Note this is from 20 years ago, for achive perposes
Sage Advice
by Skip Williams
The sage continues his examination of the magical items of the AD&D(R)
game universe, continuing from issue #146. All information in this article
concerns the AD&D 1st Edition game, and references to the Dungeon Masters
Guide and Players Handbook are to the 1st Edition game versions of those
volumes. In all cases, the information in the AD&D 2nd Edition game volumes
takes precedence where there is a contradiction between those rules and the
information in this article.
Potions
Will a potion of undead control work on undead who are under an evil
cleric's control? Could an evil cleric control undead under that potion's
influence? If both effects are operating in the same area, which one takes
precedence?
Both effects work normally but not simultaneously, even on undead
controlled by other means. The first form of control to be applied to a
particular undead monster works normally until its duration expires or until
control is usurped by another form. A cleric can make multiple attempts to
establish or reestablish control (see the DMG, pages 65-66), while the
potion-user can try only once per potion used (see the DMG, page 127).
If a character mixes two potions and rolls a 00 on the DMG's potion
miscibility table (page 119), can he duplicate the resulting potion if he
knows the exact formulas of the two original potions?
No. Potions are manufactured through the art of alchemy, not the science
of chemistry. When two completed potions are combined, there is no way to
predict the result; if the two original potions are duplicated and mixed
again, a second miscibility roll must be made.
Rings
If a ring of regeneration (from the DMG, page 130) can revive someone who
has died from hit-point loss due to injuries, can it revive someone slain by
a death spell, power word kill, or banshee wail?
No, in all three cases. The death spell causes irrevocable death (see
the Players Handbook, page 83), which means that it takes a wish to get the
slain creature back to life. The banshee's wail (see the Monster Manual,
page 50, "Groaning Spirit") and the power word kill spell (Players Handbook,
page 93) are even more potent forms of death magic. Exactly what can be
done to bring back victims of these effects is up to the DM, but things such
as regeneration, death's door, and healing spells are not enough to do it.
Can a ring of regeneration revive a character if the ring is placed on
the victim's finger after he has died?
No. A ring of regeneration is not a portable resurrection spell. The
ring is powerful enough to keep a creature's soul or spirit from departing
if the ring is worn by the victim at the time of his death, but the ring
can't bring the victim to life if the soul or spirit has already departed.
How long does it take for a ring of regeneration to regrow lost limbs?
Can damage from fire or acid be regenerated? What about damage from
disintegration?
Here are some unofficial organ-regrowth times for a ring of regeneration:
Finger, toe, nose, or ear: 1 hour (6 turns); Hand, foot, or internal
organ: 6 hours (36 turns); Arm, leg, or wing: 1 day (24 hours); Head:
1 week (7 days).
Replacement time is only two rounds if the lost organ is present and can
be pressed into place. Trolls and vampires regenerate 30 times faster than
a character with a ring of regeneration. Severed pieces of a troll are
ambulatory and will crawl to the troll and press themselves on. Pieces lost
from vampires merely re-form, as if becoming solid from vapor.
Fire and acid do not prevent regeneration, but these effects do prevent a
slain creature from coming back to life by using regeneration. If a
regenerating creature survives a fire or acid attack, it will eventually
regenerate the damage. However, if the creature is slain by such an attack,
or if it is slain and its remains are destroyed by fire, acid, or
disintegration, it remains dead. If a creature falls victim to a
disintegrate spell or its effects, it vanishes completely and cannot be
regenerated (If it was using a ring of regeneration, the ring is
disintegrated as well, if it fails its saving throw against the spell.)
If a character wearing a ring of protection steps into the area protected
by a second ring of protection with a radius of effect, are the two rings
temporarily cumulative?
No. In general, when protections of the same type are combined, only the
strongest or best one functions. The DMG states that this is the case when
two rings of protection are functioning on the same person or in the same
area (see page 130).
A ring of earth elemental command acts as a ring of feather falling until
activated, whereupon it grants the ability to cast feather fall. Does the
ring still act as a ring of feather falling?
The "at will" abilities gained when the ring is fully activated will
replace the ring's original function. This holds true for all rings of
elemental command. In most instances, however, the "at will" spell ability
is just as effective as that of the original ring (see the DMG, pages
129-130).
Will a ring of fire resistance protect the wearer's equipment or just his
body?
This is up to the DM. Generally, it is safe to assume that the ring
keeps the wearer's personal equipment from burning to cinders if he walks
through a normal fire. However, the ring's + 4 saving throw bonus vs.
magical fires applies only to the wearer, and does not extend to his items
(see the DMG, page 130).
Rods, staves, & wands
How is a wand, staff, or rod recharged?
The spell-caster first casts an enchant an item spell (or its equivalent,
if he isn't a magic-user), then recharges the item by placing additional
spells into it. You may give a bonus to the item's saving throw (see the
enchant an item spell's description in the Players Handbook, pages 83-84),
since wands, staves, and rods are already enchanted to hold multiple spells.
The exact spell that is needed to recharge the item will vary with the
type of item. A wand of fireballs, for example, requires fireball spells.
A wand of fire, however, can create multiple effects; in such cases, the
spell required for recharging is that which is the highest-level spell
effect that the item creates (a wall of fire spell, in the wand of fire's
case). Some items create effects that are unique; for these, you will have
to decide on a spell or combination of spells that approximates the item's
effect. For example, shatter or spiritual hammer might be used to recharge
a staff of striking, as these effects all involve magical force.
Author/designer Jon Pickens has approached this problem by creating new
spells to fit some of these magical items. The spells have been published
in the POLYHEDRON(TM) Newszine, the bi-monthly newsletter of the RPGA(TM)
Network, which is available only to members (see POLYHEDRON issues #22,
24-26, and 31).
How is a rod of cancellation made?
That device is created using enchant an item and probably anti-magic
shell spells, as well as whatever other time and material requirements and
success rates the DM wishes to impose. As this item is quite valuable (see
the DMG, pages 122 and 133), its construction should be difficult and
expensive.
Are rods permanent items, or do they have charges?
Most rods have 40 + 1d10 charges when found (see the DMG, page 132).
Certain rods (like a rod of cancellation) have one charge only.
What kind of weapon is a rod of smiting considered for weapon proficiency
purposes?
Treat that rod as a staff.
Do nondruids have to have a proficiency in the staff sling in order to
use the missile ability of a staff of slinging?
This item's description (in Unearthed Arcana, page 95) clearly states
that only druids may use that staffs slinging ability. For all others, the
staff is merely a staff + 1. You could decide to require druids to have a
proficiency in the staff sling in order to use the slinging ability without
penalty.
Does a magic-user suffer a - 5 nonproficiency penalty when using the
first function of a wand of force?
No. The shaft of force created by the first function is the equivalent
of a magical broad sword, but (like a Mordenkainen's sword spell) it is not
a true sword and does not require any specific proficiency in order to be
used properly (see Unearthed Arcana, page 96).
A wand of conjuration can create a wall of total darkness that "can be
penetrated only by physical means or magic." What other ways are there?
You've missed the point. The key word here is "penetrate." A creature
cannot see beyond the wall unless he sticks his head through the wall, steps
through it, or uses a magical effect such as clairvoyance or wizard eye to
penetrate it. Magical effects that involve direct visual detection within
the area of darkness, such as detect invisibility or continual light, cannot
penetrate the wall (see the DMG, page 135).
What is the range of a wand of flame extinguishing?
The wand has a range of 12"; it can extinguish only one fire at a time
(see Unearthed Arcana, page 96).
Miscellaneous items
What is the duration of a manual or tome?
Manuals and all other magical books in the game are much like scrolls in
effect. Their potential magical powers have no duration, but once the books
are read, the writing in them disappears. Their effects are permanent,
although the onset of beneficial effects might take some time (see the
individual descriptions of such books in the DMG).
