AD&D - Oriental Adventures Magical Items
Today I grabbed some items from the magical section and discussed them!
The “Charm of Protection from Theft” is a protective charm written on yellow or red paper that reduces stealth success by 20% for intruders. It must be displayed on the door lintel and inflicts damage on removal by non-owners. The “Diamond Mace” is a magical item that discharges a powerful lightning bolt but has limited charges and can be sold for 1000 ch’ien. The “Drums of Thunder” allow the wearer to perform various magical feats, including flying and controlling weather, with a limited number of charges available.
Highlights -🔒
Charm of Protection: Reduces intruders’ stealth success by 20%.
Display Requirement: Must be placed on the door lintel for effectiveness.
Damage on Removal: Non-owners suffer 2d10 damage if they try to remove it.
Diamond Mace: Discharges a powerful 12-dice lightning bolt, limited charges.
Value of Mace: Can be sold for 1000 ch’ien when depleted.
Drums of Thunder: Versatile magical item with various charging uses.
Flight and Control: Allows flying and weather control among other magical functions.
Key Insights -🔍
Theft Deterrent: The charm serves as a strong psychological deterrent, making potential thieves think twice before attempting to enter. Its visible placement reinforces the owner’s commitment to security.
Consequences of Tampering: The damage inflicted on those who try to remove the charm underscores its power and the seriousness of attempting to disrupt its protective magic.
Magical Economy: The resale value of the Diamond Mace highlights the economic aspects of magical items, where even depleted items retain significant worth.
Versatility of Drums: The Drums of Thunder illustrate the utility of magical items in various scenarios, allowing for both offensive and defensive strategies.
Charge Management: Both the Diamond Mace and Drums of Thunder emphasize the importance of charge management in magical items, requiring users to strategize their usage for maximum benefit.
Combat Applications: The capability to unleash a 20-dice lightning bolt positions the Drums as powerful tools in combat, ensuring that they can turn the tide of battle when used effectively.
Risk vs. Reward: The balance between the risk of damage from tampering with the charm and the potential gain from thievery reflects broader themes of risk versus reward in magical and real-world contexts.