Tome of Artifacts: Eldritch Relics and Wonders

320 Pages·2006·21.03 MB·English

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Let the Wonders of the Ages Inspire You!
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Few elements of fantasy roleplaying are as rife with possibility and potential as are artifacts, those ancient and
unpredictable items of potent magics. Travel in quest of mystic wonders, stand as civilization’s only defense
against villains equipped with horrific powers, or challenge the gods themselves. Within these pages lie suf-
ficient ideas to inspire dozens upon dozens of quests, adventures and even entire campaigns.
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Magics Beyond Measure, Curses Beyond Comprehension O
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You hold in your hand a codex of almost limitless potential. Each and every artifact within contains not
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only a detailed description of its powers, but also a rich and inspiring mythology, adventure seeds, and the
various consequences and downsides of use that make artifacts such a mixed blessing. Better yet, the Tome
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of Artifacts also contains new spells, new monsters, new feats, and a tool to aid you in creating your own
artifacts, a random system capable of generating literally millions of unique artifacts! F

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Brought to you in partnership between Necromancer Games™ and Lion’s Den Press™, the Tome of Artifacts
contains contributions by some of the industry’s best known names, including fan favorites Keith Baker, Rich R
Burlew, and Patrick Lawinger. Includes a foreword by David “Zeb” Cook!
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This product requires use of the Dungeons and Dragons ® Player’s Handbook published by
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Wizards of the Coast®. This product uses rules from the v.3.5 revision. F
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Fantasy—Swords and Sorcery C
Sourcebook (Magic and Items)
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Core D20 System
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ISBN 13:978-1-58846-935-9
©2007, Necromancer Games, Inc.
WW 8397 $39.99 US
www.necromancergames.com
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TOME OF ARTIFACTS: ELDRITCH RELICS AND WONDERS
TM
Credits
Concept and Design: Interior Art:
Bill Webb and Ari Marmell Jeff Laubenstein, David Day, Darren Calvert, Eric Lof-
Authors: gren, Brian Leblanc, Mike Chaney & Jeremy McHugh
Playtesters:
Keith Baker, Rich Burlew, C. Robert Cargill, Michael
Gill, George Hollochwost, Khaldoun Khelil, Patrick Necromancer Games Staff
Lawinger, Rhiannon Louve, Ari Marmell, Anthony Pryor, Special Thanks:
C. A. Suleiman
To Elizabeth, for putting up with my stress. —Khaldoun
Developer:
To Anthony, Alex, and Natalie for keeping my sense
Bill Webb of wonder alive. —Patrick
Producer: To Randy Harding, for ideas and brainstorming.
—Rhiannon
Clark Peterson
To Matt, Soraya, and Andrew, for being sounding boards;
Editor:
to Jeff, for introducing me to most of my current gaming
Patrick Lawinger and Bill Webb group; and to George, for all the usual reasons. —Ari
Art Direction and Design: To my dog J.D. for inspiring one artifact, and the crew
of the Origins 2005 road-trip for inspiring the other.
Mike Chaney w/ Wes Mantooth
—C. A.
Product Update Password for Tome of Artifacts: Vecna
This product requires the use of the Dungeons and Dragons® Player’s Handbook,
published by Wizards of the Coast®. This product utilizes updated material from the v3.5 revision.
©2007 Necromancer Games, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without the written permission of the
publisher is expressly forbidden. Necromancer Games, Necromancer Games, Inc. and the Necromancer Games
logo, Tome of Artifacts: Eldritch Relics and Wonders are trademarks of Necromancer Games, Inc. All rights
reserved. All characters, names, places, items, art, and text herein are copyrighted by Necromancer Games, Inc.
“d20 System” and the d20 System logo are trademarks owned by Wizards of the Coast and are used under the
terms of the d20 Trademark License. The mention of or reference to any company or product in these pages is
not a challenge to the trademark or copyright concerned. Dungeons and Dragons® and Wizards of the Coast®
are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast, and are used in accordance with the Open Game and d20 Trademark
Licenses contained in the Legal Appendix. Creature Collection and Relics & Rituals are trademarks of Sword
and Sorcery Studio.
This book uses the supernatural for settings, characters, and themes. All mystical and supernatural elements
are fiction and intended for entertainment purposes only. Reader discretion is advised.
