Most cities can provide you with enchanted blades and robes. Volvyagrad is a trade city that brings in fine goods from the east and the west. Those in the know can find its true treasure, though, for the gnomes of Niemheim have attained many unique items from the surrounding swamp.

Item Descriptions

A small sampling of equipment that is normally unique to the back alley shops of Volvyagard is outlined here.

Bloodportal Boots

A young elf prince once constantly boasted of the power his fey blood afforded him. Any guest who questioned him would be forced to compete against him, and the prince always humiliated his foes. Then, one day, a spell-blade proved more than a match for him. Having mastered teleportation through years of training, the spell-blade quickly shifted out of reach each time the prince neared him. Ashamed, the prince sought out Baba Yaga, who crafted a pair of boots that would extend the young prince’s abilities with no training required. He won the next challenge but died soon after. The examining priest found all the blood had drained from his body.

Bloodportal Boots Level 8+ Rare
These fine soft red leather boots are fit for royalty, but their true cost is the bearer’s own blood.
Lvl 8 3,400 gp Lvl 28 2,125,000 gp
Lvl 18 85,000 gp
Feet Slot
Property
Whenever you teleport, spend at least one healing surge. For each surge spent, you can teleport an additional square. If you have no healing surges to spend, you take 10 damage.
Level 18: 2 squares per healing surge. If you have no healing surges you take 20 damage.
Level 28: 3 squares per healing surge. If you have no healing surges you take 30 damage.

Niemheim Shadow

Gnome enforcers of the Volvyagard markets are known for suddenly appearing out of shadows. The source of this uncanny ability rests in the dark leather chokers each wear around their neck. Although not officially for sale, certain merchants will make a deal when officials are sufficiently distracted.

Niemheim Shadow Level 3+ Uncommon
This black leather choker melds its bearer into nearby shadows.
Lvl 3 +1 680 gp Lvl 18 +4 85,000 gp
Lvl 8 +2 3,400 gp Lvl 23 +5 425,000 gp
Lvl 13 +3 17,000 gp Lvl 28 +6 2,125,000 gp
Neck Slot
Enhancement Bonus: Fortitude, Reflex, and Will
Property
Gain an item bonus to Stealth checks in dim light or darkness equal to the choker’s enhancement bonus.
Utility Power (Shadow, Teleportation) ✦ Daily (Move Action)
Effect: You teleport up to 10 squares. Your destination square must be within dim light or darkness.

Essence of Undeath

Healthy yet decaying mushrooms line the paths that lead to the gates of Volvyagrad. These unearthly fungi spring from bodies of those who crossed the gnomes and were hastily disposed of. Those who drink a brew made from these mushrooms soon gain the appearance and stench of a recently risen zombie.

Essence of Undead Level 4 Uncommon
This crude clay bottle reeks of bloody death when uncorked. Once consumed, pores blister into horrible sores across one’s body.
Consumable 40 gp
Utility Power ✦ Consumable (Minor Action)
Effect: All creatures perceive you as undead. Creatures can learn your true type by succeeding on an Insight or Religion check opposed by your Bluff +5. Powers and wards that affect the undead type affect you as well. These effects last until the end of the encounter or for 5 minutes.

Stiffened Chuul Tentacle

The horrifying chuul is a beast that few would ever hope to encounter. Their squirming tentacles are coated with paralytic venom that grows dormant once the chuul perishes. While this mystified sages for years, it has been discovered that the venom has a psionic component that can reactivated during the enchantment process.

Stiffened Chuul Tentacle Level 8+ Uncommon
This thin red wand seems simple enough until you’re stricken with maddening paralysis.
Lvl 9 +2 4,200 gp Lvl 24 +5 525,000 gp
Lvl 14 +3 21,000 gp Lvl 29 +6 2,625,000 gp
Lvl 19 +4 105,000 gp
Implement: Wand
Enhancement Bonus: Attack rolls and damage rolls
Critical: The target is immobilized (save ends).
Utility Power (Aura) ✦ Daily (Minor Action)
Effect: You activate an aura 4 that lasts until the end of the encounter. Any creature in the aura takes a –2 penalty to saves against being immobilized or restrained.

Thread of Eyes

Hags plucked each eye of this chain from different victims while they still breathed. Once strung, the eyes still live, each spinning at a near constant pace. The necklace’s paranoid vigilance is due to the absolute terror that set into the victim’s mind as the eye was removed. Any who can stomach donning this murderous chain gains a minor psychic link with the eyes, which warn their protector of imminent danger.

Thread of Eyes Level 4+ Uncommon
This string is lined with living eyes, which unblinkingly search for danger.
Lvl 4 +1 840 gp Lvl 19 +4 105,000 gp
Lvl 9 +2 4,200 gp Lvl 24 +5 525,000 gp
Lvl 14 +3 21,000 gp Lvl 29 +6 2,625,000 gp
Neck Slot
Enhancement Bonus: Fortitude, Reflex, and Will
Property
You gain an item bonus to your passive Perception equal to the thread’s enhancement bonus.
Utility Power ✦ Daily (No Action)
Trigger: You begin an encounter surprised.
Effect: You are not surprised.