Trade and Equipment: Magic Items
There are two types of magic items in Lodoss. Ancient Relics and Standard Magic Items. Ancient relics are legendary and powerful magic items from the kingdom of Kastuul (and possibly even the War of the Gods)—items such as the Scepter of Domination. Standard magic items are more typical enchanted objects, such as magic swords, magic armor, and the like. Standard magic items can be made by wizards, sorcerers, and priests, but take a great deal of time and effort to create.
Mana Stones
Manastones are small jewels that have been enchanted to hold a greater well of mana so that a sorcerer or magic item may channel more mana. They are rated by miats, which are a measurement of the amount of magic they can hold. Some magic items have these jewels embedded in them, and the even the "eyes" of Karla's circlet are manastones. Manastones are relics from Kastuul and the art of creating has not yet been rediscovered. During the time of Kastuul, sorcerers had manastones embedded in their foreheads so they could channel more mana from the source in the Shardrune of Steel Towers.
Manastones are very rare and only found in ruins. They can be bought and many treasure hunters can make a killing off selling them to wizards. A wizard should appraise them to determine their miat. A 1-miat manastone can be bought for at least 5 Raidens. A 5-miat manastone would cost 75 Raidens and a 10-miat manastone would cost 250 Raidens. Manastones higher than 10 miats are usually claimed by the Mages' Guild and hidden.
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Because manastones are so rare, the easiest way to power a magic item is by enchanting it with a spirit talisman. This makes magic items very easy to detect, but it is the best way to power them.
Many ancient relics from Kastuul do have manastones, and this, in part, is what makes them so valuable.
Ancient Relics
These are the most powerful magic items in Lodoss, created by the master sorcerers of Kastuul, or forged by the gods themselves in the course of their great and terrible war. These are magic items of earth-shattering power. They are guarded by ancient dragons, or lost forever in the sands of time. Wars have been waged for the control of such items, and thousands have died trying to possess them. Should any mortal gain access to such a relic, he would become like unto the gods themselves...or so he might think.
The Governor's TreasuresBefore the fall of Kastuul, Governor Saluvad charged the five ancient dragons with guarding the five most powerful items in Kastuul. He knew that if the barbarians gained control of these items, they could potentially rule the world, just as Kastuul had. The great fire dragon, Shooting Star, was charged with guarding the most powerful item of all, the Scepter of Domination. Bramd, the ice dragon, was charged with the Mirror of Truth. Abram, the water dragon, with the Soul Crystal Ball. Mycen, the golden dragon, was given the Staff of Life, and Narse, the black dragon, was given the Ferroniere of Knowledge.
Scepter of DominationDemon Sword Soul Crusher"He who wields the Demon Sword rules Marmo, but he who wields the Scepter rules all of Lodoss." — Wagnard to Ashram, from Record of Lodoss War OAV.
Probably the most powerful item. The wielder of the Scepter could exert absolute charisma, thus uniting all of Lodoss under their command if wished. The great dragon, Shooting Star was charged with the Scepter. Shooting Star was a dragon of Darkness and took to hoarding vast treasures, the Scepter of course included. It remained untouched in the dragon's lair until NRC 515 when Lord Ashram searched for the relic to unite Lodoss under his rule.
At Fire Dragon Mountain, King Kashue of Flaim joined forces with Ashram to slay Shooting Star and after killing the dragon, they dueled for the Scepter. In the fight, both men where wounded, Ashram more seriously, and the Black knight made a lunge for the Scepter. However, just as he laid his hand on the item, it was knocked from his hand into a pit of lava and lost forever.
Staff of Life"Two Keys, one Door and Kardis shall be born once more." — Lodoss Legend
The Staff had the power to heal any wound and was guarded by the golden dragon, Mycen. It was also one of the Keys needed to resurrect Kardis. Mycen's curse was lifted by King Mycen of Moss not long after the nation was founded. The relic was then transported to the main temple of Falis at Roid where it remained until the War of the Destroyer's Resurrection.
