105. ENGINE OF ENCHANTMENT:
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This room contains two booths connected by some kind of magical machinery. There is what seems to be a glass wand about a foot long on the floor in front of the booths.
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This device is the
Engine of Enchantment, and the wand is the
Designator. The
Designator has 44 charges when found. Together, they can be used to transfer enchantments from one item to another. For example, a character who has a
shield +2 and a non-magical sword can use the
Engine of Enchantment to make a
sword +2. The process works as follows:-
First stage: The user puts the
source item into the left-hand booth. The
source item must hold an enchantment. The user also puts a
matrix into the right-hand booth. The
matrix must be a gemstone, but the type varies according to the enchantment to be transferred:
- +1 item: emerald worth at least 500 gp
- +2 item: sapphire worth at least 1000 gp
- +3 item: ruby worth at least 5000 gp
- Miscellaneous magic item: diamond worth at least 2000 gp
- Cursed item: Lump of coal
Second stage: The user touches the
matrix with the
Designator. The
source item crumbles to dust (no saving throw), unless it is an artifact or relic in which case it is unaffected but the
matrix is destroyed. At this point the
matrix holds the enchantment that was previously within the item. Deduct one charge from the
Designator.
Third stage: The character puts the
matrix in the left-hand booth and the
target item into the right-hand booth. The
target item must be unenchanted.
Fourth stage: The user touches the
target item with the
Designator. The
matrix crumbles to dust and the
target item becomes enchanted. Deduct another charge from the
Designator.
If the wrong
matrix is used, then the
source item is destroyed and the
matrix remains unenchanted.
Certain items will require multiple
matrices, so for example if the character has a
sword +1, +3 vs trolls then it can be made into a
mace +1, +3 vs trolls but the process will require both a 500gp emerald and a 5,000gp ruby.
The characters may be able to figure out how to work the
Engine of Enchantment, particularly if they have the benefit of magical assistance, but failing that, Pons understands the process. If the characters conclude this adventure successfully then Pons will permit them to use the
Engine, although they must supply the gems from their own resources!
At the GM's option, the
Engine of Enchantment may be able to recharge wands using garnets or peridots (minimum value 100gp per gem, one charge per gem). It may also be able to create potions of healing from pieces of amber, potions of extra-healing from pearls, etc.