Necromancer Check out Necromancer Games online athttp://www.necromancergames.com
Games And check out Sword and Sorcery Studio online at:
http://www.swordsorcery.com
Third Edition Rules,
PRINTED IN CHINA.
First Edition Feel
1
THE ALTAR OF THE BONE CITADEL
Table of Contents
Foreword, by Dave “Zeb” Cook 3 Golden Pearl of the Elder Tortoise, by G. Holochwost 138
Introduction 4 Holocaust Stone of Gun’ta, by C. Robert Cargill 142
Altar of the Bone Citadel, by C. Robert Cargill 6 Horn of the Archangel, by Ari Marmell 146
Al’Qabir’s Inscrutable Floating Parlor, Hungry Stone, by Keith Baker 153
by C. A. Suleiman 10
Irruwyn’s Cauldron, by Ari Marmell 159
Ashen Heart of Barrat Sûn, by Ari Marmell 15
Joval’s Equilibrium, by C. Robert Cargill 165
Ashrune, by Khaldoun Khelil 22
Juggernaut of Shaddar Khan, by Ari Marmell 169
Bastard of Exalted Heroism, by C. Robert Cargill 27
King’s Pepper Grinder, by Rhiannon Louve 176
Black Coal Citadel, by Khaldoun Khelil 31
Korridar, the Crown of Kings, by Keith Baker 182
Black Crystal Spiral, by Michael Gill 37
Lamentation Engine, by Ari Marmell 187
Book of Stasis, by Michael Gill 41
Lucky Coin, by Rich Burlew 193
Bow of Night, by Patrick Lawinger 45
Masks of the Gods, by Anthony Pryor 200
Brooch of the False God, by C. Robert Cargill 50
Orb of the Wight, by Patrick Lawinger 205
Carpet of Contemplation, by Rhiannon Louve 53
Petrified God, by Ari Marmell 211
Celestial Machine, by Anthony Pryor 61
Rug of Lords, by Patrick Lawinger 217
Crown of Ice, by Rhiannon Louve 70
Sha’gahr’s Bones, by Anthony Pryor 221
Darkwood Heart, by Keith Baker 76
Siege Hound of Dhula’zar, by C. A. Suleiman 229
Divinity Sphere, by Michael Gill 82
Skiff of the Ferryman, by Ari Marmell 236
Earth Seed, by Michael Gill 87
Skullcup of the Nagaraja, by G. Holochwost 242
Ebony Skeleton of Mol-Tet, by C. Robert Cargill 91
Soul Brushes of Gartigan, by Patrick Lawinger 246
Eldros’ Panoply, by Anthony Pryor 96
Soulblade, by Michael Gill 251
Emerald Scales of Veerak, by Rich Burlew 102
Una’s Shield, by Rich Burlew 258
Erangoul’s Filthy Cloak, by Khaldoun Khelil 108
World Tree, by Rhiannon Louve 264
Fang of the Devil Tigers, by G. Holochwost 115
Appendix A: The Chosen One, by Anthony Pryor 272
Flayed Skin of Kruk’Tha, by C. Robert Cargill 119
Appendix B: Random Artifact Creation,
Forge of Medzigar Salight, by Patrick Lawinger 123 by C. Robert Cargill and Ari Marmell 281
Fortune’s Breath, by Patrick Lawinger 129 Appendix C: Compiled Mechanics 314
Ghost Reaver, by Patrick Lawinger 134 Appendix D: Legal 317
2
TOME OF ARTIFACTS: ELDRITCH RELICS AND WONDERS
Table of Contents
Foreword
So, here we are again. For me, another major goal was to return mystery
There is an undeniable strain in fantasy for the bigger, and magic to a fantasy game. Odd to say, but in many
better and more powerful: bigger spells, better weapons, ways creating a fantasy game lost the magic of fantasy.
