Spare the Rod
Rods are kind of a weird magic item group. They can do just about anything, mechanically speaking, they don’t fill up a slot, and there aren’t really all that many of them. Further, since they tend to be both expensive and kooky, the average player doesn’t really see very many of them. That said, they definitely can be fun, and I think that they don’t get quite as much love as they deserve. So, I thought I’d make a few more of them for you here.
ROD OF LOCKS AND KEYS
Aura faint transmutation; CL 3rd
Slot none; Price 30,000 gp; Weight 1 lb.
Construction Requirements Craft Rod, arcane lock, knock; Cost 15,000 gp
Though it is illegal for a civilian to own one of these magic items in most law-abiding nations, it is not uncommon to find them in the hands of town and castle guards, and enterprising magic item crafters can make a fortune by selling them on the black market to those who don’t care much about pesky things like laws.
In cases where a rod of locks and keys is made for legitimate purposes, it is usually crafted from gold or silver, or, if made specifically for law enforcement, usually iron. Regardless of what it is made of, the rod is usually fashioned in the shape of an incredibly large key—perhaps a foot long or so—with the decorative end cut to resemble a keyhole. Of course, since many of these rods are made for illegitimate purposes, they more commonly are made to resemble common objects, from statuettes or spoons to daggers or goblets.
When touched to a door, chest, or similar object, the wielder can speak a command word to lock it, as the spell arcane lock. This can even add locks to objects that would not normally have a place to affix a lock, such as a dresser, a music box, a portcullis, or the like. The only restriction is that the object must be either a door or a container, or otherwise open (such as a book, for example). By touching the lock again with the rod and speaking the same command word, the rod can create a mundane key that fits that lock perfectly, though it can do so only once for each lock that it creates.
Alternatively, by touching any locked object and speaking a different command word, the wielder of the rod can unlock it, as the spell knock.
ROD OF THE BLOOD CURSE
Aura strong enchantment; CL 11th
Slot none; Price 55,000 gp; Weight 3 lbs.
Construction Requirements Craft Rod, geas/quest, crafter must possess at least 1 oz. of blood from the creature to be affected or one of that creature’s ancestors; Cost 25,000 gp
These rods are usually made of some sort of dark material, such as ebony or obsidian, and usually bear a large ruby at the head, which is frequently fashioned in the shape of a tear-drop. Other, less decorative versions of the rod instead bear a red band near the top, which is carved to resemble a crown.
This potent rod uses the power of the blood that is used in its creation to allow the wielder to enslave any creature with similar blood flowing through its veins. Any request or demand made by the rod’s wielder to the creature whose blood was used, or any descendant of that creature, while the wielder is currently holding the rod, carries the weight of a geas. The affected creature must succeed on a Will save (DC 22) or carry out the command, as though affected by the geas/quest spell, except that the effect lasts indefinitely, rather than 1 day/level. Issuing a command in this way is a move action, and the creature is entitled to a new saving throw for each command. The rod’s wielder can issue multiple commands at once, such as to perform a given task, and then to return after the task is performed; each command still requires a separate move action and allows a separate saving throw.
This rod’s ability is more potent than most magic item abilities, due to the blood connection between the rod and the target, and the saving throw DC for this ability includes a +3 circumstance bonus.
SCEPTER OF CLEANING AND MENDING
Aura faint conjuration; CL 1st
Slot none; Price 3,500 gp; Weight 1 lb.
Construction Requirements Craft Rod, cure light wounds, mending, prestidigitation; Cost 1,500 gp
These scepters are usually made from old, well-used broom handles, though the head of the scepter is usually a hand-crafted bust of an elderly grandmother, often bearing a kind smile. These scepters always seem to smell faintly of pine, no matter what type of wood they are made of or how old they are.
The most commonly-used function of these rods is their ability to clean any object to which they are touched, removing any dirt, dust, grime or other substance, as well as drying the object and removing any excess moisture, as well. Further, this function can be used to fold clothing, rearrange objects on a shelf, or otherwise perform any function of cleaning or tidying that can be accomplished with a prestidigitation spell.
In addition to this function, however, a scepter of cleaning and mending can also be used to repair more extensive damage. By pressing the rod to a wounded creature and speaking a command word, the rod can duplicate the effects of the cure light wounds spell. Similarly, by pressing the rod to a damaged object and speaking a command word, the rod can instead duplicate the effects of the mending spell. The rod can use each of these abilities three times per day.