XENO'S MAGICAL ITEM LIST
FOR FANTASY ROLE-PLAYING GAMES
(VOLUME ONE)
(As of 10 January 1997




TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION I: WEAPONS & ARMOUR 

1.1  Artifex's Chakram P
1.2  Artifex's Spear P
1.3  Axe of the Apostles of Vorago
1.4  Bronze Cannon of Husseyn
1.5  Chain of Lightning
1.6  Golem Armour M
1.7  Quillblade
1.8 Sickle of the Necromancer


SECTION II: RODS, STAVES, & WANDS

2.1  Scepter of Cerebrum


SECTION III: OTHER DEVICES 

3.1  Centennial Sphere
3.2  Dagger of Immolation
3.3  Eversio's Domineering Collar
3.4  Heart Tree
3.5  Iron Battalion Ball
3.6  Iruusigur's Robe [of Breedlessness]
3.7  Lavisher Flower
3.8  Lodestone of Alignment Detection
3.9  Powder of Brittle Bones
3.10 Seven Circles S
3.11 Stylus of Dictation


SECTION IV: WIERD STUFF

4.1  Glass Simulacrum
4.2  Landlubber's Skiff
4.3  Receptacle of Replete Riches



NOTES

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOOTNOTES:
[M] Concept taken from Mars Saga [TM] (by Electronic Arts &TM;). [P]
Concept taken from Predator [TM] or Predator II &TM;. [S]
Concept taken from the film Stargate [TM].

Notes on nomenclature in the text:
UNDERLINED names denote the names of spells, whether priest or mage
spells.
ITALICIZED names denote magic - items themselves (except for headings of
individual items), rather than spells or effects. BOLD names denote
denote special effects that are not expressly spells, items, or magical effects
(like artifact possession, lycanthropy, and mummy rot.)
CITED names denote real published works of any origin.




SECTION I:
WEAPONS & ARMOUR



Artifex's Chakram

     The Weapons of Artifex are the creations of an artificer - mage,
mages who prefer to create objects of magic rather than strictly weave spells.
One of the more legendary of these, Artifex, whose name seems more to scholars
merely his title of occupation than his actual name, created the set of weapons
which bear his name. The weapons themselves are made of steel and the sharpened
edges given a coat of adamantium. This gives the appearance of a deep grey
object outlined by a glistening sheen.
     Artifex's Chakram is a small discus about a foot in diameter and
barely the width of a finger. There are finger - sized holes spaced around the
center for holding and throwing the Chakram, the size and configuration
of the holes being suitable for humans and human - sized hands, although elves
and some of the more sizable goblinoid races may also wield the Chakram.
     If the device is not held correctly, as in grasping the edges instead of
via the fingerholds, one risks critical injury to their fingers or hands, for
the Chakra is a vorpal weapon; that is, it has a magically -
honed edge so fine that the merest prick will cut a gash as a knife through
butter.
     The Chakram has a +3 to damage, and THAC0 is increased by 5 when
thrown. Additionally, if the wielder has chakram or boomerang proficiency, he
will be able to receive the weapon without danger when it returns to him. Since
the Chakram is made to return to the one who threw it, those without
either proficiency had best step out of the way! Note that the Chakram
always returns in the event of a miss (provided its flight is not interfered
with en route) ... a fumble would not almost never involve a proper recovery of
the device, and could be extremely disasterous.
     If the Chakram hits an unarmoured creature or target (and without
`natural armour') -- AC 10 -- the Chakram will always return. If it
successfully hits a creature or target less than AC 10 down to AC 0, it will
return on a roll of greater than 1 on a d20. Failure means the Chakram
has become stuck and must be dislodged manually. If the Chakram is
thrown at a hardened surface or target less than AC 0, such as a rock face or
the scales of a great wyrm dragon, it will get stuck on a 1 - 5 on a d20.

* Range: in normal melee scale, x5 feet; in missile scale (outdoors
or open battlefield), x5 yards.

Amputation probabilities: the Chakram will sever limbs or decapitate for
the following dice rolls:

* Take into account the +3 when figuring dice roll results.



Artifex's Spear

     Artifex's Spear is a +1 polearm which differs from other such
weapons in that it is composed entirely of metal (see Artifex's
Chakram for a detailed description of its construction and origins). The
Spear has both ends terminating in a spearhead. Now those with spear or
sang kauw weapon proficiencies may operate this weapon. If the DM permits, the
character may gain an additional attack over and above his normal number if
surrounded by enemies via attacking from one flank to the other or from forward
to behind, provided he wields the Spear with both hands, is
unencumbered, and is in some nonconstrictive armour (AC 5+). In combat, the
Spear will function as a weapon of sharpness.
     Normally, Artifex's Spear is six - and - a - half feet long.
However, by uttering the command word "collapse" it will mechanically shrink
(ABOVEBOARD: more or less like an extending radio or TV antenna) to a length of
one foot. The command word "extend" will cause it to revert to full size again.
This ability is not a matter similar to lengthening a piece of toffee by
pulling it end from end; Artifex's Spear is constructed of interlocking
segments that fit into one another, with the largest segment in the middle and
smallest at the ends. The overall diameter of the Spear, however, is
about 5 inches. The magical endowments of this device merely extends the
segments faster than would be manually possible (on the order of one segment
versus a full turn).
     There may be nonmagical Artifex's Spears about, which for all
intensive purposes operate as the magical version (except for the magical
sharpness), but must be extended and collapsed manually. The exact procedure
for extension involves twisting each segment counter - clockwise one quarter -
turn, pulling it to its full length, and twisting it clockwise a quarter -
turn. Reverse the procedure for collapsing.