and, of course, more powerful (even godly!) characters. What is fantastic after all about a sword +1? Where is
It is from that desire that artifacts came into the role- the mystery and wonder? The magic of legend and fairy
playing world, über-powerful magical items that would tales isn’t about numbers or utilitarian crafting. It’s
make my character completely unique from yours (and, about using the footfall of a cat, the beard of a woman,
of course, cooler). the roots of a rock, the sinews of a bear, the breath
When artifacts first started appearing back in the days of a fish, and the spittle of a bird to bind the Fenris
of 1st Edition, players seized on them — but not always wolf. It’s about spinning straw into gold. Wondrous
for the better. It was true that artifacts were supposed to magic is about using the illogical and mysterious to
be hard to find, with powers that were difficult to deci- accomplish the impossible. With artifacts, I wanted
pher and even more difficult to use. There were outlines to encounter those kinds of items once again, to face
of conditions, restrictions, and drawback to their use. magic beyond the comprehension of players jaded to
Nonetheless, that did not seem to stop DMs and players the collection of utilitarian spells, armor and weapons
from freely handing them out. Somewhere along the line, that permeate the game.
the point of artifacts was lost. Those of us at TSR at the Of course, there had to be a use for them. All the
time became used to seeing letters (in the days before great magic of tales is powerful and can accomplish great
email) describing entire parties loaded down with the things. But it also had to be in balance. Again, a common
weaponry of the gods, players who had storerooms filled theme in legend was that all things come with risk. The
with every artifact mentioned from the Wand of Orcus monkey’s paw doesn’t just grant wishes. Artifacts needed
to the Hand and Eye of You-Know-Who. And for some, their limitations, their risks and their flaws. These were
it wasn’t enough. as much a part of their character as their powers. In many
Somewhere along the line, the point of artifacts had ways it is these flaws that create the adventures around
been lost. Yes, they were items of immense power and artifacts. It is the flaws that humble the mighty, overturn
cool, rule-breaking abilities — but they were also sup- the order of the world, and keep the cycle going. After
posed to be campaign builders, things you could hinge an all the destruction of great heroes in the process of doing
entire world (or at least a country) and player career on. good is a classic tale.
A player could spend his life, or at least a good chunk of It makes me very happy then to say that this new
it, in search of the Doodad of Lubik, find it, perform one Tome of Artifacts captures that spirit. In here are
great character defining act with it, and then retire. artifacts to drive campaigns, create adventures,
The problem was artifacts weren’t meant to be just and just be wondrous. What use is the Altar of the
weapons, they were meant to be campaigns. To make that Bone Citadel but to create adventure? Will the Bow
happen, artifacts need background — and more than just of Night corrupt and destroy its wielder or will he
“this is the weapon of the Black God who hates elves.” be truly heroic and cast it aside once the need is
Artifacts are personalities as much as player characters gone? Better still, the information here expands and
and NPCs. Their stories shape their powers, define their improves with more emphasis on rumors, research-
use, and create adventure. So with the 2nd Edition book ing and campaign suggestions (those hooks we all
of artifacts we expanded their personalities: created mini- love) for use in your game.
stories for each item and tried to find ways for them to And so, here we are again. Artifacts have returned,
play a role in campaigns without destroying them. stronger and more interesting than ever.
David “Zeb” Cook
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THE ALTAR OF THE BONE CITADEL
Introduction
There’s something to be said for the classics. and developing D20 material almost from the beginning.
Whether you’re an old-school gamer, with memories We’ve assembled a skilled team of writers, made up of both
of play that predate the days of THAC0, or whether 3rd talented newcomers and industry veterans, including quite
edition is your first experience with fantasy role-play, a few names you’re almost certain to recognize.
you’ve almost certainly made use of some of the game’s
Contents
most classic concepts. Old-school spells, which appear in
the arsenal of almost every spellcaster. Foul and vicious
All right, so enough with the lead-in. What, exactly,
monsters as old as the game itself. Winding dungeons,
does the Tome of Artifacts offer you?
where danger lurks behind every kicked-in door.
The bulk of this work consists of nearly 50 artifacts, all
And then, just possibly, artifacts.
ready for use in an existing campaign, or to serve as the
Artifacts have been a part of every major version of the
foundation of a brand new one. No matter your style of
game since the late 70s, and they’ve always held a special
game, you’re almost certain to find something useful here,
place in the pantheon of DM tools. They are magic items
from myth to fairy tale, classic fantasy to the truly bizarre.
of wondrous power and horrific curses, in-depth history
Your PCs might face the undead armies of the Altar of
and story potential so great they can drive entire cam-
the Bone Citadel, travel the planes on the Skiff of the Fer-
paigns. Even in this — arguably the most systematic and
ryman, battle the horrible mutations of the Lamentation
mechanically consistent version of the game — artifacts
Engine, get lost in the halls of Black Coal Citadel, garb
follow no rules but their own. They are the DM’s final
themselves in the Emerald Scales of Veerak, destroy cities
trump card, the legendary items that appear only when
with the Holocaust Stone, or even pit the Juggernaut of
and where he wants, and that inevitably bring much
Shaddar Khan against the Siege Hound of Dula’zar in a
adventure, and much trouble, to the characters who are
rampaging battle worthy of downtown Tokyo.
