d20 LPJ Design The True Arcane Story - Ring of X-Ray Vision.pdf - LPJ Design - R5700

loudhfisporterjrtestk

THE TRUE

ARCANE STORY

To see through total darkness what lies behind the

massive iron-bound door, to divine what treasures

await inside the hard-won oaken chest, to strip

away the obfuscating robes of the stranger and

reveal the hidden blade; it is to such purposes that

the ring of x-ray vision is employed. While its use

is simple and its powers straight-forward, any true

scholar of the arcane will attest that this ring is an

oddity.

of detection. He is credited with the discovery of

half a dozen spells and as many magical items,

most of which, sadly, have been lost to antiquity.

It is a recorded fact that he was able to pierce the

strongest spells of protection and non-detection, to

see the invisible, ethereal, and even astral traveler

at will, and was wont at times to sell his uncanny

skills to the highest bidder in order to fund his

exhaustive research.

Creation of a ring of x-ray vision requires the

casting of a spell of True Seeing; it is interesting to

note, however, that this spell, in normal usage, in

no way grants the caster the ability to see through

solid objects. Additionally, prolonged use of the

ring can cause serious debilitation, as if it feeds

upon the health or life-force of the wearer, or as

if the magical energies it channels are somehow

distorted in a way that causes harm to living

beings. It is the relation of these two aspects of the

ring’s power that are part and parcel of its mystery.

Having parleyed his knack for finding the lost,

exposing the hidden, and knowing the darkest

secrets of the most powerful men of his age into

a vast fortune and a position of nigh unassail-

able power, the All-Seeing Xargahl eventually

fell victim to that enemy of all men who achieve

their ambitions without fail or exception; sheer

and utter boredom. With none to rival his skills at

scrying, he sent word across the land that he would

surrender his entire fortune to any who could

present him a challenge he could not meet.

Wizards and wise men, priests and kings, all

came seeking Xargahl’s prize. Some came from

hubris, others from greed, but none could baffle

the eyes of the All-Seeing. No place was too dark,

too remote, or too hidden to escape the notice

of Xargahl. The Great Mystic Theurge began to

despair of ever again knowing the thrill of mystery

or the joy of discovery; until, one day, a simple

peasant begged his audience. Though turned away

at the gate, the man persisted, and Xargahl, of

CREATOR OF

THE RING OF X-RAY VISION

The story of the ring is best understood in context

of the story of its creator, the Great Mystic

Theurge, Xargahl the All-Seeing. At the height

of his powers, he is rumored to have been able

to scry simultaneously up to fourteen locations

across multiple planes without confusion or chance

RING OF X-RAY VISION

loudhfisporterjrtestk

LPJ9918

loudhfisporterjrtd

THE REAL ARCANE STORY: RING OF X-RAY VISION

course aware of his presence as he was aware of most

things, became intrigued and admitted him into his cham-

bers.

He did, however, have the name. After countless experi-

ments, he determined that by refracting a combination of

heavily modified spells, including plane shift and multiple

spells of divination, through the heartstone of a Night Hag,

he could produce a beam of invisible light, a ray capable

of penetrating almost any solid matter to reveal what

lay beyond or within. He named this magical emanation

the Xargahlic Ray, after himself, and proclaimed it the

crowning achievement of his illustrious career. Following a

series of refinements, he was able to create a magical crys-

talline substance, which he named Xargahlium, capable of

producing continuous emanations of Xargahlic energy.

Theories abound as to the true identity of this peasant,

attributing to him the name of any of a multitude of gods

or heroes of legend; however, if what is recorded of

Xargahl’s powers is true, then there existed no disguise so

complete that he could not penetrate it. Perhaps it is galling

to the arcanologist to admit that one of their own could

be so confounded by an ordinary man, but to those with a

thorough understanding of the principles involved, this is

the most plausible explanation.

His victory was short-lived, however. Not only had king-

doms fallen and fortunes been lost in his absence, but the

once-verdant countryside surrounding his tower had been

laid to waste by a devastating pestilence that rotted flesh,

poisoned the land, and caused an outbreak of monstrous

births the extent and magnitude of which had never been

seen before. It was not long after his emergence from his

tower that local authorities stormed his estate, destroying

the lich’s phylactery and much of his research. While

Xargahl himself was too startled to put up a fight, dozens

died from the effects of exposure to Xargahlic energy.

This man, a potter by trade, presented Xargahl with a ball

of clay. He had, he explained, written the names of his

three sons on three separate pieces of leather, placed them

face down on his kitchen table, then had his wife remove

two and burn them. His wife did not see the names, nor did

he know which name was written on the remaining piece.

