Rod of absorption

A rod of absorption was a very rare type of magical rod.

Description
The rod was typically yellow in color, with metal caps at each end. These were engraved with yellow runes.

Abilities
The rod enabled its user to absorb spells that targeted the bearer, cancelling the effects of the spell and absorbing the energy. This energy was converted inside the rod into power that could be used to cast spells the owner had in memory without expending the energy bound up in its memorization, preserving the caster's own power for later use. Any given rod could only absorb a certain amount of power, roughly enough to cast the most powerful spells five and a half times or so- and it could under absolutely no circumstances be recharged. The rod automatically communicated its total of absorbed, expended, and available energy to the one who grasped it.

After the Spellplague, the name was used to refer to rods that counted different properties, such as the ability to deactivate auras, and thwart incoming spell attacks. Rods of absorption were used back again in the more familiar way after the Second Sundering, but they were no longer created with the ability to access the top half of spell tiers.

These rods had a slim, but dangerous, chance of slaying a nishruu immediately if taken into contact.

Finally, they could be used to power spells in other worlds with less magic than Toril, even if those worlds had magic too weak to truly support normal use of those spells.

Construction
One given example method for the construction of a rod of absorption involved burying a green shoot taken from an apple tree at harvest time with a topaz and the magic item most used by the creator inside a cedar box. Using a limited wish, the topaz turned to dust and the item was ruined after a month, but the apple shoot was ready for enchantment. The final step of the enchantment involved the ashes of a vellum used as a scroll for an unknown spell.

History
In, Fhaornik attempted to destroy a nishruu by throwing a rod of absorption at it, after the creature was released to attack Blackstaff Tower. His attempt was unsuccessful.

Notable Owners

 * The Amlakkar of Calimport in the Wizard Ward.
 * The Akh'Faern.
 * Waterdeep had some stashed for use by its city watch.
 * Monks of Candlekeep
 * Nhyris D'Hothek
 * Alustriel
 * Sumulael
 * Trobriand
 * Shinthala Deepcrest
 * Iyraclea
 * Mordenkainen
 * The Oigur tribe of Tuigan warriors had a wizard who owned such a rod in.
 * Vithal, a mage that traveled the planes studying magic and accumulating wealth who became trapped within the Underdark some time during or before the mid–14 century DR.

Notable Rods of Absorption

 * The Lion Sword was assumed to work as one such rod per some sources.
 * Asmodeus was said, in some early sources, to have such a rod.
 * King Lhaeo possessed a unique version of this rod, the Monarch's Rod.
 * Imvaernarhro's necklace of absorption functioned as such a rod did.

Appearances

 * Novels
 * Blackstaff
 * Death Masks
 * Video Games
 * Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
 * Card Games
 * Card Games