A rod of absorption was a very rare type of magical rod.[6]
Description[]
The rod was typically yellow in color, with metal caps at each end. These were engraved with yellow runes.[6]
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.[4][7][8]
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.[5] 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.[6]
These rods had a slim, but dangerous, chance of slaying a nishruu immediately if taken into contact.[9]
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.[10]
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.[11]
History[]
In 1374 DR, 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.[12]
Notable Owners[]
An activated rod of absorption, firmly grasped.
- The Amlakkar of Calimport in the Wizard Ward.[13]
- The Akh'Faern.[14]
- Waterdeep had some stashed for use by its city watch.[15]
- Monks of Candlekeep[16]
- Nhyris D'Hothek[17]
- Alustriel[18]
- Sumulael[19]
- Trobriand[20]
- Shinthala Deepcrest[21]
- Iyraclea[22]
- Mordenkainen[23]
- The Oigur tribe of Tuigan warriors had a wizard who owned such a rod in 1357 DR.[24]
- 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–14th century DR.[3]
Notable Rods of Absorption[]
- The Lion Sword was assumed to work as one such rod per some sources.[25]
- Asmodeus was said, in some early sources, to have such a rod.[26]
- King Lhaeo possessed a unique version of this rod, the Monarch's Rod.[27]
- Imvaernarhro's necklace of absorption functioned as such a rod did.[28]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ The one in Baldur's Gate II has a price is lower than normal. This is assumed to be because of its single charge left.
See Also[]
Appearances[]
Novels & Short Stories
Death Masks
Video Games
Card Games
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
References[]
- ↑ Gary Gygax (1979). Dungeon Masters Guide 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.). ISBN 0-9356-9602-4.
- ↑ Dale Henson (February 1993). The Magic Encyclopedia, Volume Two. (TSR, Inc), p. 120. ISBN ISBN 978-156076563.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 BioWare (September 2000). Designed by James Ohlen, Kevin Martens. Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn. Black Isle Studios.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Monte Cook, Jonathan Tweet, Skip Williams (July 2003). Dungeon Master's Guide v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 234. ISBN 0-7869-2889-1.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Jeremy Crawford, Stephen Schubert, et al. (September 2011). Mordenkainen's Magnificent Emporium. Edited by Cal Moore, Tanis O'Connor. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 47. ISBN 978-0-7869-5744-6.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins, James Wyatt (2014). Dungeon Master's Guide 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 195. ISBN 978-0786965622.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (1979). Dungeon Masters Guide 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 133. ISBN 0-9356-9602-4.
- ↑ David Cook (April 1995). Dungeon Master Guide 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), p. 204. ISBN 978-0786903283.
- ↑ Richard Baker, Eric L. Boyd, Thomas M. Reid (July 2007). Shadowdale: The Scouring of the Land. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 21. ISBN 07-8694-039-5.
- ↑ Skip Williams (1995-08-22). Dungeon Master Option: High-Level Campaigns. Edited by Jim Butler. (TSR, Inc), p. 83. ISBN 978-0786901685.
- ↑ Peter Johnson (September 1985). “Charging isn't cheap”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #101 (TSR, Inc.), p. 30.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (July 2006). Blackstaff. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 3, p. 37. ISBN 978-0786940165.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (October 1998). Calimport. (TSR, Inc), p. 57. ISBN 0-7869-1238-3.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend and Kevin Melka (1998). Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves. (TSR, Inc), p. 48. ISBN 0-7069-0761-4.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Campaign Guide”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 95. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (August 2004). An Introduction to Candlekeep. Candlekeep Website. Archived from the original on 2004-11-05. Retrieved on 2023-02-17.
- ↑ Joseph C. Wolf (1999). Skullport. (TSR, Inc), p. 88. ISBN 0-7869-1348-7.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (September 1993). The Code of the Harpers. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 43. ISBN 1-56076-644-1.
- ↑ Steve Kurtz (April 1, 1995). The Complete Book of Necromancers. (TSR, Inc), p. 122. ISBN 0-7869-0106-3.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (1991). “Campaign Guide to Undermountain”. In Steven E. Schend ed. The Ruins of Undermountain (TSR, Inc.), p. 108. ISBN 1-5607-6061-3.
- ↑ Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Dungeon Master's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 28. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
- ↑ Andy Collins, Bruce R. Cordell (July 2002). Epic Level Handbook. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 303. ISBN 0-7869-2658-9.
- ↑ Andy Collins, Bruce R. Cordell (July 2002). Epic Level Handbook. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 309. ISBN 0-7869-2658-9.
- ↑ David Cook (August 1990). “A Fistful of Sand Part IV”. In Steve Winter ed. The Horde (TSR, Inc.). ISBN 0-88038-868-4.
- ↑ Dale Donovan (July 1998). Villains' Lorebook. (TSR, Inc), p. 114. ISBN 0-7869-1236-7.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 21. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (August 1997). “Book Three: Erlkazar & Folk of Intrigue”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Lands of Intrigue (TSR, Inc.), p. 27. ISBN 0-7869-0697-9.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd (March 2006). Power of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 121. ISBN 0-7869-3910-9.
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