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Scepter of Dual Flames

—

by

Dale
in

From: The Harmonium Faith

Lore: This scepter was forged in the heart of a volcano and cooled in the deepest ocean, representing Akiura’s mastery over fire and water. It is typically held by the grandmaster of The Harmonium Faith.

The Scepter of Dual Flames is an artifact of immense power, embodying the core tenets of The Harmonium Faith. Forged in the molten belly of a volcano and then immediately cooled in the abyssal depths of the ocean, this scepter represents the deity Akiura’s mastery over both fire and water. Traditionally, it was held by the grandmaster of The Harmonium Faith, symbolizing the ultimate balance between these primal forces.

Properties:

  • Can shoot jets of flame and sprays of icy water, either separately or simultaneously.
  • Can be used to cast a unique spell that combines both elements into a steam blast.

Symbols: A wand topped with a crystal that shifts between blue and red, representing the elements of water and fire.

Level One Stats

  • Attack Power: Flame jet: 1d6 fire damage, Water spray: 1d6 cold damage
  • Elemental Spell: Steam blast: 1d8 steam damage in a 15-foot cone
  • Range: 30 feet for flame jet and water spray, 15-foot cone for steam blast
  • Duration: Instant
  • Cooldown: 2 turns

Slot: One-handed weapon

Skills

  • Elemental Mastery: +1 to spell attack rolls when casting spells related to fire or water elements
  • Area Control: Advantage on skill checks for controlling terrain or elemental effects within a 15-foot radius

Cost: Price: Generally considered priceless, but if it were to be sold, it would be no less than 10,000 gold pieces.

Requirements

  • Level Requirement: Must be a high-ranking member of The Harmonium Faith
  • Skill Requirement: Must have proficiency in Arcana
  • Attunement: Requires a one-hour meditation ceremony to attune

Tags: Elemental Attack, Area Control, Elemental Fusion, Divine Conduit, Arcane Bifurcation, Thermal Equilibrium, Dual Affinity, Balanced Destruction, Sacred Inferno, Mystic Cascade, Harmonized Wrath, Primal Synergy

Symbols: The scepter is a wand topped with a gemstone that shifts colors between blue and red to signify its elemental nature.

Availability & Environment: The Scepter of Dual Flames is typically not available for general purchase. It is a sacred item held within the main temple of The Harmonium Faith. However, should it ever be lost, the grandmaster might offer a significant reward for its return.

Use in Combat: The scepter can shoot jets of flame or sprays of icy water, enabling the wielder to adapt to different combat situations. Its unique ability to combine these elements into a steam blast offers a powerful means of area control. The steam blast can obscure vision and deal damage simultaneously, making it a tactical choice in battles that require manipulating the field. This scepter is highly effective in both close and mid-range combat scenarios.

Perceptions:

  • Sight
    • What is Perceived: A meticulously crafted scepter topped with a color-shifting gemstone.
    • Description: The scepter exudes an air of majesty and elemental power. Its gemstone shifts between hues of deep blue and vibrant red.
    • Positives: The shifting colors and intricate craftsmanship are captivating, signifying its potent elemental properties.
    • Negatives: The eye-catching nature of the item may attract unwanted attention.
  • Sound
    • What is Perceived: A faint hum or whisper when the elements within are activated.
    • Description: The sound is like a murmur of an ocean wave colliding with a crackling fire.
    • Positives: The sound serves as an auditory cue that the scepter is operational and fully charged.
    • Negatives: The humming sound could potentially give away the user’s position.
  • Touch
    • What is Perceived: A warm and cold sensation simultaneously.
    • Description: The handle has a balanced temperature—neither too hot nor too cold—providing a tactile sense of its dual nature.
    • Positives: The balanced temperature offers a comfortable grip, aiding in focus and spellcasting.
    • Negatives: Those not attuned to the scepter may find the contrasting sensations disorienting.
  • Taste
    • What is Perceived: Not applicable, as the scepter is not meant to be tasted.
  • Smell
    • What is Perceived: A faint scent of ozone mixed with seawater.
    • Description: The scent captures the essence of both a stormy sky and the ocean depths.
    • Positives: The smell can evoke a deep sense of elemental connection for those attuned to it.
    • Negatives: Some individuals may find the smell overwhelming or distracting.
  • Extra-Sensory Perceptions
    • Magical Aura Perception
      • What is Perceived: A strong aura of both fire and water magic.
      • Description: The aura is balanced, intertwining both fire and water elemental energies.
      • Positives: The strong magical aura can bolster the wielder’s confidence and focus.
      • Negatives: A skilled enemy mage could detect the aura and identify the scepter’s elemental nature.
    • Elemental Resonance
      • What is Perceived: A psychic sense of nearby elemental imbalances.
      • Description: This perception allows the user to detect shifts in elemental energies in their surroundings.
      • Positives: It can provide advanced warning of elemental hazards or magical traps.
      • Negatives: The perception might be overwhelming in areas with chaotic elemental activity.

Crafting Recipe: Forging the Scepter of Dual Flames

  • Materials Needed
    • 1 Fire Elemental Core
    • 1 Water Elemental Core
    • 1 Gemstone capable of color-shifting (preferably sapphire or ruby)
    • 1 Ingots of Mythral (2 lbs)
    • 1 Ingots of Adamantine (2 lbs)
    • Elemental Infused Silk for grip (1 yard)
    • Small quantities of both Elemental Water and Elemental Fire
  • Tools Required
    • Elemental Forge (capable of both extreme heat and cold)
    • Master-level Enchanting Table
    • Gem-setting toolkit
    • Arcane Measuring Scales
    • Alchemical Crucible
    • Precision Tongs
    • Rune-carving kit
  • Skill Requirements
    • Master-level skill in Elemental Magic
    • Master-level skill in Enchanting
    • Expert-level skill in Blacksmithing
    • Expert-level skill in Gem Setting
    • Proficiency in Arcane Lore
  • Crafting Steps
    • Preparation:
      • Prepare the Elemental Forge to handle both types of elemental cores.
      • Lay out all the materials and tools in an orderly fashion.
    • Metal Blending:
      • Melt Mythral and Adamantine ingots in the Elemental Forge.
      • Combine the molten metals and imbue the mixture with small quantities of Elemental Fire and Elemental Water using the Arcane Measuring Scales.
    • Scepter Forging:
      • Mold the blended metal into the shape of the scepter.
      • Quench the scepter in a mixture of Elemental Water and Elemental Fire.
    • Gem Setting: Use the gem-setting toolkit to place the color-shifting gemstone into the top of the scepter.
    • Elemental Core Imbuement: Open the cores of Fire and Water Elementals and release their energies into the scepter.
    • Silk Wrapping: Wrap the Elemental Infused Silk around the grip of the scepter.
    • Runecarving and Enchanting:
      • Carve elemental runes of fire and water into the scepter using the rune-carving kit.
      • Transfer energy from both elemental cores into the runes using the Master-level Enchanting Table.
    • Final Attunement: Hold the scepter and channel both Elemental Fire and Elemental Water magic to bind the item to its elemental properties.
    • Testing: Use the scepter to cast both fire and water elemental spells to ensure proper functionality.
    • Sealing: Seal the enchantments with a final incantation, making sure the item is stable and ready for use.

The Legend of the Scepter of Dual Flames

In a time long shrouded by the veils of antiquity, there existed a grandmaster of The Harmonium Faith known as Yaelith. This sage-like figure had the immeasurable wisdom of eons and the unwavering dedication to the ideals of balance and harmony. But despite his profound understanding of both fire and water elements, he never had a conduit that could properly manifest both.

Upon a fateful day, during a celestial alignment where the moons kissed the sun, a revelation struck Yaelith. The vision showed him the heart of an ancient volcano and the depths of a bottomless ocean, both pulsating in rhythmic unity. Yaelith understood it as a sign from Akiura herself. The message was clear; he was to forge a scepter embodying the equilibrium of these two mighty forces.

