Old Empires Magic Items

 

Magic Items of the Old Empires

Artefacts of the Old Empires

The Beacon of Light

The Beacon of Light is supposedly the same beacon used to guide the heroes of the Mulan through the Border Ethereal as they journeyed to Toril. The Beacon remained hidden in vaults beneath the Tower of Ra until following the Orcgate Wars when Horus-Re recovered the Beacon and placed it in a tower atop the Godswall in Skuld.

The Beacon stood atop the tower, guiding ships into the Bay of Shadows until 1280 DR, when the second Thayan invasion of Mulhorand included a daring naval raid on Skuld which saw much of the harbor district burned.

The Beacon of Light has since passed through the hands of numerous pirate groups amid the Pirate Isles, currently resting atop a tower on the island of Sarr.

The Beacon of Light is able to produce a rotating beam of light that serves as a perfect lighthouse to guide ships. Unbeknownst to most, the Beacon of Light’s primary purpose was to keep extra-dimensional beings at bay (by producing an illusion and abjuration based field), protecting and hiding the Mulan as they travelled through the Border Ethereal from the monsters that lurk in the mists. Curiously, in the last century since the removal of the Beacon of Light from Skuld, there have been an increased number of sightings of magic eating beings known as Hakeashar; which seem to be gradually congregating on Skuld.

Bird of Ba

Crafted by the Incarnation Bahthoth around -130 DR for a band of the Hormae tribe that worshipped Meelatur the Winged Stalker in his attempt to ingratiate the Church of Thoth to the Hormae. This tiny jeweled bird normally sits upon an item of clothing like a pin or pendant, but when missiles are fired at the wearer the bird will swoop into action and attempt to intercept them just before they strike the wearer.

Upon command the Bird of Ba can transform into a 6 ft tall golden bird with wicked talons and a razor sharp beak. The bird will fly about an indicated target and swoop down on them to rake with claw and beak whenever they attempt to cast a spell.

The Bird of Ba was lost when the Hormae tribe were eliminated in Mulhorand following a decade of unrest incited by attacks upon their elders and shaman. The command word has long since been forgotten (known only to Bahthoth and the Hormae shaman to whom it was gifted). Rumours speak of a golden bird of prey that stalks the Sunrise Mountains every few decades.

Book of Beasts

Known as the Shefat Therals, there are only a few books of this kind remaining for most of them were made as traps by the wizard Nezrak and his followers during the Spelldoom to slay the priests of Thoth and have since been used or destroyed with a few notable exceptions or those that went undetected during the uprising.

A book of beasts typically has vivid pictures of animals on various pages within what is otherwise a normal spellbook. When a reader touches the picture the animal is loosed from the page and immediately attacks all nearby (optionally a passphrase can be added and if spoken allows the reader to command the animals released).

The Box of Death

This lethal box is rather curiously associated with the Church of Isis; bearing a symbol of a strange head with horns atop it not unlike the horned bowl symbol used by the church. Ancient myths of the Turami people (dating before the Mulan arrived) speak of the nature goddess Juba, covering aspects of Earth, the Mother, and Death. The Box of Death was said to be one of Juba’s gifts to her worshippers, and was used to punish unbelievers and those who harmed the Turami.

By whispering a name into the box (before opening it is advisable and less dangerous), the scarab beetles inside will; when released, seek out the target across any distance and devour them, before returning back to the box. There is enough space for about a hundred scarabs but the swarm that issues forth numbers in the thousands.

It is unknown who the legend of Juba is based upon (her worship has all but died among the Turami who have long accepted the worship of the Mulan godkings, leaving only a few scattered myths behind, it is also unknown if Juba and her followers created the box or merely found it. The box is clearly magical, possibly extra-dimensional in nature, and the scarab beetles inside are intelligent in some way and that intelligence is linked together as they can understand names and locate the target unerringly. Some anthropologists suggest that the horned head on the box could actually depict an insect with antennae and that it may have been designed as a prison of sorts by it’s creators (some of the magical symbols on the box are part of dimensional traps, worse is that a few symbols have worn away allowing the creature inside to escape for a time).

Candles of the Dark Lady

There are 13 of these candles in total (there used to be 16), they are the remnants of the candles used to in the ritual to summon TiaMa’at herself to the catacombs beneath Niz’Jaree. These relics are beeswax candles that have been turned a purplish black by some after effect of summoning TiaMa’at.