The sorcerer Wagnard sent agents to retrieve the Soul Crystal Ball and Staff of Life for his resurrection of Kardis. During the ceremony however, the crystal set into the Staff was shattered and lost it's power.
Soul Crystal Ball"Two Keys, one Door and Kardis shall be born once more." — Lodoss Legend
Guarded by the water dragon Abram, the Crystal Ball had the power to bring back the dead. It was also the other Key needed for Kardis' resurrection.
During Lord Ashram's search for the Scepter, he slew Abram and the Soul Crystal Ball was taken by Wagnard's agent, Groder. However, it was soon stolen and ended up at the Royal Treasure House at Akroyd in Blade, Flaim.
At the beginning of the War of the Destroyer's Resurrection, dark elves employed by Wagnard infiltrated Akroyd and stole the relic. The Crystal Ball was shattered and lost during the ceremony.
Ferroniere of KnowledgeThe Ferroniere is said to contain lost knowledge of ages past. Saluvan charged the Black dragon of Marmo, Narse to guard this relic.
The knowledge contained was collected from the memories of those who wore the crown in ages past. When Kastuul fell, Saluvan claimed it as one of his treasures to be guarded by the Dragons. He charged Narse to protect it, though not as large and mighty as Shooting Star, Narse was powerful in his own right to guard the second most powerful and dangerous relic.
After the Fall, all history was lost on the Ferroniere of Knowledge, except for that it contained the knowledge of ages past. Those who sought it were defeated by the dragon. Narse still guards the Ferroniere.
Mirror of TruthThe Mirror of Truth is a tall magical mirror that contains all wisdom and knowledge, and can reveal the answer to any one question when asked. The Mirror is, apparently, intelligent, and some say it contains the essence of one of the gods (possibly Rada). The Ancient Dragon Bramd guarded the Mirror in his cavern home in the White Dragon Mountains. The High Priestess Neese released Bramd from his curse after the War of the Demon God. The Mirror was then mysteriously stolen before Neese had the chance to put it to use. Karla is the true thief and keeps the mirror for her own purposes.
The Demon Sword Soul Crusher was once a powerful greatsword wielded by Emperor Beld of Marmo. It was born of the flesh of the Demon King, when she was summoned by the Duke of Skard. Soul Crusher was a weapon of great power; stronger, deadlier, and more accurate than any sword on Lodoss. A mere cut from it would drain the life energy of the victim. A fatal blow would entirely consume the victim's soul. None who have been directly hit have survived.
During the final battle in the Labyrinth against the demon, the power of her sword was realized. The six heroes created a strategy to disarm the demon. Beld ran her through with her own sword, which then sucked in the demon's soul.
With the Demon's soul now bound to it, Soul Crusher became extremely powerful. However, anyone who wields the sword must overcome the Demon, or the Demon will control him. Beld failed at this, and in essence, turned to darkness and became the new Emperor of Marmo. When Beld died and Ashram inherited the blade, he mastered the Demon, and thus, found himself in complete control of the weapon, along with the entire army of Marmo. When Ashram led the Marmo people on an Exodus, he took the sword with him.
Holy Sword of Falis: Heaven's SaviorHeaven's Savior is a weapon of immense power. The greatsword has been in the possession of Valis for many generations and was given to Fahn, when he was a knight, to defeat the Demon King. The power of Heaven's Savior proved capable of deflecting blows from the equally powerful demon sword Soul Crusher. These weapons did not cross again until Fahn and Beld faced off in the War of Heroes. The sword is said to have been "touched by the breath of Falis", though when this occurred is not known.
King Fahn was the wielder of Heaven's Savior for over thirty years. When Beld killed him, the sword was placed under heavy guard in Castle Roid, protected by an elite group of knights called the Knights of the Holy Sword. The sword awaits the chance to be wielded again.
