To celebrate the release of Open Design’s Northlands: Roleplaying in Winter’s Chill, Chris Harris and Dan Voyce bring you new wondrous items.
Banner of Power
Aura faint transmutation; CL 5th
Slot —; Price 5,400 gp; Weight 15 lb.
DESCRIPTION
The maw on this howling standard is empowered to swallow a spell of 3rd level or lower that creates a fear effect or grants a morale bonus (bless, good hope, prayer, crushing despair, fear, scare, and so on). Such a spell can be cast specifically into the standard’s bronze head and later unleashed by the banner’s wielder (who need not be a spellcaster) as a standard action.
CONSTRUCTION
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, calm emotions; Cost 2,700 gp…
Banner of Roaring
Aura moderate or strong evocation; CL 7th
Slot —; Price 20,000 gp; Weight 15 lb.
DESCRIPTION
This howling banner lets out a thunderous roar on command. Treat this exactly as a horn of blasting. Greater banners of roaring can also be found (treat as a greater horn of blasting).
CONSTRUCTION
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, shout or greater shout; Cost 2,210 gp
Skis, Enchanted
Aura faint enchantment; CL 3rd
Slot feet; Price 2,500 gp; Weight 14 lb.
DESCRIPTION
These bone skis are carved from lindworm ribs and engraved with the runes raidho and isaz. They’re almost impossible to fall over in, granting the wearer a +5 circumstance bonus to Acrobatics checks made while skiing.
CONSTRUCTION
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, cat’s grace; Cost 1,250 gp
Mead of Heiðrún
Aura moderate conjuration; CL 11th
Slot —; Price 17,820 gp; Weight 4 lb.
DESCRIPTION
The great goat Heiðrún dwells upon the roof of Wotan’s hall and nibbles at the ever-green leaves of Yggdrasill. From its udders drips mead of a taste and potency unmatched in all the Nine Worlds. Each day, it flows in sufficient quantities that all the einherjar of Valhalla can quench their mighty thirst. Wotan’s shieldmaidens sometimes carry wineskins of the mead to revive and fortify heroes in their time of need. Kings and connoisseurs have spent whole treasuries trying to purchase it.
Each wineskin holds enough divine mead for nine doses. As well as being the finest drink the imbiber has ever tasted, each portion bestows the effects of a hero’s feast on the drinker.
CONSTRUCTION
The mead of Heiðrún cannot be created by mortal spellcasters although characters are welcome to try milking Wotan’s goat if they dare.
Sack of Air
Aura faint transmutation; CL 3rd
Slot —; Price 1,080 gp; Weight ½ lb.
DESCRIPTION
This sack contains meadow or sweet coastal air that can sustain a traveler high in the mountains. Inhaling its contents is a full round action, which grants the user all the benefits of a deep breath spell lasting 6 hours.
The bag can be refilled once expended by leaving it open to catch a lowland breeze for 4 hours. Casting deep breath into it also refills it.
CREATION
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, deep breath; Cost 540 gp
Tafl Board, Tyrannous
Aura faint enchantment; CL 3rd
Slot —; Price 5,320 gp; Weight 2 lb.
DESCRIPTION
This set is enchanted to assist its owner but at a price. Dice roll favorably and pieces shift position, giving its owner a +4 bonus to his or her Wisdom check to beat an opponent. A Perception check (DC 25) is required to detect this cheating. In addition, every time an opposed check is made in the normal course of the game, the loser suffers 1 damage/HD he or she possesses. Once any game begins, both players are subject to a suggestion to play to the end (DC 13).
The set’s beneficial magic ceases to function for the owner if he or she loses a game played on it.
CONSTRUCTION
Requirements Create Wondrous Item, prestidigation, inflict light wounds, suggestion; Cost 2,660 gp
Trackless Snowshoes
Aura faint transmutation; CL 3rd
Slot feet; Price 2,000 gp; Weight 5 lb.
DESCRIPTION
This is a pair of well-constructed snowshoes, made of pine and sinew. The wearer does not leave prints behind in snow, as per the pass without trace spell. The wearer’s scent is not masked. Trackless snowshoes also reduce movement by 10 ft.
CONSTRUCTION
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, pass without trace; Cost 1,000 gp
(This post is Product Identity.)
Dan, Chris… These are really high quality coolness! I swear (or affirm) these web articles are getting me really excited about the Northlands release. For those of you who don’t know, Dan Voyce is [i]King of the Misfit Toys[/i] and never fails to impress with his magic item creation leadership. And Chris Harris gives me someone new to be watching for. Great stuff guys!
Thanks very much, James! I had quite a bit of fun with item creation. Dan Voyce has a real knack for it, as well as for inspiring quality work and providing good direction. This was the first project I’ve worked on, but thanks to the ‘Northlands’ team it definitely won’t be the last!