TiaMa’at crushed 2 of the candles during her summoning as she thrashed around during the disorientation of her change from dragon to human form. One of the candles has been used, the remaining 13 are distributed among the Dark Scaly Ones of the cult.

The powers of these candles are unknown, many believe that lighting the candle will allow the bearer of the candle to commune with TiaMa’at directly no matter how far away she is, others believe it merely alerts TiaMa’at to their location and a desire to see her.

Claws of Vengeance

During the second century of Unther’s existence, as the city of Unthalass expanded and the beginnings of a nation were formed, it encroached upon the territories of great dragons that had claimed the territories left vacant by the fall of Imaskar.

The first of such draconic conflicts involved the Ash Dragon of the Black Ash Plains, who had enslaved a legion of dwarves and established its own empire in the foothills of the Smoking Mountains. Ass-Uraqn and Amar-Du’uk led the forces of Unther against Vulpomyscan and the dwarves of the Wyrm’s Legion.

Unther won the day and the dragon was slain, and the godkings Amar-Du’uk and Ass-Uraqn plundered the stronghold of all its treasure. As a gift for his friend, Ass-Uraqn cut off the claws of the great Ash Dragon and had them enchanted so that they may defend the new fortress home of Amar-Du’uk. In total 20 claws were gathered an enchanted, 10 of them disappeared when the fortress was first lost and the others were gradually lost over the years, only 2 have been found in recent years and they form the Lash of the Death Dance now possessed by An-Unaki of Messemprar.

When hurled to the ground the claws transform into tiny skeletal dragons with bones made of ash hardened and solidified to the strength of stone. These dragons then attack the nearest creature making any form of movement (those standing still enlist no response from the dragons). When the claws are grouped together and hurled to the ground they form a single dragon of one size category greater than Tiny for each additional claw up to a maximum size of Colossal.

Enhancement Level: +2

Slot: None

Magical Properties: Summoning (x2); Uses, Recharge (x5); Activation, Use Activated; Range, 1 square. Cost 17,500 gp per claw

Crown of the Horned Crocodile

This feathered headdress bears two elaborate horns and a long ridged tail that drapes down the back of the wearer to resemble the ridged back of a crocodile.

The headdress was supposedly crafted by Sobek, but given his lack of magical skill it seems more likely it was made for him by one of his kin or he discovered it while exploring the ruins of the sarrukh. The headdress grants the wearer resistance to physical attacks, and allows the wearer to summon nearby reptiles to his side (and command them) up to 3 times per day.

Holin’s Folly

Holin Unthret was the last of the master smiths of Mulhorand, who studied under one of the students of the Great Smith Urhur Ramath, great grandsire of Anhur.

Holin was skilled beyond measure in the crafting of magical weapons and armour, but his isolation atop the Blood Fortress made him strange and eccentric, prone to conversing with his in-progress creations as though they could speak. Eventually Holin began to talk of creatures only he could see infiltrating Sultim and watching everyone, he crafted a sword he boasted would slay the “watchers beyond the veil” as he called them.

In 1097 DR he unveiled his masterpiece which forever more became known as Holin’s Folly, but which he named Janifar (Ghost Silver). The sword had a hilt of solid silver decorated with opals, but the hilt contained no blade and could not therefore be used to strike an opponent. Holin lost the title of Master Smith, and within 6 months was a pauper on the streets of Sultim, still clinging to the hilt of the Bladeless Sword.

The following year, forces from Thay invaded Mulhorand and made straight for the city of Sultim. Holin was killed within the walls of Sultim inside the gatehouse, surrounded by 9 assailants that seemingly appeared as if from nowhere, apparently slain by the Bladeless Sword that Holin was swinging wildly. The invading army from Thay was apparently unprepared for a siege and could do nothing more than blockade the city before it was slaughtered by a Legion of Dawn arriving from the south and a successful sally from within the city.

Some whisper that Holin could see the spies who were invisible to everyone else, his blade was made specifically to strike at these spies on whatever plane they existed.

Karathoth’s Jewel

The Jewel of Karathoth is a creation of one of the greatest incarnations of Thoth, one of the few Viziers not of the Church of Horus-Re, an honour bestowed upon the Church of Thoth after the rule of the Ire Pharaoh (Watchful Pharaoh), although some suggest this was a consolation prize after Pharaoh Thothibistep II was essentially forced to step down following an inquiry by the High Magistrates of Osiris into his inquisition in 927 DR (Thothibistep II was quietly replaced by Pharaoh Akonhorus I and never seen again. The new Divine Incarnation Karathoth crafted the jewel for the new Pharaoh Akonhorus I which became forever known as Karathoth’s Jewel, and submitted the secret of it’s creation to the Arcanum of Magic.

