Hollywood Magic: Four new magic items from Tinseltown
Since motion pictures began, we've been beset with cinematic explorations of the fantastic. From the sadly lost General Electric production of Frankenstein from 1910 to Peter Jackson's interpretation of the epic Lord of the Rings saga, there's literally no end to the windows to imagination that Hollywood has opened.
This has yielded results both good and bad. For every Conan the Barbarian, for example, there are a dozen Ator the Barbarians replete with sunglasses-wearing peasants, country paths covered with car tire tracks, and modern cities in the background.
Fortunately for us, even the worst of these movies can yield up some interesting magic item ideas, so without further ado, I give you this week's quintet of cinematic goodies to include in your Advanced Dungeons & Dragons campaigns.
Holocaust Cloak - From The Princess Bride
"What I wouldn't give for a Holocaust Cloak!" - Westley, The Princess Bride
A Holocaust Cloak is by all appearances a standard, full-body covering cloak with a hood. However, it has been magically prepared to be almost totally resistant to fire for a time, as well as empower the user with an impressive ability. Once donned, the cloak can be set alight and it will immediately catch and begin to blaze with a bright reddish orange flame - almost the same color and heat as the breath of a Red Dragon. Any who attack the wearer of the cloak must save versus magic or suffer 2d8 points of damage from the flames, and any weapon they strike with must make a saving throw or be damaged as well!
The fire will gutter out after six rounds, but during that time, if the wearer approaches any creature of 1 hit die or less, each must save versus magic or flee in terror. It helps if the wearer of the cloak pronounces doom and destruction upon those whom he is confronting. The wearer takes no damage whatsoever from the cloak's flames, nor from any *normal* fire-based attacks (e.g., flaming oil) attempted against him. Magic based fire attacks such as Burning Hands will do normal damage unless a saving throw (when appropriate) is made.
The cloak totally consumes itself in the fire. When it is not alight, the cloak behaves as a normal cloak and imparts no other benefits whatsoever. If it is struck by a normal fire-based weapon, it will catch fire; magic based fire has an equal chance of destroying it as all cloth items.
Creation of a Holocaust Cloak requires the blood of a Salamander, cloth knit from a Fire-Giant's hair, and an additional 1000 g.p. worth of materials to be determined by the Dungeon Master.
The Sly Sword - from The Sword and the Sorcerer
"I have but one blade...you have three!" - Cromwell of Aragon, The Sword and the Sorcerer
The Sly Sword is a unique weapon. It is, by all appearances, an over-wrought sword with a large central blade, ornate quillions, and two smaller outer blades. However, it's appearance is deceiving. Each of the peripheral blades can be "fired" with the same range as a crossbow bolt, into seperate targets. This can only occur during missile combat; the wielder cannot fire them at short range into his opponent. When all three blades are attached, the sword itself functions as a Sword of Sharpness; otherwise, it is a +3 weapon. The small blades receive a +1 bonus to hit and damage when fired.
The Sankara Stones - from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
"Drop them, Doctor Jones! They will be found! You will not!" - Mola Ram, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Sankara Stones are five medium sized, roughly carved oblongs of sandstone with three vertical grooves cut in each. They are normal rocks by all outward appearances, but when they are all brought together, their real power is revealed. It is recommended that the rules in the Dungeon Master's Guide on pp 155 for determining all effects of the Sankara Stones; however, one notable effect is that when the correct incantation is uttered, the stones begin to heat to the point of setting fire to flammable objects nearby. Anyone touching the stones will take 1-4 points of damage from the heat, no saving throw. The Sankara Stones will glow when they are brought within a few inches of each other - this glow comes from raw diamonds imbued with magic within the stones. However, this power is unique to the stones and their creation. If a stone is destroyed to retrieve the diamond within, or cracked even to expose it without removing it, the Sankara Stone is rendered totally useless, and will yield an unremarkable diamond of base 50 g.p. value.
The Glaive - from Krull
"Perhaps he expected to eat it." - Prince Colwyn, Krull
The Glaive is, despite it's name, not a pole-arm of any type but a large star-shaped thrown weapon with five blades and the ability to return to it's thrower when hurled. The weapon can scythe through the toughest of hides and inflicts 2-12 points of damage per strike. It is nominally a +1 weapon to-hit, and as mentioned will return to it's wielder unless entangled, such as by a Web spell.