The Adventure Zone: Balance, Magic Items Revised

Book of Eavesdropping

Wondrous item, very rare

This unmarked book's pages are blank. When you use an action to speak the book's command word, its begin to fill with words. Any messages sent magically, such as through message or sending, within a 1-mile radius of the book within the last 24 hours are transcribed onto the book's pages. The message includes the names of the message's sender and receiver, as well as any correspondence from the receiver. The book does not stop any message from reaching its intended target. The messages remain transcribed for 10 minutes, after which they disappear.

Billow Branch

Wondrous item, common

This wooden pipe is shaped like a natural branch. When smoking from it, you can use an action to shape the smoke in any way you wish, so long as it fits within a 1-foot cube. The shape persists for 1 minute, or until you dismiss it as a bonus action, after which it becomes an ordinary puff of smoke.

Chance Lance

Weapon (spear), very rare (requires attunement)

This spear resembles a large, ornate minute hand of a clock.

You gain a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon. After making a thrown attack, it immediately reverses its path through time and flies back to your hand.

Champion’s Belt

Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement by a barbarian or fighter)

This belt has 3 charges, and regains all charges daily at dawn. While wearing this belt, you can expend 1 charge to substitute your Strength score when making a Wisdom or Charisma check.

Defender’s Dial

Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement)

This belt buckle has a dial with three images, a flame, a snowflake, and a lightning bolt. You can use a bonus action to activate the dial and gain resistance to either fire, cold, or lightning damage (your choice) for 1 hour. This property cannot be used again until the next dawn.

Diadem of Fabulous Truthiness

Wondrous item, uncommon

You can use an action to target one creature within 15 feet. The creature must make a DC 15 Charisma saving throw. On a failed save, the creature can’t speak a deliberate lie for 10 minutes. An affected creature is aware of the effect and can thus avoid answering questions to which it would normally respond with a lie. Such a creature can be evasive in its answers as long as the effect lasts. This property cannot be used again until the next dawn.

Extreme Teen Bible

Wondrous item, uncommon (requires attunement by a cleric or paladin)

This book features a rad skateboarder on its cover.

You can use this book as a holy symbol and gain a +1 bonus to your spell save DC and your spell attack modifier for your cleric and paladin spells.

While holding this book, you have advantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks made to convert teenagers to your religion.

Feather Fall Duster

Wand, uncommon

This pink feather duster has 4 charges, and regains 1d4 charges daily at dawn. When holding the feather duster, you can use your reaction to expend 1 charge and cast feather fall.

Featherweight Cuirass

Armor (breastplate), very rare (requires attunement)

This breastplate has a ruff of black feathers around its mantle.

You gain a +2 bonus to AC while wearing this armor. You also have advantage on Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks.

Fishglobe

Wondrous item, rare

This fist-sized glass ball is filled with water, and contains a live goldfish. The fishglobe magically keeps the goldfish fed, and the water remains clean.

You can use an action to throw the fishglobe up to 30 feet, where it shatters and summons a merrow. The merrow is friendly to you and your companions, and it acts on your turn. You can use a bonus action to command how the merrow moves and what action it takes on its next turn, or to give it general orders, such as to attack your enemies. In the absence of such orders, the merrow defends itself from attackers. After 1 hour, or it is reduced to 0 hit points, it disappears.

Flaming Poisoning Raging Sword of Doom

Weapon (longsword), legendary (requires attunement)

This longsword features a gigantic blade wreathed in flames with a crooked, oozing scorpion’s stinger affixed to its point.

You gain a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon. On your turn before taking the Attack action, you can use a bonus action to activate an effect, choosing one of the options below.

Flaming. Fire erupts from the blade and deals an additional 3d10 Fire Damage per attack until the beginning of your next turn.

Poisoning. The blade becomes coated in poison and deals an additional 3d10 Poison Damage per attack until the beginning of your next turn.

Raging. A wave of fury washes over you. You gain one use of a Barbarian’s Rage. This command word cannot be used again until the next dawn.

Gilly

Weapon (club), uncommon (requires attunement by a nature cleric or a druid)

You gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon. While holding the club, you can use a bonus action to cast shillelagh. Additionally, Gilly can be used as a holy symbol or a druidic focus.

Glasses of Lightning Comprehension

Wondrous item, common

While wearing these glasses, you can read and comprehend written information in a language you understand ten times as fast.

Glutton’s Fork

Wondrous item, rare

This golden fork has 3 charges, and regains all charges daily at dawn. You can use an action to expend 1 charge to target a non-magical object within 5 feet that weighs no more than 1 pound. The object is magically transformed into food, and can be consumed as a bonus action to regain 1d6 hit points.