He then embedded this bit of leather, again without reading

it, in a wad of clay and let it dry, while his wife carefully

scattered the ashes of the other two, along with the ashes of

their hearth, across the nearby countryside. His challenge

to Xargahl was to tell him, without breaking the ball and

without resorting to miracles or wishes, what name was

concealed inside.

In the end, the potter’s inheritance consisted of a blasted

wasteland with a ruined tower at its center, a few samples

of Xargahlium sealed in lead-lined boxes, and a handful

of Xargahl’s notes. While the land did not recover in the

potter’s lifetime, or in that of his sons, he was able to sell

the other items to a college of arcane researchers, many

of whom died horribly while attempting to unlock the

secrets of Xargahlic energy. The Xargahlic Ray, the name

later shortened to x-ray, was deemed far too dangerous

to living creatures to be safely used, and further research

would have been abandoned were it not for the persistence

of a young healer with an obsession for the study of living

internal anatomy.

A simple enough question; yet Xargahl had no answer. At

least, none that sprang immediately to mind. It was fortu-

nate, then, that he had never set a time-frame in which he

was required to respond. He sent the potter off, lading him

with sufficient gold to keep him in comfort for the rest of

his days, and promised him that should the name remain

undiscovered the vast wealth of the All-Seeing would be

bequeathed to him or his surviving heirs. With a joyful

heart, the Great Xargahl took the ball and locked himself

away in his tower.

When he emerged, fifteen years later, the world had

changed. Without Xargahl to inform them of the secrets

of their enemies, entire kingdoms fell. Without Xargahl

to plumb the depths of the oceans, shipwrecked treasures

were lost. Without Xargahl, lines of communication with

the outer planes were cut, and the study of magic, both

arcane and divine, slowed to a listless crawl. Xargahl

himself had changed as well. His body, riddled by a strange

and devastating disease, was covered in festering sores,

and his skin hung loose and shriveled from his bones. He

was, in fact, no longer technically living; he had resorted to

lichdom in order to complete his work.

HISTORY OF THE RING OF X-RAY VISION

Allandra Rehann was gifted with an array of qualities that

made her uniquely equipped to tame the destructive forces

of Xargahlic energy. She was wealthy, though not given

to the indolence often found among the privileged classes.

She was passionately devout, but not over-zealous or close-

minded. She was brilliant, but her razor-sharp intellect

did nothing to dull her compassion for her fellow beings.

Above all, she was stubborn, an attribute which kept her

in dogged pursuit of her desires when those of softer will

loudhfisporterjrtd

PAGE 2

loudhfisporterjrtd

THE REAL ARCANE STORY: RING OF X-RAY VISION

would have ceded to defeat. Allandra gathered together the

best minds of her day to tackle the problem of harnessing

Xargahl’s discovery, and, after decades of work, helped to

create the first true ring of x-ray vision. The awful effects

of Xargahlic energy, while still remaining, were diminished

and made temporary. They were also contained; no longer

did baleful emanations cause bystanders harm, instead only

the wearer of the ring bore any risk, and that only after

prolonged use. Allandra Rehann went on to become her

generation’s foremost authority on physiology, responsible

for profound advances in magical and non-magical healing

alike.

ovoid crystal, smooth-sided, and approximately two inches

in diameter. This extraordinarily rare substance can be cut

or ground into multiple shapes and is used to both produce

and focus Xargahlic energy. It is an exceedingly dangerous

material to work with; for which reason its handling is

generally left in the care of constructs or undead, who are

immune to its effects.

Cut Xargahlium, when exposed to light, emits a burst of

Xargahlic energy with effects identical to that of a twelfth

level casting of Xargahl’s Penetrating Ray. A cut crystal

can produce three such rays within a twenty-four hour

period. In this form it is generally stored within a shuttered

lead container. The lead shielding around a cut Xargahlium

crystal must be at least an eighth of an inch thick to fully

contain the Xargahlic energy. Opening and closing the

shutter is a standard action, unless it is spring-loaded, in

which case it is a move equivalent action.

Once a tool of humanitarian research, the ring is now most

often employed to spy and to plunder. While still a useful

aid to the healer, it is frequently found in the hands of the

rogue. Rare samples of Xargahlium have turned up in the

hands of assassins, and undead suffused in toxic Xargahlic

energy have been found on occasion in the dens of evil

priests and necromancers. Allandra Rehann would be heart-

broken to see how her hard work has been put to use.

Xargahlium can also be ground into lenses, conferring

upon the wearer continuous x-ray vision able to penetrate

triple the material penetrable by the ring of x-ray vision.

Additionally, powdered Xargahlium can be administered

like a poison. A single stone yields ten doses. A creature

ingesting or inhaling the colorless, odorless Xargahlium

powder must make a single DC 23 Fortitude save or be

afflicted with Xargahlic fever as if exposed to a nine

HD Xargahlic Creature ( see below ). Any living creature

exposed to an unshielded Xargahlium crystal must make a

DC 19 Fortitude save for each full round of exposure, or

suffer the same effects.

