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In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, a magic item is any object that has magic powers inherent in it. These items may act on their own or be the tools of the character possessing them. Magic items have been prevalent in the game in every edition and setting, from the original edition in 1974 until the modern fifth edition. In addition to jewels and gold coins, they form part of the treasure that the players often seek in a dungeon.[1] Magic items are generally found in treasure hoards, or recovered from fallen opponents; sometimes, a powerful or important magic item is the object of a quest.[2]
Development[]
1st edition AD&D[]
In the first edition, all artifacts are classed as miscellaneous magic items, even ones that are weapons, armor, or rings. Each artifact has a certain number of Minor, Major, and Prime Powers, and of Minor, Major, and Side Effects which trigger when the item is acquired, or its Major and Prime Powers are used. The powers and effects are selected by the DM from a set of lists, so that players cannot predict the artifact's powers.[3]
2nd edition[]
In 1994, Encyclopedia Magica Volume One, the first of a four-volume set, was published. The series lists all of the magical items published in two decades of TSR products from "the original Dungeons & Dragons woodgrain and white box set and the first issue of The Strategic Review right up to the last product published in December of 1993".[4] The books total more than 1500 pages across the four volumes and each volume contains over 1000 magic items.[4][5] There was "no attempt to correct rule imbalances, edit entries, or even match game mechanics to one particular edition of the game".[4]
3rd edition[]
The 3.5 edition book Magic Item Compendium (2007) was a capstone book that reprinted, updated, organized, and regularized "numerous 3e magic items".[6] Andy Collins, the lead designer on the project, "started this process by identifying the 'big six' magic items that took up the majority of characters' item slots: magic weapons; magic armor & shields; rings of protection; cloaks of resistance; amulets of natural armor; and ability-score boosters".[6] Collins "identified the reasons that these [magic] items were particularly well-loved: they were cost effective, they could be improved, there was nothing else as good in their slots, they were simple, they didn't take time to activate [and] they provided effects that were required for characters to stay competitive".[6] With this in mind, the designers then pulled items from all the 3rd and 3.5 edition books and "after looking through about 2000 magic items, they looted the best 1000 or so".[6]
The Magic Item Compendium also showed some early hallmarks of 4th edition design: items were marked levels and some items appeared at multiple strengths. It also introduced the idea of item sets, where items of a set would improve as more were collected, which would then reappear in the 4th edition book Adventurer's Vault 2 (2009).[6]
4th edition[]
Ritual scrolls are single use consumable items, each of which contains a specific ritual (4th edition's equivalent of non-combat spells), halves the time required to perform that ritual and allows it to be performed without a ritual book. After it has been expended, a ritual scroll crumbles to dust. Unlike the scrolls of previous editions, 4th edition's scrolls are not classified as magical items.[7]
5th edition[]
The 5th edition Dungeon Master's Guide introduced the concept of Item Rarity, in which magic items are given a rating between Common, Uncommon, Rare, Very Rare, and Legendary to denote the frequency in which this item is expected to be found within the game.[8] The only Common magic item to appear in the Dungeon Master's Guide is the Potion of Healing, with an additional list of Common items appearing in the supplementary book Xanathar's Guide to Everything.[9] Artifacts act as a 6th Rarity category for items, such as the Hand of Vecna or the Wand of Orcus, in which there is only one of this item in existence.[10] The categories of magic items in 5th edition is Armour, Potions, Rings, Rods, Scrolls, Staffs, Wands, Weapons, and Wondrous Items (Which acts as a miscellaneous category). Some items require attunement to be used, limiting the number of items a character can benefit from at once to 3 attunable items.[8]
Major artifacts[]
Major artifacts include the ones in the following table. They are generally unique and exist for a specific purpose. Less powerful or potent artifacts, or ones that are not unique, are generally called minor artifacts.
