Saturday, December 23, 2006

About Tentacle Rods

Rod of Tentacles:
The construction of these fell items is a secret held by drow who worship Ghaunadaur (see the chapter on ìDrow Religionî), but apparently involves animate object, enchant an item, permanency, and some sort of monster summoning.
Tentacle rods are of various types, but all are 2í-long, dark rods with a thickened hand-grip at one end, and either three (lesser rods), six (greater rods) or seven (master rods) 8í-long tentacles at the other. These life-like arms reach and writhe of their own accord when the rod is used as a flail. The color of the tentacles denotes the type of tentacle rod.

These rods function in the hands of priests of any evil alignment, and then only if a specially enchanted ring of control is worn as well. Such a ring can control any tentacle rod of the type it is linked to. If a control ring is not worn, a tentacle rod exhibits none of its special powers, and functions only as a magical flail doing 2-5 hp damage (no bonuses). No saving throws are allowed against the special effects of these weapons.

Lesser Tentacle Rods:
Purple: When wielded in an attack, each arm attacks the same target at THAC0 13, inflicting 3 points of damage. If all 3 arms strike the target in a round, the victim takes double damage (18 hp) and is slowed for 9 rounds. If struck by all three arms again during the slowed period, the victim is slowed for 9 rounds after the latest strike: the slow time is not cumulatively extended by each triple-strike. Control ring: rune-carved hematite (material value 500 gp). XP Value: 3,000 Suggested GP Value: 15,000

Red or russet: This does the same damage as a purple rod, but its triple-strike causes total weakness in the victimís right or left arm (whichever takes the brunt of the attack: determine by situation or randomly).

The limb cannot be lifted, or used to strike, grasp, or carry things, for 9 rounds. Control ring: rune-carved rhodochrosite (material value 500 gp). XP Value: 3,000 Suggested GP Value: 15,000

Yellow: Does the same damage as a purple rod, but its triple-strike dazes an opponent for 9 rounds, causing -1 on attack rolls, and preventing the concentration necessary for spellcasting (magical items can be wielded and command words spoken). Control ring: rune-carved lapis lazuli (material value 500 gp). XP
Value: 3,000 Suggested GP Value: 15,000

Greater Tentacle Rods:
Amber: The arms attack at THAC0 7, inflicting 6 points of damage each, and may be directed at multiple targets. If 3 arms strike the target in a round, the victim is numbed and attacks at -4 for the next 3 rounds. If all six arms hit a single target, that victim is soul-burned, bursting into flame for 1 round, and suffering 4d4 damage, 1d6 of which is a permanent loss of hp (all worn or carried items must save against ìmagical fireî). Control ring: carved ruby set with a cabochon piece of amber (material value 12,200 gp). XP Value: 5,000 Suggested
GP Value: 20,000

Black: Attacks and deals damage as an amber rod, but if all six arms hit a single
target, that victim is soul-chilled, taking 6d6 hp of internal cold damage, 1-8 of
which is permanent. The victim is also slowed for 6 rounds. Control ring: obsidian
set with a black opal (material value 2,500 gp). XP Value: 5,000 Suggested GP
Value: 20,000

Jade: Attacks and deals damage as anamber rod, but if all six arms hit a single target, that victim is feebleminded (as the spell; effects last until a heal, wish or limited wish applied). Control ring: jade set with a diamond (material value 5,500 gp). XP Value: 5,000 Suggested GP Value: 20,000

Violet: The arms attack at THAC0 7, inflicting 6 points of damage each, and may be directed at multiple targets, if any are within adjacent reach. If 3 arms strike the target in a round, the victim is blinded and attacks at -4 for the next 3 rounds. If all six arms hit a single target, that victim is blinded for 6 rounds, and loses 1 point of Dexterity for 2-5 years (a properly-worded limited wish or a restoration will restore this loss, but a heal, regeneration, dispel magic, or remove curse will not). Control ring: amber set with an amethyst (material value 2,500
gp). XP Value: 5,000 Suggested GP Value: 20,000

Master Tentacle Rods
These extremely rare items have seven multi-colored tentacles, one of each hue of the other types of tentacle rods. The arms attack at THAC0 4, inflicting 10 points of damage each, and may be directed at multiple targets, extending with lightning speed to 16í in length, and retracting an instant after striking. If 3 arms strike the target in a round, the victim is robbed of 1-4 senses for the next 6 rounds. If all seven arms hit a single target, any two six-arm effects of a greater tentacle rod chosen by the rodwielder simultaneously affect the victim.

Control ring: carved malachite set with a star sapphire (material value 6,500 gp). XP Value: 7,500 Suggested GP
Value: 25,000 (All tentacle rod sale values assume that a control ring for the same type of rod is included; otherwise, deduct 75% of the given price.)

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