Guided by divine providence, Yaelith set forth on an arduous quest. From the fiery maws of volcanoes to the icy abysses of the deep oceans, he gathered elemental cores. Both the creatures of flame and beings of water respected Yaelith’s quest and willingly offered their essence. With elements in hand, Yaelith embarked on the intricate process of forging the Scepter of Dual Flames, aided by masters of magical arts and crafts.

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and finally, the scepter was complete. A magnificent creation, the Scepter of Dual Flames held the fury of volcanoes and the calm of oceans, exquisitely balanced in its make. The day Yaelith held the scepter aloft for the first time, both fire and water spirits bowed in deference, recognizing the power and balance he wielded.

For generations, the Scepter of Dual Flames has been passed down among the grandmasters of The Harmonium Faith. Each successor is chosen after proving their mastery of both fire and water elements and their unwavering commitment to the principles of balance and harmony.

Moral of the Story: The pursuit of harmony and balance is not a solitary endeavor but a collective quest, uniting even the most diverse and seemingly opposing elements. When guided by a noble purpose, even fire and water can coexist in a perfect symphony.

Suggested conversion to other systems:

Dungeons & Dragons 5e

Scepter of Dual Flames

  • Wondrous item, legendary (requires attunement by a spellcaster)
  • Properties:
    • Shoot jets of flame (Fire Bolt, 1d10 fire damage)
    • Spray icy water (Ray of Frost, 1d8 cold damage)
    • Cast a unique spell: Steam Blast (1 action, 20-foot cone, DC 17 Constitution save, 4d8 fire and cold damage, half on a successful save)

Pathfinder 2e

Scepter of Dual Flames

  • Wondrous Item 20
  • Usage: Held in 1 hand; Bulk: L
  • Activate: Single Action, Interact
  • Traits: Evocation, Elemental
  • Effect:
    • Flame Jet: Deals 2d10 fire damage to a single target within 30 feet.
    • Water Spray: Deals 2d8 cold damage to a single target within 30 feet.
    • Steam Blast: 30-foot cone, DC 40 Fortitude save, 10d6 fire and cold damage.

Savage Worlds

Scepter of Dual Flames

  • Arcane item, Legendary
  • Powers:
    • Flame Jet (Bolt; 2d10 damage; Range 12/24/48)
    • Water Spray (Blast; 2d8 damage; Medium Blast Template)
    • Steam Blast (Burst; 3d10 damage; Large Burst Template)

Numenera & Cypher System

Scepter of Dual Flames

  • Artifact
  • Level: 1d6+4
  • Effect:
    • Flame Jet: Inflicts damage equal to artifact level as fire.
    • Water Spray: Inflicts damage equal to artifact level as cold.
    • Steam Blast: Inflicts damage equal to artifact level as both fire and cold in short range.

Call of Cthulhu

Scepter of Dual Flames

  • Mythos Artifact
  • Effects:
    • Flame Jet: 1D10+5 fire damage.
    • Water Spray: 1D8+4 cold damage.
    • Steam Blast: Sanity check, then 1D10+5 fire and cold damage in a 15-foot cone.

Starfinder

Scepter of Dual Flames

  • Mystic Artifact
  • Effect:
    • Flame Jet: 2d10 fire damage.
    • Water Spray: 2d8 cold damage.
    • Steam Blast: 4d8 fire and cold damage in a 20-foot cone, Reflex save for half damage.

Shadowrun

Scepter of Dual Flames

  • Magical Artifact, F6
  • Powers:
    • Flame Jet: Elemental Fire, Damage Value 6P, AP -2.
    • Water Spray: Elemental Cold, Damage Value 5S, AP -1.
    • Steam Blast: Area Effect, Damage Value 6P and 5S.

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay

Scepter of Dual Flames

  • Arcane Item, Legendary
  • Effect:
    • Flame Jet: Casts a Fireball, dealing 1d10+4 fire damage.
    • Water Spray: Casts a Frostbite, dealing 1d10+3 cold damage.
    • Steam Blast: Requires successful casting test, then 1d10+4 fire and cold damage in a cone.