Magic Candles
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been fascinated with magical candles, especially in games. Whether they make dark maps navigable, finally allowing you to progress, throw massive fire bursts to smite your enemies and light torches, or allow low-level clerics to gate in a mighty planetar to aid them in their most desperate moments. Magical candles are really cool, and though generally geared towards lower-level characters, I think there is some room for some more advanced magical candles for high-level characters who want to bask in candlelight. Today we have three new candles in the traditional black, red, and white colors for more powerful characters looking for some candle-themed fun.
BLACK CANDLE OF FOCUSED POWER PRICE 5,000 gp
Slot none; CL 5th; Weight 1 lb.
Aura faint abjuration
This tall, thick black candle is set in a golden base inscribed with stars, moons, suns and other astrological bodies. A black candle of focused power has no magic of its own, but can be used to greatly empower magic circle spells and similar effects, making these candles prized by many spellcasters and occultists. When burned, these candles produce not even a wisp of smoke, but do produce a steady, soft light which increases the light level by one step within a 10-foot-radius spread.
These candles can be used in conjunction with any magic circle spell (or an effect which replicates a magic circle spell, such as the occultist’s magic circles class feature). The candles can be combined with the magic circle in one of two ways. First, it can be burned within the magic circle in order to focus magical power for those within the circle. When used in this way, the caster level of all spells cast in the circle which target creatures of the alignment which the circle protects against are increased by 2, and the saving throw DCs are increased by 1.
Second, the black candle of focused power can be placed on the border of a magic circle which has had its power focused inward; if it is, then the circle acts as a trap which can cause any creature of the alignment the circle is opposed to become trapped inside for as long as the candle burns. A creature trapped inside the circle cannot leave the circle, and cannot cast spells or use abilities against any creature outside of the circle (unless it specifically has some ability that allows it to do so, such as those possessed by some outsiders when they are called into a magical circle). Additionally, so long as the candle continues to burn, the circle cannot be broken by any means, though performing any hostile action against the trapped creature immediately causes the candle to extinguish.
A black candle of focused power can burn for a total of 10 hours before it is exhausted; this time need not be spent all at once. Lighting or extinguishing the candle is a move action which does not provoke attacks of opportunity.
Craft Magic Wondrous Item, magic circle
RED CANDLE OF EVERBURNING WAR PRICE 20,000 gp
Slot none; CL 8th; Weight 1 lb.
Aura moderate enchantment
This magical candle is a deep crimson color, at once vibrant like fresh blood and dull like a fading ember. The candle is set in a brass stand with various words of war, battle, and death inscribed in a thousand different languages and scripts, which shift and change constantly. When burned, the red candle of everburning war raises the light level to normal in the area within a 30-foot radius and emits a deafening cacophony of battle sounds, as loud as an actual battle.
Creatures within 30 feet of a red candle of everburning war gain a +2 morale bonus on attack rolls and weapon damage rolls so long as the candle is burning. Additionally, morale bonuses which originate within the 30-foot-radius area are increased by +1 so long as the candle remains burning (multiple morale bonuses of the same type do not stack).
Lighting or extinguishing a red candle of everburning war is a move action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. A red candle of ever burning war can never be exhausted and burns indefinitely, so long as a creature dies within its light every minute. If a minute passes without a creature being reduced to 0 or fewer hit points, the candle extinguishes itself and cannot be used again for 24 hours.
Craft Magic Wondrous Item, good hope
WHITE CANDLE OF HEAVENLY LIGHT PRICE 18,000 gp
Slot none; CL 11th; Weight 1 lb.
Aura moderate varied
A tall, thin white candle set in a copper stand and etched with holy symbols from a dozen faiths, a white candle of heavenly light is a gorgeous work of the chandler’s craft and smells faintly of succulent fruits. When burned, brilliant bright light radiates from the candle, increasing the light level within a 50-foot-radius to bright light and dispelling darkness effects of 6th level or lower within the area.
In addition to providing a brilliant source of light, a white candle of heavenly light also produces waves of calming and healing magic within the area. All creatures within the candle’s light are affected as though by a calm emotions spell so long as the candle burns. Additionally, the candle restores 10 hit points each round to all living creatures who remain within the light. Undead creatures instead suffer 10 points of damage each round. A successful Will save (DC 15) negates these effects, and a creature who succeeds on his saving throw is immune to the effects of the candle for 24 hours.
A white candle of heavenly light can be burned for 1 hour before being reduced to nothingness. Additionally, at any time while it is burning, the user can cry out a special prayer in Celestial as a standard action, causing the candle to explode in beautiful radiance. All living creatures within a 50-foot-radius are affected by a heal spell, though undead creatures are not harmed in this way. Activating this ability uses up the rest of the white candle of heavenly light and it does not burn any longer.If this ability is not activated, it instead goes off automatically when the candle burns out after 1 hour. Lighting a candle is a move action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity.
Craft Magic Wondrous Item, calm emotions, heal