Cube of Sweetness
of Sweetness select exactly which one is most appropriate from
XP Value: 5 GP Value: 25
The Book of Marvelous Magic
This cube appears to be an ice cube. If offered to
any ordinary, nonmagical creature of animal
intelligence, the beast may eat it (+3 bonus to
reaction roll). If the cube is eaten, the creature
becomes charmed by the user (no saving throw,
standard duration). The cube reappears in the
user's pocket 24 hours later. This charm does not
improve communication, but it certainly encour-
ages obedience. Each use of the cube costs one
charge, and the cube has 2d10 charges when
found,
Cup
A cup is an open container, generally made of
metal, glass, crystal, or china. A cup usually has
one handle and is used to drink hot beverages--
usually coffee or tea. A cup can be almost any
size, but the usual capacity ranges from a few
ounces to one pint. A chalice (see Chalice) is
simply a metal cup without a handle.
ofAl'Akbar
XP Value: — GP Value: —
Book of Artifacts
The cup ofAl'Akbar is hardly an inconspicuous
item. Tt is a large chalice, big enough that, were
it filled, it would take two hands to lift. The ves-
sel is made of hammered gold and chased with
a silver filigree. Twelve great gems (each worth
5,000 gp) are set in mounts of electruin to form
a band around the rim. Overall, the craftsman-
ship is clearly the work of a goldsmith of extra-
ordinary skill and artistry. Although it does not
radiate magic, the cup is always bathed in a
golden aura.
Constant Powers: Anyone of good alignment
who touches the cup receives the benefits of a
bless spell. This lasts for 24 hours.
Invoked Powers: The powers of the cup are
activated by filling it with holy water, usable once
per day. If all of the water is drunk, it acts as a
cure critical wounds or neutralize poison spell, or
it can be divided into three portions that act as
cure light wounds spells, although these fade in
12 hours.
Legend: The cup and talisman ofAl'Akbar
(see Talisman) are major holy relics. The two
artifacts are always associated with a powerful
god or goddess of healing, although the DM must
those in the campaign. In a F OK GOTTEN REALMS
setting, Lathander could be used, while in the
GREYHAWK campaign, Pelor would be appropri-
ate. (Note that these items are not found in DARK
SUN campaigns.)
No matter what the faith, according to the
sect's dogma, the cup and talisman were given by
the deity after a great disaster that brought untold
devastation and suffering to the land. The two
items appeared before the high priest in a dream.
When the clergyman awoke, the cup and talisman
were there, still sparkling with the radiance of the
deity. Blessed with the items and the knowledge
of their use, the holy man went out and cured the
multitude of sick and injured people.
Unfortunately, the miraculous powers of the
cup and talisman did not bring happiness to the
people nor peace to the temple. When travelers
returned to their distant homelands with tales of
these two wonders, emperors, kings, and warlords
coveted the items. Driven by greed and fear, they
marched their armies and sent their agents, to
seize the treasures.
Just what battles occurred and who won them
is lost along with the names of those who fought
for the artifacts. Perhaps one was victorious over
theothers only to have both treasures seized. Per-
haps they were stolen. What is known is that
when the wars finally ceased, they had disap-
peared forever.
Even today, however, the legend of their mirac-
ulous power lives on in expressions such as
"cured by the cup" for any miraculous healing or
"By the star of Akbar," an oath to ward off dis-
ease.
The cup and talisman ofAl'Akbar, because of
their powerful healing abilities, are both excel-
lent items for the PCs to acquire and use, and
yet unbalancing devices that are best taken out
of player characters' grasp quickly in any cam-
paign where they appear. The cup and talisman
can be immensely useful items in an incredibly
dangerous adventure where the characters fre-
quently face horrible injury and death. These
two artifacts may be vital for keeping the char-
acters alive long enough to have a hope of con-
cluding the adventure.
The DM should not use the cup and talisman
more than once in this manner. The powers of the
cup and talisman allow the PCs to flaunt death
and perform supremely heroic acts, but if this risk
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