(un)fortunate enough to find them.
The best artifacts are, of course, far more than a col- Artifact Format
lection of potent abilities. They bear with them a storied
and fascinating history, one that should inspire the DM Each artifact follows the same general format, for ease
at least as thoroughly as the item’s description itself. of use. Each begins, of course, with the artifact’s name, as
Unfortunately, most of the artifacts presented throughout well as any other soubriquets it might possess in various
the various incarnations of the game have been relatively myths and legends. Each artifact is clearly marked with the
short of detail, constrained by the requirements of word name of its writer as well. This is partly to facilitate their
count. use as Open Content, but also because each and every one
of our writers deserves credit for their fantastic work.
It was during the latter days of 2nd edition that arti-
facts were given the attention they deserve, as an entire Each artifact has a tale to be told, and this tale forms
book of artifacts presented many of these wonders in the first true section of each entry. Some are myth, some
unprecedented detail. And in many ways, that book is fairy tale, some rumor and some simple fact, but all provide
the spiritual father of this one. not only a context for that particular item, but a wealth
of ideas and plot seeds on which the DM can draw.
For this is what the Tome of Artifacts: Eldritch Relics
and Wonders aspires to be: Nothing less than the quintes- This is followed by a sidebar on researching the artifact.
sential book of artifacts for the current edition. This gives the necessary skill checks for such research, as
well as the information provided at each level of success.
We’ve pulled out all the stops, in the hopes of honoring
Most entries conclude with lists or suggestions of false
both our predecessor in the field and the concept of the
information, the sort of erroneous facts PCs might learn
artifact itself. The Tome of Artifacts is a joint produc-
if their checks aren’t quite high enough for the truth, the
tion of Necromancer Games and Lion’s Den Press, two
whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
companies made up of people who have been writing
4
TOME OF ARTIFACTS: ELDRITCH RELICS AND WONDERS
Next is a section on the artifact’s physical properties: the artifacts themselves, giving DMs maximum flexibility in
what it looks like, what it feels like, and how (or if) it choosing the material they want to incorporate.
reacts to divination spells.
Now we’re into the meat of the artifact: the powers Appendices
themselves. Constant powers are those that require no
The artifacts themselves could easily make up the
voluntary activation; they remain functioning at all times.
entirety of the book, but we had a bit more we wanted
These can include everything from AC or save bonuses to
to offer.
emanating auras. Activated powers, obviously, are those
Appendix A presents the Chosen One, an artifact in
that require an act of will, a particular trigger, or some
human form. It contains a series of modifications that
other means of deliberate invocation.
can be applied to a character selected by fate or by the
Every good artifact, however, has its hazards and down-
gods for a higher purpose.
sides; after all, if they were nothing but free power, what
Appendix B is a monster of a chapter, presenting
fun would that be? These are given next, and range from
nothing less than a system and charts for random artifact
curses that afflict the wielder to widespread calamities that
generation. Obviously it can’t fill in the specific details
may make the artifact more dangerous than any villain.
for you — you’ll need to breathe the last spark of life into
Two optional sections often follow, discussing any ambi-
your artifacts with your own ideas and creativity — but
ent effects the artifact has on its surroundings, and how it
it can provide you with a solid skeleton from which to
reacts to spells and magics other than divinations.
work, and is capable of producing literally millions of
As we’ve mentioned, artifacts are extremely potent
different artifacts.
and possess detailed back-stories, and their use can be
Finally, Appendix C serves as a reference for the many
a somewhat daunting prospect. The next section offers
new spells, feats, monsters, and other goodies scattered
advice for DMs, suggesting not only means of incorporat-
throughout the book. With this appendix, you can easily
ing the artifact, but providing specific adventure seeds
find the proper page numbers for any such feature you’d
and suggested means by which the PCs may be able to
like to use.
finally destroy the item.