Haunted Doll

Wondrous item, very rare (requires attunement)

While this 6 inch porcelain doll is on your person, your third failed Death saving throw will cause the doll to die in your place and be destroyed. Failing your next Death save will still cause you to die.

Heavy Bean

Wondrous item, rare

This small bean weighs 1 pound. You can use your reaction to put the bean in your mouth, or spit into your hand. While in your mouth, your weight increases by a factor of 10, giving you advantage on ability checks and saving throws made to resist being shoved, knocked prone, or otherwise moved against your will. When the bean's property has been used for a total of 1 minute, it cannot be used again until the next dawn. If the bean is eaten, it looses its magical properties.

Hole Thrower

Weapon (sling) rare (requires attunement)

This wooden slingshot has intricate etching carved across the handle.

You gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls with this magic weapon. Any bullets shot from this sling deal an extra 1d6 force damage.

You can use an action to create a cylindrical hole into any non-living, non-magical barrier. Roll a d10 to determine the width and depth of the hole in feet. This property cannot be used again until the next dawn.

Jar of Bees

Tiny object

A literal jar of bees. The jar has an AC of 10 and 2 hit points. You can use an action to throw the jar up to 30 feet and break it. When broken, it unleashes a Swarm of Bees (using the stat block of a Swarm of Wasps, pg. 338 of the Monster Manual). Roll initiative for the bees. On their turn, they move up to their speed towards the nearest creature and attack.

Krebstar

Weapon, rare (requires attunement by a sorcerer, warlock, or wizard)

The Krebstar resembles a 5-pointed star with blades. It is a magic, martial weapon with the light, finesse, and thrown properties. On a hit, it deals 2d4 slashing damage. While attuned, you are proficient with this weapon, gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with it, and when you make a thrown attack, it flies back to your hand. Additionally, the Krebstar can be used as an arcane focus.

Lens of Straight Creepin’

Wondrous item, very rare

While looking through this magical magnifying glass, you can use an action to hilight any footprints, tracks, or markings left by any creature that traveled through the area, giving you advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks made to track creatures. This effect lasts for 1 hour and cannot be used again until the next dawn.

Magnetic Charge

Wondrous item, rare

This fist sized glass ball has a blue button on the top.

You can use an action to press the button and throw the ball up to 60 feet away. The ball then creates a 10 foot radius magnetic field. Unsecured metal objects within this radius are flung up to 10 feet away to the edge of the radius. A creature holding a metal object must make a DC 15 Strength saving throw, or the object flies from its grip. A creature wearing metal armor must make a DC 15 Strength saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is flung back up to 10 feet away to the edge of the radius and is knocked prone, or half as far on a success and isn’t knocked prone on a success. A Large or larger creature has advantage on these saves. Once used, the charge cannot be used again for 24 hours.

Mathias, the Living Grimoire

Wondrous item, legendary (requires attunement by a wizard)

Mathias is a clockwork owl that has been owned by many wizards throughout its lifespan.

While attuned, Mathias can act as a familiar, as with the find familiar spell. It uses the owl stat block (pg. 308 of the Player’s Handbook) with the following changes:

Mockingbird Gum

Wondrous item, uncommon

These green and blue speckled minty sticks of chewing gum are typically found in packs containing 1d10 sticks. As an action, you can eat one stick of gum and gain the ability to imitate another creature’s voice for 1 hour. A creature that hears you can tell that the voice is an imitation by making a DC 20 Wisdom (Insight) check.

Mystery Powder

Wondrous item, uncommon

This bag contains 1d8+8 handfuls of dust. You can use an action to throw a handful at a creature within 15 feet. Make a ranged weapon attack against the creature and roll a d100, consulting the Wild Magic Surge table (pg. 104 of the Player’s Handbook). On a hit, the target of the effect is the creature. On a miss, the target of the effect is you.

Nitpicker

Wondrous item, uncommon

This 4 inch bronze statuette of a garden gnome is holding a set of thieves’ tools. The Nitpicker has 2 charges, and regains all expended charges daily at dawn. As an action, you can expend 1 charge and hold the Nitpicker up to a lock, whereupon it animates and picks the lock. While working and for 1 minute afterwards, the Nitpicker criticizes all present creatures within a 10 foot radius. The Nitpicker’s criticisms can be heard from 150 feet away.

No-Sodium Salt Shaker

Wondrous item, common

This salt shaker contains 2d10+10 pinches of salt. When you use an action to apply one pinch to a meal or drink, the salt will become bright pink if the food or drink was poisoned. The salt also makes non-poisoned food or drink taste delicious.

