Ruby Rod of Asmodeus (5e Equipment)
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Ruby Rod of Asmodeus[edit]
Rod, artifact (requires attunement)
The Ruby Rod of Asmodeus, as evil as it’s creator, is none other than the Lord of Nessus’ personal implement. Asmodeus rarely lets the Rod leave his side, but when his does it’s to advance some complex political plot, suss out traitors, or tempt and corrupt powerful souls. The Rod magically changes size to better conform to the grip of its user. This depraved artifact has the names of every good god etched on it backwards. Supposedly the rod grants the wielder complete dominion over Hell.
Random Properties. The Ruby Rod of Asmodeus has the following random properties:
- 2 minor beneficial properties
- 1 major beneficial property
- 2 minor detrimental properties
- 1 major detrimental property
The detrimental properties of the rod are suppressed while the wand is attuned to Asmodeus himself or a follower blessed by him.
Any creature besides Asmodeus or a follower blessed by him that tries to attune the rod must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw. On a successful save the creature takes 6d10 psychic damage. On a failed save, the creature dies and his soul is sent to Hell for all eternity. Only a wish spell or divine intervention can free them. Once you attune this item, your alignment shifts to lawful evil. In the hands of one who is attuned to it, the rod can be wielded as a magic mace that grants a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with it. The rod deals an additional 3d10 force damage on a hit.
Protection. You gain a +3 bonus to your Armor Class while holding the rod.
Spells. The rod has 7 charges. While holding it you can expend some of its charges to cast one of the following spells (spell save DC 18, +10 to hit) from it; you can increase the spell slot level by one for each additional charge you expend: acid arrow (3rd level version, 1 charge), command (1 charge), cone of cold (3 charges), counterspell (3 charges), eldritch blast (17th level, 0 charges), inflict wounds (3rd level version, 1 charge), lightning bolt (1 charge), wall of force (3 charges). The rod regains 1d4+3 expended charges each day at dawn. While attuned to the rod, Asmodeus or a follower blessed by him can cast each of the rod’s spell’s using 2 fewer charges (minimum of 0). Additionally, the rod can act as an arcane focus.
Command Fealty. You can use an action to present the rod and command obedience from each creature of your choice that you can see within 120 feet of you. Each target must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by you for 8 hours. While charmed in this way, the creature regards you as its trusted leader. If harmed by you or your companions, or commanded to do something contrary to its nature, a target ceases to be charmed in this way.
Once you use this property of the wand, you can't use it until the next dawn. If Asmodeus himself is attuned to the rod, this property of the wand instead has a recharge of 6.
Reverie of Nessus. As an action, you can encase yourself in a protective barrier which heals you and stops enemies from attacking you. This barrier acts as a globe of invulnerability. The Reverie of Nessus lasts for three rounds. In the first round, the wielder is automatically purged of any unwanted enchantments. In the second round, the wielder is purged of any diseases, poisons, or physical maladies (including lost body parts). In the third round, the wielder is healed to full hit points and feels as though they just rested a full day, regaining spells and class abilities accordingly.
Once you use this property of the wand, you can't use it until the next dawn.
Sentience. The Ruby Rod of Asmodeus is a sentient lawful evil item with an Intelligence of 18, Wisdom 12, and Charisma of 20. It has hearing and truesight out to a range of 120 feet. The rod communicates telepathically, in baleful whispers, with it’s wielder. It can speak, read, and understand Infernal, Celestial, and Common.
Personality. The Rod's purpose is to corrupt the universe, and everything therein, into it’s most evil form; so that Asmodeus may gain dominion over it. To that end, the Rod pretends to be polite and helpful; offering aid, insight, and strength to anyone who wields it. Over time, It tries to nudge the wielder into committing more and more depraved acts, so that before they know it, their soul is lost to damnation. The Rod is wholly subservient to Asmodeus, yet it will feign devotion to its current wielder making grandiose promises that it has no intention of fulfilling, such as vowing to help its user overthrow Asmodeus.
Destroying the Ruby Rod. While Asmodeus yet lives, the Ruby Rod is utterly indestructible. If Asmodeus is killed for good, the rod can be destroyed by taking it into an antimagic field or dead magic zone and destroying it as one would any mundane scepter.
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