Several Rods to Rule Them All...

Rod of Paralysis (#14/31, #349/365) [EA:V2] (Enchanted Item)

This is a silver rod one metre long, comprising of two separate halves that screw into each other to complete the whole. One half has the number 37 etched into the solid end of the half-rod, while the other piece ends in a solid ball with the number 13 stamped into it. The ball also unscrews, to reveal a piece of paper rolled up inside this half of the rod. The paper reads:

"To know my use, add my halves together."

When pointed at a living victim (it does not work on Demons, Magical creatures and the Undead), they will suddenly stop moving, being instantly paralyzed. The paralysis can be dispelled magically, but is otherwise permanent, essentially freezing the victim in time, unable to do anything other than observe. This costs one charge to use; when found the rod will have 2-7 charges. 

The rod can only paralyze one victim at a time. To paralyze a new victim the wand-bearer must first mentally release the victim they paralyzed previously. If they cannot recollect what creature is still trapped by the rod's powers, they cannot activate the rod, though this attempt does not cost 1 charge. If they can recollect what they previously paralyzed, that victim will spring once again into action, and continue on its way, unaware that they had ever stopped. Meanwhile, whatever they have pointed the rod at will stop dead in their tracks, paralyzed instantly. 

Some nameless adventurer was reputed to have used a Rod of Paralysis on the near-mythical Gargantis monster of the Howling Tunnels in the western Flatlands. Freezing the beast, they cut off its ivory horn, which they needed to use as a stake to plunge through the chest of the powerful necromancer Razaak the Undying.

Unavailable to buy 

Rod of the Serpent (#15/31, #350/365) [EA:V2] (Enchanted Item)

This is a thin Darkwood rod carved with the writhing shape of a stylized serpent, that pulses with magical power. When thrown or placed upon the floor it will instantly transform into the writhing coils and rearing fanged head of a GREAT SERPENT (SKILL 9 STAMINA 10, Very Large Bite, Light Armour, see also Beyond the Pit, pp. 116-18) that will attack any enemies of the rod-bearer. If the enemies are slain, the Great Serpent will revert back to its staff form; however if the Great Serpent is slain, then the item is destroyed. 

This costs one charge to use; when found the rod will have 2-7 charges. If all the charges are used up, the Great Serpent will fade into nothingness, as if it had slithered off to another dimension. The Rod of the Serpent can be created by touching any large serpent or snake with a Black Elk antler-horn Talisman of Transformation. Some sagas state Kensei the Sword-Saint, champion of the Shogun of Hachiman, used a Rod of the Serpent against the Toad Demon Graalsch during a Tourney of the Planes assembled by the devilish Dai Oni serving Ikiru, Master of Shadows.

Unavailable to buy 

Rod of Thunder (#16/31, #351/365) [EA:V2] (Enchanted Item)

This is a wooden rod made from Amber Pine and bound with electrum. When held and a command word uttered, a rolling wave of thunderclaps will boom out from the rod, affecting everyone within 10 metres, except the rod-bearer. All must take 2 STAMINA damage from the shockwave and Test their Skill. Those that are unsuccessful are knocked over and spend the next Attack Round getting to their feet, unable to attack. This costs one charge to use; when found the rod will have 2-7 charges. Rods of Thunder were known to be ritual objects of the northern Druids, and the priests and elementalists of Frostholm. 

Unavailable to buy 

Rod of Transmutation (#17/31, #352/365) [EA:V2] (Enchanted Item)

This is a wooden rod made from Black Pine and bound with glowing green metal. When pointed at a living object within 10 metres and a command word uttered, a beam of green light will leap from the rod to the target, who must Test their Luck to avoid the effects of the green beam. If they are Unlucky, they are transformed into a harmless animal for 10-60 minutes. The type of animal can be rolled for on the table below:

Roll Animal

1 Toad

2 Frog

3 Crow

4 Newt

5 Mouse

6 Cockroach

The beam transforms any belongings or accoutrements possessed by the victim as well, though it has no effect if pointed at inanimate objects. This costs one charge to use; when found the rod will have 2-7 charges. The Rod of Transmutation was known to be used by Dark Druids, Hags, and Cursewitches.

Unavailable to buy 

BONUS! 

Talisman of Transformation (#18/31, #353/365) [EA:V2] (Enchanted Item)

This is a powerful magical adjunct made from the antler of a Black Elk and polished ebony in colour. It is inscribed with the engraving of a stylized serpent, appearing as a strange whorled pattern of white bone. When this talisman is physically touched to any snake or serpent (excluding Hydras and Hydra-Snakes), there will be a startling magical effect where a pulse of powerful energy flows through the talisman-bearer and transforms the serpent and the talisman into a single enchanted item in a flash of blue light! The type of item depends on the type of creature touched with the talisman, and can be determined from the table below:

Reptile Type Item Type

Great Serpent, Giant Snake, Cesuoshe, Hanging Snake, Scitalis: Rod of the Serpent

Chameleon Serpent, Poisonous Snake, Sea Snake, Serpent, Sewer Snake: Snake Staff

The Enchanted Item that is created by this process will be a regular item of its type.

Unavailable to buy