The jewel allows the user to create a simulacrum by rubbing a facet of the gem, he may create one such simulacrum per facet. The simulacrum is under total control (by act of will) of the bearer of the gem and is able to do anything it’s creator can. The bearer can dismiss a simulacrum by again rubbing the facet of the gem. If the simulacrum is killed the facet cracks and cannot be used to summon a simulacrum again (similarly if the facet is defaced or cracked deliberately then a simulacrum cannot be created).

Karathoth’s Jewel has remained in the possession of every Pharaoh of Mulhorand since 929 DR. It was originally a large pink ruby with 37 facets mounted atop a ring, 12 of these facets have since cracked after assassination attempts and accidents. Replicas crafted by other magic users typically have only 4-7 facets and are made from a variety of precious gemstones.

Lash of the Death Dance

This item is a two tongued whip with a large and wicked claw at the end of each lash. The whip itself is made from animal hide and is unexceptional in craftsmanship except for the two claws at the end which come from the Ash Dragon of Unther and were enchanted by Ass-Uraqn.

The Lash when brandished will attack any creature in front of the wielder independent of any action he performs. The claws whip backward and forward stripping layers of flesh from the victim until he ceases to struggle. While brandished the whip may perform 3 Attack Actions; whenever an opponent takes an action, as Immediate Actions that do not reduce the wielder’s number of Immediate Actions, nor do they apply the usual penalties to the wielder for performing Immediate Actions.

Enhancement Level: +3

Slot: Weapon

Magical Properties: Attacking (x3); Uses (Permanent); Activation (Use Activated); Range, 2 squares; Cost, 204,000 gp

Masks of the Dragon

The Masks of the Dragon appear to have been created in imitation of the Mask of TiaMa’at. Like their parent mask, the masks of the dragon look like dragon heads (each one crafted to resemble a particular species of dragon), and allow the wearer to polymorph 1/day to resemble another Mulan human, they also grant the wearer the ability to cast a single spell (at 1st level) that is particular to the dragon species the mask resembles.

The secret of making these masks was lost to the cult for over 200 years, after the destruction of the last Cult of the Nemesis in Chessenta in 1025 DR. TiaMa’at’s return means that the cult has begun to manufacture these once again, and every cell now has access to at least one of these masks.

Enhancement Level: +1

Slot: Head

Magical Properties: Enspelled (x1) Polymorph, Any; Uses (Recharge x1); Activation (Spell Trigger); Target (Wielder). Cost 1,800 gp

Oil of Eternity

This oil has been a wonder of the southern lands for over a thousand years. It has been an exclusive secret of the Church of Ish-Tarri, sold to An’Ular of power and wealth in order to keep them young and extend their life.

The oil has been increasingly difficult to come by since Ish-Tarri supposedly fled Niz’Jaree and entered voluntary seclusion in Shussel, and later all senior ensi of Ish-Tarri and Ram-Manu were executed for being followers of TiaMa’at. It would appear that the remnants of Ish-Tarri’s church do not possess the knowledge to create the oil or are unable to do so without Ish-Tarri herself because the only oil of eternity appearing on the Great Market of Unthalass are those vials hoarded by noble families for later use (and which are now fetching exorbitant prices).

In truth the Oil of Eternity was created in a manner similar to Serthe, requiring the blood of Ish-Tarri herself to be mixed with crushed blossoms from the firetrees and other unknown but rare reagents. Depending upon the concentration, amount used, and application location, the effects varied from removing wrinkles and signs of ageing (applying to the skin), to halting the ageing process for a time (ingestion without vomiting the oil which was slightly toxic), or even restoring youth (a dangerous use requiring injection of this toxic substance which had occasionally resulted in the subject reverting to a defenceless infant or dying in agony).

This oil was often given as a gift to those performing a service to the church (or a large donation), when vials appeared on the open market it was not unknown for them to be sold for several hundred Ilguz (gold pieces). With supply restricted even further, the last Oil of Eternity was sold for nearly 3,000 Ilguz for a tiny vial containing a few drops.

Precept’s Charm

When Ra founded Mulhorand he bound the other godkings to him by making extravagant gifts of powerful items (and by threatening those that refused to join his new empire). The Precept’s Charm were ornate necklaces enchanted to help the wearer resist all forms of charm and persuasion.