Phantom Fists

Wondrous item, uncommon

While wearing these gauntlets, your unarmed strikes deal an additional 1d4 force damage. On a hit, you can force a creature of the size Large or smaller to make a DC 10 Strength saving throw. On a failed save, they are pushed back 10 feet and knocked prone. On a successful save, they are pushed back 5 feet and are not knocked prone.

Phone-a-Friend Scrying Bones

Wondrous item, rare

You can use an action to roll this set of scrying bones to ask the fates a yes or no question. You may receive "unclear" as an answer if the fates don't know. If a one-word answer is misleading, the DM can offer a short phrase instead. This property cannot be used again until the next dawn.

Physician’s Pendant

Wondrous item, legendary (requires attunement by a cleric)

This pendant is inlaid with a small red cross made of ruby. After casting a spell that restores hit points of 3rd level or lower, roll a d4. On a 4, the spell does not cost you a spell slot.

Plastic Sheriff’s Badge

Wondrous item, uncommon

While brandishing this badge, you have advantage to Charisma (Deception) checks made to impersonate a person of authority.

Pocket Spa

Wondrous item, very rare

This pop tent folds up to the size of a handkerchief. It unfolds into a 5 foot square tent.

You can use an action to place or pick up the tent. On the inside is an extra-dimensional space 30 feet square, with spa amenities such as a hot springs pool and towels. It contains sufficient food to serve a single meal for up to 8 people. A staff of two unseen servants wait upon any occupants. While taking a short rest inside the spa, you regain an additional 2d8 hit points if you spend any hit dice. The interior is refreshed daily at midnight.

Pocket Workshop

Wondrous item, very rare

The pocket workshop appears to be a battered red toolbox, 1’ x 6” x 6” in dimension.

You can use an action to place or pick up the toolbox. When opened, a ladder going down appears in the opening. A medium or smaller creature can magically fit into the opening without squeezing. Inside is an extra-dimensional space 30 feet square. It is stocked with Carpenter’s, Mason’s, Potter’s, Tinkerer’s, and Woodworker’s Tools. It also contains materials to work with worth no more than 100gp, and provides snacks for up to 8 people. The interior is refreshed daily at midnight.

Railsplitter

Weapon (battleaxe), uncommon

You gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon. You can use an action to fell any tree in one swing. The first strike that hits a Treant, Awakened Tree, or other tree-like creature uses this property, deals an automatic critical hit, and the creature is knocked prone. This property cannot be used again until the next dawn.

Rickle Axager’s Pocket Guide to Adventuring (3rd Edition)

Wondrous item, very rare

You can spend 10 minutes reading a section on an associated skill check to yourself, or aloud to one creature within 30 feet that can hear you. For the next 24 hours, you or the creature has advantage on the chosen skill check. This property cannot be used again during that time.

Ring of Frost

Ring, rare (requires attunement)

This blue steel ring with and embedded tourmaline is cool to the touch. Any beverage held in the same hand as the ring becomes frosty and refreshing. When attuned, you have resistance to cold damage.

Ring of Pointing

Ring, common

This copper ring has an inlaid ruby that can shoot a laser pointer. You can use an action to shoot the laser, which travels in a continuous line until it hits an object or creature. If it hits a creature, it must make a DC 9 Constitution saving throw, or be blinded until the start of your next turn.

Ring of Recall

Ring, very rare (requires attunement by a spellcaster)

While wearing this ring, you can use an action to speak its command word and regain one spell slot up to 3rd level that was lost or expended to cast a spell that missed its attack roll.

Ring of the Giant Slayer

Ring, rare (requires attunement)

You gain a +1 bonus to AC and a +1 bonus to attack rolls against creatures of the size Large or larger. That bonus becomes a +2 against creatures of the Giant type.

Ring of the Grammarian

Ring, legendary (requires attunement by a spellcaster)

While wearing this ring, you can alter one letter in the title of a spell as you are casting it, to create a different effect. For example, while casting the spell cause fear, you can alter it to become cause bear.

The spell’s school of magic changes to fit the nature of the new spell. The DM has great latitude in ruling the new spell, and can change the spell’s components, range, casting time, and level as they see fit. If you do not have a spell slot of the required level to cast the new spell, the spell fails, and the slot used to cast the original spell is wasted.

Once used, the ring cannot be used again until the next dawn.

Rusted Can of Cheerwine

Potion, very rare

After imbibing this cherry flavored soft drink, you regain 5 hit points, and your hit point maximum is increased by 5. A creature can only gain the benefits of this potion once.

Scuttle Buddy

Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement)

The Scuttle Buddy is a clockwork beetle that can be used as a scout or spy.