I understand that strength bonuses from gauntlets of ogre power and the
various girdles of giant strength are cumulative under certain conditions.
What are these conditions?
These items are cumulative only when the wearer is wielding a magical war
hammer, either held or hurled. (See the DMG, page 145, girdle of giant
strength; the reference to "hurled weapon" in the text for the gauntlets of
ogre power on the same page should be taken to mean a magical war hammer.
See also pages 168-169, hammer + 3, dwarven thrower and hammer of
thunderbolts.) The gauntlets' and girdle's powers may not be combined for
any other purpose.
If a character wearing gauntlets of ogre power or a girdle of giant
strength is struck by a shadow or other attack that drains strength, what
happens?
Temporary strength losses' are taken from the character's augmented
strength score, and results are taken accordingly Such losses are always a
full point, so that a hit from a shadow will reduce a character wearing
gauntlets of ogre power to a 17 strength. Permanent strength losses, such
as those due to aging, are taken from the character's base strength score.
In these cases, the magically augmented score is unchanged.
In the DMG, page 123, the sale price of a girdle of giant strength is
listed as 2,500 gp. Isn't this a bit low? Gauntlets of ogre power, which
bestow less strength, sell for 10,000 gp.
This was a misprint. The sale price for such a girdle is 25,000 gp. The
experience value was also misprinted; it should be 2,000 xp, not 200 xp.
Note that a girdle imbues the wearer's entire body with extra strength,
while the gauntlets enhance only the wearer's chest and arms.
Can magical gloves and gauntlets be worn simultaneously?
No. One will not fit over the other.
Will gauntlets of ogre power or a girdle of giant strength allow a
demi-human fighter an increased level-advancement limit?
Strength bestowed by magical items such as girdles or gauntlets is
temporary; it lasts only as long as a character wears such an item. Thus,
these items do not allow extra advancement in level. Only a permanent
increase in an ability score will allow extra advancement.
Will striking the wrong chord on a lyre of building destroy everything
built with it?
Striking the wrong chord on a lyre of building negates everything
accomplished with the lyre that week, so all structures created during that
time will be wholly undone - but not all structures ever made with this item
(see the DMG, page 149).
How do you determine how long a crystal ball can be used with each use,
when the total viewing time varies with the chance to locate each subject?
The limits on a crystal ball apply on a per-subject basis. How long the
mage observes one subject does not affect how long he can observe another.
I recommend that you limit crystal ball use to no more than eight hours per
day, and count each failed location attempt as one viewing and 10 minutes of
use (see the DMG, page 141).
Does the sword of flame ability of a helm of brilliance bestow any
magical properties to a sword that the helm's user carries?
A nonmagical sword becomes the equivalent of a flame tongue sword.
Magical swords gain the powers of a flame tongue sword in addition to their
own. If the sword was a flame tongue weapon to begin with, double the
effects of its powers when used with the helm (see the DMG, pages 145-146
for the helm and page 165 for the sword).
Can magical helms and hats be worn simultaneously?
No. They won't fit together.
Is the change produced by a hat of disguise partially real or completely
illusory? Will tactile examination reveal the change? Can the hat produce
functional equipment?
The hat's effect is similar to that of an alter self spell, subject to
the limits given in the item's description in Unearthed Arcana, page 100).
Just touching the disguised individual will not reveal his true nature, but
true seeing or detect illusion will do so. Like alter self, the change is
partially real; the height and weight of the user actually changes, but any
equipment created in the process is nonfunctional. The hat cannot produce
functional body parts such as wings or gills.
May a cloak of protection be worn with nonmagical elfin chain mail?
No, nor may it be worn with any kind of armor other than nonmagical
leather (see the DMG, page 141).
Can a cloak of protection be worn along with a cloak of displacement or
robe of blending?
Only one magical cloak can be worn at a time, although a magical cloak
and a robe can be worn together, with the cloak being worn over the robe.
Can a cloak of arachnids or cloak of the bat be worn with plate mail?
Yes, or with any other type of armor. The protective qualities of these
cloaks are not cumulative with any type of armor, however.
Can a mantle of Celestian (from Unearthed Arcana, page 101) be worn over
a cloak of protection?
No, but it could be worn over a robe.
How many different characters can draw cards from one deck of many things?
Up to four cards may be drawn from the deck; a party may divide these
draws among PCs in any way seen fit, except that card draws and results may
not be shared. Any potential drawer must state how many cards he plans to
draw before the first card is drawn, and he must stick to the decision once
drawing begins (see the DMG, pages 142-143).
Does the pale green prism ioun stone bestow a level to its user
permanently? Does it immediately "burn out" when so used?
No, to both questions. The stone must trail and circle the user to be
effective. It does not "burn out" upon use, and the level is lost when the
stone is not operating. Any spells gained from the increase in level are
forgotten if the stone is removed; such spells must be restudied before
being cast, even if the stone's effects are restarted later (see the DMG,
page 147).
Will the white spindle ioun stone, which provides regeneration, continue
to work if the user dies? Can the user regrow limbs?
The user can regenerate from injuries causing his death, but only if the
stone is allowed to trail and circle the user's body. While the stone is
functioning, the user can also regrow lost limbs or organs (see the DMG,
page 147).
Are there any limits to the numbers, types, and magical bonuses of the
items produced by a quiver of Ehlonna?
The quiver of Ehlonna is a holding device, like a bag of holding. One
can only take out of it what has been put into it; it does not generate new
items, as is accidentally implied in the last sentence of that item's
description (see Unearthed Arcana, page 102).
Will a stone of good luck affect a character's system shock or
resurrection rolls?
Yes, in both cases. The stone causes fate to be a bit kinder than normal
to the character, and it makes adverse events less likely - failing a system
shock or resurrection roll is an adverse event. However, the effect works
only for the owner and only if the stone is on his person at the time the
revivification attempt is made. It cannot be "given" to an already dead
character (see the DMG, page 154).
The description of the prison of Zagyg in Unearthed Arcana (page 102)
states that the possessor can free a prisoner by use of a "freedom word."
What is a freedom word?
In this case, the freedom word is a command word that causes the prison
to release a captive. Command words are discussed briefly on page 119 of
the DMG.
Does a gem of insight allow another check for psionic ability? How about
a ring of human influence or rod of splendor?
A gem of insight (see Unearthed Arcana, page 100) will allow a new check
for psionic ability, but only after the possessor has received an ability
score increase from the gem. If the character uses the gem properly and
receives an increase in both intelligence and wisdom, he makes one
additional roll for psionics, not two.
The charisma increases provided by the latter two items are not
permanent; they last only as long as the item is worn (in the case of the
ring, on page 130 of the DMG) or held or carried (in the case of the rod, on
page 94 of Unearthed Arcana). Only permanent ability score increases allow
additional checks for psionic ability.
Can two alchemical substances be found simultaneously within a
philosopher's stone?
Each stone contains quicksilver, plus either the green or the white
crystalline salt. No stone contains all three, and the two salts never
occur together (see Unearthed Arcana, page 101).
What happens when a bag of holding is turned inside out? Will the
nondimensional space inside rip?
This will completely empty the bag, but no spectacular effects will
occur. The nondimensional space inside the bag is present but inaccessible
as long as the bag remains inside out, rendering the bag inoperative except
as a normal (nonmagical) bag. While inside out, the bag looks just like any
other well-made but inside-out bag (see the DMG, page 138).
Will an amulet of proof against detection and location prevent an
invisible character from being detected by someone with a detect
invisibility spell?
Yes. The amulet defeats low-level divinations, including all detect
spells. High-level divinations such as commune still work, however. The
invisible character in the example can be revealed by dust of appearance
(which is not a divination) and by the methods described on pages 59-60 of
the DMG. Note that normal invisibility is broken when the recipient attacks.
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