The original charms held by the godkings are long vanished (along with their owners), but imitations have been fashioned (using the plans stored in the Arcanum of Magic) and are now worn as items of state by all senior members of Mulhorand’s government, including the Pharaoh, the Vizier, and Divine Precepts.

Enhancement Level: +2

Slot: Neck

Magical Properties: Enhancement (x2) Magic Resistance (Enchantment); Uses (Permanent); Activation (Passive); Target (Wearer); Cost 24,000 gp

Ring of Dawn’s Blessing

This ring is a single gold band with an eye outlined in turquoise enamel and fixed with a sapphire in its centre. The ring was fashioned for one of the last surviving priests of Anubis who volunteered to become the Guardian of the Land where Dead Sleep (located near where the ruins of Delhumide are situated today). This region; along with the rest of Thay, was shunned by Mulhorand for being the site of so much death and destruction during the Orcgate Wars (the final battles of the war were fought here, but were also held as sacred lands because Ra was slain where the Surmarsh is located today.

The ring provided protection for the Guardian from the undead creatures that often infest such enormous battlefield graveyards, as well as a means of detecting and therefore avoiding their presence. The ring was lost following the Empire of Narfell’s invasion of the Netarand but may still be in and around the ruins of Delhumide, which was formerly the site of the Tower of the Guardian of Diralhumede.

Scales of Horus

This armour of bronze scales (each scale no larger than a thumbnail), forms part of the second set of the Fasarwen Laren and was worn by the hero Horus when he battled Lord Artificer Yuvaraj in the skies above Inupras. It is rumoured to have been enchanted later to resist fire and sword by none other than the Great Smith Urhur Ramarh.

The armour was worn by Pharaoh Horustep II when he rode into battle against the Red Wizards of Thay. Horustep II was slain by his enemies but the Scales of Horus were recovered and returned to Mulhorand, the armour now resides in the Vault of Golden Commerce in Neldorild, and a replica is present in the Solarium of Skuld.

Sebek’s Spear

Modeled after Sebek’s own weapon (the Sorrowful Spear), this weapon has been enchanted to deliver severe wouds. Wielders of these spears have a greater chance than normal of dealing a Critical Hit. A number of these weapons were fashioned for Sebek’s children (notably Sebekhar and Sebeth) and for a few of his favoured followers ere the fall of Sekras in -425 DR.

Serpent Blade

A sword held by guards of Shudu-Ab that suffuses wounds it inflicts with poison.

Serpent Ring

A brass ring worn by Shudu-Ab and her followers which seemingly prevents them being poisoned by the Serpent Blades.

Shield of Heru

This shield forms part of the second set of the Fasarwen Laren and is supposedly crafted from the capstone of the dome of the imperial palace of Inupras. It was enchanted for Horus but is named for the famous Incarnation and son of Horus who bore it with distinction during the Orcgate Wars and slew 6 personal bodyguards of Baghtru during the final battles of the war.

The shield has a mirror sheen to its faintly purple, metallic surface. Any blow, missile, spell, or energy that strikes the shield is reflected off in a random direction away from the bearer, potentially strike others nearby. This shield was carried into battle by Horustep II against the Red Wizards of Thay and was lost when he was slain by the enemy.

Staff of Authority

Usually provided on demand by high ranking government officials, this minor enchantment is applied to the scepter of office and provides a small number of charges that can be used to inflict the staggered (1 charge), dazed (2 charges), stunned (3 charges) upon whoever’s head the scepter is touched to.

These staffs are typically used by government officials to remove interruptions while they are speaking, or to remove bothersome individuals. There is rarely a cause to use such an item in defence at the place of work (where the scepter must remain by law). Officials who use this item too much, or on too many slaves, find that their request to recharge the item (form T83) is delayed by months or even years (if the lesson is not learned after repeated over zealous use.

The Book of the Dead

The Book of the Dead was acquired (and named) by Thoth during the siege of Inupras, when the artificer carrying it was torn in half by his dragon that had broken free of his control when it’s collar was broken. The book was also torn in half and Thoth recovered the first half along with 26 scattered and ripped pages.

Only Thoth himself and the Divine Incarnations have ever been permitted to read the text, it is kept in the deepest vault beneath the Arcanum of Magic, where it is guarded at all times by the Tome Wardens who are sworn to defend it with their lives. Reading the text provides insights and understanding into the nature of magic, especially those magics relating to healing and the preservation of life (although the 26 additional pages detail means of manipulating the dead).