Dragonslayer Lances of MyriiSo goes the legend of the Dragonslayer: ?hree lances were forged and blessed by Myrii, the God of War, to seal the evilness of the dragon. The Lances of Myrii are beautiful silver-steel polearms enchanted with potent magic that can bring down the greatest of dragons, even an ancient dragon. The original Lance of Myrii was created by Myrii himself, and used to slay the terrible dragons of darkness during the War of the Gods. This lance has been lost, but the priests of Myrii have the skills and spells to forge a lance endowed with at least some of the original's powers. It takes three priests a day and a night to forge a Dragonslayer Lance. Such priests of Myrii must have the skill Weaponsmith and must give praise and offerings to Myrii during the course of the weapon's creation.
When used against any dragon, a Lance of Myrii can have devastating effects. It can pierce the thickest dragon hide. If a lance should strike the dragon's weak spots (the eye or upper neck), the dragon will be killed instantly. Ancient dragons seem to be able to take many hits from such a lance. Used against a normal target, a Lance of Myrii will work as a normal polearm.
Magic Items
These are more typical magic items. Though still exceedingly rare, these magic items can be created by sorcerers and wizards. Some can be purchased from a Mages' Guild, others require that you hire a wizard to create it for you.
Cloak of InvisibilityCost: 100 RP
The cloak of invisibility looks like an ordinary dull gray cloak, and when worn, it will continue to act just like an ordinary dull gray cloak. That is, until the special word of invocation is spoken. At that instant, the cloak, the wearer, and anything he is carrying becomes invisible. However, the duration is only five minutes. The cloak draws on the user's own natural mana.
Crystal of PowerCost: 225 RP
The Crystal of Power is an elemental or spiritual talisman cast upon a stone, gem or crystal. This Crystal has bound to it a lesser spirit familiar and draws up it's mana pool. The spirit will maintain it's own mana pool, recharging itself as it depletes. A spell can be stored within this pool, or the mage may draw upon the energy directly to use in his invocations. The crystal is often used in place of manastones, as it is more economical and will recharge itself without the wizard's intervention.
Fire WandCost: 430 RP
Similar in appearance to a typical magician's wand (though usually red in color) the fire wand is a weapon of potent capabilities. When the invocation word is issued a fireball will be cast from the tip of the wand and hurried toward whomever it is pointed at. However, the wand has attached to it 4 6-miat manastones. This enables the fire wand to be used 4 times before running out of energy. After this, the manastones must be recharged before the wand can be used again. It can of course be powered by an external source, as always.
Gauntlet of the LonghandCost: 60 RP
The Gauntlet of the Longhand is a gilded gold and silver gauntlet of fine craftsmanship, but has also enchanted upon it a spell of Telekinesis. When the words of invocation are spoken, the gauntlet will allow it's wearer to manipulate objects up to a range of 8 meters. The effect only lasts for a short while, however.
Magic WandCost: 150 RP
The wand is one of the staple items of all mages. This particular wand is bound with an elemental or spirit familiar and may also have other enchantments as well. This magic wand draws upon the spirit's mana pool. This spirit will maintain it's own mana pool, recharging itself as it's depleted. As with a familiars and talisman, a spell can be stored within this pool, or the mage may draw upon it's energy directly to use his invocations.
Ring of HealingCost: 190 RP
The Ring of Healing allows whoever is wearing it to invoke it's power at any time to heal himself or another. He need only hold his hand over the wound and speak the words of invocation. It has a single 8-miat manastone that supplies the ring with power, but it must be recharged to use again.
Ring of InvisibilityCost: 400 RP
One of the more legendary, though less common, of the magical rings, a ring of invisibility, can make it's wearer invisible to sight. The ring of invisibility looks like an ordinary golden ring, but when the activation word is spoken, the ring will activate and the wearer and anything he is carrying will instantly turn invisible, which will last for 1 minute. There is a small 5-miat manastone on the ring which supply enough mana to activate the spell. However, the manastone must be recharged to use again.
Ring of ProtectionCost: 40 RP
The ring of protection can, for a short time, protect the wearer from harm. The user must wear the ring, and say the activation word to activate its power. When he does, he will be protected as if he were wearing armor. The ring has a 8-miat manastone that will allow the spell to last for five minutes.
