A runestick was a magic wand made by a druid to store a certain number of spells for later use.[1]
Description[]
Runesticks were made of oak and measured around 12 inches (30 centimeters) in length. They had runes carved into their surfaces and were bound in mistletoe or holly.[1]
Powers[]
A runestick served as a repository for a limited number of druidic spells that could then be cast directly from the wand itself, similar in general principle to a ring of spell storing. It could store a maximum of five spell levels, and only druids of sufficient power could fashion such an item. After carving the runestick, the druid would then cast the desired spells directly into it to be stored. The wand could then be used by any druid when the proper word of command was spoken. The power of the magic contained in the runestick was equal to that of the druid who originally created it.[1]
Restrictions[]
The lifespan of a runestick was limited. A month after it was created, the wand deteriorated to inert dust whether the spells stored in it were used or not, and it could not be recharged before that time. The only non-druids capable of using the wand were maidens of "pure heart" (provided they knew the command word), but in such cases the magic was only half as effective.[1]
History[]
In 1358 DR,[note 1] in the month of Uktar some time prior to the Feast of the Moon,[3] the Volkumburgh shepherd Deker was clearing out the High Pasture in hopes of constructing a new barn. While doing so one of his sheep walked up to and bit a runestick that made it seemingly disappear.[4] Later on a group of adventurers from Suzail, seeking out the scattered remains of the fabled Awtawmatawn on behalf of Amelior Amanitas, came to enquire about this incident and found that the runestick acted as a two-way portal to another runestick near the ruins of the College of Rune Magics.[5]
Notable Users of Runesticks[]
Groups[]
- The adepts of the College of Rune Magics practiced a form of rune magic that heavily revolved around the use of runesticks in casting both spells and rituals.[6] They were known to construct runesticks from ashwood, aspenwood, cedarwood, chestnut-wood, gilded metal, silvered metal, mistletoe, oak, pinewood,[7] and yew-wood.[8]
- The druids of the Moonshae Isles made use of runesticks.[1]
- The totem-mystics among the elves of Sarifal were known for crafting runesticks.[9]
Individuals[]
- Genna Moonsinger, as the Great Druid of Moonshae, was able to enchant runesticks with up to twenty spell levels instead of the normal five.[10] She gave one of these to Robyn Kendrick to use in her battles against the evil forces that threatened Moonshae.[11]
Usages[]
- Some used runesticks to help them read omens.[12]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ The explanation for this date is divided into three points:
(1) Page 16 of The Shattered Statue (February, 1988) describes the destruction of Phlan by dragons as having occurred "several years ago." Since the conflict "Dragon Run" did not exist until The Moonsea, this has to be referring to the Flight of the Dragon (1356 DR), which was introduced in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Set.
(2) The Savage Frontier (August, 1988), is set in 1358 DR and has Amelior Amanitas refer to its events in past tense.
(3) Page 18 of The Shattered Statue describes the Cult of the Dragon as having long had no presence in Volkumburgh Vale, but TSR Jam 1999 has the cult re-establishing themselves there in 1359 DR.
Conclusion: All together, this info suggests that The Shattered Statue takes place in 1358 DR.
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Douglas Niles (November 1987). Moonshae. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 62. ISBN 0-88038-494-8.
- ↑ slade et al (November 1995). Encyclopedia Magica Volume IV. (TSR, Inc.), p. 1492. ISBN 0-7869-0289-2.
- ↑ Jennell Jaquays (February 1988). The Shattered Statue. Edited by Steve Perrin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 2–3. ISBN 0-88038-498-0.
- ↑ Jennell Jaquays (February 1988). The Shattered Statue. Edited by Steve Perrin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 8. ISBN 0-88038-498-0.
- ↑ Jennell Jaquays (February 1988). The Shattered Statue. Edited by Steve Perrin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 10. ISBN 0-88038-498-0.
- ↑ Jennell Jaquays (February 1988). The Shattered Statue. Edited by Steve Perrin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 12, 33. ISBN 0-88038-498-0.
- ↑ Jennell Jaquays (February 1988). The Shattered Statue. Edited by Steve Perrin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 34. ISBN 0-88038-498-0.
- ↑ Jennell Jaquays (February 1988). The Shattered Statue. Edited by Steve Perrin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 6. ISBN 0-88038-498-0.
- ↑ Brian R. James (June 2009). “Realmslore: Sarifal”. In Chris Youngs ed. Dragon #376 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 62.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, et al (1989). Hall of Heroes. (TSR, Inc), p. 88. ISBN 0-88038-711-4.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, et al (1989). Hall of Heroes. (TSR, Inc), p. 46. ISBN 0-88038-711-4.
- ↑ Richard Baker (1996). Player's Option: Spells & Magic. (TSR, Inc), p. 54. ISBN 0-7869-0394-5.