Thoth spent a thousand years reading the Book of the Dead (or so legends say), and it is believed that the book formed the foundation for much of his subsequent creations; the Tomes of Thoth – from which all religious texts of the Church of Thoth are based.

The Chariot of Horus

Supposedly crafted by Ptah and gifted to Ra who then gave it to Horus, this chariot is identical to the Chariot of Ra in every way.

The Chariot of Horus resembles a flat skiff like boat in shape, made of solid gold (although enchanted to be harder than steel), with reinforced side walls stylized to resemble wings and allow the rider to stand and be protected on either side. The chariot itself has no wheels and no harness, instead hovering 5 ft above the ground and able to reach speeds equal to that of a galloping horse, some murals and associated myths describe Horus soaring above the ground at much greater heights so it is possible the chariots can fly.

Curiously there is no mention of Horus having a chariot until after his appointment as Divine Precept of Semphar, leading some to suggest that this chariot was actually uncovered in Semphar which is known to have had a number of dwarven strongholds in the mountains around it (most abandoned long before when the mines played out), and Horus claimed it as his due as the ruler of Semphar.

The Chariot of Horus was lost during the rebellion of Thay, ridden into battle by Horustep II, and promptly spirited away from his corpse after his foolish charge into Thay’s vanguard wearing many of the divine treasures of Mulhorand. The officials of Mulhorand do not know it’s current location but they do not believe the Red Wizards of Thay are in possession of this artifact any longer.

The Chariot of Ra

One of three “chariots” of obviously related design and construction. Mythology claims that Ptah crafted these artefacts and gifted them to Ra who in turn gifted them to Osiris and Horus (possibly foreseeing his own demise and Horus’ succession).

The Chariot of Ra resembles a flat skiff like boat in shape, made of solid gold (although enchanted to be harder than steel), with reinforced side walls stylized to resemble wings and allow the rider to stand and be protected on either side. The chariot itself has no wheels and no harness, instead hovering 5 ft above the ground and able to reach speeds equal to that of a galloping horse, some murals and associated myths describe Ra soaring above the ground at much greater heights so it is possible the chariots can fly.

The chariots are almost certainly not Imaskari in origin as there is no mention of these chariots in the tales of the liberation of the Mulan. The reinforced, practical design of the chariot leads some scholars to believe that the chariots are actually of dwarven make and there is an ancient manifest detailing gifts from the “denngen” (a derogatory term roughly translating to “tribe of children”), which included two gold barges. The tribe of children is believed to mean dwarves, and the gold barges are an odd gift from a nation that is entirely land locked so could perhaps refer to these flying chariots (the Mulhorandi often use flying barges when depicting their gods travelling the heavens).

The current location of the Chariot of Ra is unknown to the general populace of Mulhorand as it has not been seen since Ra’s funeral, but there is an ornate bench located in the Measuring Room which few notice has no base upon which to stand and floats freely in the air.

The Horned Crown of Mulhorand

The Horned Crown of Mulhorand is one of the few pieces of the first set of Fasarwen Laren from Ra’s rule as Divine Pharaoh. It’s distinctive appearance (a metal circlet with a raised back, velvet covering of the head and two curled “horns” positioned above the eyes) appears repeatedly in depictions of the Pharaoh, Ra, and Horus-Re, and also on artefacts in Mulhorand that are believed to predate the arrival of the Mulan.

The Horned Crown of Mulhorand boosts the intellect of any who wear it, and grants them the ability to manifest a number of magical effects that have been stored in magical gems adorning the crown over the years (embedded into the circlet). These magical effects include a searing beam of light, a spell that boosts the wearer’s ability to resist physical damage, another spell that boost the wearer’s ability to resist energy damage, a spell that allows telepathic communication with attuned individuals, a spell that grants the ability to fly.

The crown is also noted for its curse, should anyone attempt to steal the crown, it is believed they will slowly wither and decay until they perish and then rise again as an undead monster cursed to walk the earth forever. Thus far no-one has ever succeeded in stealing the crown, but there have been a few mishaps with over-zealous courtiers attempting to clean the crown and being severely injured by some magic that withered the limb used to touch the crown.

The crown is made of an unidentified black metal (that has since been painted white), the blue velvet and precious gemstones were added later by the Mulan. The first mention of the Horned Crown of Mulhorand is nearly 80 years after the founding of Skuld, so it may have been acquired or created after Ra and the Mulan settled Mulhorand.