So what are you waiting for? Dig in, and discover
Finally, most of the entries end with one last “goody.” Some
the many wonders and horrors, tales and adventures,
of these are new spells, new monsters, new feats, new NPCs,
that await you in the Tome of Artifacts. We hope
new magic items, new planes — anything and everything we
that you’ll find the material within at least as inspir-
could include to enhance game-play even further. Even better,
ing as we did.
most of these are fully usable even in campaigns that don’t use
Ari Marmell
for Lion’s Den Press
and Necromancer Games
5
ALTAR OF THE BONE CITADEL
Altar of the
Bone Citadel
By C. Robert Cargill
The Tale of the
Researching The Altar
Altar of the Bone Citadel
of the Bone Citadel
Centuries ago, before the destruction of Ellir Jarville (see
While the Altar of the Bone Citadel has a solid
Orb of the Wight), the great lich trained an apprentice in
place in history, few actually know that the Altar
the ways of magic and death. This was Mol-Tet, a powerful
itself was responsible for the monolithic citadels
necromancer who would grow to be nearly his master’s
that once dotted the land. A Knowledge (history),
equal in power, and his superior in ambition.
Knowledge (arcana) or Knowledge (religion) check
Long after he left his master’s side, Mol-Tet sought to can shed some light on the subject.
conquer the known world with a vast army of undead
warriors. Originally headquartered in a nigh unreachable DC Knowledge Available
mountain pass, Mol-Tet found that he needed to be more
10 Once, centuries ago, a mad sorcerer
accessible to his armies as the breadth of his empire grew. constructed great towers of bone,
Thus he crafted the first of his two famed artifacts: a mas- and a powerful artifact in the form
of an altar.
sive and intricately engraved altar, carved out of a single
bone from some unknown colossal creature. (Some tales 20 It was the Altar of the Bone Citadel
itself that constructed these towers,
suggest that this was nothing less than the leg bone of a
using animate dead to build those
long dead god.) Infused with bizarre necromantic magics, unholy places.
the Altar of the Bone Citadel animated the nearby bones of
25 The Altar is capable of animating
fallen soldiers and commanded them to collect additional any nearby dead, who then build a
corpses. Quickly and methodically, these skeletons dug maze of catacombs around it. The
out and crafted an underground catacomb to protect the Altar also commands its deathless
minions to bring it additional bod-
Altar, and then began construction on a tower high above
ies, providing an endless stream of
it. Depending on the number of casualties on any given skeletal servants.
battlefield, a new bone citadel could be constructed in
30+ No mortal may fully command the
just a few short weeks. With the Altar in tow, Mol-Tet powers of the Altar, but they can
could build a new base of operations in any land he con- avoid its wrath. It is said that at the
quered, the tower standing testimony to the awful terror stroke of the witching hour, the Altar
resets and repairs its servants, and
that befell those who dared oppose him.
that those servants are much more
Many attempted to raid Mol-Tet’s citadel, in hopes deadly and capable than skeletons
of destroying Mol-Tet himself. None returned. It wasn’t raised by mere necromancers.
until Mol-Tet’s own megalomania drove him to create an
even more powerful artifact that he met his end by his Many rumors persist that it was the Altar of
own hands. With Mol-Tet dead, his army fell soon after. the Bone Citadel itself that created Mol-Tet’s
Mol-Tet’s artifacts and belongings were soon scattered, vast army, when in truth it was not. Rumors
and his hulking citadels torn down. The dead were buried also claim that anyone who owns the Altar also
and the great war against the undead menace became one commands the undead it creates. One story has
of history’s great cautionary tales. it that the Altar may be sundered by the Bastard
of Exalted Heroism, but there seems to be no
The Altar of the Bone Citadel, proving to be completely
truth to this rumor either.
indestructible, was hidden, buried deep in a cave that
lay sealed shut for generations. There it stayed until an-
other power hungry necromancer excavated it in hopes Studying the Altar of the Bone Citadel
of accomplishing what Mol-Tet could not. He, too, met
The Altar of the Bone Citadel, a massive artifact weighing
defeat and death, and the Altar has changed hands many
upward of 800 pounds, is intricately etched and carved from
times since.
