Scarabs of protection were enchanted carved amulets that enveloped the wearer in a protective invisible barrier.[1]
Description[]
Scarabs of protection were usually carved out of stone[1] or silver[4] to resemble a desert insect, a round bodied scarab.[1] The main telltale sign of its magical protective properties was evident when a scarab was held for over six seconds, when the item manifested an arcane inscription on its surface.[4]
When exposed to a detect magic spell effect, scarabs of protection radiated strong abjuration and necromancy energy.[4]
Powers[]
The magic imbued within these scarabs carried greatly and usually depended on the carver's skills. The invisible magical protective field that surrounded the wearer increased their defenses against magical and mundane negative effects.[1]
A more powerful version of scarabs of protection gave the wearer powerful spell resistance and allowed them to negate magical attacks up to twelve times.[6] Such attacks could be energy-draining, instant death effects, and adverse energy effects. After a scarab absorbed twelve such spells, it shattered and destroyed.[4]
Creation[]
Scarabs of protection could be created by a skilled crafter of wondrous items and the use of death ward and spell resistance spells.[4]
History[]
The sages determined the origins of these bug-shaped magical items to lay somewhere far south from the Sword Coast, but the exact location and time of creation remained undetermined. By late 14th century, these scarabs could be found in many places along the Sword Coast, and cities such as Neverwinter.[1]
Notable Owners[]
- Alasklerbanbastos, the great undead wyrm of Dragonback Mountain had a scarab in his hoard.[8]
- Dracandros of the Crimson, a villainous Red Wizard carried a scarab of protection during his time with the New Alliance.[9]
- Eltoora Sarptyl of Port Last owned a scarab of the +2 enchantments circa 1372 DR.[1]
- Jarlaxle, a drow mercenary leader owned a plethora of defensive magical items, including one of the scarabs of protection.[10]
- Husher Clay in Beorunna's Well circa 1372 DR.[1]
- Ophala Cheldarstorn of Neverwinter was in possession of one of these amulets in 1372 DR.[1]
- Rhessajan Ambermantle the ruler of Scornubel circa 1367 DR carried one of the scarabs.[11]
- Tchazzar, the Chosen of Tiamat red dragon had a scarab of protection as a part of his treasure hoard.[12]
- Valdemar, a green dragon who resided in Undermountain could never be encountered without his trusty scarab.[13]
Appendix[]
See Also[]
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
Adventures
Video Games
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
Further Reading[]
- Gary Gygax (1979). Dungeon Masters Guide 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 154. ISBN 0-9356-9602-4.
External Links[]
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References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 BioWare (June 2002). Designed by Brent Knowles, James Ohlen. Neverwinter Nights. Atari.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (1979). Dungeon Masters Guide 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 124. ISBN 0-9356-9602-4.
- ↑ slade et al (June 1995). Encyclopedia Magica Volume III. (TSR, Inc.), p. 1058. ISBN 0-7869-0187-X.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Monte Cook, Jonathan Tweet, Skip Williams (July 2003). Dungeon Master's Guide v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 266. ISBN 0-7869-2889-1.
- ↑ BioWare (December 2003). Designed by Brent Knowles. Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark. Atari.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Andy Collins, Eytan Bernstein, Frank Brunner, Owen K. C. Stephens, John Snead (March 2007). Magic Item Compendium. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 254. ISBN 978-0-7869-4345-6.
- ↑ Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins, James Wyatt (December 2014). Dungeon Master's Guide 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 199. ISBN 978-0-7869-6562-5.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd, Eytan Bernstein (August 2006). Dragons of Faerûn. Edited by Beth Griese, Cindi Rice, Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 44. ISBN 0-7869-3923-0.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb and George MacDonald (April 1989). Curse of the Azure Bonds. (TSR, Inc.), p. 88. ISBN 978-0880386067.
- ↑ Dale Donovan (July 1998). Villains' Lorebook. (TSR, Inc), p. 38. ISBN 0-7869-1236-7.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (1994). Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast. (TSR, Inc), p. 223. ISBN 1-5607-6940-1.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd, Eytan Bernstein (August 2006). Dragons of Faerûn. Edited by Beth Griese, Cindi Rice, Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 37. ISBN 0-7869-3923-0.
- ↑ Jean Rabe, Norm Ritchie (Feburary 1994). The Ruins of Undermountain II: The Deep Levels (Campaign Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 125. ISBN 1-5607-6821-5.