dragon-magic-oef

ROD OF THE DRAGON HEART
Dragon lords (see page 38) and other war leaders hold these
rods aloft in battle, letting a wave of fear wash over their foes,
much as if a dragon were present.
Description: A rod of the dragon heart is an iron shaft about
1 foot long with a small cage at the top. Within the cage is a
purple crystal shaped like a dragon’s heart. When its bearer is
engaged in battle, fleeting apparitions of tiny dragons appear
in the air above the rod of the dragon heart. The apparitions
are clearly not real, and each remains for just a second or two
before vanishing. But for opponents of the rod’s bearer, the
brief images have an unsettling, sinister quality.
Activation: To activate a rod of the dragon heart, the wielder’s
current hit points must equal or exceed half his full normal
hit points. He must hold the rod in one hand and utter the
command word (a standard action), which is often an ancient
dragon’s name, such as “Paelchronithrax” or “Tueranachtrus.”
The rod is active for a maximum of 10 rounds per day, split
up however the wielder likes. He can turn off the rod with
a mental command (a free action).
While the rod is active, if the wielder’s current hit points
fall below half his full normal hit points, the rod immediately
turns off.
Effect: Enemies within 30 feet of the wielder when he
activates the rod (or who come within 30 feet of an already
active rod) must attempt DC 16 Will saves. Foes who fail their
saves are shaken as long as they remain within 120 feet of the
rod. Foes who make their saves are immune to the effects of
the rod of the dragon heart for 24 hours. Creatures immune to a
dragon’s frightful presence are immune to the rod’s effect.
Aura/Caster Level: Moderate necromancy; CL 7th.
Construction: Craft Rod, fear, 4,000 gp, 160 XP, 8 days.
Weight: 5 lb.
Price: 8,000 gp.
SHIELD OF THE WINGED CRUSADE
Devised by notable members of the swift wing prestige class
(see page 50), a shield of the winged crusade provides protection
in melee combat and against area attacks such as a dragon’s
breath weapon.
Description: Shields of the winged crusade are heavy shields
of dull red metal. Their design has a scaly appearance. A split
second before a shield’s translocation effect activates, it emits
a harsh buzzing sound, which fades a second or two after the
translocation is complete.
Activation: The shield’s +1 enhancement bonus to Armor
Class is always active. Once per day, the wearer can use its
translocation effect as an immediate action.
Effect: A shield of the winged crusade is a +1 heavy steel shield
that can save its wearer from an area attack. A wearer who
is within the area of an instantaneous-duration effect that
allows a Reflex save to reduce its effect (such as a fireball spell
or a breath weapon) can activate the shield’s translocation
effect. By doing so, he instantaneously moves 10 feet in any
direction of his chosing. If the movement takes him beyond
the boundary of the area attack, he doesn’t need to attempt
the Reflex save.
Aura/Caster Level: Moderate abjuration; CL 8th.
Construction: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, dimension
door, 1,670 gp, 120 XP, 3 days.
Weight: 15 lb.
Price: 3,170 gp.
SWORD OF THE GREAT HARROWING
When bathed in the blood of dragons, no sword is deadlier
against a draconic foe than a sword of the great harrowing. A
longsword imbued with sentience and a seething hatred
for all dragons, the blade and its bearer seek out dragons to
behead—but the sword is ever watchful for a more powerful
wielder.
Lore: These swords, created by the Harrowers (see page
143), are more powerful versions of dragonbane swords
(DC 15 Knowledge [arcana]). Seven swords of the great harrowing
are known to exist, and all are fully sentient. However, not
all are still in the hands of the Harrowers (DC 25 Knowledge
[arcana]).
Description: A sword of the great harrowing is a wide-bladed
longsword with a fang-decorated crossguard and a ruby inset
in the pommel.
The sword glows like many magic weapons, but its true
power becomes apparent once it activates its dragonblood
consumption power (described below). Then the sword
turns bright red, and a whirling cascade of crimson energy
surrounds the sword, the wielder, and the dragon they are
fighting.
Personality: Originally created by the Harrowers, the
swords of the great harrowing are in many ways similar to the
dragons they hate: single-minded, ruthless, and endlessly
patient. A sword of the great harrowing knows it needs a strong
hand to wield it, though, so it acts as friend and confidant to
its bearer, offering counsel and support when asked.
Only two occurrences can put such a sword at odds with
its wielder. First, if the wielder refuses to face a dragon in
combat, the sword of the great harrowing immediately attempts
to take control of him. Second, if the sword becomes aware
of a more powerful potential owner, it silently observes for a
time, and then tries to subtly engineer a conflict between its
current owner and what it hopes will be its future master.
These swords speak Common, Elven, Dwarven, and
Draconic.
AL N; Int 10, Wis 17, Cha 17; speech and telepathy; 120 ft.
darkvision and hearing; Ego score 17.
Activation: Because it’s an intelligent weapon, a sword of
the great harrowing takes actions of its own during its wielder’s
turn. Its actions are generally limited to activating one of its
three powers.
CHAPTER 3
DRACONIC
MAGIC
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