Some sages believe the Horned Crown of Mulhorand is one of the treasures brought down from the Dragonsword Mountains by Ra, E-Nlil, and E-Anu. The Horned Crown has some stylistic similarities to other items more ancient than the Mulan, such as the Box of Death, and it has little in common with items of Imaskari origin. Those few who have travelled (secretly) to Fuirgar and returned, claim that the “horn” atop the crown resemble iconography found throughout the Fuirgar and they could depict insect antennae instead of horns.

Regardless of it’s origin, the Horned Crown was lost to Mulhorand when the blue dragon Gestaniius broke into the Solarium of Skuld and stole many of the Fasarwen Laren. A replica has been set in it’s place in the throne room, and presumably the crown still remains within the hoard of Gestaniius in the Dragonsword Mountains.

The Jewelled Scarab

The scarab beetle has long plagued the region of Mulhorand, before the Mulan people ever. It has become such a potent symbol of death among the Mulhorandi people that its symbology can be found throughout their culture. The jeweled scarab however is a sacred artifact of the Church of Horus-Re that actually symbolizes life.

When Ra came down from the Dragonsword Mountains, bringing with him the Sun Throne and numerous other treasures, his personal physicians examined him and removed this single scarab from his body. For whatever reason it had not slain the godking and instead had encysted and cocooned itself within him, undergoing a transformation that altered it’s structure so that it was now composed of a unique blue crystal.

When placed upon the head of an individual the scarab supposedly heals all maladies. Some whisper it even restores life to the recently deceased and may have been placed upon the funeral wrappings of Osiris by Isis and Nephthys. Numerous imitations have been crafted by magic users over the millennia, all carefully crafted from sapphires of various sizes, although typically the best these copies can do is to close wounds, reduce scarring, and restore some vitality to an individual.

The Jewelled Scarab forms part of the first set of the Farawen Laren and is one of the few pieces of that set still owned by the state of Mulhorand, it resides deep within the Vault of Golden Commerce in Neldorild.

The Mask of TiaMa’at

The Mask of TiaMa’at has been lost since her death during the Orcgate Wars, presumably carried off by an orc or by one of the soldiers from Unther, Akanu, Mulhorand or the lands that would become Raumathar and Narfell. Whoever stole away the mask, it has not been seen since in Faerun or the Old Empires.

The Mask of TiaMa’at was a mask that resembled the head of a dragon, the species of which is indeterminate and may have varied each time it was donned. Myths attributed to TiaMa’at from before the Orcgate Wars say that she could change her face and form as desired and it may be that this mask provided the means for her to do so.

The origins of the mask are unknown, TiaMa’at emerged from the Raurin desert wearing this mask and wielding incredible powers of magic to alter substance and form, the few Untheric sages that have studied the lore of TiaMa’at (and not been executed for treason) do not believe TiaMa’at possessed these powers and this mask when the conflict between Turami and Mulan in Unther first began, it is only upon TiaMa’at’s return to Unther; where she waged war upon the god-kings, that TiaMa’at is first documented as possessing the mask and the incredible skill with magic that she is now famous for. As such, it is likely that TiaMa’at found this artefact in the Raurin desert (she may have later altered it from it’s original form into the mask), and it may be responsible for her rise in power.

A few cult legends speak of TiaMa’at occasionally entering a trance when wearing the mask, during the trance she was heard speaking (presumably to the mask) in a language that none understood but a few senior cultists identified as the language of the great enslavers; the Imaskar and their language Roushoum.

Any that wear the mask are affected by a permanent non-detection effect and may also polymorph into any form they are familiar with 5/day. In addition, those conversing with the mask in Roushoum (the language of the Imaskari) may learn many secrets of magic from the artefact (especially transmutation magics) and this can manifest in many ways; gain of experience points for each day spent studying with the mask, ability to learn any transmutation spells they are able to cast.

Enhancement Level: +5

Slot: Head

The Rings of TiaMa’at

The Rings of TiaMa’at resemble the vertebrae of dragons, one fashioned from ruby, another from sapphire, and the last from emerald. The rings automatically resize to fit whomever holds it in their hand but is naturally sized to fit the claw of a dragon.

TiaMa’at forged these rings over 3,000 years ago and used them to bargain alliances with the dragons in and around Akanu, Mulhorand, and Unther in her war against the Mulan, they are designed to greatly augment the abilities of its wearer’s (especially dragons). Many dragons have sought to possess one of these rings as they grant them enhanced strength, vigour, and magic. The rings however come with a secret curse that few are aware of; once worn they can never be removed except with the death of the wearer and furthermore, upon the death of TiaMa’at, the bearers of the rings will be compelled to seek out and consume one another so that TiaMa’at might be reborn in the body of the winner.