Axe of the Apostles of
Vorago

     The apostles of Vorago, The Htrean Ascended One of Death and the Abyss,
carry these weapons as their holy symbol and means of execution, which are also
known simply as Axes of Vorago. Voragotians do not typically charge into
battle with their holy symbols, preferring instead other, more powerful (and
more replaceable) weapons.
     Most Axes of Vorago are three - foot - long, twin - bladed battle
axes, although a few are hatchets (used by proselytes) and there are rare cases
of full - fledged Halberds of Vorago used by their archons. All
Axes have stamped upon them runes of silver along the edge of the blades
in the Voragotian ecclesiastical script, the name of its Ascended One.
     An Axe of the Apostles of Vorago can be commanded to cast
darkness three times a day, and is able to cast power word, kill
twice a week in the hands of a priest of at least 7th level or greater, with a
decreasing effect for each level of difference of the priest less than the
level of the spell power word, kill itself. It is maintained that an
Axe of the Apostles of Vorago will not allow itself to be grasped by an
individual not totally devoted to Vorago, so the higher clerics of the Order
often use these Axes as tests of loyalty for their lesser comrades.
     These Axes of Vorago are forged in immensely evil ceremony,
depending on the magnitude of `descension' of their intended recipients. Each
Axe is first bathed in the fresh blood of a tortured sacrifice who must
be lacerated and finally slain only with another fully made Axe of
Vorago. It is believed that the younger (hence more innocent) the victim,
the more potency that can be woven into the weapon. These rituals are thought
of as vile by most other Htreans, and many lawful and good clerics, paladins,
and fighters who have captured or run across these weapons have destroyed them
on sight or have made sure these objects cannot be recovered by the followers
of Vorago for later use.
     These Axes have no relatively powerful defenses; these symbols for
a god of death and the underworld would not be expected to focus heavily on
protection as their pursuit is that of maximum carnage and sacrifice of as many
people as possible. A creature with 16 or greater Strength can break the item
on a successful bend bars roll, rendering it useless. Also, immersing an
Axe in holy water will effectively `undefile' it, preventing its use in
Voragotian rituals for at least a week, according to their clerical codes of
sanctification.



Bronze Cannons of Husseyn

     The Bronze Cannons of Husseyn, when filled with enough of its
uniquely - prepared gunpowder/smoke powder (which has the same texture and
weight as normal gunpowder or smoke powder, except that it has a blood - red
sheen in bright lighting), and when fired at an approaching army, will
immediately inflict up to 7d10 soldiers with cause disease (the reverse
of the priest spell cure disease): a debilitating disease that takes
effect after 1d6 turns, after which the victims lose 1 point of Strength (or
10% of hit points) until its Strength is reduced to 2 or less (or is reduced to
10% of total hit points), at which time the victims are weak and helpless. This
disease cannot be cured except by a cure disease spell. Victims will not
die from this disease and will recover in 1d3 weeks.
     There is an 8% chance that a Bronze Cannon of Husseyn will inflict
a fatal incurable disease which kills its victim within 1d4 months. Each week
the disease progresses, the victim loses 1 point of Charisma permanently. (When
used on a mass of troops, assume that 8% of them will be affected in this
manner.)
     A Bronze Cannon of Husseyn when discovered will typically be found
with enough powder in its kegs for 1d8+5 blasts. The Cannon may also be
used as a normal cannon with normal gunpowder/smoke powder and ammunition. If
the DM wishes, he may use the Siege Weapons rules of the Player's
Options: Combat & Tactics, treating the Bronze Cannon as a Medium
Cannon:

* Range Categories: Minimum/Short/Medium/Long.
** Applies only to nonmagical attacks; magical attacks are
automatically successful.

     When the Bronze Cannon of Husseyn is fired, it produces a very
eerie discharge sound that will immediately get the attention of every person
or creature within earshot; if not because of the volume of the noise, but for
the unearthly un - cannonlike sound that it makes. (The author himself imagines
a gigantic concussive gonging resonance accompanied by a distant normal cannon
blast ... but anyone may substitute an eerier description as he sees fit).
     In addition, if the DM feels the cannon is not powerful enough, he may
attach a dread - causing or demoralizing magical effect to the bizarre
discharge noise).



Chain of Lightning
(Lesser & Greater)

     A Chain of Lightning is a steel - alloyed chain of thick closed
links, and although it appears heavy and bulky, it is not. Its length is six
feet, but it weighs only twelve pounds. A Chain of Lightning appears to
be a normal length of chain, and will radiate magic if it is detected for.
     There are two types of Lightning Chains: A lesser variety and a
greater one. Both can be used to attempt a Pull/Trip maneuver with a +4 in a
attacker's Strength check (Pull/Trip can be used against opponents on foot as
well as on horseback).
     Both types are also capable of the following powers:
Whenever a Chain of Lightning successfully strikes a target, it delivers
an electrical shock against it (including normal bludgeoning damage),
inflicting 2d6 points of injury. This power is in effect continuously,
activating whenever the Chain is slung or whipped, rather than simply
grasped. In addition, three times per day, the wielder can cast lightning
bolt with the weapon as a 3rd - level mage (3d6 damage). Using this effect
requires the Chain to be `whipped' in the intended direction of the
bolt, which always originates from the end of the Chain. The normal
saving throws vs. spell for half damage is allowed, except if the target is
physically struck by the Chain of Lightning (if the Chain forms
an electrical circuit to the target via a metallic object worn or carried, this
counts as a direct physical strike).
     A Greater Chain of Lightning also employs a third power, enabling
its user to cast chain lightning, as per the spell (with similar
electrical effects as lightning bolt,) as if cast by a 6th - level mage
(6d6 points of damage) and will arc to a total of six other targets, decreasing
by 1d6 for each additional jump. Even if physical contact is achieved, however,
the target still receives a saving throw vs. spell for half damage.
     These weapons originated in Htrea from the religious order of fighter -
priests of Caelum, the god of storms. The crusaders of his Order is typically
granted immunity from electricity, so that the risky rebounding effects
associated with electricity - generating spells does not adversely affect them.
Anyone able to swing a chain or rope as a weapon can use a Chain of
Lightning but at their own risk to life and limb; not only because of the
risk of shock, but also because of the risk of a Thunderhead priest finding out
about one's possession of a Chain of Lightning.
     There are unconfirmed reports of an Unholy Avenger version of the
Chain of Lightning, with many other abilities indicative of weapons of
such strength, and is made of mithril. Should anyone discover such a thing,
they had best not keep it for very long, unless he is willing to bear the
attention of the Priests of Thunderhead.
     In no case does a Chain of Lightning require any recharging, as
long as the weapon exists in Htrea. On any other plane, the weapon is found to
have 1d4 charges, but may be recharged by the placing of a Chain of
Lightning in a vat of mercury and casting one each of shocking
grasp, lightning bolt, and chain lightning in turn upon it,
conferring 3d12 charges upon it. Using each of the powers requires one, three,
and six charges respectively.
     Suggested means of destruction: (1) Immersing it in a Vat of
Superacid for a period of not less than a week, pouring in a gallon of
fresh black dragon's blood daily. (2) Having a blue great wyrm break the
Chain in half with its teeth and claws. (3) Dimension dooring the
Chain into the elemental plane of water (thereby grounding it) until its
magic is fully discharged -- but note that this will invoke the wrath of any
Water Elementals in the vicinity who will naturally be jolted by the arrival of
such an object!



