Pfft, forged a magic item? Of course, I have. It’s one of the perks of being a wizard with a knack for the arcane arts and a bit of dwarven craftsmanship.
The most notable one I forged was the “Aegis of Arcanum.” It’s a shield, not your typical hunk of metal and wood, mind you, but a masterpiece combining arcane magic and dwarven smithing. Forged it from a rare metal I found in the depths of the Gloom Caverns, infused with runes that I etched myself.
Powerful? Bah, it’s more than that. It doesn’t just block blows; it absorbs and redirects magical energy. Saved my beard more times than I care to admit. A fireball coming your way? The Aegis turns it into a puff of warm air. A curse thrown in anger? The Aegis sends it back with interest.
Have I used it? You bet I have. It’s been with me through thick and thin, from the peaks of the Frostback Mountains to the depths of the Shadowmarsh. It’s not just a tool; it’s a companion, one that’s kept me alive when things got dicey. Wouldn’t part with it for all the ale in the realm.
Aegis of Arcanum (5e)
Wondrous item, legendary (requires attunement by a spellcaster)
This elegant shield, crafted by the dwarf wizard Thadeus, combines the strength of dwarven smithing with the subtlety of arcane magic. The Aegis is made of a rare, luminous metal, etched with intricate runes.
Shield Properties: While holding this shield, you have a +3 bonus to AC. This bonus is in addition to the shield’s normal bonus to AC.
Arcane Absorption: The Aegis has 5 charges. When you take damage from a spell or other magical effect, you can use your reaction to expend 1 charge and reduce the damage by 1d10 + your proficiency bonus. If this reduces the damage to 0, the Aegis stores the spell, provided it is of 5th level or lower.
Spell Reflection: If a spell is stored within the Aegis, as a reaction, you can release the spell, targeting the original caster or a new target within range of the original spell. The spell uses the original caster’s spell save DC and spell attack bonus.
Recharging: The Aegis regains 1d4 expended charges daily at dawn. If you expend the last charge, roll a d20. On a 1, the shield loses its magical properties until the next dawn.
Dwarven Resilience: As an action, you can slam the Aegis into the ground to grant yourself and allies within 10 feet of you advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects for 1 minute. Once used, this ability can’t be used again until the next dawn.
Aegis of Arcanum (SWADE)
Type: Legendary Shield
Requirements: Arcane Background (Magic) or Arcane Resistance
Description: This masterfully crafted dwarven shield, imbued with potent arcane energy, gleams with a faint iridescent sheen. Intricate runes cover its surface, glowing softly.
Abilities:
- Arcane Protection: Grants +2 Armor against all magical attacks (including spells, magical creatures’ natural attacks, etc.). This is in addition to the shield’s normal Armor bonus against physical attacks.
- Magic Absorption: Once per session, the wielder can absorb a magical attack directed at them, negating its effect entirely. This absorption can be declared after the attack roll is made.
- Spell Reflection: Immediately after absorbing a spell, the wielder can choose to release the energy as a counterattack. This uses the same Trait roll (e.g., Spellcasting) and power as the absorbed spell but can be directed at any new target within range. The wielder uses their own Spellcasting die to determine the effect.
- Dwarven Resilience: Once per session, the wielder can activate the shield to grant themselves and allies within a Medium Burst Template a +2 bonus to resist magical effects for the duration of the encounter.
Drawbacks: The shield’s magical properties are tied to the arcane energy flowing through it. If used to reflect a particularly powerful spell (GM’s discretion), it may become inert until the next sunrise, losing all its magical abilities temporarily.