Sylvren
2016-12-09, 03:47 AM
Hi, I had the urge to create this for D&D 5e. I really enjoyed the idea of this artifact and would like to see it in a game someday but like a lot of artifacts that come from books it is a bit too powerful to be used in its normal state. As such I TRIED to make it a reasonable level of power which scales as you level.
Here is what I have so far. I would like some input on how to balance it so that it is a good artifact. I will also try to take any suggestions I like and make them fit a little with the lore of the item. Which is from the Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks
Iures, Staff of Law
Legendary, Artifact
Requires Attunement, 1 Hour.
Iures is a semi sentient artifact created along side the sword of power. The Staff of Law is the key to magical control allowing its wielder to perform feats of legendary status, whether it is destroying or constructing magic Iures the Staff of Law is the most powerful and sophisticated artifact related to magic of a long forgotten world and Age.
The artifact was created in a time long forgotten by the two most talented wizards of their age. It bears three letters in a stylized writing J. A. E.
Magical Finesse Weapon: Can use STR, DEX, INT, WIS or CHA
Can be used as a magical focus (Arcane and Divine)
Damage: 2d6 Slashing, Piercing or Bludgeoning.
Magic Bonus: Grants a +3 magic bonus to Attack and Damage with this weapon
Charges: 8, Recovers 1d4+1 charges each dawn, if charges reach 0 the natural recharge each dawn is suspended for 3 days. (DC 16 to find sacrifice feature. Max and current charges increase by Sacrificing a spell slot of 2nd level for 1 charge. Each spell level above 2nd gives an additional charge up to 9th level, giving +8 charges for a max of 16. Spell slots Sacrificed in this way are gone for the duration you are bound to Iures the Staff of Law.
(At levels when full casters would get 7th, 8th and 9th Level spells they can be cast using the charges of the artifact. 7th level spells cost 6 Charges, 8th Level spells cost 7 Charges and 9th level spells cost 8 Charges)
- Scrolls, Wands or Casters willing to use a spell for it to absorb can recharge it for equal points. It can only be Charged once per day. (You cannot use 8 2nd level spells to get a full charge of 16, the only way would be to use a 9th level spell be if from a wand, scroll, caster or another source like the Emergency Charge feature)
- Emergency Charge (DC 20 to find when Identifying, DM secret roll with player stats): Roll caster level check with a +2 bonus against incoming spell to absorb the spell, dispelling its effects, granting charges as if a spell of that level was Sacrificed
Abilities:
Shifting: Can take the shape of any weapon. Also can take the shape of other items such as jewelry.
Magically Perfect Balance (Level 6): The modifier you use for Attack and Damage with this weapon is 1.5x your normal, rounded up. At level 8, Also adds this modifier for use with any cantrip that deals damage.
(E.g With 20 Int your normal modifier is +5. With this weapon you would use +8 as it is 1.5x rounded up)
Magical grace: +2 at level 5 (+4 at Level 9) to all saves against magic or magic like effects.
Magical Ease
- Disassemble: (All destruction effects are used with a Reaction) - Requires a Sacrifice of 3rd level spell or higher to Unlock.
1 Charge Cost: Gives you advantage or imposes a disadvantage on an enemy within 60 feet of you on all saves against magic until the end of your next turn.
2 Charge Cost: Dispels spell effect/damage targeting you.
3 Charge Cost (Level 5): Gives advantage to up to 5 allies (plus yourself) within 30 feet of you or imposes a disadvantage on up to 5 enemies on all saves against magic until the end of your next turn.
4 Charge Cost (Level 6): Dispels an area of effect spell within 30 feet of you.
5 Charge Cost (Level 7): Dispels magic. (Traps, Wards, Buffs and other on going Effects)
- Construct: (Used as a bonus action to improve spells / use ability) - Requires a Sacrifice of 4th level spell or higher to Unlock.
1 Charge Cost: Shape Spells (Allow a number of allies, equal to the spell level + your casting modifier, in the spells area to not be effected by the spell)
2 Charge Cost: Ward (Allows you to cast a ward on yourself with a number of Hit Points equal to three times your level + your highest modifier. The ward lasts as long as it has hit points or until Dawn)
3 Charge Cost (Level 9): Twinned spell Metamagic
4 Charge Cost (Level 10): Maximized Efficiency (Spells that roll damage use max damage instead)
5 Charge Cost (Level 12): Cast any 6th level spell (Can only be used once per day)
Magical Recording
- Function as a spellbook for Wizards (No GP cost and 1 Minute per spell to record)
- Staff of Law Domain: List of spells always known/prepared when bonded to the artifact.
1st Level: Absorb Elements, Shield
2nd Level: Nystul's Magic Aura, Mirror Image
3rd Level: Elemental Weapon, Haste
4th Level: Greater Invisibility, Fabricate
5th Level: Telekinesis, Greater Restoration
6th Level: True Seeing, Guards and Wards
7th Level: Forcecage, Prismatic Spray
8th Level: Demiplane, Antimagic Field
9th Level: Time Stop, Prismatic Wall
Thanks for any comments or ideas in advance. Hope to get this item in shape so that it can actually be used in games.
