7. MISCELLANEOUS MAGIC ITEMS

This grouping is reserved for various items that do not fit in any of the previous categories. Unless otherwise noted, these devices can be used by any character. Short of an identify spell, the properties of individual items must be discovered through use and experimentation.

@Ioun Stones (see Lore, Miscellaneous Magic Items)

These magical stones are enigmas to even the most sagacious of sorcerers. Their power might be derived from forces elemental, spiritual, or alien, and the means of their manufacture are either a lost science or an undiscovered mystery; some sages posit they originate from a ring of Saturn. IOUN stones are found in groups of 1d4+1 stones, oft in the most unlikely locations. These tiny stones, once grasped by a man (of any class, save for vibrant purple stones), will float in the air over his head like a halo; when he walks they will swirl in his wake, never more than three to five feet from his person. Thereafter the possessor may take them and stow them somewhere on his person, but doing so prevents their benefits from being derived. Of course, one may attempt to grab an IOUN stone from a possessor, but this is quite difficult: consider the stones AC 25 and 12 hp for such purposes.

To determine which IOUN stones are discovered, roll d% and consult the following chart. Any duplicate result should be considered a dead stone (refer to result 71–00).

IOUN Stone Descriptions:

Clear: This stone must be possessed for seven days before its benefits are realized.

Deep red, incandescent blue, pale blue, pink, pink and green, scarlet and blue: These stones provide respective maximum attribute scores of 18.

Dusty rose: Cannot be “stacked” or combined with other protection devices (cf. cloak of protection).

Iridescent: Possessor does not need to breathe in water, vacuum, poison gas, etc.

Lavender and green: Spell levels absorbable must be determined in advance. This stone can absorb 2d4×10 spell levels before “going grey”; e.g., a level 3 spell counts as 3 spell levels. This applies to any spells cast at the possessor, including area effect spells within which the possessor finds himself.

Pale green: The possessor enjoys all the benefits of being one level higher than his actual level, including hit points, saving throws, fighting ability, casting ability, turning ability, class abilities that improve with level gains, spells cast per day, and so on. The referee should note the false hit point boost, in case the stone is lost.

Pale lavender: Spell levels absorbable must be determined in advance. This stone can absorb 1d4×10 spell levels before “going grey”; e.g., a level 3 spell counts as 3 spell levels. This applies to any spells cast at the possessor, including area effect spells within which the possessor finds himself.

Pearly white: This stone functions much as a ring of regeneration, but may not be combined with said ring to derive double the benefits. This stone must be possessed for seven days before its benefits are realized; i.e., sharing this IOUN stone is impossible.

Vibrant purple: This stone is useful to spell casters alone. It allows a sorcerer to memorize extra spells per day, storing them in the stone, but if the stone is pocketed or stowed, the spells are lost. The 3d4 spell levels that may be stored in this stone must be determined anew each day, when the stone is first lofted.

@Manual of Automaton Creation*

This tome contains the secret sorcery-science formulæ, rites, materials (magical and scientific), and other sundries associated with the creation of an automaton (see Monsters: A, automaton). Five different manuals are known; d% must be rolled to determine which manual is discovered:

d% Result/ Manual Type

01–15=Bronze Automaton Creation 16–35=Clay Automaton Creation 36–85=Flesh Automaton Creation 86–90=Iron Automaton Creation 91–00=Stone Automaton Creation

Bronze Automaton: May be created by a magician, necromancer, pyromancer, or witch of at least 11th level. First, a hollow minotaur statue and a massive weapon must be cast by a master metalsmith; also, a mechanical clockwork heart of gold must be fashioned and sealed within the chest cavity. A ritual sacrifice of 85,000 gp (gold, gems, and the like) must be made to complete the process, which requires nine months. Once the golden heart is placed, it must be infused with a geas spell. However, the heart might not prove compatible with the bronze automaton; indeed, it is the heart that animates the construct to life. The chance of the heart functioning is 3% per point of the sorcerer’s intelligence; otherwise, it melts and corrodes. If the heart fails, a new heart may be fashioned at a cost of 10,000gp, requiring no less than 3 months to complete. This time the heart has a 4% chance to function per point of intelligence; if this one does not take, then the entire construct will melt to sludge.

Clay Automaton: May be created by a cleric, priest, or shaman of 9th level or greater; each level lower risks a cumulative 10% chance of failure. First, the sorcerer must obtain 1,000 pounds of fine clay from the bed of a river or bottom of a pond. Next, the clay must be moulded, dried, and baked to form a statue. Then, by using the sacred incantations found in the manual and making a 65,000gp sacrifice (gold, gems, and the like), the construct is animated to life, and the manual is destroyed. The entire process requires 6 months to complete and must be undertaken on consecrated ground.

Flesh Automaton: May be created by either a magician or necromancer of at least 9th level; each level lower risks a cumulative 10% chance of failure. The assembled corpses of five powerful men must be charged with electricity (mundane or magical) that would otherwise inflict at least 50hp damage over a two-minute period. Gems and/or gold of 50,000gp value must be sacrificed, absorbed by the eldritch sorceries of the manual. The entire process requires 6 months to complete, after which the manual is destroyed, and the creature animates.

Iron Automaton: May be created by a magician (only) of 11th level or greater. To craft this construct, a hollow iron statue must be cast by a master smith. A cloudkill spell must be sealed within the construct as the incantations in the manual are executed. The entire process requires 9 months and a sacrifice of 100,000gp (gold, gems, and the like). Once the automaton is complete, the manual is destroyed.

Stone Automaton: May be created by a magician (only) of at least 11th level. The statue must be carved by an expert sculptor. The process requires 9 months and a sacrifice of 80,000gp (gold, gems, and the like), necessitating too the casting of a geas spell. Once the automaton is complete, the manual is destroyed.