NEW SPELL

XARGAHLS PENETRATING RAY

Evocation

Level: Sor/Wiz 5

Components: V, S, F

Casting Time: 1 standard action

Range: Close ( 25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels )

Effect: Ray of Xargahlic energy

Duration: Instantaneous

Saving Throw: Fortitude half

Spell Resistance: Yes

The formulas for creating raw Xargahlium have been lost

or destroyed. The only remaining sources are the original

samples taken from Xargahl’s tower and a few stones

created shortly afterward for research purposes.

A ray, barely visible as an undulating ripple in the air,

springs from your outstretched hand. On a successful

ranged touch attack, the target creature or object becomes

briefly transparent. Creatures struck by the ray take one

point of Constitution damage plus one additional point for

every two caster levels ( maximum 20th level ).

A single Xargahlium crystal costs 75,000 gp.

NEW TEMPLATE

XARGAHLIC CREATURE

A Xargahlic Creature is an undead, construct, or other

non-living corporeal creature that has either Xargahlium

as an element in its construction or has been exposed to

Xargahlic Rays to such an extent that its body is now

suffused with and emanates these rays.

Focus: The Heartstone of a Night Hag

NEW MATERIAL

XARGAHLIUM

Fabricated by alchemical and magical means from the

heartstone of a Night Hag, uncut Xargahlium is a dull gray

loudhfisporterjrtd

PAGE 3

loudhfisporterjrtd

THE REAL ARCANE STORY: RING OF X-RAY VISION

“Xargahlic” is an acquired template that can be added to

any corporeal creature that does not have a Constitution

score, such as Constructs or Undead.

LEVEL ADJUSTMENT

Same as base creature +2.

VARIANT RULES

A Xargahlic creature uses all the base creature’s statistics

and special abilities except as noted here. Size and type are

unchanged.

SKILL CHECK BONUS

Use of a ring of x-ray vision confers a +2 circumstance

bonus on the following skills:

SPECIAL ATTACKS

A Xargahlic creature retains all the special attacks of the

base creature and also gains the following.

• Disable Device, when the device in question is

mechanical in nature.

• Heal, when used to stabilize a dying character.

• Open Lock, when the lock is of Average quality or

higher.

• Appraise, when the value of an item depends on

whether it is constructed of a solid material; for

example, a solid gold figurine.

• Search, when objects are within or under objects pene-

trable by ring’s powers.

• Use of a ring of x-ray vision confers a +4 circumstance

bonus when making a search roll opposed to sleight of

hand to conceal a weapon or other small object.

XARGAHLIC ENERVATION (SU)

A Xargahlic creature’s melee attacks deal 1 point of

Constitution damage on a successful hit. A Fortitude save

negates this effect. The Fortitude save DC is equal to the

creature’s hit die plus 10.

SPECIAL QUALITIES

A Xargahlic creature has all the special qualities of the

base creature, plus the following.

A Xargahlic creature’s natural weapons as well as any

weapons it wields are treated as magic weapons for the

purpose of overcoming damage reduction.

Written by Christine M. Doering

All mechanics on all pages is Open Game Content as

defined by the Open Gaming License. See page 5 for more

information.

XARGAHLIC FEVER (SU)

Xargahlic fever is treated as a disease for the purposes

of healing, immunities, incubation and damage. Each

round after the first that a character is within five feet

of a Xargahlic creature, that character must make a

Fortitude save on his or her initiative or suffer the effects

of Xargahlic fever. The Fortitude save DC is equal to the

creature’s hit die plus 10. The incubation period and consti-

tution damage is based on the creature’s hit die

HD Incubation Period Initial & Secondary Damage.

1-2

1 day

1d4–2 Con*

3-4

4d6 hours

1d6–2 Con*

5-6

3d6 hours

1d6–1 Con*

7-8

2d6 hours

1d6 Con

1d6 hours

2d6 Con

* Minimum damage 0 Con.

Each day after the first, on a failed save, an afflicted crea-

ture must immediately succeed on another Fortitude save

or take 1 point of Constitution drain.

CHALLENGE RATING

HD 4 or less, as base creature +1; HD 5 to 8, as base crea-

ture +2; HD 9 or more, as base creature +3.

loudhfisporterjrtd

PAGE 4

loudhfisporterjrtd

OPEN GAME LICENSE VERSION 1.0A

The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and

Reserved.