Here is what I have so far. I would like some input on how to balance it so that it is a good artifact. I will also try to take any suggestions I like and make them fit a little with the lore of the item. Which is from the Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks
Iures, Staff of Law
Legendary, Artifact
Requires Attunement, 1 Hour.
Iures is a semi sentient artifact created along side the sword of power. The Staff of Law is the key to magical control allowing its wielder to perform feats of legendary status, whether it is destroying or constructing magic Iures the Staff of Law is the most powerful and sophisticated artifact related to magic of a long forgotten world and Age.
The artifact was created in a time long forgotten by the two most talented wizards of their age. It bears three letters in a stylized writing J. A. E.
Magical Finesse Weapon: Can use STR, DEX, INT, WIS or CHA
Can be used as a magical focus (Arcane and Divine)
Damage: 2d6 Slashing, Piercing or Bludgeoning.
Magic Bonus: Grants a +3 magic bonus to Attack and Damage with this weapon
Charges: 8, Recovers 1d4+1 charges each dawn, if charges reach 0 the natural recharge each dawn is suspended for 3 days. (DC 16 to find sacrifice feature. Max and current charges increase by Sacrificing a spell slot of 2nd level for 1 charge. Each spell level above 2nd gives an additional charge up to 9th level, giving +8 charges for a max of 16. Spell slots Sacrificed in this way are gone for the duration you are bound to Iures the Staff of Law.
(At levels when full casters would get 7th, 8th and 9th Level spells they can be cast using the charges of the artifact. 7th level spells cost 6 Charges, 8th Level spells cost 7 Charges and 9th level spells cost 8 Charges)
- Scrolls, Wands or Casters willing to use a spell for it to absorb can recharge it for equal points. It can only be Charged once per day. (You cannot use 8 2nd level spells to get a full charge of 16, the only way would be to use a 9th level spell be if from a wand, scroll, caster or another source like the Emergency Charge feature)
- Emergency Charge (DC 20 to find when Identifying, DM secret roll with player stats): Roll caster level check with a +2 bonus against incoming spell to absorb the spell, dispelling its effects, granting charges as if a spell of that level was Sacrificed
Abilities:
Shifting: Can take the shape of any weapon. Also can take the shape of other items such as jewelry.
Magically Perfect Balance (Level 6): The modifier you use for Attack and Damage with this weapon is 1.5x your normal, rounded up. At level 8, Also adds this modifier for use with any cantrip that deals damage.
(E.g With 20 Int your normal modifier is +5. With this weapon you would use +8 as it is 1.5x rounded up)
Magical grace: +2 at level 5 (+4 at Level 9) to all saves against magic or magic like effects.
Magical Ease
- Disassemble: (All destruction effects are used with a Reaction) - Requires a Sacrifice of 3rd level spell or higher to Unlock.
1 Charge Cost: Gives you advantage or imposes a disadvantage on an enemy within 60 feet of you on all saves against magic until the end of your next turn.
2 Charge Cost: Dispels spell effect/damage targeting you.
3 Charge Cost (Level 5): Gives advantage to up to 5 allies (plus yourself) within 30 feet of you or imposes a disadvantage on up to 5 enemies on all saves against magic until the end of your next turn.
4 Charge Cost (Level 6): Dispels an area of effect spell within 30 feet of you.
5 Charge Cost (Level 7): Dispels magic. (Traps, Wards, Buffs and other on going Effects)
- Construct: (Used as a bonus action to improve spells / use ability) - Requires a Sacrifice of 4th level spell or higher to Unlock.
1 Charge Cost: Shape Spells (Allow a number of allies, equal to the spell level + your casting modifier, in the spells area to not be effected by the spell)
2 Charge Cost: Ward (Allows you to cast a ward on yourself with a number of Hit Points equal to three times your level + your highest modifier. The ward lasts as long as it has hit points or until Dawn)
3 Charge Cost (Level 9): Twinned spell Metamagic
4 Charge Cost (Level 10): Maximized Efficiency (Spells that roll damage use max damage instead)
5 Charge Cost (Level 12): Cast any 6th level spell (Can only be used once per day)
Magical Recording
- Function as a spellbook for Wizards (No GP cost and 1 Minute per spell to record)
- Staff of Law Domain: List of spells always known/prepared when bonded to the artifact.
1st Level: Absorb Elements, Shield
2nd Level: Nystul's Magic Aura, Mirror Image
3rd Level: Elemental Weapon, Haste
4th Level: Greater Invisibility, Fabricate
5th Level: Telekinesis, Greater Restoration
6th Level: True Seeing, Guards and Wards
7th Level: Forcecage, Prismatic Spray
8th Level: Demiplane, Antimagic Field
9th Level: Time Stop, Prismatic Wall
Thanks for any comments or ideas in advance. Hope to get this item in shape so that it can actually be used in games.