| Artifact | Campaign/Source | Reference books |
|---|---|---|
| Acorn of Wo Mai | Forgotten Realms: The Horde | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| Al-Azid's Ghostly Palace | Al-Qadim: Secrets of the Lamp | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| All-Knowing Eye of Yasmin Sira | Al-Qadim | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Andrathath's Mask | Forgotten Realms | City of Splendors, Waterdeep (2005 or 2006) |
| Ankh of Life | Forgotten Realms: FR10 Old Empires | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| Antennae of Triangulation | Spelljammer: SJR2 Realmspace? | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| The Apparatus | Ravenloft: I10 The House on Gryphon Hill | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| Apparatus of Dreadful Construction | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) | |
| Arm of Doom | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) | |
| Armet by Wayland | D&D Master Set | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995, under "Helmet") |
| Artifurnace | Spelljammer box set | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1995, under "Helm") |
| Axe of the Dwarvish Lords | Greyhawk: Eldritch Wizardry[11] | Dungeon Master's Guide (1979),[12] Book of Artifacts (1993),[13] Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994),[14] Axe of the Dwarvish Lords (module, 1999)[15] |
| Axe of the Emperors | Dragon Lance: DLR2 Taladas - The Minotaurs | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| Baba Yaga's Hut | Eldritch Wizardry | Dungeon Master's Guide (1979), Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Beacon of Light | Forgotten Realms | Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (1996) |
| Blackjammer's Cutlass | Dragon Magazine #159 | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995, under "Sword") |
| Blackrazor | Greyhawk: White Plume Mountain | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995, under "Sword") |
| Blood of Lathander | Forgotten Realms: Volo's Guide to the Dalelands | Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (1996) |
| Blue Staff | Dragon Lance: Leaves from the Inn of the Last Home | |
| Book of Amon | Hollow World: HWR2 Kingdom of Nithia | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| Book of Vile Darkness | Greyhawk (Supplement) | Dungeon Master's Guide (1979 [1e], 1989 [2e], 1995 [2e Revised], 2003 [3.5e], 2014 [5e]), Book of Vile Darkness (2011) |
| Book of Zargos | Hollow World: HWR3 The Milenian Empire | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995, under "Spellbook") |
| Book With No End | Dungeon Magazine #3 | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995, under "Spellbook") |
| Bringer of Doom | Monstrous Compendium: MC8 Outer Planes Appendix | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994, under "Box") |
| Bracers of Invulnerability | Spelljammer: SJR2 Realmspace? | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| Calvan's Bell | Forgotten Realms: LC4 Port of Ravens Bluff | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995, under "Percussion Instrument") |
| Carven Oak | Mystara: GAZ7 The Minrothad Guilds | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| Chariot of Re | Forgotten Realms: FR10 Old Empires | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| Chessmen of Ultham-Urre | Forgotten Realms | Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (1996) |
| Claw of Mighty Simurgh | D&D Master Set | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| Codex of the Infinite Planes | Greyhawk: Eldritch Wizardry[11] | Dungeon Master's Guide (1979),[12] Book of Artifacts (1993),[13] Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995, under "Libram")[16] |
| Coin of Jisan the Bountiful | Al-Qadim | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| Comb of the Korrigans | D&D Master Set | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| Crenshinibon | Forgotten Realms: The Crystal Shard novel | Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (1996) |
| Crown of Horns | Forgotten Realms: City of Splendors (1994) | Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (1996) |
| Crown of Souls | Ravenloft: RA1 Feast of Goblyns | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| Crystal of the Ebon Flame | Eldritch Wizardry | Dungeon Master's Guide (1979), Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| Crystal Warrior | Kara-Tur | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| Cup of Al-Akbar | Greyhawk: Dungeon Master's Guide, I9 Day of Al'Akbar | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| Cyrinishad | Forgotten Realms: Prince of Lies novel, Ruins of Zhentil Keep | Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (1996) |
| Daoud's Wondrous Lanthron | Greyhawk: Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995, "Lamp") |
| Dawnstone | Forgotten Realms | Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (1996) |
| Death Moon Orb | Forgotten Realms: Spellbound | Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (1996) |
| Death Rock | Kara-Tur | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995) |
| Delzoun's Fist | Forgotten Realms: FR5 Savage Frontier | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995, under "Hammer") |
| Demonbane | Dragon Magazine #91, Forgotten Realms: FR4 Magister | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995, under "Sword" as "Fiendbane") |
| Diamond Orb of Tyche | D&D Master Set | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Dragonking's Eye | Forgotten Realms | Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (1996) |
| Ebonbane | Dungeon Magazine #31 | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995, under "Sword") |
| Egg of the Phoenix | I12 Egg of the Phoenix | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Eye of Vecna | Greyhawk: Eldritch Wizardry[11] | Dungeon Master's Guide (1979),[12] WGA4 - Vecna Lives! (1990),[17] Book of Artifacts (1993),[13] Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995)[16] |
| Fiery Brand of Massauwu | D&D Master Set | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995, under "Torch") |
| Font of Time | Forgotten Realms: FR10 Old Empires | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995, under "Fountain") |
| Fork of Mephistopheles | Monster Manual II (1982) | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995, under "Polearm") |
| Fountain of Tomorrow | Hollow World: HWR3 The Milenian Empire | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Galley of the Gods | Forgotten Realms: FR10 Old Empires | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995, under "Ship") |
| Gatekeeper's Crystal | Forgotten Realms | Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (1996) |
| The Gauntlet | Greyhawk: UK3 The Gauntlet | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Ghearufu | Night Masks by R. A. Salvatore | The Cleric Quintet |
| Girdle of Armida | D&D Master Set | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Girdle of De'Rah | M2 Vengeance of Alphaks | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Golden Circlet | Dragon Lance: Tales of the Lance | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| Gryylph Discoon's Fingers | Lankhmar: LNR1 Wonders of Lankhmar | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Guardian's Tear | Forgotten Realms | Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (1996) |
| Hammer of Gesen | Forgotten Realms: The Horde | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Hammer of Kharas | Dragon Lance: Tales of the Lance | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Hand of Vecna | Greyhawk: Eldritch Wizardry[11] | WGA4 - Vecna Lives! (1990),[17] Book of Artifacts (1993),[13] |
| Helm of Halav | Hollow World: HWR3 The Milenian Empire | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995, under "Helmet") |
| Helm of Petra | Hollow World: HWR3 The Milenian Empire | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995, under "Helmet") |
| Herald of Mei Lung | Kara-Tur? | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995, under "Tome") |
| Heward's Mystical Organ | Greyhawk: Dragon Magazine #29 | Dungeon Master's Guide (1989), Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995, under "Wind Instrument") |
| Horn of Change | Dungeon Master's Guide (1979) | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995, under "Wind Instrument") |
| Horn of Geryon | Monster Manual (1977) | |
| Horn of the Sacred Grove | Ravenloft: Castles Forlorn | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995, under "Wind Instruments") |
| Humbaba's Glaring Eye | D&D Master Set | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Hymir's Steaming Cauldron | D&D Master Set | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| Icon of Halav | Hollow World: HWQ1 The Milenian Scepter | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Icon of Petra | Hollow World: HWQ1 The Milenian Scepter | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Ild's Astral Tome | Dungeon Magazine #10 | |
| Invulnerable Coat of Arnd | Greyhawk: Dungeon Master's Guide (1979) | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| Iron Bow of Gesen | Forgotten Realms: The Horde | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| Iron Flask of Tuerny the Merciless | Greyhawk: Eldritch Wizardry | Dungeon Master's Guide (1979), Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Iron Helm of Heroes | Forgotten Realms | Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (1996) |
| Ivory Chain of Pao | Kara-Tur? | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| Ivory Plume of Maat | D&D Master Set | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994, under "Brooch") |
| Jacinth of Inestimable Beauty | Greyhawk: Eldritch Wizardry | Dungeon Master's Guide (1979), Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Joyhdee's Mask | Greyhawk: Dungeon Master's Guide (1979) | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Kuroth's Quill | Greyhawk: Dungeon Master's Guide (1979) | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995) |
| Lens of Transformation | Temple of Elemental Evil | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Living Gem | Forgotten Realms | Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (1996) |
| Mace of Cuthbert | Greyhawk: Eldritch Wizardry,[11] Dragon Magazine #100[18] | Book of Artifacts (1993),[13] Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995)[16] |
| Machine of Lum the Mad | Greyhawk: Eldritch Wizardry | Dungeon Master's Guide (1979), Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Mask of Bachraeus | D&D Rules Cyclopedia | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Master Plan | Hollow World: HRW2 Kingdom of Nithia | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Mighty Servant of Leuk-o | Greyhawk: Eldritch Wizardry | Dungeon Master's Guide (1979), Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Milenian Scepter | Hollow World: HWQ1 The Milenian Scepter | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995) |
| Military Fork of Pain | Monster Manual II (1982) | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995, under "Polearm") |
| Mirror-Shield of Rheddrian | Mystara: Wrath of the Immortals | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995) |
| Moloch's Whip | Monster Manual II (1982) | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995) |
| Monacle of Bagthalos | Forgotten Realms? | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Monkey Fist of Ha'chao | Kara-Tur | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Necklace of Lilith | Imagine Magazine #20 | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Necklace of Ulutiu | Forgotten Realms: FR16 The Great Glacier | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Obsidian Man of Urik | Dark Sun | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Orb of Golden Death | Greyhawk: Temple of Elemental Evil | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Orbs of Dragonkind | Greyhawk: Eldritch Wizardry | Dungeon Master's Guide (1979), Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Ortnit's Lance of Doom | D&D Master Set | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Palm Sign | I4 Oasis of the White Palm | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994, under "Amulet") |
| Peaceful Periapt of Pax | M5 Talons of the Night | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Pileus | D&D Master Set | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994, under "Cap") |
| Porpherio's Garden Pool | Greyhawk: UK1 Beyond the Crystal Cave | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995) |
| Psychometron of Nerad | Dark Sun | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995) |
| Pyramid Energy | Hollow World: HRW2 Kingdom of Nithia | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995) |
| Queen Ehlissa's Marvelous Nightengale | Greyhawk: Eldritch Wizardry | Dungeon Master's Guide (1979), Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995) |
| Queen's Eye | Spelljammer: SJA1 Wildspace | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Rainbow Scarf of Sinbad | D&D Master Set | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995) |
| Recorder of Ye-Cind | Greyhawk: Dungeon Master's Guide (1979) | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995, under "Wind Instrument") |
| Regalia of Might | Greyhawk: Eldritch Wizardry | Dungeon Master's Guide (1979), Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995) |
| Rift Spanner | Ravenloft: Monstrous Compendium 2: "Children of the Night" | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995) |
| Ring of Gaxx | Greyhawk: Eldritch Wizardry | Dungeon Master's Guide (1979), Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995) |
| Ring of Winter | Forgotten Realms: Heroes' Lorebook | Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (1996) |
| Rod of Seven Parts | Greyhawk: Eldritch Wizardry[11] | Dungeon Master's Guide (1979),[12] Dungeon Master's Guide (1989),[19] Book of Artifacts (1993),[13] Rod of Seven Parts boxed set,[20] Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995),[21] Arms and Equipment Guide (2003)[22] |
| Rod of Teeth | Book of Artifacts (1993) | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995) |
| Ruby Rod of Asmodeus | Monster Manual (1977) | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995) |
| Scepter of Savras | Forgotten Realms: Heroes' Lorebook? | Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (1996) |
| Scepter of the Sorcerer-Kings | Forgotten Realms | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995) |
| Scimitar of Souls | Forgotten Realms: FA1 Halls of the High King | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995, under "Sword") |
| Seal of Jafar al-Samal | Al-Qadim | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995) |
| The Sentinel | Greyhawk: UK3 The Sentinel | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995, under "Glove") |
| Shadow Belt | M4 Five Coins for a Kingdom | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994) |
| Shard of Sakkrad | D&D Master Set | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 1 (1994, under "Crystal") |
| Sibylline Book | D&D Master Set | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995, under "Spellbook") |
| Silencer of Bodach | Dark Sun | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995, under "Sword") |
| Staff of Fraz-Urb'luu | Greyhawk: Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth | Monster Manual II (1982), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995), Dragon Magazine #333 |
| Staff of the Lower Planes | Monster Manual II (1982) | |
| Starym Moonblade | Forgotten Realms: FOR5 Elves of Evermeet | Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (1996) |
| Stone of Gul | Dungeon Magazine #30 | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995) |