a single bone. Foul symbols, recognizable only to those who
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TOME OF ARTIFACTS: ELDRITCH RELICS AND WONDERS
have read the most vile of necromantic works, run the entire new ones at the next witching hour if for some reason it
length and breadth of the altar. Four perfectly carved human falls below its maximum. These skeletons then go about
skulls, each a solid part of the Altar, rest atop each of the digging up and collecting any other corpses within the
four corners. Aged and faded bloodstains atop the Altar are 10-mile radius to harvest the needed bones. The Altar
the only notable discolorations to the otherwise evenly aged always knows the location of any dead within 100 miles,
bone. The Altar radiates great evil if viewed with any man- and the skeletons are instantly commanded to go to the
ner of detection, and radiates strong necromancy if viewed nearest location where bones are readily available. Once
with detect magic. all of the dead within 10 miles have been collected, the
The catacombs are a maze of bone, with corridors skeletons range further out, collecting in concentric circles
ten feet high and ten feet wide. The walls are formed of 10 miles each, until all of the dead within range have
in layers: skulls atop stacked bones atop skulls, in a pat- been brought to the Altar.
tern that repeats from floor to ceiling the ceiling. The Up to this point, the skeletons only fight when attacked
floor is a mixture of sand or dirt and bone fragments, as or when someone enters the confines of the catacombs.
well as a fine layer of crushed bone if the catacomb has Once all of the bones within 100 miles have been collected,
existed for at least a year. The sanctuary, always found in however, the skeletons form raiding parties to kill for more
the center of the complex, is 40 feet on a side, its floor bones until the citadel itself is completed. Once completed,
entirely layered in broken bones. the skeletons do not leave their assigned post within the
The citadel, at its full height, stands about 200 feet tall. catacombs or citadel unless someone does damage of any
The bones that form its walls are magically reinforced as to kind to the structure, at which point they attack to kill.
support the massive amount of weight. It is a series of winding Skeletons do not patrol the outside the citadel.
staircases and rooms complete with bone furnishings. Skeletons created by the Altar of the Bone Citadel have
+4 Str, +4 hit points per HD and have a turn resistance
Powers of the
of +2. (This raises the CR of any skeleton to a minimum
of 1, but does not affect the CR of skeletons that already
Altar of the Bone Citadel
have a CR of 1 or higher.) Within the confines of the
The Altar animates any dead body within range to catacombs, the skeletons gain an additional +2 bonus
serve the Altar’s only purpose: constructing a series of on attack and damage rolls, and act as a unit, gaining an
catacombs and a tower worthy of a powerful necromancer. additional +1 bonus on attack rolls when adjacent to any
The dead thusly animated serve not just to construct the other Altar-created skeleton. Any skeletal laborers that
site, however, but to protect it as well. Risen dead cre- fall under the control of another individual are replaced
ated by the Altar are more powerful than those created at the next witching hour, but keep all of the bonuses
by the normal means. gained from their creation by the Altar.
When short of its maximum servants, the Altar first
animates any newly dead occupants of the catacombs or
Using the Altar of the Bone Citadel
citadel, such as adventurers who may have fallen and have
The Altar functions constantly, always forging a new yet to be retrieved from the site. Lacking any fresh bodies,
palace of the dead. Left alone, the Altar animates any the Altar animates corpses from the walls of the catacomb
dead within range and begin its collection process. The itself, providing a nearly endless stream of servants.
skeletal guardians of the altar attack anyone within the
confines of the catacombs. However, if someone smears
Consequences
their blood atop the Altar (requiring enough blood to
No known method for controlling the Altar exists. One
deal 1d2 points of Constitution damage) the artifact
simply puts the Altar where he wants it and the Altar
recognizes him as is new owner. From this point, the
goes about its business. The owner cannot command the
Altar’s undead ignore the character, even if he threatens
skeletons, nor can he make the Altar cease its activities
or attacks them.
by any means other than removing it from the catacomb
and setting it up elsewhere.
Constant Powers
When not in the confines of its catacombs, the Altar of
Ambient Effects
the Bone Citadel can create up to 40 Hit Dice of skeletons,
The Altar of the Bone Citadel radiates bane and unhallow,
as per the animate dead spell, with a range of 10 miles. It
as per the spells cast by a 20th-level cleric. These effects
can create all 40 HD at once, but may only do so at the
extent throughout the catacombs and citadel, and cannot
witching hour (the moment when the time between sunset
be suppressed by any means. When the Altar is not within
and sunrise are perfectly equal.) The Altar always keeps
the catacombs, this effect extends to only 40 feet.
40 HD-worth of skeletal laborers in activity, and creates
7
ALTAR OF THE BONE CITADEL
Any dead bodies within the confines of the catacombs disturbed graves all over the countryside, they set out
or the citadel may not be raised or resurrected in any way, to find the insidious grave robbers, only to discover a
except through animation as an undead creature. Anyone macabre dungeon unlike any they’ve encountered: A
killed within the Altar’s immediate influence must be dungeon of death that seems very much alive.
taken from the catacombs or tower in order to be raised The Heir of Mol-Tet
or resurrected.
A powerful necromancer has discovered the secrets
of Mol-Tet and has set out to succeed where Mol-Tet
Reactive Traits failed. He has begun by constructing a citadel and filling
The Altar of the Bone Citadel is immune to any magi- it with his own undead abominations. The adventurers
cal effects. However, a successful turn undead attempt, must fight their way through the complex and put an
focused upon the Altar itself (treat it as a 20-HD undead end to this necromancer before he completes his further
creature) temporarily nullify its powers, destroying any schemes — which may involve undead armies, or even
existing skeletons and instantly collapsing any of the the use of other necromantic artifacts, such as the Orb
existing structure. The powers of the Altar, however, of the Wight or the Ebony Skeleton of Mol-Tet.
return in one minute. The Casting out of the Altar
While the Altar of the Bone Citadel cannot be destroyed,
Using The Altar of the Bone
it can be rendered inert. But where can the adventurers
Citadel in a Campaign hide an 800-pound altar where they can be assured no
one will die within a hundred miles of it? And just how
The Altar of the Bone Citadel is ideal for any level of are they supposed to get it there?
campaign, but best suited for low to mid-level adventures.
Depending on who, if anyone, is using the Altar, and on the
citadel’s stage of completion, the challenge of an adventure
can be easily adjusted. Also, while the Altar creates up to
40 HD in skeletons, the DM can scale the average HD of
each individual skeleton, to make the challenge suitable
to the party’s level of experience. Low-level adventurers
might encounter the laborers harvesting bones, leading
them back to the unfinished catacombs. Mid-level adven-
turers may have to contend with skeletal raiding parties
leading them back to a completed citadel. High level
adventurers may have to contend not just with
the Altar of the Bone Citadel itself, but with the
citadel’s new resident necromancer and his
own series of minions.
Adventure Seeds
The Abandoned Al-
tar
While someone
may have intended
to use the artifact
at one point,
that individ-
ual is long
g o n e .
Now the
Altar is
simply do-
ing what it
does. When
the adven-
tures discover
8
TOME OF ARTIFACTS: ELDRITCH RELICS AND WONDERS
Destroying the Altar etons. In truth, while he did indeed possess that ability, it was
his robes, not the greater artifact, that granted it.
Only one way of destroying the Altar of the Bone Citadel
has even been hinted at in legends and, if accurate, is so
Robes of Mol-Tet
horrifically difficult as to be all but impossible.
• A god who does not hold dominion over the undead Though less powerful than the Altar or the Ebony
must attune himself to the Altar. The Altar must then Skeleton, the Robes of Mol-Tet are no less horrific.
collect the bones of a god whose portfolio does include This artifact allows its wearer to command veritable
the undead, and build them into the catacomb or the legions of the undead.
citadel. If this happens, the entire structure — catacomb, Description: What were obviously once rich purple
citadel, and even the Altar — decay into nothingness in robes of the finest silks have been dulled nearly black
1d4 hours. by grave dirt, grime and the stains of various fluids.
While the artifact is all but indestructible, however, it The edges are frayed and several tears and claw marks
can be temporarily hidden or banished. scar the robes, both front and back.
• Casting the Altar of the Bone Citadel into the belly of Activation: The robes require no activation; sim-
an active volcano could keep its skeletal minions from ply wearing them is sufficient to access their vile
getting to it and keep others from finding it. power.
• Send the artifact to another plane in which the Effect: The robes of Mol-Tet eliminate the Hit Die
denizens have no bones. restriction on the number of undead the wearer can
control via spells such as animate dead. They do not
New Minor Artifact actually grant the power to raise the dead, however;
the wearer must still be able to do so on his own.
Many people who have heard of the Altar believe that it
Aura/Caster Level: Strong necromancy. CL 18th.
granted Mol-Tet the power to control whole armies of skel-
Weight: 2 lb.
9