The current wearers of the rings are believed to be Tchazzar the red dragon and legendary warrior king and founder of Chessenta, Gestanius the blue dragon, and Skuthosin the green dragon. Only Tchazzar is aware of the ring’s curse and has been searching for a way to bypass or remove the curse; believing that attaining a measure of divinity would save him as dracolichdom had saved his ancient rival Alasklerbanbastos.

Cultists of TiaMa’at revere the wearer’s of the Rings of TiaMa’at almost as much as TiaMa’at herself. Each wearer has a cult cell devoted to serving them (presumably under the orders of TiaMa’at herself) and constantly strive to keep the wearer of the ring alive and adequately stocked with riches as well as steering them towards whatever goals the cult may have (usually by providing more riches).

The rings grant the wearer a +4 Item bonus to Strength and Constitution, a single additional 3rd level spell slot, and a +3 Item bonus to Spell Attack and Arcana Skill checks. Finally the rings grant the wearer the Regeneration special ability and a +1 Item bonus to the regeneration pool.

Enhancement Level: +4

Slot: Hand

Magical Properties: Enhancement (x4) Strength, Constitution; Uses (Permanent); Activation (Passive); Target (Wielder). Regeneration (x1); Uses (Permanent); Activation (Passive); Target (Wielder). Skilled (x3) Arcana; Uses (Permanent); Activation (Passive); Target (Wielder). Spell Focus (x3); Uses (Permanent); Activation (Passive); Target (Wielder). Spell Reservoir (x3); Uses (Permanent); Activation (Passive); Target (Wielder); Cost 2,496,000 gp

The Sorrowful Spear

This legendary weapon belonging to Sebek is not depicted in any of the murals, tapestries, or histories of the Mulan liberation from Imaskar. During the Orcgate Wars Sobek is known to have fought only with his bladed bronze gauntlets.

The first mention of the Sorrowful Spear is when the Legion of Dawn razed Sekras in -425 DR when the survivors of the 77 warriors who faced Sobek in battle report this huge, curved bone spear was in his possession and was used with great effect to slay nearly half of the warriors. The spear appears to resemble the fused spinal column of a large reptilian creature with a large tooth melded to the top of the spine, this explains the curved appearance of the spear, and the tooth and spine together resemble an elongated S shape.

The Sorrowful Spear inflicts the Dying condition with every blow, has a greater than normal chance of dealing a Critical Hit, and deals greater damage on a Critical Hit. Once per day, the wielder of this spear may transform any organic matter of sufficient mass to become crocodiles under the control of the wielder. This last ability may belie the true origin of the spear as some relic of the sarrukh Empire of Okoth.

The Statues That Walk

The Statues That Walk are one of the many magical wonders of Mulhorand, and like most of these magical wonders, they were not made by the Mulhorandi. The Imaskari made most of the magical artifacts possessed by the Gods of Mulhorand (at least going by the aesthetics and the runes that adorn them).

The Statues that walk are colossal automatons; animated stone statues not golems, that have been programmed with a sophisticated artificial intelligence that allows them to perform a series of complicated tasks such as; repair structures, follow voice commands, attack intruders, rest.

The statues are well over 20 feet tall and made of solid, magically enhanced granite, which makes them nearly impervious to damage. They also steadily and completely regenerate any damage inflicted upon them, it is unknown if it is possible to destroy them without complete disintegration.

The statues are adorned with a variety of runes which have been identified as sarrukh in origin and lead many sages to the conclusion that the sarrukh created them. However, experts note that the runes that have been etched all over the surface of the statues have slowly begun to heal themselves and so may not have been part of their original creation, and the nature of the runes appears to be responsible for putting the statues into rest or maintenance programs which may explain their current status of remaining immobile for centuries before reawakening occasionally to demolish existing buildings and rebuild long vanished structures.

There are ancient scrolls (written on preserved human hide in the sarrukh script), which detail a war with stone giants that the sarrukh were losing. Some of these scrolls recently unearthed by the Church of Thoth depict parts of a ritual that is designed to stop the Statues That Walk, the details of the ritual on every scroll are incomplete but should someone gather all the scrolls together they may realize that each scroll has a variant of the ritual which when merged provides the full ritual details, there are over 50 such scrolls and the Arcanum of Magic only has 15 (recovered from the Vault of Records) which may be enough to partially perform the ritual with potentially devastating consequences.

