Planar rift device

This article or section is about elements from the

• Baldur's Gate series of games.

These materials are considered canon unless they contradict content in some other Forgotten Realms publication.

Planar rift device
Basic Information
Other names	Rift device
Type	Artifact, device, rod

The planar rift device was an artifact of great power, sealed beneath Athkatla. It would later be found by the Bhaalspawn Abdel Adrian and potentially destroyed by a vestige of Amaunator.

History

Very little was known about this artifact. Its creators were afraid of its power and sealed it underground, under the guard of an avatar of Amaunator. A small group of followers were guarding it for eternity in a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

As millennia passed though, they began to hate the device and their god, creating a powerful monster, formed of their hatred, in the temple where it was kept (it was possible that the device was partly responsible for this, since it enhanced all negative emotions) that reduced the avatar to a mere shade of its former self.

During the Bhaalspawn Crisis, a blind beholder known as the Unseeing Eye found half of the device and plotted to join both halves to achieve its goals. Abdel Adrian foiled his plan, joining the device pieces together to use against him, ensuring the defeat of the otherwise overpowering creature. Later, the device was likely destroyed, and the guardians, freed of their duty, were allowed to die.

Power

As mentioned, little was known of the planar rift device. It was clearly an item of great power, but it seemed linked to evil, since it enhanced negative emotions. Should it be exposed to the open sky, the result would be catastrophic.

If they two parts were melded, it fed the makers crueler emotions. Greed, hate and lust would surge within them. It had only one charge.

Appendix

Appearances

Video games

• Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn