Dragon War. The sword is perfectly balanced, and never requires sharpening. It is a humble weapon, with nothing in the way of markings or adornments that would identify it as anything other than a rather well-made sword.

In the hands of a paladin, it operates as a +4 Holy Defender. Wielded by a paladin however, the character could change all, some, or none of the attack bonus to a bonus to AC. Therefor, a paladin could increase their current AC of 3 (plate mail armor) to an AC of 1 by deducting 2 of the +4 bonus, and reserve the remaining +2 bonus for hit and damage.

Further, when wielded by a paladin, the sword deals +8 damage against all chaotic evil enemies. Note that this +8 bonus is in place of, not in addition to, the normal +4 bonus.

The weapon has an INT of 14, as well the power of speech. It can speak in elvish, as well as the common tongue of man.

The weapon has an ego 13.

Furthermore, the sword has the following abilities;

• Cast the following spells as a 10th level cleric; Cure Light Wounds, Cure Moderate Wounds, Cure Blindness, Cure Disease, Detect Evil, Dispel Evil, Neutralize Poison, Protection from Evil (10 ft. Radius), each 1x/day.

Curative spells cast by a paladin will always restore the maximum HP allowed by the spell.

• Turn undead as a 6th level cleric.

Alignment opposition; Chaotic Evil alignments daring to even touch the weapon will receive an electric shock which deals 4d12 HP damage, no saving throw. Evil and Chaotic alignments will receive 3d10 electrical damage, and entitled a saving throw versus spell (a successful save will halve the damage inflicted).

To all other alignments, the sword operates as +2 TH and DAM.

Thieve's Picks of Goldenrod

(Neutral, Chaotic)

Once owned by the half-elf thief, Dayle Goldenrod, this is a complete set of thieve's picks and tools. The tools are held within a leather envelope. The envelope itself is protected by wards and runes of an ancient nature. While encased within the envelope, the tools are impervious to all manner of damage; crushing, falling, spell, fire, acid, electricity, etc.

The tools provide the following to thieving abilities;

• +3 to attempts at picking all non-magical locks.
• Any traps found by the thief, are removed without possibility of error.
• Cast find traps as a 6th level cleric, 3x/day.
• Cast spider climb as a 9th level magic user, 2x.day.

Alignment opposition; Lawful alignments attempting to use the tools will set-off an instantaneous heat metal spell held within the Tools, inflicting 2d4 HP damage. Also, these alignments will be twice as likely to be surprised as long as they are in possession of the Tools.

Non-lawful good alignments will be able to use the Tools as an ordinary set of thieve's tools, but not will not benefit from any of the magical abilities, save spider climb, which they can but 1x/day.

All other alignments, excluding Chaotic Neutrals, will be able use the Tools as an ordinary set of thieve's tools, and not be able to utilize any of the other previously defined abilities.

Trident of Darkest Night

(Lawful Evil)

The Trident is an unholy relic from the depths history, having belonged to many priests of Archiopterus. The entire weapon is constructed of metal black as pitch, and casts no highlights. In fact, the metal seems to actually absorb light from its surroundings.

Alignment opposition;

Staff of Vile Blackness

(Neutral Evil)

This quarter staff is constructed of an unknown wood. Though worn smooth by untold centuries of use, the staff is gnarled and twisted, and the grain of the wood is black as pitch.

The staff has but one purpose; to slay everything and anything it comes into contact with. Creatures under 6 HD are slain outright. Creatures of at least 6 HD and but not greater than 12 HD can roll a saving throw versus spell. A successful save still receives 4d4 DAM. Creatures above 12th level receive 3d8 DAM, unless they make a successful saving throw versus spell, which will halve the damage received.

Alignment opposition; Good alignments attempting to touch the Staff are slain unless a successful save versus spell is made. However, a successful save still inflicts 3d6 HP DAM.

Lawful and Chaotic alignments attempting to use the staff run the risk (45%) of having all damage inflicted upon an enemy reflected back upon themselves.

True Neutral alignments can wield the staff as a +4 quarter staff (TH and DAM).

Stone of Forever

(Neutral)

Description to come...

Alignment opposition;

Unique Properties of Artifacts

Artifacts are ultra-powerful, one-of-kind items, and their use, even for those of goodly alignment, must be considered a potential deadly prospect for mere mortals (no matter how long-lived they may be). Further, each of these items presented must be unique to the campaign it is included into. For this reason, the three beneficial powers, and the three detrimental effects contained by each item will be determined by the GM. These powers and effects must discovered by the player through the use of the item, and not simply disclosed by some sage,. bard, or other personality of deep learning. Legend Lore may reveal an item "will impact your physical prowess." But, it will not reveal whether the PC will loose 1 or more points of STR, gain 1 or more points of STR, or have a temporary but massive STR gain. The GM should disguise attributes, and mislead the PC wherever possible.