| Stone Scepter of Shih | Black Courser | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995) |
| Sword of Kas | Greyhawk: Eldritch Wizardry[11] | WGA4 - Vecna Lives! (1990),[17] Book of Artifacts (1993),[13] Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995)[23] |
| Talisman of Al-Akbar | Greyhawk: Dungeon Master's Guide, I9 Day of Al'Akbar | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995) |
| Tear of Selune | Forgotten Realms | Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (1996) |
| Teeth of Dahlvar-Nar | Greyhawk: Dungeon Master's Guide (1979) | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995, under "Tooth") |
| Thakorsol's Seat | Forgotten Realms: Spellbound | Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (1996) |
| Throne of the Gods | Eldritch Wizardry | Dungeon Master's Guide (1979), Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995) |
| Timepiece of Klorr | Ravenloft: Forbidden Lore | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995) |
| Tome of Ssu-Ma | D&D Master Set | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995) |
| Triad of Betrayal | Dragon Lance: Tales of the Lance | Book of Artifacts (1993), Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995) |
| Tree of Life | Mystara: GAZ5 The Elves of Alfheim | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995) |
| Underworld Scepter | Dungeon Magazine #12 | |
| Verthandi's Invincible Hourglass | D&D Master Set | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995) |
| Wand of Orcus | Eldritch Wizardry[11] | Monster Manual (1977),[24] Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995)[23] |
| Wave | Greyhawk: White Plume Mountain | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 3 (1995, under "Polearm") |
| Well of All Heals | Greyhawk: Treasures of Greyhawk | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995) |
| Whelm | Greyhawk: White Plume Mountain | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (1995, under "Hammer") |
| Wife of Ilmarinen | D&D Master Set | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995) |
| Windwalker | Forgotten Realms: Heroes' Lorebook | Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (1996) |
| World-Shield Ore | Hollow World: HWA2 Nightrage | Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 4 (1995) |
| Wyvern Crown of Cormyr | Forgotten Realms | Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (1996) |
| Yuthla the Eye of the Beholder | Forgotten Realms | Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (1996) |
| Zeladazar the Ghost Sword | Forgotten Realms | Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (1996) |
Inspirations[]
Other fantasy stories[]
- The Hand and Eye of Vecna bear a similarity to items appearing within Michael Moorcock's Corum novels: A left hand and left eye which are able to grant whoever replaces their existing hand and eye with them unusual powers.
- Ioun stones (pronounced EYE-oon[25]) are based on similar artifacts from Jack Vance's Dying Earth series.[26] When functioning, they float in a circular pattern around their bearer's head, and grant various benefits based on their color and shape Two stones of the same type will repel each other, and when drained of power, a stone becomes a dull grey, but still possesses the characteristic floating. While useless to a mage, burned out stones can still yield a single psionic power point to a psionic character in 3rd and 3.5 editions. In the original Jack Vance stories Ioun stones are highly prized by arch-magicians, and are acquired from a race known as the archveults, who mine them from remnants of dead stars (in his book Rhialto the Marvellous). In 2E Dungeons & Dragons it had been conjectured in Dragon magazine that Ioun stones instead come from the Positive Material Plane. Dragon #174 featured an article that included many dozens of new types of ioun stone,[27] as well as an article about an elemental lord who hoards ioun stones on his home plane of radiance.[28] Under 3.0/3.5 editions of the rules they are instead manufactured by spellcasters in the same manner as other magical items.
- The Vorpal Sword is taken from Lewis Carrol's poem "Jabberwocky". In Dungeons & Dragons, the sword has specific properties relating to beheading, which is the method the blade in the poem uses to slay the titular monster.
Folklore and mythology[]
- The Carpet of Flying is based upon Magic Carpets, which originate in Persian myths and were popularized in media through 1001 Arabian Nights and other adaptations.
- Winged Boots bear a similarity to the Winged Sandals worn by Hermes in Greek Mythology.
- The Broom of Flying is based upon Wiccan Rituals and artwork depicting Witches soaring through the air while riding Broomsticks.
- The Mirror of Life Trapping, a mirror which can steal and trap the souls of living persons, evokes the superstitions of several cultures surrounding mirror's ability to steal souls. During the Jewish mourning process of Shiva, mirrors in a house are to be covered in order to prevent the soul of the deceased from being trapped within them.[29]
- The Flametongue, a sword with a blade engulfed in flame, is similar to other flaming swords appearing in mythology. Some examples of these are Dyrnwyn of Welsh Medieval tradition, and in some writings the Sword of Surtr is described as being flaming.
References[]
- ↑ Fine, Gary Alan (1983). Shared Fantasy: Role-playing Games as Social Worlds. University of Chicago Press. p. 16. ISBN 0-226-24944-1.
- ↑ Livingstone, Ian (1982). Dicing with Dragons. Routledge. p. 80. ISBN 0-7100-9466-3.
- ↑ "This prevents players from gaining any knowledge of these items, even if they happen to own or read a copy of this volume, and it also makes each artifact and relic distinct from campaign to campaign." from Dungeon Master's Guide (first edition)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Kulp, Kevin. "Encyclopedia Magica, Vol. 1 (2e) - Product History" (in en).
- ↑ Swan, Rick (June 1995). "Role-playing Reviews". Dragon (Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: TSR) (#218): 87–88.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Appelcline, Shannon. "Magic Item Compendium (3.5) - Product History" (in en).
- ↑ http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Article.aspx?x=dnd/4ex/20080528a
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Crawford, Jeremy and Mike Mearls. Dungeon Master's Guide. Wizards of the Coast. 2014. ISBN 978-0-7869-6562-5. Pp, 135-141.
- ↑ Crawford, Jeremy and Mike Mearls. Xanathar's Guide to Everything. Wizards of the Coast. 2017. ISBN 978-0-7869-6611-0. Pp 136-140.
- ↑ Crawford, Jeremy and Mike Mearls. Dungeon Master's Guide. Wizards of the Coast. 2014. ISBN 978-0-7869-6562-5. Pp. 219-227.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 Gygax, Gary; Brian Blume (1976). Eldritch Wizardry. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, Inc..
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Gygax, Gary (1979). Dungeon Master's Guide: Essential Reference Information for Gamemastering Advanced D&D. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, Inc.. p. 156. ISBN 0-935696-02-4.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 Cook, David (1993). Book of Artifacts. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, Inc.. ISBN 1-56076-672-7.
- ↑ Henson, Dale; Doug Stewart (1994). Encyclopedia Magica, Volume 1. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, Inc.. pp. 115–116. ISBN 1-56076-842-8.
- ↑ Williams, Skip (1999). Axe of the Dwarvish Lords. Renton, WA: TSR, Inc.. ISBN 0-7869-1347-9.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Henson, Dale, and Doug Stewart, eds. Encyclopedia Magica Vol 2 (TSR, 1995)
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Cook, David. Vecna Lives! (TSR, 1990)
- ↑ Schroeck, Robert. "The City Beyond the Gate". Dragon #100 (TSR, 1985)
- ↑ Cook, David. Dungeon Master's Guide (TSR, 1989)
- ↑ Williams, Skip (1996), The Rod of Seven Parts, TSR, ISBN 0-7869-0418-6
- ↑ Henson, Dale, and Doug Stewart, eds. Encyclopedia Magica Vol 3 (TSR, 1995)
- ↑ Cagle, Eric, Jesse Decker, Jeff Quick, and James Wyatt Arms and Equipment Guide (Wizards of the Coast, 2003)
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Henson, Dale, and Doug Stewart, eds. Encyclopedia Magica Vol 4. (TSR, 1995)
- ↑ Gygax, Gary. Monster Manual (TSR, 1977)
- ↑ "Dungeons & Dragons FAQ". Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2008-10-03. Retrieved 2008-10-03.
- ↑ "The idea and name for the ioun stone originally appeared in a series of books written by Jack Vance. Collectively, these works are referred to as the Dying Earth novels. They include: The Dying Earth, Eyes of the Overworld, Cugel’s Saga, and Rhialto the Marvelous." (Hargenrader 1991, "Bazaar", p 90)
- ↑ Hargenrader, Matthew P. (October 1991). "Bazaar of the Bizarre: Ioun stones: Where do you go if you want some more?". Dragon Magazine (TSR, Inc) (174): pp. 90–94.
- ↑ Hargenrader, Matthew P. "The Dragon's Bestiary" Dragon #174. (TSR, 1991).
- ↑ Moss, Aron. "Why are the Mirrors Covered in a House of Mourning?".