Golem Armour

     Golem Armour appears to be a set of field plate armour, which will
radiate abjuration magic if detected for. The true nature of the Armour
cannot be ascertained except by magical means. Unless the command word is
spoken by the wearer, it will function merely as a set of
enchanted Field
Plate Armour +2.
     Once the command word is spoken however, the Armour fuses to the
wearer's skin and melds over his entire body -- It becomes as flexible as his
own skin and clothing, yet it becomes impervious to all
nonmagical weapons and
other damage. The wearer's breathing is unconstricted, however, and he is still
susceptible to any and all forms of magical damage.
     In addition, the wearer is conferred a Strength of 21 (+4 to attack, +9 to
damage), or a Strength bonus of +3 (whichever gives the highest results) --
provided his hands are free and he attacks only with his fists. For example,
the user gains no Strength bonus if he strikes with a short sword, a club, or
even with an improved weapon such as a lantern. If he carries a shield in one
hand (hardly of any benefit, except perhaps to defend against a Medusan
gaze attack), he may freely pummel his enemy with full effect.
     While Golems in general have many immunities and
resistances, Golem
Armour incorporates few of these benefits. A character expecting the
Armour to give him the abilities of resisting mind attacks will be
disappointed; however, he gains a +2 to save versus poison and +1 to save
versus all fear and morale checks.
     Construction of a typical suit of Golem Armour is made similarly to
the process of creating Golems themselves, involves the spells wish,
stoneskin, and strength. When a set is first made, it is not
attuned to any one particular individual, and will not function except as
field plate +2. When a person fully wears the armor and speaks its
command word, the armor is activated, attenuating its magical energy to its
wearer. From then on, the armor may only be reliably worn by that person.
     After this point, any other individual attempting to
activate the
Armour has a base chance of 50% (modified by +10% for each level above
the owner, or -10% for each level below -- to a limit of 1% or 99%,
respectively) of melding together and becoming inert, forming what appears for
all intensive purposes to be an iron statue. The suit of
Armour does not
meld into the skin, however, neither is the respiration ability activated. This
has the obvious effect of suffocating the hapless trespasser unless he finds
some way to give him respiration. Such an individual, regardless of survival or
not, loses access to his senses, and there is no means short of magical
divinations that will detect anything but a cast - iron
indestructible image of a
suit of field plate Armour. This condition is only
reversible by the first wearer of the Armour's speaking the command word
in the presence of the statue.
     There is a small chance (10% minus the Experience Level of the magic -
user who created it) that a suit of Golem Armour, once embued with the final
enchantment, transforms into what is known as an Armour Golem (see below). This
Golem cannot be controlled and will immediately seek the demise of its creator
upon its animation.
     Means of destruction: Both a suit of Golem Armour and an Armour
Golem may be destroyed by one or more of the following methods: contact with a
Sphere of Annihilation or Rod of Cancellation, being attacked by
a Rust Monster (or magicks of similar effect), or by putting the suit or Golem
into a Portable Hole and after having bound a Wand of Banishment
with rope to the object prior to throwing it in. The resulting explosion is
identical to the effect of a Portable Hole combined with a Bag of
Holding, sealing the Armour or Golem in a free
`bubble' of extradimensional space forever.
     Creating a set of Golem Armour is an exacting and demanding
process, essentially an attempt to create a subdued Golem and shaping it into a
(mostly) inert suit of Golem Armour. If the process is not carried out
forcefully enough, or if there is some flaw in the recitation, an Armour Golem
is created instead.

     An Armour Golem is six feet tall, and it resembles a fully clad suit of
ebony - black armour, although close inspection reveals it to be hollow inside.
Like most other Golems, it is mindless in combat and prefers to attack with its
fists, which is empowered with a Strength of 21. An Armour Golem can often be
mistaken for an Iron Golem, except that it is two - thirds the normal size of
one. An Armour Golem also is immune to nonmagical weapons, although +1
enchanted weapons or greater will inflict normal damage. Unlike an Iron Golem,
an Armour Golem does not breathe poisonous gas. In all other respects, an
Armour Golem operates the same as an Iron Golem: magical
electrical attacks
will slow it for 3 rounds, magical fire attacks repair 1 hp of damage
for each HD of damage it would otherwise have caused, other spells are ignored,
and there is no immunity to rust monsters.



Quillblade

     In a salute to the old saying, "the pen is mightier than the sword," a
gnomish mage set out to create a pen that would be just that. Thus was created
the Quillblade.
     The Quillblade appears to be an ordinary plumed condors'
feather - quill, until the plume is stroked a certain way (which the gnome made
sure would not easily be discovered by accident or by
carelessness, lest
someone -- or the user! -- be impaled. But it could happen). Then the
quill suddenly transforms into a +1 longsword! The blade of the
longsword must be stroked the same way for it to revert back to the quill form.
This transformation can occur twice a day (one - way).
     The Quillblade operates as a normal quill in its benign form, and a
normal +1 longsword in the other form. The weight of the
longsword is
substantially less, though, resulting in a faster speed.

 *
Range: in normal melee scale, x5 feet; in missile scale (outdoors or open
battlefield), x5 yards.



Sickle of the
Necromancer

     The Sickle of the Necromancer's appearance is that of a dark,
almost jet - black metal, as if scorched by fire, whose handle either carved
bone or ivory. The total length of the Sickle from the apex of the curved
blade to the bottom of the handle is about four feet.
     The Sickle is a potent device in the hands of any magician who
specializes in the field of life and death. For any mage specializing in
necromancy that possesses it, the Sickle bestows a +5 to any spell cast
by the wizard and gives him 95% magic resistance to any necromantic spell (note
that it does not give any benefits in regard to other schools of magic, however).
     Also, if used as a weapon, the Sickle will drain hit points
according to its damage roll (it is a +5 weapon, meaning 1d4+6 / 1d4+5) adding
them to the wielder's own, if his hit points are not at maximum. In no case
does the Sickle increase its wielder's hit point past his maximum
amount. Whenever the Sickle drains any hit points in this manner, it
"glows" with a sickly black light.
     The weapon statistics for the Sickle of the Necromancer are listed
below, as per the Player's Option: Combat & Tactics book.

 *
Range: in normal melee scale, x5 feet; in missile scale (outdoors
or open battlefield), x5 yards.



SECTION II:
RODS, STAVES, & WANDS



Scepter of Cerebrum

     The Scepter of Cerebrum has the appearance of a jet - black rod
having an onyx - encrusted head. Three bands of gold encompass the stone as
well
as ringing the head's base and the end of the Scepter, which ends in a
pommel - like knob. The entirety of the Scepter, except for the gold
bands
and jewel, is made of pure hematite. It apparently originates from those who
follow the Ascended One of the human psyche and psionic energy, Cerebrum.
     The Scepter of Cerebrum confers upon a mage grasping it a +4 bonus
to casting any mind - altering spell (this does not include such spells as
ESP, any illusion spells, which do not directly alter the mind of
its targets, or purely nonmental control like Bigby's grasping hand.)
This has the effect of forcing a -4 penalty to all saving throws allowed the
spells' targets.
     Spells that are effected include charm spells, hold spells,
demand, command, suggestion, fear, enthrall,
and other persuasive spells. A +8 bonus to casting is applied to the specific
spells of domination and quest (not cumulative with the previous
+4 bonus).
     A wizard employing Serten's spell immunity that is attacked via a
Scepter of Cerebrum is allowed a saving throw vs. spell to negate the
Scepter's effects (but is still subject to a spell's effects that are
not improved by the Scepter if that spell is successfully cast). A
priest's casting spell immunity effectively negates the Scepter's
spell improvement for spells of 4th level or lower, but is ineffective against
5th or higher (the Scepter's powers are not negated).      The
Scepter also allows its possessor the effects of a
friends spell operating continuously.



SECTION III:
OTHER DEVICES



Centennial Sphere

     A Centennial Sphere is truly a marvelous discovery (at first) when
found; great care must be taken to prevent artifact
possession from
taking hold in any individual who obtains such an item (but only if its powers
are known), despite the fact that its benefits are available only once in any
one person's lifetime.
     The appearance of a Centennial Sphere is that of a globe of
alexandrite, a purple - reddish blood - coloured semiprecious gem. Its
intrinsic mineral value
would make it a somewhat valuable treasure; it is not often that one finds a
perfect sphere of semiprecious stone with a twelve - inch diameter.      Due to
its nature, most individuals fortunate enough to run across this
item never have a clue about its hidden power. This is because the
Centennial Sphere will activate only once every one hundred years -- it
will not function at any time except at centennial intervals. One cannot
discern the nature of this item unless they research it via historical record.
Magical divination will only reveal its given name and the fact that it is a
magical item.
     When the hundred - year time span for the Centennial Sphere is up,
it
will start to glow as a continual light spell, colored purple - reddish
the semiprecious stone. At that time, anyone holding the
Sphere will
instantaneously be regressed one hundred years younger, or will regress to
young adulthood for his race, if the full hundred - year regression would make
him younger than that age. If more than one person is touching the
Sphere, whomever touched it first will be the beneficiary. Age
regression only works for beings of greater than animal
intelligence.
     A person thus regressed still retains all skills, knowledge, abilities,
and experience levels gained since young adulthood; nothing is "drained" except
physical aging. Magically induced aging, such as that produced by wish
or permanency spells, cannot be annulled in this way.      Among however
many Centennial Spheres that exist (if there is more
than one), 10% of these will also reduce magical aging. There are also accounts
of terribly cursed Centennial Spheres that will increase the user's age
by one hundred years instead of deducting them; such an item can kill humans by
old age instantly and can significantly reduce the effective lifespan of most
demihuman races (except perhaps Elves).



Dagger of Immolation

     A Dagger of Immolation has a six - inch, serrated blade stamped
with
a single golden tongue of flame as a blood groove. It also has an oddly colored
blood - red oaken handle. Its hilt is a quartet of spikes, one to each compass
direction. and the pommel is carved into the shape of a tongue of flame. The
Dagger in general appears to have been exposed to fire. The blade
itself, while made of quality steel, has no real edge to it and resists
sharpening. The Dagger is typically found only in the possession of the
Priests of Ignis, of the realm of Htrea, although such items may also be found
in other domains through Interplanar transportation.
     The Dagger of Immolation may be activated in one and only one way.
To activate it, the daring individual must plunge the Dagger of
Immolation into his own bare chest, such that the blade ultimately spears
his heart. If the heart is not pierced, or if the user is undead, the major
power is not invoked. Regardless of circumstances, whatever damage may be
inflicted upon the user is totalled and doubled (e.g., a damage roll of 1d4, no
Strength bonus, would result in +2 due to enchantment and full double damage
incurred, resulting in 10 points for S/M size creatures, or 8 for Large or
greater). Only when the victim willingly impales himself, by his own hand, is
the Dagger's magic brought to bear upon himself. If by this point he has
reached 0 HP any excess damage is carried over into Constitution loss, which
can only be recovered naturally at a rate of 1 point per every three days;
nothing prevents the use of magic to bolster the healing. The Dagger's
power does not take effect if the user cannot remain conscious. If it is
interrupted, the Dagger reappears on the ground at the feet of the user
(note that this are the only cases which permit recovery from the use of the
Dagger of Immolation)
     Upon successful penetration and survival of the initial attempt, the
wielder is gradually engulfed in a pyre of magical flames, beginning in the
midtorso and extending to his extremities. He suffers no damage at this point
except for the aforementioned initial impalement. At any rate, soon after being
enveloped in the fire, the wooden portion of the Dagger quickly
dissolves in the flames, leaving the metal blade in the chest, absorbed by the
inferno. Any clothing or combustible items on the character's person or carried
are subject to magical fire damage and must save vs. magical fire or be
destroyed. One of the side effects of this conflagration is that anyone or
anything the character touches takes 1d6+1 points of damage per round, and any
objects touched must save versus magical fire or be destroyed by fire. The
character cannot direct flames nor can he choose not to damage anything he
touches.
     At this point, the user experiences a wild burst of energy, one of the
primary effects of the Immolation. First, the character receives a +6
bonus to his Strength and Constitution, with all effects and bonuses. In
addition, a heal spell takes place, restoring him to full health,
including his new Constitution HP bonus (note that any previous bonus HPs, if
any, must be subtracted first, and his new bonus HPs, if any, be added. Any
bonus HP from Constition must not be counted twice!). After that, for every
round that passes per experience level, up to a maximum of five, the
character's hit points is increased by 2d6 HP.
     All the hit points in addition to his original total are entirely
temporary. If they are lost by any means they cannot be
restored by any means
-- it is only an effect of the enormous boost to his system. Any fire - based
attacks a character suffers is halved, but cold -  or water - based attacks
cause
double damage.
     Once his apex of HP increase has been reached, the character must make a
system shock roll. Success means that his body has been able to adjust to the
tremendous surges of energy whipping through it. Failure forces the character
to fight at a -4 penalty to attack and a -2 to initiative from the unbearable
stress of uncontrollable raw energy coursing through him. For each round that
passes thereafter, the character's HP total is reduced by 1d8 points, which is
cumulative with any damage he receives in combat at this or any other time
during the Immolation. This loss of HP cannot be
prevented, as the user
becomes immune to devices or spells such as ring of
regeration, cure
light wounds, heal, etc., applied after his HP boost. Any damage he
receives is applied first to his gained hit points, then to his natural total.
     The Dagger functions, providing the Strength and Constitution
bonuses, until the character reaches 0 HP. After that, his own body is
consumed: the character does not fall unconscious or die when his hit point
total is zero, but the Immolation continues, cannibalizing his
Constitution (including the bonus) at the rate of one point per round, until
his CON is reduced to zero. The character immediately dies, no saving throw, no
system shock check, no Constitution check. One of the
consequences of the
Dagger of Immolation -- and one of its purposes -- is that it causes the
irrevocable death of the individual who used it. At any rate, once dead, he
cannot be resurrected, reincarnated, reanimated, or otherwise brought back from
the dead, except by a wish spell or by divine
intervention.
     All that is left after a character gets "burnt out" is the cremated
remains of his body, charred into little more than skeletal fragments and ash,
including any items that survived the Immolation (each item must make a
saving throw versus magical fire to survive). The Dagger itself is
ultimately consumed in the firestorm.
     It is not known whether the following is the true procedure for creating a
Dagger of Immolation, but according to an old manuscript used by the
Order of Inferno (the god of fires), in the creation of a device which would
help them enter the Afterlife in the most honorable way possible -- on the
throes of a glorious victory.
     To begin, a handle must be carved from oakwood of at least fifty years of
age. Once the blade has been forged, it must be cooled in a vat of fresh blood
-- the source is unimportant, although blood from potent beings such as dragons
or hydras is rumored to greatly magnify the weapon's potential. The blade and
handle must be brought together and bound under a full moon, and certain arcane
sun and sacrifice spells woven into it. The Dagger of
Immolation must
then be exposed to twelve continuous hours of unblocked sun (no shadow may pass
over it, or the process must be repeated), all the while being subjected to a
fire kindled with a burning phoenix feather (the Order of Inferno have ties to
the race of phoenixes that few people know of, and are thus able to procure
phoenix feathers much easier than anyone else possibly can). While the
Dagger is exposed to sunlight, the fire in which the Dagger lies
must not be permitted to go out at any time (or the process must be repeated).
Cloudy days are inherently risky for this sort of business and so weather
spells are often used to guarantee a clear sky.
     Means of destruction: a Dagger of Immolation might be destroyed in
one of the following ways: having someone impale themselves with it voluntarily
or exposing it to magical continual darkness (as the spell or a device
mimicing it) for a duration of twelve uninterrupted years.



Eversio's Domineering Collar

     The followers of Eversio, who primarily reside in the Htrean Netherlands,
contend that theirs is the strongest of all the Divine
Fourty - Nine of Htrean
mythology, as opposed to the followers of Eversio's twin Vorago, the Ascended
One of Death. Eversio is the Ascended One of War and Conquest, and like the
other gods have `minor spheres', meaning dominion over slavery among other
things.
     An unwitting individual who allows an Eversio's
Domineering Collar
to be placed around his neck is subject to the effects of a continuous
command spell cast over them by any individual who speaks the proper
command word. In addition, the Domineering Collar compels the individual
to regard his master as if the latter had an 18 Charisma.
     The individual can be subject to the orders of more than one individual,
but if there is conflict between masters, the one with the greater Ego (Level +
Intelligence + Charisma) wins controls; if the Egos are equal, the collar has
no effect, except for the charismatic effect above.
     The Domineering Collar may be used to compel the victim to violate
his alignment, perform acts that put the prisoner's life in jeopardy, or to
simply commit suicide, although a saving throw vs. Wisdom plus Ego adjustment
can be made for resisting the order (adjusting for the difference in the Egos
of the master vs. slave: a master of 34 Ego vs. a slave of 28 Ego will incur a
penalty of -6 to the saving throw).
     The Domineering Collar, if used by an individual six levels greater
than the slave, will grant an ESP - like access to the slave's mind. If
using psionics: an individual (psionicist, wild talent, or otherwise) enslaved
by an Eversio's Domineering Collar cannot close his mind to psionic
contact, nor do any of his psionic defense modes (if they exist) function, nor
can he use psionics on his master(s) (which he probably wouldn't do since he is
drawn to them humbly anyway).
     An Domineering Collar cannot be removed while it actively controls
the will of the slave; only if the master(s) are not present and there are no
`standing' orders can an attempt be made to remove the collar. This can only be
done by severing the collar via a Vorpal weapon (being very careful not
to kill the prisoner in the process, of course). Nonmagical weapons and
weapons of sharpness do not affect the Eversio's Domineering
Collar.



Heart Tree

     A Heart Tree is a small trinket, looking like a sculpted glass
oriental banzai tree, with a tiny gold heart embedded into the middle of its
trunk beneath the transparent surface. (The gold heart, if it is somehow
opened, would reveal a sliver of a Tree of Life.) On top of the tree there is a
ring that allows it to be hung as a pendant on a chain or string. The entire
pendant is as large as a the hand of a small child, although the golden heart
is hardly the size of a fingernail.
     When worn, the Heart Tree will completely protect the wearer from
suffering critical wounds. Limbs are magically protected against severing
blows, nor can the wearer be blinded or have other appendages crippled. Each
successful blow, no matter how well placed, will leave only minor damage. Not
even when the wearer charges against a set pike will the
spearhead run him
through. Any successful strike will still inflict damage but the Heart Tree
acts as a buffer against damaging the wearer's internals.
     There is no complete immunity from damage, however, nor will the user be
protected from gas attacks, fireballs, breath weapons, indirect damage spells,
or disintegration. Acid or boiling oil will not completely eat through the bone
or chest.
     The Heart Tree has a finite protection power. It can obsorb up to
3d20 critical hit points (which also includes double - damage, triple - damage,
multiple backstab damage, etc.) before its abjurative powers expire. This item
will slow transmute the heart of gold into one of lead as its magic energy is
depleted. Once the gold is entirely consumed, the pendant itself shatters of
its own accord and is useless. Except for noting the color of the heart, there
is no other method of determining the Heart Tree's
remaining protective
potential.
     For Druids: When a druid uses a Heart Tree, he is totally protected
by the powers of the Heart Tree, which is depleted by one point for every three
absorbed.



Iron Battalion Ball

     This multifaceted, multimirrored spherical object
[ABOVEBOARD: for all
intensive purposes it looks like a disco ball], when thrown on the ground in
any source of natural light (sun, moon, stars, but not torches or sorcery), it
will vanish in a brilliant starburst and summon a battalion of user - clones
with
the same equipment fighting ability, thieving skills, memorized spells, psionic
powers, etc., that the user has. These clones will fight in combat or do some
other task that is within the abilities of the user for a
duration of one turn
for each experience level. (A battalion in military terms is approximately
600 - 700 men; for campaign suitability this number may vary). Each clone
shares
the same fighting style as the user and will retreat only if the user would
retreat from the same situation.
     If the user dies before the duration of the Iron
Battallion Ball's
power expires, the clones continue to exist until they die themselves or their
times runs out.



Iruusigur's Robe [of
Breedlessness]

     The history of the nomadic Rhurre, a Htrean race of mixed elvish / wolfen
ancestry, records a time when the different breeds of the Rhurre vehemently
hated and clashed with one another. The Red, Silver, Black, Brown, and White
treasured purity of breed above all else and persecuted those who were not of
their own "kind", though all Rhurre were Rhurre regardless of what color their
fur was. This was so until Iruusigur appeared. With his force of will,
relentless pursuasion, and eventual affinity with the leaders of the factions,
he was able to create a lasting but uneasy peace among them at a time when
others were hunting the Rhurre to extinction, because of the continual war the
Rhurre brought wherever they roamed. It was because of Iruusigur that the
Rhurre began to see the other breeds not as enemies but as brethren. And it was
only because no one knew Iruusigur's breed that he was able to accomplish this.
For without a breed, no one had cause to hate him, and no one had cause to
doubt his credibility for he might just as soon be one of their own.
     Iruusigur's Robe of Breedlessness functions somewhat like a hat
of disguise (the Book of Marvelous Magic
version) which
permits the wearer to alter his true appearance at will; it was by this method
that Iruusigur withheld any knowledge of his true appearance. In truth, no
paintings or etchings exist of the revered leader, for his appearance was so
utterly undistinguished. The Robe itself is made of worn burlap, and
close observation will reveal cameleon skin in the seams of the garment. The
inside is lined with cotton so as to relieve the abrasiveness of the burlap
outer cover. When worn by a Rhurre, the Robe will conceal his breed and
any distinguishing facial features; he will appear to be an ordinary Rhurre.
When worn by a non - Rhurre, the Robe will make appear to be a Rhurre,
but
with an indistinct skin color. It will not create the appearance of furry skin,
so a human will look like a shaved Rhurre.
     Regardless of the race of the wearer, while he wears
Iruusigur's
Robe he has a Charisma of 18 with respect to leadership qualities and has a
glibness of speech, enabling him to pursuade others to his cause or to convince
them to accept a certain belief or point of view. The wearer can also affect
the encounter reactions of beings he might come across. Note that these
abilities (except for the alteration of Charisma) are only usable if the wearer
speaks a language that is understood by those he is trying to sway. The
Robe will function adequately under the influence of spells such as
comprehend languages for the duration of their effect. The Robe's
power of verbal pursuasiveness does not function against
nonintelligent
creatures.



Lavisher Flower

     The Lavisher Flower appears at first to be a
miniature blood - red
poinsettia. It consumes no water or other nourishment and remains as healthy as
ever. It can exist as easily in a desert as it can in a jungle, for environment
does not affect its condition. It remains the same regardless of whether it is
coaxed to grow magically or by the skill of a master gardener, for it is a
construct rather than a true naturally occurring plant. If it is placed on the
ground or in a pot of soil, it will immediately grow "roots" and affix itself
where it lies, roots that can be severed at any time. The blossom can be picked
at any time and without difficulty, for it is the only permanent part of the
Lavisher Flower and is as difficult to destroy as any dweomered object.
     Wherever the Flower found, it will stand out from its surroundings,
whether in the wild or in a finely prepared bouquet. An
individual who wears
the Lavisher Flower on his lapel or in her hair will have their Charisma
raised by 1d4 points with respect to personal apperance, or comeliness.
Encounters with others will be affected such that those people are better
inclined to be polite, generous, and kind to the wearer. When dealing with
merchants, the wearer of the Lavisher Flower will get the better
bargains, have an easier time haggling, and will be treated with a little more
respect. Unless a blatantly evil act is committed, ne'er do wells will often be
let go with ligher punishments or be given lighter sentences if he is wearing
the Flower prominently on his person. For all intensive purposes, the
Lavisher Flower is treated as a charm or
friends spell
with respect to possible immunities. Any individual who saves vs. spell at a -3
penalty will not be affected by the device. Immunity due to exceptional Wisdom
or Intelligence applies.
     Whenever the wearer is dealing with someone of the opposite sex and of the
same race, his or her Charisma will be raised double the 1d4 points (2d4x2)
that were gained in the first place, due to the natural
attractions between the
sexes of a species. Whether this applies to the opposite sex in regard to other
species such as between human and elven or either of them and half - elven, or
between two other races, the DM may use his own discretion (or refer to the
Net Guide to Unlawful Carnal Knowledge). The
Lavisher
Flower will certainly influence the success of an attempted seduction of
another, but in no case will it entirely overcome their free will (in the same
way as someone losing their inhibitions or passing out from too much alcohol).
     If worn once a day for more than a week, the Lavisher Flower will
begin to affect the wearer's character, moving his alignment towards lawful
good. He will eventually become as generous and kind and lavish with his
treatment of people as they have been to him.
     The Lavisher Flower has intelligence (9) and
therefore alignment of
LG, but will not reveal the fact of its personality to anyone, opting instead
to remain patiently in the background as it fulfills its purpose of creating a
"kinder, gentler" world around it. It does not usually attempt to dominate
those who wear it, except for the gentle conversion of
individuals to lawful
good and then to quietly put the suggestion in the wearer's mind to give away
the Flower to another, providing another individual that may be
influenced by the Flower.



Lodestone of Alignment Detection

     A Lodestone of Alignment Detection will accurately determine, to an
extent, the alignment of some intelligent being. Half of all Lodestones
will detect good vs. evil, and half will detect lawful vs. chaotic. Which
alignment the Lodestone will detect is not obvious until the stone is grasped
and used, and then the information will not come to mind
unbidden. It can only
be determined through trial and error (perhaps by systematically detecting for
creatures of known alignments until it is generally known which type of
alignment detection that particular Lodestone is capable of).
     When grasped, the Lodestone will activate, and it will respond to
the alignment of the creature most easily detected (whether in proximity or
level, higher levels being harder to detect and thus ignored in favor of the
lower ones -- all DM's discretion). If the alignment of the creature in
question agrees with the particular alignment of the holder of the item,
the Lodestone turns warmer to the touch (although no heat is actually
given off for it is only a mental sensation). If the alignment of the creature
is dissimilar, the Lodestone turns colder. Note that detecting a neutral
alignment will affect no change in the Lodestone.
     The Lodestone of Alignment Detection can be used once a day for
every experience level of the user, up to a maximum of six.      IN RAVENLOFT:
A Lodestone's behavior can be
manipulated at will by
the demonic forces that it may detect (or even force the
Lodestone of
Alignment Detection to ignore the creature's alignment and consequently
their existence altogether).



Powder of Brittle Bones

     This powder, when a pinch of it is thrown on any creature with a
skeleton or exoskeleton, will immediately severely weaken that creature's
skeletal or chitinous structure, effectively reducing that creature's natural
Armour Class by 10 (an unarmored human would have an AC of 20, before dexterity
adjustment).
     Powder of Brittle Bones will only work on beings with internal bone
structure or a chitinous exoskeleton (this includes creatures such as
humanoids, dragons, spiders, insects, giant centipedes, and manscorpions) but
it will have no effect on other creatures like slimes, puddings, shapeshifters,
or treants, which have no internal supports, have no definite shape, or have no
bones or exoskeleton. The powder will also not work on undead creatures
except for skeletons, which will give an attacker a +2 to hit with any weapon
cumulative with any other bonuses or penalties.
     A pouch of Powder of Brittle Bones will typically contain enough
powder for 2d8+1 pinches.



The Seven Circles
(artifact)

     This device is basically a set of seven concentric rings standing upright,
each twelve inches thick. The innermost ring has a diameter of a yard and the
outmost a diameter of eleven feet. While each ring can rotate relative to the
others. (Try to imagine a combination lock with seven concentric dials.) There
is an eighth outermost ring that bulges into a larger platform, making the
entire height of the mechanism about twelve feet high in all. Every ring is
held in place, making the general appearance of the entire apparatus is that of
a standing bullseye target.
     Each individual Circle has teeth along the edges, apparently so the
user would be able to turn the wheel in place. It is not known how the wheels
manage to stay in place, short of magic, but it only requires a strength of at
least 6 to rotate the wheels. Close observation will reveal barely noticeable
runes etched around the circumference of each Circle, each of them in a
different language. The meanings of the runes are lost in
antiquity, but it is
known that certain positions of the rings, if left undisturbed for more than 2
turns, will activate some power of the Seven Circles. Some of the known
powers include creature summoning, summon
elemental, dimensional door,
banish, gate, view any location, view other plane,
extradimensional prison, as
well as behaving like a crystal ball. These are a few powers noted by
historians, and there may be more. There are no recordings of the proper
"combinations" of the Circles to activate these functions, but through
trial and error one is bound to discover one.
     The Seven Circles is a unique magical item in Htrea; it was
discovered by some true neutral clerics of the Realm of
Geminorum, who hid it
to prevent anyone from using it improperly. It is said that they have found
access to many of the powers possessed by the Seven
Circles, but no one
is telling just what has been found ... the mere legend of the device causes
enough trouble for them already.



Stylus of Dictation

     Resembling an ivory writing stylus, the Stylus of
Dictation, when
commanded, will write verbatim anything spoken by its user, provided the user
can write the language that he is speaking in. The Stylus needs no ink,
paint, or pigment; it has its own reservior of endless ink. It needs only to be
placed on the surface upon which it is to write, and for the dictator to
command it to begin. It will continue writing what he says (to the best of its
ability) and will stop when he does not speak and will deactivate when he tells
it to stop or when the pen is touched or otherwise disturbed from its duties.
     Most Styli will only draw letters, runes,
pictographs, or other
written form of language; it will not draw pictures or artwork. A precious
limited number of Styli of Dictation have some measure of ESP and
can draw out a mental picture or image thought up by its user.      The
Stylus does not confer any comprehension of languages that the
user does not already possess.
     STYLUS OF DICTATION II: This version of the Stylus of
Dictation, when commanded to activate, will commence to nag its user and
order him around incessantly, always trying to tell him what to do, how to do
it, when to do it, who to associate with, why do you have to hang around with
them?, why do you keep looking for trouble?, etc.
     The Stylus cannot be ordered to cease, nor can it disposed of, for
it will always reappear in a breastpocket, trousers pocket, or hand of its
user, for it is a cursed item. Only through a remove curse spell will
the hapless individual be rid of the object.



SECTION IV:
WIERD
STUFF



Glass Simulacrum

     A Glass Simulacrum's appearance is that of a huge rectangle of
forged steel with dimensions of 20" long, 10" tall, and 5" deep. There are
many, many (5d8+10) windows of varying sizes, most of them showing any one of a
number of objects.
     A Glass Simulacrum is in many ways similar to an Ardraken's
Simulacrum, include operation and function, although unlike an
Ardraken's, a Glass Simulacrum does not manifest itself as a
living or hostile entity.
     Near the bottom and center of the apparatus is an iron drawer. Each window
also has a rune or runes beneath it, with a specific number beside it. Magical
scrying will reveal instructions written across the top
describing the
procedure for procuring the items shown: to obtain a product, open the drawer,
put in a currency amount equalling the value of the product desired, close the
drawer, touch the accompanying rune, and open the drawer again to receive the
product. If the currency supplied is insufficient for the item, the currency is
consumed but no item is surrendered ... and if the amount of coinage supplied
is greater than the value, the currency is consumed but none of the excess is
returned. If either of these situations occurs, a small cantrip is triggered
such that the words "EXACT CHANGE REQUIRED" appear to flash in the air above
the device for thirty seconds and then disappear.
     The DM should compose a list of magical items of varying value -- these
items can be rolled up from the DMG or from the
Encyclopaedia Magica. The DM also should feel free to exclude any
item as he sees fit, or to set a price limit (such as 1,000 GP) on what items
may be included. If an artifact, relic, or other object of nearly priceless
value is obtained, mark the corresponding space for that item as empty (PCs
ought not to be able to obtain such items so easily!)
     In Ravenloft: A DM should not refrain from including cursed items as part
of a Glass Simulacrum, or even making such items a most of the
repertoire of the Simulacrum. Of course, in any realm, the DM is
encouraged to provide at least one or more cursed items for variety and to
maintain an element of risk.



Landlubber's Skiff

     This device resembles a small rowboat or craft that can also support a
single sail rig. The Skiff is as completely seaworthy as any other
vessel of its size. The distinguishing ability of this item is its ability to
traverse land as easily as it would water.
     When its command word is spoken, the Landlubber's
Skiff will rise
off the ground (or the surface of the water) to an altitude of two feet. The
pilot may then "row" the boat forward, backward, or turn it any direction as he
chooses, by pumping the paddles in the appropriate way. It will feel as if
there is some resistance in the motion of the paddles, but not so much that a
small child could not operate the craft.
     The Skiff will travel at up to 1/2 the rowing speed of the occupant
over water, or at full rowing speed over relatively level land surface. Heavy
wind currents may affect the boat's ultimate trajectory, but the Skiff
will remain as level as the surface beneath it. When over land, the boat can
traverse changes in the terrain that vary no more than two feet; the
Landlubber's Skiff will not climb a mountain or float across a chasm
(without falling), but small dips in the surface or anthills and the like will
not affect its movement or operation.



Receptacle of Replete Riches

     A Receptacle of Replete Riches appears very benignly to be a
pink - coloured ceramic model of a swine, painted over with simple smiling
features, spots, and having a curled tail at the opposite end. A simple closer
inspection reveals a slit in the top that will just permit a single coin to be
dropped through. If shaken, the Receptacle rattles as if filled with
currency.
     A coin that is dropped into the slot will disappear, but nothing can be
retrieved from the Receptacle even by shaking it or by trying to reach
in through the slot. The Receptacle actually is a portal to an
extra - dimensional space, which may be discovered if detect magic is
cast
upon it.
     To retrieve the contents, the Receptacle itself must be destroyed.
This may only be accomplished by direct physical attacks, magical or not  -- a
magical attempt to destroy the Receptacle of Replete
Riches will result
in a glass saving throw vs. whatever is affecting it. Failure will cause the
extradimensional space to be immutably sealed off, at which point nothing
otherwise short of a wish will even restore the original condition. A
wish might be able to retrieve a normal
Receptacle's contents (at
DM's discretion). Divination spells will be ineffective towards discovering the
proper "key" to the treasure hidden in the Receptacle.      Any one
Receptacle is considered to have 10d10x10 hit points. If
its hit point total is reduced to zero, it shatters in a harmless explosion and
the contents instantly appear. Bludgeoning weapons inflict normal damage, while
piercing and slashing weapons cause only half. A Mace of Crushing is
ideal for getting at a Receptacle of Replete Riches' goods.
     However much treasure (consisting entirely of coinage) is left to the
descretion of the DM. One suggested amount would be to roll up a Type H Lair
Treasure (DMG 2nd edition, p. 133,) but rerolling gem, art object,
and magical item rolls. Another might be 10d20x10 CP / 10d10x10 SP / 5d20 EP /
5d10x10 GP / 5d4 PP.
     While a Receptacle is a rather rare item, those who possess it and
are not adversely tempted to instantly acquire its wealth, use it as a fairly
reliable means of long - term storage of their riches, the only difficulties
expected being the ability to swing a mallet or club hard enough to cause
damage in one's old age, or to find a suitable location for holding the hoard
once it appears (some venerable Receptacles may no doubt contain
thousands of pieces of coinage, or perhaps even millions; no one can tell).




O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O=O
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(c) 1996, 1997 by Xeno, where applicable. Last Revision: 10 January 1997