The Throne of Tlaa

This huge throne was created by TiaMa’at sometime after -900 DR following her rejuvenation in the decades after her destruction during the Orcgate Wars. It is made from the fused ribcages of the two ancient dragons consumed to allow her to return. The two spines form the back of the throne and one head is pointing upwards with its lower jaw removed to act as a head rest while the other head points outwards and is used as a seat.

TiaMa’at chose the name of this throne personally, many assume it is a name of some meaning to her. It spent the first centuries located in a secret base in what is now known as the Methwood, following the eradication of her cult in Unther and Akanu, the throne was lost for some time until TiaMa’at herself recovered it and placed it in her secret redoubt in the Fane of TiaMa’at among the Wyrmbones where it may still lay today.

When someone sits on the throne they are covered by a permanent nondetection effect and are able to activate the following spells; scry, and energy resistance at the 4th spell level 4 times per day.

Enhancement Level: +4

Magical Properties: Enspelled (x4) Non Detection, Scry, Energy Resistance; Uses (Recharging x4); Activation (Spell Trigger); Target (Self); Cost 127,200gp

The Tomes of Thoth

The Tomes of Thoth are a series of books supposedly penned by the God Thoth himself, they are said to detail the entire history of the Mulan people and all the knowledge they possess. The tomes are truly massive, each containing tens of thousands of pages (requiring several scribes to move each book), and it is believed that the three texts are only part of a larger series of books with several volumes as yet undiscovered and hidden by Thoth for his worthy followers to find.

There are three original texts located in the deepest vaults beneath the Arcanum of Magic, the texts document the known history of ancient Imaskar as well as Mulhorand, and contain details of every invention (including spells and magical items) every known to have been created by either people.

The Tomes of Thoth are enchanted such that anyone speaking the name of an invention (magical or mundane), the book will open to the relevant page and reveal all the knowledge it contains therein on the subject. Some sages believe the items to be of Imaskari origin and are either part of the fabled Imaskarcana, or an imitation of these great artifacts.

The Lesser Tomes of Thoth are copies made by various incarnations of Thoth and form the basis of the religious text of Thoth. They have been heavily edited to include only the history of Mulhorand (and only those events that commoners should have knowledge of), as well as select spells and inventions sacred to the Church of Thoth.

Traitor’s Bane

The Traitor’s Bane (the Herakemal in Mulhorandi) are a series of six executioner’s swords crafted on commission for the Church of Thoth following the rebellion of Thay and the Spelldoom. These khopesh style swords are made of solid silver and the blade burns those who tell falsehoods while touching it.

The Church of Thoth used these swords as part of interrogations to root out traitors within the acolytes of its church (which included all the registered wizards of Mulhorand), the sword was placed to the neck and they were asked questions about their loyalty to Mulhorand and the Pharaoh. Those burned by the blade had their neck promptly severed. After scourging the acolytes, the inquisition moved on to the regular priesthood of all churches.

The rebellion of Thay had many officials in Mulhorand question the loyalty of wizards (who had just proven they wielded considerable power), the attempts to curtail that power resulted in further rebellion and a guerilla war known as the Spelldoom. After Thothibistep II determined that Setites were involved in the rebellion of Thay and the pretender Masters of the Temple in Semphar, an inquisition was declared on all people suspected of questionable loyalties. The ambitious, ruthless, and scared individuals of Mulhorand used this opportunity to implicate anyone they disliked or needed removing or even those who just behaved oddly. By the inquisitions end, over 17,000 individuals were executed before the High Magistrates of Osiris called an inquiry and suspended the inquisition. The Inquisition has since been named the Eduat (the Death of Truth) and the High Magistrates of Osiris quietly removed Thothibistep II from office for the horrors it inflicted.

The Eduat did undoubtedly discover and remove much of the infiltration of the Cult of Set within Mulhorand’s society and government, forcing the survivors deep undercover, it also eliminated any magic users of questionable loyalty who had been plotting against Mulhorand. The Eduat however is most well known for the horrors it inflicted upon innocent people.

The Herakemal are a symbol of how intentions can be twisted by political factions, they have been hidden away since the inquisition except on rare occasions when the Pharaoh personally calls for their use in particular punishments; such as when Rehorustep I called for it to be used to remove the tongue of a slave that spoke in his presence while he held court in the Solarium.

Leave a comment