Orbs of Dragonkind

[noeuphoria]

We've recently come across an orb of dragonkind in my campaign and are trying to solve a dilemma. Here's the text:

Each of these fabled orbs contains the essence and personality of an ancient dragon of a different variety (one for each of the major ten different chromatic and metallic dragons). The bearer of an Orb can dominate dragons of its particular variety within 500 feet (as dominate monster), the dragon being forced to make a DC 25 Will save to resist. (Spell resistance is not useful against this effect.) Each Orb of Dragonkind bestows upon the wielder the AC and saving throw bonuses of the dragon within. These values replace whatever values the character would otherwise have, whether they are better or worse. These values cannot be modified by any means short of ridding the character of the Orb. A character possessing an Orb of Dragonkind is immune to the breath weapon—but only the breath weapon—of the dragon variety keyed to the Orb. Finally, a character possessing an Orb can herself use the breath weapon of the dragon in the Orb three times per day.
All Orbs of Dragonkind can be used to communicate verbally and visually with the possessors of the other Orbs. The owner of an Orb knows whether there are dragons within 10 miles at all times. For dragons of the Orb’s particular variety, the range is 100 miles. If within 1 mile of a dragon of the Orb’s variety, the wielder can determine the exact location and age of the creature. The bearer of one of these Orbs earns the enmity forever of all dragonkind for profiting by the enslavement of one of their kin, even if she later loses the item.
Each Orb also has an individual power that can be invoked once per round at 10th caster level.
• Black Dragon Orb: Fly (Will DC 17 negates).
• Blue Dragon Orb: Haste (Fortitude DC 17 negates).
• Brass Dragon Orb: Teleport (Will DC 19 negates).
• Bronze Dragon Orb: Scrying (Will DC 18 negates).
• Copper Dragon Orb: Suggestion (Will DC 17 negates).
• Gold Dragon Orb: The owner of the gold Orb can call upon any power possessed by one of the other Orbs—including the dominate and breath weapon abilities but not AC, save bonuses, or breath weapon immunity—but can only use an individual
power once per day. She can use dominate on any other possessor of an Orb within 1 mile (Will DC 23 negates).
• Green Dragon Orb: Spectral hand.
• Red Dragon Orb: Wall of fire.
• Silver Dragon Orb: Cure critical wounds (Will DC 18 half ).
• White Dragon Orb: Protection from energy (cold) (Fortitude DC 17 negates).

what I was wondering is the wording about AC and saving throw bonuses and how they cannot be modified. So say it gives you AC 38, Fort save 25, Reflex 18, Will 25. Does that mean regardless of prayer, being enervated, or having heroism cast, etc... you have those bonuses? And I have ac 38 regardless of being blinded, or dodging someone, or mage armor, the character is still AC 38?

 

[Infiniti2000]

Pretty much, that's the way it appears to be.

 

[Random Hero]

As far as I know...

That is how it works as far as I know...

Pretty neat huh?

 

[AuraSeer]

what I was wondering is the wording about AC and saving throw bonuses and how they cannot be modified. So say it gives you AC 38, Fort save 25, Reflex 18, Will 25. Does that mean regardless of prayer, being enervated, or having heroism cast, etc... you have those bonuses? And I have ac 38 regardless of being blinded, or dodging someone, or mage armor, the character is still AC 38?

Yes. Your AC does not decrease even if you are blinded, stripped naked, reduced to 1 Dexterity, and have a giant bullseye painted on your chest. But conversely, your AC does not increase even if you wear +5 full plate, shield, ring of protection, and amulet of natural armor, plus cast every defensive spell in the book, and then dodge while fighting defensively and using Combat Expertise.

The same goes for your saves. You get the orb's granted value despite anything else you do, no matter what bonuses or penalties you would otherwise have.

Artifacts are just about the strongest possible effect in D&D, and they get to bend the rules in special ways. When an artifact description says your AC "cannot be modified," that's exactly what it means.