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Prosthetics, otherwise known as prostheses, were artificial devices designed to replace missing body parts such as arms, legs, eyes, and other organs and appendages.[1][4]

Varieties[]

Teeth
Replacing lost teeth, false teeth were made of materials such as wood, gold, silver, or porcelain.[5] Of the four, wood teeth were the most at risk of being broken.[6]
Hook
A primitive type of hand prosthetic that was quite popular among seafarers, which could also function as tool or weapon.[3] It consisted of a cup and an attached gaff.[7] In the 14th century DR, Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue offered brass, gold, silver, and steel hooks in both human and demihuman sizes.[3]
Peg
A primitive type of leg prosthetic,[4] pegs were quite popular among seafarers. In the 14th century DR, Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue offered brass, gold, ivory, silver, and wooden pegs in both human and demihuman sizes.[3]
Wooden leg
A more developed type of leg prosthetic, but similarly associated with sailors.[8]
Clockwork prosthetics
An expensive sort of prosthetic limb or hand that was produced by the gnomes of Skullport's Clockwork Wonders store. The limbs took a full month to design and one to three months to construct. Downsides included needing to regularly oil them to prevent their gears and mechanisms from jamming or corroding. They also also needed to be wound up several times a day. On the plus side, with an additional fee they could be outfitted with additional features like greater durability or hidden spring-loaded weapons.[2]
Drow craftwork
Drow prosthetic

A drow woman examines her prosthetic arm while a drow artisan watches.

The drow of the Underdark developed advanced mechanical prosthetics with many ball-swivel joints and intricate parts operated via cables similar to tendons. These were precisely crafted and had hands as dexterous and arms as agile as the originals. Moreover, they were made from adamantine, giving them both flexibility and hardness, so they wouldn't snap or shatter when stressed—in fact, these could punch or claw through typical armors and the skin beneath. A delicate hand could be detached and replaced with a combat-ready claw or an attached axe, sword, spiked mace, or other weapon when preparing for battle. Moreover, even whole-bodied drow would wear similar apparatuses over their limbs, giving them for example one-piece sword-gauntlets or toe-claws or spikes that aided in climbing and kicking in battle. Such devices were among the most common and most advanced of drow engineering, but the drow weren't in the habit of sharing designs among each other or with outsiders.[9] A seller of artificial limbs in Menzoberranzan was Sh'aun Darnruel.[10]
Gondar prosthetics
The Church of Gond's members had their own distinct variety of prosthetic limbs that had a great "yoke" that would attach to their wearer. They were known for their proficiently articulated joints, with feet flexing at the ankle, hands having gripping power, and fingers able to be pointed. The most expensive of these prosthetics were laced with spells that kept them bonded to a user and allowed for good motor control, though Gondar clerics had to be paid to renew this magic.[11]
Kalgalast prosthetics
A variety of highly realistic limbs that were sold in the late 14th century DR by the traveling craftsmen Orviir Kalgalast. These multi-jointed limbs were made of a combination of wood and metal, covered in a rubber sleeve, and enchanted to protect against wear-and-tear (including cracking, melting, or weathering from sunlight or frigid temperatures). They were designed for humans, elves, half-elves, and halflings. They could also be ordered to have certain skin hues or fingernail styles. These limbs could be quite expensive, with jointed limbs with full strappings but no rubber sleeve, costing around 2,200 gp, whilst merely a replacement "under-piece" (such as part of a joint, or a forearm) would fetch 600 gp. And for larger than average individuals, a limb could cost as much as 4,000 gp. Additionally, at triple the base price, Kalgalast could incorporate retractable weapons or hiding-cavities. Rumors, attested to by Elminster, spoke of these prosthethics exploding on those who didn't pay fully for them, sometimes resulting in the wearer's death.[12]
Magical
ProstheticLeg

A wondrous prosthetic leg.

Realistic
A wide variety of magical prosthetics that prevented others from noticing the body part was artificial and that their wearer did not have full use of it.[13][14][note 1]
Wondrous
A common variety of wondrous item, these functioned identically to the limbs that they replaced and could not be removed against the wearer's will.[1]
Plangent

A Durpari individual with a plangent hand prosthesis.

Plangent
In the land of Durpar, a unique type of violet crystal known as plangent was discovered in the late 15th century DR and used to create prosthetic limbs that were magically animate.[15]

Notable Prosthetics[]

Ebony hands
One knowledgeable wizard was able to create for Kaverin Ebonhand prosthetic hands out of an enchanted ebony-black rock. Once pressed against a fresh stump, the magic molded the black stone into the form of hands. The magic hands acted as if they were flesh and blood but were made out of stone.[16]
Ersatz eye
A type of magical eye prosthetic.[17]
Pegleg of Immurk the Invincible
A magical peg leg that was rumored to have been passed around by adventurers after its owner was lost at sea. When grafted onto a body it would shorten or lengthen to whatever length was appropriate for walking. It allowed its wearer to summon a parrot familiar. It could detect gold pieces within a 100‑foot (30‑meter) radius. It made the wearer incapable of becoming seasick and proficient in navigating, the use of harpoons and ropes, swimming, sensing the weather, and general seamanship. And finally, three times per day the peg leg could be tapped against something to unleash a knock spell. Overall it was worth around 10,000 gold pieces.[18]

History[]

In the late 15th century DR, a barber in Silverymoon by the name of Jooge Nopsmoth would use his expertise in dentistry to replace troublesome teeth with prosthetics made of gold, silver, or porcelain. He also offered special iron teeth, which allowed his annis hag master to eavesdrop on their wearer.[5]

During this time period Arla Razortongue established the Peg and Hook in Luskan, a prosthetics shop that unusually sold hooks meant to be worn in place of a leg and pegs meant to be worn in place of a hand. She managed to convince a number of pirates to try out this unorthodox method and later on would replace one of her own hands and legs with a peg and hook respectively.[19]

Notable Owners[]

...werk compensatorily by grantin' in flair what they takes in facil'ty.
— One pirate describing their hook or peg leg.[3]
  • Angar Axeson, a dwarf warrior and blacksmith, had a steel prosthetic orb in place of his right eye after having lost the real one during the Tethyrian Civil War.[20]
  • Arla Razortongue.[19]
  • Baelam, a wizard who had his left hand replaced with the hand of a strange iron golem.[21]
  • Belwar Dissengulp, one of the svirfneblin of Blingdenstone, had two prosthetic hands. Much like a hook-hand these consisted of a metal cup, but in place of a hook one was tipped with a hammer and the other a pick.[22]
  • Cilaen Irontoes, an inhabitant of the Lady's Ward of Sigil who had iron prosthetic toes after his brother dropped a 50 lb (23 kg) stone on his feet.[23]
  • Colis Goldsfall, a tavern owner in Trailstone, had a peg leg.[24]
  • Crannak Smoulderburn had an iron prosthetic of a clenched fist.
  • Essimuth Lanys, a merchant and retired adventurer who owned three elaborately carved peg legs. The one he typically wore was carved to resemble an owlbear holding up his leg. For formal occasions, he wore a duskwood peg leg carved with the shield and coat of arms of Waterdeep. Finally, during the winter season he wore an ivory peg leg carved like a rearing white dragon, which had grooves to give him better traction on ice and snow.[25]
  • Ezmerelda d'Avenir, a monster hunter in the Domains of Dread, had a prosthetic made for her lower right leg after it was bitten off by a werewolf.[26]
  • Findlewulf, a tavern owner in Skullport, had a wooden peg leg after suffering a shark attack.[27]
  • Granz Stronghand, a Ravenian sailor, had a walnut peg leg that had carvings of seaweed fronds.[28]
  • Hethyl Arkorran, a dwarven member of the Knights of the Black Sword, had a right peg-leg after having lost her foot to frostbite.[29]
  • Hlondaglus Shrim had a wooden leg.[30]
  • Immurk the Invincible, the first great pirate of the Pirate Isles.[18]
  • Kaverin Ebonhand had both of his hands cut off as a punishment for murder. His wizard lawyer created two hands of animated black stone for Kaverin.[16]
  • Maliceprow had a hook hand made of mithral.[31]
  • Ott Steeltoes
  • Rufus Railsplitter, a Ravenian bar owner skilled in bargaining, once lost his left hand to a "creditor" due to a gambling debt. In its place, Rufus wore a leather armguard that terminated in a broad, flat metal blade.[32]
  • Talton, a Ravenian thief, had a wooden leg.[33]
  • Vangol Kuskolt, a dwarven priest of Tyr with an iron peg leg. In his duties as a judge in the town of Leilon, he would brand criminals using his iron leg, which he would first super-heat in a fire.[34]
  • Voron Orama, a Ravenian moon elf tavern keeper, had a gleaming metal arm.[35]
  • Welverin Freth had a prosthetic silver leg.[36]
  • Wyll Ravengard had a prosthetic sending stone right eye.[37]
  • Zariel, Archduke of Avernus, had her left hand replaced with a powerful flail after losing it in Hell.[38]

Appendix[]

See Also[]

Notes[]

  1. This type of prosthetic was never provided a name, so the word "Realistic" is used here to differentiate them from other magical prosthetics.

Gallery[]

Appearances[]