7. Use of Product Identity: You agree not to Use any Product Identity,

including as an indication as to compatibility, except as expressly

licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner of each

element of that Product Identity. You agree not to indicate compat-

ibility or co-adaptability with any Trademark or Registered Trademark

in conjunction with a work containing Open Game Content except as

expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner

of such Trademark or Registered Trademark. The use of any Product

Identity in Open Game Content does not constitute a challenge to the

ownership of that Product Identity. The owner of any Product Identity

used in Open Game Content shall retain all rights, title and interest in

and to that Product Identity.

1. Definitions: (a)”Contributors” means the copyright and/or trademark

owners who have contributed Open Game Content; (b)”Derivative

Material” means copyrighted material including derivative works and

translations (including into other computer languages), potation, modifi-

cation, correction, addition, extension, upgrade, improvement, compila-

tion, abridgment or other form in which an existing work may be recast,

transformed or adapted; (c) “Distribute” means to reproduce, license,

rent, lease, sell, broadcast, publicly display, transmit or otherwise

distribute; (d)”Open Game Content” means the game mechanic and

includes the methods, procedures, processes and routines to the extent

such content does not embody the Product Identity and is an enhance-

ment over the prior art and any additional content clearly identified as

Open Game Content by the Contributor, and means any work covered

by this License, including translations and derivative works under

Identity” means product and product line names, logos and identifying

marks including trade dress; artifacts; creatures characters; stories, stor-

ylines, plots, thematic elements, dialogue, incidents, language, artwork,

symbols, designs, depictions, likenesses, formats, poses, concepts,

themes and graphic, photographic and other visual or audio represen-

tations; names and descriptions of characters, spells, enchantments,

personalities, teams, personas, likenesses and special abilities; places,

locations, environments, creatures, equipment, magical or supernatural

abilities or effects, logos, symbols, or graphic designs; and any other

trademark or registered trademark clearly identified as Product identity

by the owner of the Product Identity, and which specifically excludes

the Open Game Content; (f) “Trademark” means the logos, names,

mark, sign, motto, designs that are used by a Contributor to identify

itself or its products or the associated products contributed to the Open

Game License by the Contributor (g) “Use”, “Used” or “Using” means

to use, Distribute, copy, edit, format, modify, translate and otherwise

create Derivative Material of Open Game Content. (h) “You” or “Your”

means the licensee in terms of this agreement.

8. Identification: If you distribute Open Game Content You must clearly

indicate which portions of the work that you are distributing are Open

Game Content.

9. Updating the License: Wizards or its designated Agents may publish

updated versions of this License. You may use any authorized version

of this License to copy, modify and distribute any Open Game Content

originally distributed under any version of this License.

10. Copy of this License: You MUST include a copy of this License

with every copy of the Open Game Content You Distribute.

11. Use of Contributor Credits: You may not market or advertise the

Open Game Content using the name of any Contributor unless You have

written permission from the Contributor to do so.

12. Inability to Comply: If it is impossible for You to comply with any

of the terms of this License with respect to some or all of the Open

Game Content due to statute, judicial order, or governmental regulation

then You may not Use any Open Game Material so affected.

13. Termination: This License will terminate automatically if You fail

to comply with all terms herein and fail to cure such breach within 30

days of becoming aware of the breach. All sublicenses shall survive the

termination of this License.

14. Reformation: If any provision of this License is held to be unen-

forceable, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent necessary

to make it enforceable.

2. The License: This License applies to any Open Game Content that

contains a notice indicating that the Open Game Content may only be

Used under and in terms of this License. You must affix such a notice

to any Open Game Content that you Use. No terms may be added to or

subtracted from this License except as described by the License itself.

No other terms or conditions may be applied to any Open Game Content

distributed using this License.

15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE

Coast, Inc.; Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Rich

Baker, Andy Collins, David Noonan, Rich Redman, Bruce R. Cordell,

John D. Rateliff, Thomas Reid, James Wyatt, based on original material

by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.

3.Offer and Acceptance: By Using the Open Game Content You indicate

Your acceptance of the terms of this License.

4. Grant and Consideration: In consideration for agreeing to use this

License, the Contributors grant You a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-

free, non-exclusive license with the exact terms of this License to Use,

the Open Game Content.

Porter Jr. Design, Inc.

5.Representation of Authority to Contribute: If You are contributing

original material as Open Game Content, You represent that Your

Contributions are Your original creation and/or You have sufficient

rights to grant the rights conveyed by this License.

6.Notice of License Copyright: You must update the COPYRIGHT

NOTICE portion of this License to include the exact text of the

modifying or distributing, and You must add the title, the copyright date,

and the copyright holder’s name to the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any

original Open Game Content you Distribute.

d20 LPJ Design The True Arcane Story - Ring of X-Ray Vision.pdf

Plik z chomika:

Inne pliki z tego folderu:

Inne foldery tego chomika: