The Hand and Eye of Vecna, formed from two body parts of the lich Vecna before he ascended to become a demigod.The Book of Vile Darkness, an ancient book of evil of which multiple copies exist.While all artifacts are noteworthy items, a few are particularly well known. A relic may also be considered either a minor or major artifact.įor a list of artifacts, see Category:Artifacts. The best known of these are the Hand and Eye of Vecna. Įxamples of minor artifacts is the sphere of annihilation, which can be destroyed by a rod of cancellation or the 9th level spell gate or the staff of the magi, which can be intentionally broken to perform a retributive strike.Ī relic is a general term for any artifact which once either belonged to a noteworthy individual, or formed part of that creature's body. The might be destroyed more easily than a major artifact, or by multiple different methods. They still cannot be replicated by any known method, but in some cases multiples of this item exist. Įxamples of major artifacts include the Hand and Eye of Vecna and the Sword of Kas, only one of each exist.Ī minor artifact is a less powerful artifact. They cannot be destroyed except by a single obscure and extremely difficult method, and are extremely powerful and dangerous. These distinctions are not used by all sources, and are applied inconsistently.Ī major artifact is one which is truly unique, and only one of each exists in the multiverse. Additionally, some are referred to as relics. ![]() An artifact is invulnerable to any attempts to destroy it by other means, such as spells or physical damage.Īrtifacts are sometimes divided into two categories: major artifacts, and minor artifacts. For example, it may be necessary to travel through dangerous territory and throw an artifact ring into the volcano where it was originally forged. ĭestroying an artifact is likely to require an entire special quest. Each artifact can only be destroyed by its own unique method, the details of which are an obscure secret. DestructionĪn artifact cannot be destroyed by normal means. Such a rare event also has the power to corrupt living creatures present and permanently affect the terrain and weather in the area. Some were created long ago by means which are merely no longer known, such as advanced legendary magic.Įvil artifacts can be created by exposure to an event of darkness like the world has never seen before, such as the birth of an evil god, the murder of a good deity, or an act of genocide. Some artifacts are of divine origin, either crafted or blessed by powerful deities, or were part of an individual's body or possessions when they first ascended to deityhood. The secret to the creation of an artifact is generally not known, or cannot be replicated, or requires some unique power or circumstances beyond the mortal realm. ![]() Unlike most magic items, artifacts cannot be created by normal means. Many artifacts afflict detrimental effects on mortals who attempt to wield them, or have some other drawback.Įxamples include forcing the bearer to change alignment, inflicting madness, requiring the bearer to eat and drink more, causing nearby potions to dilute to water, and making it impossible for anyone to rest in the artifact's presence. PowerĪrtifacts are by definition more powerful and dangerous than normal magic items.Įach artifact grants its bearer unique abilities, and usually multiple such abilities. These are still often considered to be artifacts, since they cannot be recreated by known means, although they are classifed by some as minor artifacts. The staff of the magi, sphere of annihilation and book of vile darkness are known to exist in more than one instance. Others were crafted by powerful spellcasters of long ago, whose powerful magic or technology is lost to us today.ĭespite this definition, some lesser artifacts are thought to exist in multiple copies. Some artifacts were forged by gods or powerful beings, using methods or power beyond the capability of any mortal. Each artifact is a thing of legend.Ī key defining trait of an artifact is that it cannot be recreated by any known means. ![]() For example, while there may be many vorpal swords in the world, there is only one Sword of Kas. Certain properties distinguish an artifact from a normal magic item.Īn artifact is distinguished from normal magic items by its uniqueness.
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