External Links[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Jeremy Crawford (November 17, 2020). Tasha's Cauldron of Everything. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 134. ISBN 978-0786967025.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Joseph C. Wolf (1999). Skullport. (TSR, Inc), pp. 43–44. ISBN 0-7869-1348-7.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), p. 143. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Dale Henson (February 1993). The Magic Encyclopedia, Volume Two. (TSR, Inc), p. 113. ISBN ISBN 978-156076563.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Jason Bradley Thompson (2017-02-27). The Barber of Silverymoon (PDF). In John Houlihan, Adam Lee eds. Dragon+ #12. Wizards of the Coast. p. 7. Archived from the original on 2017-06-17. Retrieved on 2017-06-17.
  6. Chet Williamson (July 1998). Murder in Cormyr. (TSR, Inc.), chap. 1, p. 1. ISBN 0-7869-0486-0.
  7. Grant Boucher, Troy Christensen, Jon Pickens, John Terra and Scott Davis (1991). Arms and Equipment Guide. (TSR, Inc.), p. 72. ISBN 1-56076-109-1.
  8. Chet Williamson (July 1998). Murder in Cormyr. (TSR, Inc.), chap. 17, p. 105. ISBN 0-7869-0486-0.
  9. Ed Greenwood (July 1991). The Drow of the Underdark. (TSR, Inc), pp. 91–92. ISBN 1-56076-132-6.
  10. Ed Greenwood (1992). Menzoberranzan (The City). Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc), p. 41. ISBN 1-5607-6460-0.
  11. Ed Greenwood (2021-10-11). Gondar Prosthetics (Tweet). theedverse. Twitter. Archived from the original on 2021-10-12. Retrieved on 2022-02-05.
  12. Ed Greenwood (2012-11-30). So What Do Ye Do for a Living?. Forging the Realms. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2013-06-01. Retrieved on 2015-01-28.
  13. Lewis Pulsipher and Roland Gettliffe (May 1983). “Non-Violent Magic Items”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #73 (TSR, Inc.), p. 39.
  14. slade et al (June 1995). Encyclopedia Magica Volume III. (TSR, Inc.), p. 918. ISBN 0-7869-0187-X.
  15. Rob Heinsoo, Logan Bonner, Robert J. Schwalb (September 2008). Forgotten Realms Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 95. ISBN 978-0-7869-4929-8.
  16. 16.0 16.1 James Lowder (November 1992). The Ring of Winter. (TSR, Inc), chap. 4, p. 78. ISBN 978-1560763307.
  17. Jeremy Crawford, Mike Mearls (November 2017). Xanathar's Guide to Everything. Edited by Kim Mohan, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 137. ISBN 978-0-7869-6612-7.
  18. 18.0 18.1 slade et al. (February 1995). Encyclopedia Magica Volume II. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 808–809.
  19. 19.0 19.1 Jerry Holkins, Elyssa Grant, Scott Fitzgerald Gray (June 18, 2019). Acquisitions Incorporated. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 140. ISBN 978-0786966905.
  20. Ed Greenwood (July 2000). Volo's Guide to Baldur's Gate II. Edited by Duane Maxwell, David Noonan. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 111–112. ISBN 0-7869-1626-5.
  21. Ed Greenwood (March 1993). “Campaign Guide to Myth Drannor”. In Newton H. Ewell ed. The Ruins of Myth Drannor (TSR, Inc.), pp. 103–104. ISBN 1-5607-6569-0.
  22. R.A. Salvatore and Andrew Dabb (November 2005). “The Legend of Drizzt: Exile #1”. The Legend of Drizzt Graphic Novels #04 (Devil's Due Publishing) (04)..
  23. Black Isle Studios (December 1999). Designed by Chris Avellone. Planescape: Torment. Interplay.
  24. Doug Stewart (November 1997). Castle Spulzeer. (TSR, Inc), p. 37. ISBN 978-0786906697.
  25. Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Adventurer's Guide to the City”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 53. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
  26. Christopher Perkins, Tracy Hickman, Laura Hickman (March 2016). Curse of Strahd. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 231. ISBN 978-0-7869-6598-4.
  27. Joseph C. Wolf (1999). Skullport. (TSR, Inc), p. 37. ISBN 0-7869-1348-7.
  28. Phillip A. Dyer, et al. (August 1991). Port of Ravens Bluff. Edited by Jean Rabe, Skip Williams, David Wise. (TSR, Inc.), p. 40. ISBN 1-56076-120-2.
  29. Christopher Perkins (September 2020). Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 39. ISBN 978-0786966981.
  30. Ed Greenwood (January 1993). Volo's Guide to Waterdeep. (TSR, Inc.), p. 221. ISBN 1-56076-335-3.
  31. Mel Odom (March 2013). Rising Tide. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 30, loc. ?. ISBN 978-0-7869-6396-6.
  32. Eric Kemper and Terence Kemper (June 1991). “The Living City: The Dancing Bear Inn”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #60 (TSR, Inc.), p. 24.
  33. Phillip A. Dyer, et al. (August 1991). Port of Ravens Bluff. Edited by Jean Rabe, Skip Williams, David Wise. (TSR, Inc.), p. 34. ISBN 1-56076-120-2.
  34. Will Doyle, James Introcaso, Shawn Merwin, Bill Benham, Christopher Lindsay (2019-09-04). Divine Contention. Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit. D&D Beyond. Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved on 2021-06-28.
  35. Ed Greenwood (October 1998). The City of Ravens Bluff. Edited by John D. Rateliff. (TSR, Inc.), p. 125. ISBN 0-7869-1195-6.
  36. Richard Lee Byers (August 2003). Dissolution. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 59. ISBN 0-7869-2944-8.
  37. Larian Studios (October 2020). Designed by Swen Vincke, et al. Baldur's Gate III. Larian Studios.
  38. Magic: The Gathering (July 2021). AFR symbol AFR #285 Wizards of the Coast.
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