Roll once for each column, or select one item from each column.

Artifact Powers

[1] Roll 1d6; 1 = STR, 2 = INT, 3 = WIS, 4 = DEX, 5 = CON, 6 = CHA.

[2] Command words should necessarily be only discovered after significant search to discover such words. Questioning of powerful but unwilling demigods would be likely.

Giant Strength Type

Artifact Effects

Characters with split personalities

Characters afflicted with split personalties will have 1d4+1 such identities (including the primary personality). Such personalities will have their own INT, WIS, and CHA attribute scores, as well as their own alignment, and character class.

Primary and subsequent personalities will be completely unaware of the other's existence except as noted below.

Attributes will be rolled by the GM using their preferred method for rolling character attributes. To determine alignments, refer to the table that follows.

Alignment; where one or more of the new personalities is of a diametrically opposed alignment to the primary personality (i.e., lawful good to chaotic evil), the character will also be subject to violent psychotic states.

Class; the GM should check the possible classes for the additional personalities with consideration to the character's attributes. The afflicted character will always start at the first level of experience for each new personality. The exception to this is where one or more of the new personalities has the same character class as the primary personality. Such additional personalities will be aware of the primary personality, but as a legendary personage of their profession, and will have only a rudimentary recollection of the primary personality as though told through story and song.

Personality surfacing; while at rest and at ease, the primary personality will always be on the surface; that is, the identity that is observed by others. If, however, the character is within a stressful situation (as determined by the GM), there is a 35% probability that one of the new personalities will arise, to take the place of the primary personality. This will be determined randomly by the GM. The primary personality will rise to the surface once the stressful situation has passed.

Personality conflict; if the combined total of INT and WIS of any of the new personalities is greater than the same combination in the primary personality, conflict will occur. New personalities in conflict with the primary personality will attempt to take over the primary personality, suppressing it to a secondary role. To see if a new personality is successful, add together the INT and WIS, and CHA scores the primary personality and the personality attempting take over. Subtract the primary personality's combined score from the aggressor's combined score. Then, roll 1d20.

If the result is less than the difference of combined attributes, then the new personality has succeeded in taking over the the primary personality.

If the result is equal to or greater than the difference of combined attributes, then the new personality has failed in taking over the the primary personality, and must wait another 48 hours before attempting another take over.

Other personalities may attempt this take over process, until eventually, the personality with the highest combined attributes is the primary personality. If the split personality is ever resolved/removed, whatever is the primary personality at that time will be surviving identity.

Destroying Artifacts

Artifacts of all types are invulnerable to attacks — magical and non-magical — in attempts to destroy them. Each artifact will have a specified means of destruction (to be determined by the GM), as well as a potential effect upon the possessor once the artifact has been destroyed (to be determined by the GM). The lists which follow are but a few of the many possible methods and consequence of artifact destruction. GM's should note that the method of destruction should be seemingly impossible, fraught with danger, tedious travel, and possibly with contradictory instruction in the process of destruction. It is also possible that destruction of the artifact cannot be attained without the direct intervention of some god, or another.

Methods/examples of artifact destruction

1. Sink the artifact in the deepest trench of the Arcuis Sea.
2. Bury the artifact beneath the foundations of the Tower of Mysteries or the Spire of Xao.
3. Immolate the artifact on the pyre of a hundred dragon skulls of opposite alignment from the artifact.
4. Cause the artifact to be blessed (see the clerical spell of the same name) by a powerful demon, devil, or other evil deity.
5. Cause the artifact to be consumed by the formless mass of Zineblix.
6. etc...

Potential effects upon the possessor once artifact is destroyed

1. The possessor is freed all effects suffered during their ownership of the artifact. All memories of everything that transpired during that time is wiped from the mind of the possessor.
2. The possessor is free from controlling effects of the artifact, and they retain their memory of all transpired during their ownership, but all ill effects suffered during that time remain to afflict the possessor.
3. Possessor dies, but is elevated by his or her god in salvation of their freedom.
4. Possessor dies, but is consumed by the antithesis of their deity in punishment.
5. Possessor goes insane.
6. etc...

Spell Craft

New Spells

Alternate Magic Points (Mana) System

Alternate Spell Storing Device System

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