14th January 2003, 12:02 AM
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"The Ecology of the Dark Naga," Dragon #261, p. 66: Quote: |
The cranial portions of dark naga skulls are often used to craft medallions of ESP or amulets of proof against detection and location. The rubbery, baglike organs in their gullets are sometimes used in the manufacture of bags of holding. Dark naga blood is one of several possible types of blood used to empower a periapt of proof against poison and is also employed in the creation of potions of ESP and oil of acid resistance. Finally, the dark naga's hide itself is sought for its unusual color, and the poison sac near the creature's tail spike can be siphoned to harvest a single dose of sleep venom.
| "The Ecology of the Hydra," Dragon #272, p. 87: Quote:
Dragons find hydras delicious. To take advantage of this, wizards and alchemists have devised a potion of dragon attraction made primarily of hydra blood and crushed scales, as well as certain glands from the hydra's body (those involved in the production of subtle pheromones). A single hydra can produce up to five such potions; when poured on the ground, a potion of dragon attraction brings any dragon within a mile in search of a tantalizing meal. The effects of this potion wear off in 20 minutes as the liquid evaporates.
If the potion is foolishly consumed, however, the hapless imbiber becomes the target of all dragon gourmands within a two-mile radius for a full hour. During this time, all dragons are convinced of the imbiber's tastiness and concentrate the majority of their attacks upon the delicious morsel before them. Potions of dragon attraction carry a market value of 150 gold pieces. (In 3rd Edition, these potions can be created by a spellcaster of at least 2nd level with the Brew Potion feat.)
| pp. 88-89: Quote:
"Just what do you plan on doing with that hydra if you kill it?" asked Rhionda suddenly.
"We're primarily interested in its blood," said Buntleby. "According to Old Gumphrey, our chief alchemist, it can be used in the production of healing potions of various strengths, hopefully without the wart-producing side-effects we get when using troll's blood."
"Yeah, well, a dead hydra's got lots of other uses," replied Rhionda. "Pyrohydra blood and scales are used in the production of fireball wands, and rings of fire resistance can be carved from pyrohydra bones or teeth. Likewise, you can craft a ring of warmth or a cube of frost resistance from a cryohydra's teeth or bones, and the cryohydra's blood and scales can be used to make ice storm wands. Cured cryohydra skin can be used to create boots of the north, but you end up with garish purple boots.
"Also, with the Lernaean hydra's regeneration abilities, it should come as no surprise that the creature's blood is used in making periapts of wound closure or that rings of regeneration can be carved from its bones and teeth.
"Finally, there are my favorite magical weapons, the swords. Hydra blood is often introduced to the metal of a magic sword as it's being crafted: pyrohydra blood for flametongues, Lernaean hydra blood for swords used against regenerating creatures, cryohydra blood for frostbrands. Of course, any hydra's blood will do for weapons specially crafted against reptiles."
"A particularly useful beast!" exclaimed Dreelix happily, rubbing his hands together in greed at the thought of so many magical items to be crafted from a slain hydra.
| p. 89: Quote: |
Pyrohydra blood can also be used in the creation of any type of flaming weapon, just as cryohydra blood can be used to create any sort of frost weapon.
| p. 89: Quote: |
Hydra body parts can be used as alternate material components for several spells as well. The eyes of any hydra's head can be used for the infravision spell (the darkvision spell in 3rd Edition), but it takes both eyes from a single head, and they are consumed during spellcasting. The finely-ground scales from a hydra's back can be substituted for the granite and diamond dust used in a stoneskin spell without any lessening of the spell's efficacy. Finally, because of the fast-growing properties of Lernaean hydra head regeneration, flecks of dried blood from that creature can be used as an alternate material component for the haste spell.
| p.90: Quote: |
DMs might wish to allow hydra teeth to be enchanted so that, when planted in the ground and the command word spoken, they spring up as either armed and armored warriors (as in traditional Greek mythology) or skeletons (as in the movie Jason and the Argonauts). Several excellent ideas for the creation of such magical teeth appear in Gregg Chamberlain's "The Magic of Dragon Teeth," published in Dragon Magazine #98.
| Johnathan |
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