Ring of QuicknessCost: 180 RP
This ring, when worn, accelerates the wearer's reaction speed and ability to preform tasks. When the activation word is spoken, the ring may have a chance of boosting the wearer's speed. The effect will; last for five minutes. There are also four small gems on the ring, which are actually 3-miat manastones. These manastones will supply enough mana to activate the spell. However, the manastones must be recharged again.
Sword of FireCost: 40RP (+ cost of sword)
The Sword of Fire is a special magic sword enchanted with the spell Magical Fire. The sword can be any ordinary sword, but it is a good idea to place any enchantments on a fine blade. When the words of invocation are spoken, and 8 MP are supplied, the sword will erupt into a blazing weapon of fire for no more than two minutes.
Sword of StrifeCost: 70RP (+ cost of sword)
The Sword of Strife is another enchanted magic sword. The Sword of Strife is enchanted with the spell Greater Magic Bolt. When the invocation words are spoken, the weapon is supplied with 14 MP of energy, and a terrific blast of energy will erupt from the blade. The concussive blast is strong enough to kill close enemies, and will stun enemies further out from the radius. The wielder will be unharmed.
Torc of StrengthCost: 50RP
The Torc of Strength (a torc is an armband) can grant it's wearer the strength of two men (including the strength of the wearer). When the invocation word is spoken, the torc will grant a bonus of +15 ST for five minutes. The user supplies 10 MP to activate. The Torc has no manastones, but they may be added to increase strength and duration of the spell.
Wizard's StaffCost: 300 RP
Very similar to the magic wand, but more powerful. The wizard's staff can be made of any number of materials, but gnarled wood is the preference of many mages. This staff is bound with a spirit talisman, but manastones can be used as well. Other enchantments may be placed on the staff. The average wizard staff has an MP of 20, plus the wizard's own natural pool. A spirit talisman will maintain it's own mana pool, recharging itself as it depletes.
Magic Tomes and Books
Magical tomes contain spells and rituals to invoke magical powers. Ages ago, in the Kingdom of Sorcery, there were vast libraries of thousands of tomes—the extent of magical knowledge was practically unlimited. In the wars that followed, these libraries were destroyed, and the knowledge they contained all but lost.
A few books survived, and from them, the techniques of modern sorcery have been devised. Original Kastuulian tomes are prized possessions of mages. The Mages' Guild tries to maintain strict control over these books, and the Guilds' library in Alan has the largest collection in Lodoss.
All the tomes listed here are for sorcery, demonic, or clerical spells. There are no tomes for shamanism.
Ralkas's Book of Natural MagicGuild's Price: 50GP
This is a basic book of magic. It is quite common and can be found in non-Guild libraries. The Book of Natural Magic was written by the great mage Ralkas and covers the foundations of thaumaturgy, a beginner's intro to the workings of magic, and all the common magic spells. All beginning mages are advised to start with this book and work their way up to more advanced tomes and grimoires.
Principles of MagicGuild's Price: 5RP
An intermediate level book of magic, the Principles of Magic can further any sorcerer's skill in thaumaturgy. This book, authored by Ralkas, contains the most simple sorcery spells, with a few of the more higher level spells. It does not contain any enchantment spells. These are discussed in his third book, Principles of Enchantment.
Principles of EnchantmentGuild's Price: 15RP
The last book in Ralkas's canonical set of basic magic, the Principles of Enchantment outline many methods and procedures for magical enchantments. Contained within are advanced thaumaturlogical theory and most enchantment spells. Ralkas does not discuss curse spells and rituals for creating pentagrams is certainly not to be found within this text!
Tome of Forgotten KnowledgeGuild's Price: 30RP
This popular Guild book is a compendium of the few scattered spells recovered from the burned and decaying books of the kingdom of Kastuul. The pages are direct copies from the recovered books, untranslated. The book is about a hundred pages long, hand copied from the remains of twenty to thirty Kastuulian tomes. Some of the spells are incomplete, and therefore useless, but were included to preserve the knowledge in the hopes of future recovery. Contained within each are ten to fifteen complete spells.
