Friday, May 30, 2014

Gravel Buttons

I was just watching Willow with my kids and was reminded how cool the magic acorns were. For those of you that don't recall the High Aldwin gives them to Willow and explains they will turn to stone whatever they are thrown at. I’m a huge fan of disposable magic items and think they make for some fun moments in any game session. I also like the idea of dangerous items that are otherwise completely innocuous in appearance. So I present you with Gravel Buttons!

These magic buttons come in all different shapes and sizes. The only thing they have in common is their aged and worn appearance. They are typically found attached to articles of clothing and bags. However some wizards have located them unknowingly used as ornaments on
museum display items. They have even been found in the junk boxes of a seamstress shop in various towns and shires. It is written in arcane tomes of study that these magic fasteners were developed by the Arch Mage Fernious the Bauble Maker

An insufferable know-it all, Fernious was renowned for reading literature instead of his spell books. On more than one occasion he was caught off-guard by a rivaling wizard or fey creature. He decided rather than worry about studying offensive magic and committing it to memory he would develop other defenses. One of these famed baubles was the gravel button for which he produced thousands. To this day they turn up in the most mundane of places and wizards realm wide seek them out.


Example Game Stats (5th Edition)


Properties

Gnome: The item is crafted to appear thoroughly unremarkable. The item might look tattered, battered, or well-­‐worn—all the better to discourage thieves from stealing it.

Consumable: A gravel button is expended if thrown or dropped from a great height. The caveat being the item must first be attuned. Otherwise it functions as a normal button.


[Attuned]: Flesh to Stone (as spell) on a successful ranged attack.


Flesh to Stone
6th-­‐level transmutation
Range: 50 feet
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute


On a successful ranged attack if the target’s body is made of flesh, the creature must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, it is restrained as its flesh begins to harden.


On a successful save, the creature is not affected. This spell has no effect upon undead or constructs.
A creature restrained by this spell must make another Constitution saving throw at the start of your next turn. On a successful save, the creature breaks free of the spell. On a failed save, the creature turns to stone and remains that way for the duration. 


A creature turned to stone by this spell is stunned and has resistance to all damage. If it is physically broken or damaged while in this state, the creature suffers from similar damage or deformities when it reverts to its original state. If you maintain your concentration on this spell for the entire possible duration, the creature is permanently turned to stone and dies.



Queen Bavmorda making her save!