While attuned, the Scuttle Buddy acts as a familiar, as with the spell find familiar, but cannot be dismissed into a pocket dimension. It uses the Spider stat block (pg. 337 of the Monster Manual) with the following changes:

Stone of Farspeech

Wondrous item, rare

Stones of Farspeech typically come in pairs. Other Stones of Farspeech can be attuned to each other by expending a level 3 spell slot to add it to the network. You can remove a stone from a network as an action if you can cast at least one spell. While you touch one stone, you can use an action to cast the sending spell from it without expend a spell slot and with no restriction to word count. It targets all the bearers of the other stones. If no creature bears one or all of the other stones, you know as soon as you use the stone.

Stronmaus’s Laughing Amulet

Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement)

This amulet features a stylized face, mouth open in laughter.

After you reduce a creature to 0 hit points, you can use a bonus action to activate the amulet and deliver a taunting joke or victorious one-liner. If Stronmaus (the DM) approves, you regain 1d10 hit points. If Stronmaus is displeased, you are struck by lightning, dealing 1d6 lightning damage.

Tankard of Potent Drink

Wondrous item, common

When drunk from this tankard, alcoholic beverages are twice as potent. Water drunk from this tankard will cause you to immediately become sober.

Thief's Compass

Wondrous item, legendary

This compass, rather than pointing north, points towards the most valuable object within a 1-mile radius of itself.

Throwing Shield

Armor (shield), uncommon

While holding this shield, you have a +1 bonus to AC in addition to the shield’s normal bonus. You can use the shield to make a thrown attack, acting as a martial weapon with the thrown property with a normal range of 15 feet and a long range of 30 feet. The shield deals 1d8 bludgeoning damage. The shield returns to your hand at the beginning of your next turn. If you have no hand free, it lands at your feet within 5 feet.

True Heart Clasp

Wondrous item, rare

While wearing this heart-shaped earring, you have advantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks.

Tarantula Bracelet

Wondrous item, rare

You can use an action to cast the spell spider climb on yourself without expending a spell slot or requiring concentration. For the duration, your movements are silent, granting you advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks. This property cannot be used again until the next dawn.

Unlimited Pasta Pass

Tiny object, rare

This card can be used at any participating Olive Garden restaurant for free unlimited pasta for the owner of the pass and free soft drinks for their guests.

Umbra Staff

Staff, very rare (requires attunement by a sorcerer, warlock, or wizard)

This staff resembling a red umbrella can be wielded as a magic quarterstaff that grants a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with it. While you hold it, you gain a +2 bonus to spell attack rolls and to your spell save DC for your sorcerer, warlock, or wizard spells.

Feather Fall. While holding the staff, you can use your reaction to cast the spell feather fall at will.

Siphon Magic. Whenever you reduce a creature that can cast at least one spell to 0 hit points while holding the staff, you can use your reaction siphon their magical power, and recover a number of spell slots with a combined level equal to the highest level spell of the defeated creature (maximum 5).

Retributive Strike. You can use an action to break the staff over your knee or against a solid surface, performing a retributive strike. The staff is destroyed and releases its magic in an explosion that expands to fill a 30-foot-radius sphere centered on it. You have a 50 percent chance to instantly travel to a random plane of existence, avoiding the explosion. If you fail to avoid the effect, you take 12d12 force damage. Every other creature in the area must make a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes the same amount of force damage. On a successful save, a creature takes half as much damage.

Vest of Resilience

Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement)

This black vest fits comfortably underneath any armor. While wearing this vest, you can use your reaction to cast the spell otiluke's resilient sphere on yourself. Once used, the vest cannot be used again until the next dawn.

Wand of Switcheroo

Wand, rare (requires attunement)

This wand has 3 charges. While holding this wand, you can use an action to target a creature your size or smaller within 100ft. If the creature is willing, you and the creature switch places. If the creature in unwilling, it must make a DC 16 Charisma saving throw to remain in place.

The wand regains 1d3 charges daily at dawn. If you expend the wand’s last charge, roll a d20. On a 1, the wand switches places with a regular stick, and is lost.

Omitted Items

The following items from The Adventure Zone: Balance were omitted from this list, for the reasons specified for each item.

• Button of Machine Animation: Too complicated to be written in a concise format.
• Grand Relics: Artifact quality items, to complicated to be written in a concise format.
• Grappling Hook: It's a mundane item already present in the Player's Handbook.
• Fletcher's Mit: An inferior version of a glove of missile snaring.
• Null Suit: The ability to completely cancel a school of magic is far too powerful and exploitable for normal play.
• Port Wand: Too complicated to be written in a concise format.
• Virtuoso's Mask: Identical in function to a hat of disguise.
• Vroom Broom: Identical to a broom of flying.

The following items from The Adventure Zone: Balance were taken directly from the Dungeon Master's Guide.

• Boots of Striding and Springing
• Cloak of the Manta Ray
• Immovable Rod