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Cassiodora's Sparkstick of Resurrection

rod, very rare (requires attunement)

This metal rod is about a foot long and has a small metal sphere at one end. The sphere is covered with tiny holes and emits a faint crackling sound. The rod feels warm to the touch and vibrates slightly when held. The rod is a powerful device that can store and release electrical energy, allowing the wielder to cast spells that can heal or revive the fallen. However, the rod is also unstable and prone to overloading if charged too much or too often.

Spells

While holding it and attuned to it, you can use an action to expend some of its charges to cast one of the following spells from it: (1 charge), (3 charges), or (5 charges). You must use the same material components and spend the same amount of time as if you were casting the spell normally

Charging the Rod

You can recharge the rod by casting lightning spells of 3rd level or higher at the rod. The spell is consumed by the rod and the level of the spell determines how many charges the rod regains:

3rd or 4th level: 1 charge
5th or 6th level: 3 charges
7th level or higher: 5 charges

You can also use your reaction to absorb some of the energy from a lightning spell of 3rd level or higher that hits you, reducing the damage you take by half and recharging the rod as above.
The rod loses 1 charge at dawn as the stored energy dissipates.

Grounding

While holding this rod, you can use an action to safely discharge all of its remaining charges into the ground. This does not harm anyone or anything, and it reset's the cumulative chance of a power surge.

Power Surge

Every time you recharge the rod, there is a cumulative 10% chance that it will malfunction and cause a power surge. This chance increases by 20% if you try to charge the rod beyond its maximum capacity. This chance resets to zero at dawn. If a power surge occurs, each creature within 15 feet of you must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw, taking lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. Constructs made of metal and creatures wearing metal armor have disadvantage on this saving throw. The rod stops working until it is repaired.

Repairing the rod

To repair the rod after a power surge, you must succeed on a DC 23 check using tinker’s tools. You also need 1000 gp worth of rare conductive materials, which are consumed by the repair process regardless of whether you succeed or fail.

Create printable cards for Cassiodora's Sparkstick of Resurrection

Credits

Siriagus: My DM at the time when I played Cass who helped me balance this item.

Lore

Cassiodora Inayaris Pompellini Xifilius, or Cass among friends, was one of the brightest and most skilled artificers in Waterdeep. She was fascinated by the power of lightning and its ability to revive the dead, and she spent years studying and experimenting with various ways of harnessing and manipulating electrical energy.

Cass spent years studying and experimenting with various ways of harnessing and manipulating electrical energy. She discovered a rare metal that could store and release large amounts of electricity, which she called sparkium.
She eventually created a metal rod that could store and release powerful charges of electricity, allowing her to cast spells that could heal or resurrect her allies, without the aid of divine magic. She named it Cassiodora’s Sparkstick of Resurrection, or Cass’s Sparky for short. She made this rod after losing a close friend in battle, hoping to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
She used her rod to help her friends and fellow adventurers in their quests, earning their gratitude and admiration. She also improved her rod’s design over time, making it more stable and efficient.
She made a limited number of rods like hers, using the sparkium metal that she had discovered. She sold them to a few trusted and reputable buyers, who agreed to use them responsibly and wisely. She also kept one for herself, as a reminder of her journey and her achievement.
They were very rare and valuable items, sought after by many adventurers and collectors. They were also symbols of Cass’s ingenuity and determination, and her devotion to her craft. They were her legacy, and her gift to the world.

Tags:actionlightningrechargerevivesaving throwspells