Horn of Rust
A decaying horn channels stored chaotic spells for its bearer, but weakens the carrier and draws demons hunting to reclaim it.
This rusted, coiled iron horn is sizable, appearing similar in shape to a ram's horn but measuring nearly 2 feet in diameter. Flakes of rust constantly fall from this item, and it leaves hands with a rusty red stain that lingers. While the Horn of Rust's power has diminished over the ages since Xar-Azmak's death, those who carry it are still subject to its palpable chaotic influences. If you aren't chaotic evil, you are enfeebled 1 while carrying or using the Horn of Rust, and if you're lawful or good, you are instead enfeebled 2 and stupefied 1. The longer a non-worshipper of Xar-Azmak carries the Horn of Rust, the greater the chances a Vloriak or other demon (or group of demons) will seek them out to slay them and reclaim the artifact. The frequency of these attacks is left to the GM to determine, but they should occur no less frequently than once a month. These attacks should always be at least moderate encounters; if the PCs don't take them seriously, the attacks could eventually escalate into severe encounters.
Some of the Horn of Rust's activated powers consume charges, similar to how a magic staff functions. When its charges are reduced to zero, its activations that require charges can still be used normally. It can be prepared with charges in the same method as a staff, and it counts as a staff for the limit of how many staves you can prepare in a day.
- Cantrip Divine Lance (chaotic or evil damage only)
- 1st Noxious Vapors
- 2nd Shatter
- 3rd Stinking Cloud
The following activations do not consume charges from the Horn of Rust, and they can be utilized even when the artifact has no charges available.
Xar-Azmak Resurrected If the demon lord Xar-Azmak is resurrected, the Horn of Rust becomes a 20th-level item. Its swirling aura of rusty metal shards grants a +3 item bonus to AC, deals 20d6 slashing damage (DC 43 basic Reflex save), and the tetanus has a DC 43 Fortitude save. It has a +31 counteract modifier against diseases. You can cast the following additional spells using the artifact's charges.
- 4th Rusting Grasp
- 5th cloudkill
- 6th Disintegrate
- 7th Divine Decree (chaotic or evil only)
- 8th horrid wilting
- 9th disjunction
- 10th Cataclysm
Destruction The Horn of Rust must be washed with the juice of a fresh peach plucked from an immortal arboreal, then dipped into a pool of molten mithral, and finally cooled with the tears of a remorseful demon. Alternatively, GMs can devise a series of their own quests for the PCs and send them to destroy this ancient artifact. Once the horn is destroyed, Xar-Azmak can never be resurrected.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Level | 5 |
| Price | 0 |
| Bulk | 2 |
Activations
Activate Cast a Spell · Effect You expend a number of charges from the Horn of Rust to cast a spell from the following list.
Activate 2 envision, Interact · Frequency once per hour · Effect You blow on the horn to unleash a swirling aura of jagged, rusty metal shards that orbit you in a 5-foot emanation for 1 minute. The shards grant you a +1 item bonus to AC. Creatures and objects that begin their turn in this area take 6d6 slashing damage from the shards (DC 19 basic Reflex save). A creature damaged by this aura is exposed to a potent form of Tetanus that has a level equal to the _Horn of Rust's_ level and has a DC 19 Fortitude save. Worshippers of Xar-Azmak are immune to this effect.
Activate 2 envision, Interact · Frequency once per day · Effect You place the horn's bell against a diseased creature and then inhale into the mouthpiece rather than blow into it. The horn attempts to draw out the disease, casting a _remove disease_ spell to your specification with a counteract modifier of +11. If the _Horn of Rust_ succeeds at countering a disease, it gains a number of charges equal to half the disease's level (rounded down, minimum 1). If it critically fails, not only is the disease not countered, but you are exposed to the disease and must attempt a saving throw against it to resist contracting the affliction.