A ruidium shield, so called because it is infused with ruidium, thereby conveys a variety of magic benefits but also the risk of ruidium corruption.
Description[]
Appearance[]
Ruidium appears as a slick, oily, crystalline mineral with blood-red streaks or veins.[1] It is stronger than iron, and if left unchecked it festers and grows as if organically.[2] As it spreads, it penetrates and bonds with everything it touches[3] for a prolonged time, including both the organic and inorganic[4] parts of shields.
Properties[]
Those who attune to a ruidium shield gain the abilities to breathe underwater and to swim as fast as they can walk. They also gain resistance to psychic damage, and moreover, when they would take psychic damage, they can use their reaction to reflect that damage to another creature of their choice within 30 feet. However, when they use this Psychic Reflection ability, they must succeed at a DC 20 Charisma saving throw or suffer one level of exhaustion and, if they are not already suffering from ruidium corruption, they become corrupted.[5]
Carrying a ruidium shield protects the wielder from the crushing pressure in the Netherdeep.[6]
If all the world's ruidium is destroyed due to the death or redemption of the Apotheon, the shield becomes a +2 shield.[5]
History[]
Ruidium shields were created by the spread of ruidium through the Netherdeep and into Cael Morrow, where ancient shields remained.
In the adventure module Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep, set in 836 PD, three factions in Ank'Harel end up seeking ruidium-infused items for related but competing reasons. The Consortium of the Vermilion Dream, the Allegiance of Allsight, and the Cobalt Soul all have goals that require access to the Netherdeep.[7] One ruidium shield can be found among the treasure in a kelp forest in Cael Morrow, the lair of a ruidium-addled aboleth who believes itself to be Alyxian.[8] Once in the Netherdeep, one can find a ruidium shield, along with a ruidium greatsword, in a scalding pit.[9]
References[]
- ↑ See Call of the Netherdeep, p. 7.
- ↑ See Call of the Netherdeep, p. 219.
- ↑ See Call of the Netherdeep, p. 10.
- ↑ See Call of the Netherdeep, p. 100.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 See Call of the Netherdeep, p. 215.
- ↑ See Call of the Netherdeep, p. 140. See also p. 103.
- ↑ See Call of the Netherdeep. See Chapter 4, "The Jewel of Hope".
- ↑ See Call of the Netherdeep, p. 134.
- ↑ See Call of the Netherdeep, p. 157.
Art:
- ↑ Depiction of a ruidium shield, by CoupleOfKooks (source). This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
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