Slayn's Pocket GrimoireGuild's Price: 10RP
The famous sorcerer Slayn has compiled his own little book of useful spells and incantations. The original was written in Slayn's own hand (and was somewhat hard to read) and is still in Slayn's possession. However, he allowed the Guild to sell and distribute copies to Guild members. The Pocket Grimoire contains about twelve spells of average power.
Grand Tome of WortGuild's Price: 20RP
Wort, like Slayn, has made his personal grimoire available for sale through the Guild. Wort's Grand Tome contains a great deal of thaumaturlogical theory, and he rambles at times. The text can be difficult (even painful) to read. The Grand Tome has about fifteen sample spells.
Bound Scrolls of ArthynGuild's Price: 30RP
The sorcerer Arthyn has complied his own grimoire of spells. Unlike others, however, Arthyn put his book together from lost Kastuulian scrolls and parchments he found on his many quests in search of forgotten knowledge. The Guild has made copies of Arthyn's loosely bound tome of scrolls. Copies of the Bound Scrolls are sold in book form (and only to Guild members) and contain about fifteen spells of varying level and power.
Lost Book of KastuulGuild's Price: 80RP
The Lost Book of Kastuul is one of the few complete Kastuulian magic texts ever found. It seems to be a casual magical reference book, yet the spells it contains are quite powerful by modern standards. The Lost Book of Kastuul has over twenty spells, a mix from creation to destruction, knowledge and movement. Most of the spells are moderately powerful, but there are a few which are very powerful.
Ten Cantos of DaylinGuild's Price: 50RP
The Ten Cantos of Daylin is a tome of ten powerful magical spells. Most of the book is dedicated to advanced thaumaturlogical theories and interesting ways to use the spells contained within.
Book of DamnationsThe Book of Damnations is renowned to be the chief text of demonic magic. The book is outlawed in Lodoss, but most dark cults have at least one copy. The book discusses ways to summon demons, how to deal with them, and especially how to banish them if things turn ugly. The Book of Damnations also has an in-depth chapter of curses and how to use them, and many powerful spells of the black arts.
Tome of Unholy WorksThe Tome of Unholy Works is another book of demonic magic. However, unlike other such books, this was actually written by demons and given to dark mages. Only a few original copies are thought to be left and they are all immensely powerful. Such tomes are large, and bound in human skin. Contained within are spells for summoning demons (but there is no information on how to banish them), in depth necromancy, darkness, and destruction spells.
Religious Books
Holy Book of FalisThis is the holy book for all priests and followers of Falis and the ways of Light and Truth (this book is even used by priests of other gods of light). The book was dictated by the Great Holy Prophet Mazlis who was filled by the Spirit of Falis four hundred years ago. The book contains the teachings of Mazlis and many holy spells that invoke and call upon the enlightened hand of Falis. The Holy Book of Falis is also an unprecedented medical reference with an entire chapter dedicated to healing and herbology.
Holy Book of MarfaThe Holy Book of Marfa is very similar in respect to the Holy Book of Falis. However, the Book of Marfa was written over the course of several hundred years by many priestesses and prophets of Marfa. It contains great wisdom and parables, and lays down in detail how to best avoid the Seven Sins of Darkness and follow the Seven Virtues of Light.
Holy Book of RadaThis has been called the ultimate book of holy wisdom. The Holy Book of Rada is a religious text of philosophy, poetry and and natural science. It contains the teachings of the great thinkers and philosophers of the ages, as well as those of the greater priests and prophets of Rada.
Grand Grimoire of FalarisThis is a large black book used by priests of Falaris in their rituals and worship of the darkest of the gods. It is unknown precisely what is contained within these books, but no doubt there are rituals and rites used to praise Falaris and invoke his evil power. Many of the spells used by priests of Falaris may also be found within this grimoire of darkness.
Ten Forgotten Books of KardisOver the centuries, the devoted priests of Kardis have compiled a great collection of magical knowledge for invoking the powers of Kardis. The Ten Books of Kardis contain all spells used by priests of Kardis, as well as the rites and rituals used to praise her.
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