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Drums of panic were a variety of magical kettle drums that induced a state of fear in nearby creatures.[4][5][6]

Description[]

Largely unremarkable in appearance, these drums always came in pairs and had hemispheres of 1​ to ​1.5 feet (0.3​ to ​0.46 meters) in diameter.[4][5][6] Each of these drums weighed around 5 pounds (2,300 grams).[4]

Availability[]

  • Some drums of panic were known to be found in the land of Zakhara, as ancient tales spoke of great cities ruled by marids that used walls against noise to protect against them and other auditory-based magical items.[7]

Powers[]

These drums emitted a moderate aura of necromantic magic. Once per day,[4] when both of the kettle drums within a drums of panic pair were played they would induce a state of panic in all creatures within 120 feet (37 meters), though those within a 20 feet (6.1 meters) of the drums would be unaffected, this area acting as a "safe zone".[4][5] When played in the hands of a proper bard, however, the radius of this inner "safe zone" could be reduced to any radius they desired.[3][8] Additionally, when played underwater the effective range of drums of panic doubled to 240 feet (73 meters).[9]

Those who succumbed to the magic would attempt to flee as fast as possible in the opposite direction of the drums. Creatures within an animal-level of intelligence were more susceptible to the effect.[5][6] Additionally, it was much harder for creatures to resist the effects of drums of panic played in the hands of a bard, with its power to effect the mind scaling with a bard's skills.[3][8]

Creation[]

Turning a pair of kettle drums into drums of panic required a spellcaster with skills in crafting wondrous items and the spell fear.[4]

Notable Owners[]

Appendix[]

See Also[]

  • Drums of thunder, magical drums from Kara-Tur that could produce a similar effect.

Appearances[]

Adventures

Referenced only
Book of Lairs II

Video Games

References[]

  1. Gary Gygax (August, 1985). Unearthed Arcana (1st edition). (TSR, Inc.), p. 87. ISBN 0880380845.
  2. Gary Gygax (1979). Dungeon Masters Guide 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 123. ISBN 0-9356-9602-4.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 slade et al. (February 1995). Encyclopedia Magica Volume II. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 819–820.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Monte Cook, Jonathan Tweet, Skip Williams (July 2003). Dungeon Master's Guide v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 255. ISBN 0-7869-2889-1.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 David Cook (April 1995). Dungeon Master Guide 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), p. 223. ISBN 978-0786903283.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Gary Gygax (1979). Dungeon Masters Guide 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 143. ISBN 0-9356-9602-4.
  7. Jeff Grubb and Andria Hayday (April 1992). Arabian Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 123. ISBN 978-1560763581.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Blake Mobley (1992). The Complete Bard's Handbook. (TSR, Inc.), p. 82. ISBN 1-56076-360-4.
  9. Keith Francis Strohm (September 1997). Of Ships and the Sea. (TSR, Inc), p. 112. ISBN 0786907061.
  10. Template:Cite trumpeter/2-11/Bard's Guild Damaged
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