Activation

Bones of Steel

Kail hefted the paralysis ray emitter,saving the far deadlier harrower for later.He adjusted the rubbery tube that connected the targeting array to the clamp set into his temple.He felt the pulse ofenergy run from the device to his skull. The throbbing subsided,and he felt the emitter key into his thoughts and respond to his wishes with subtle adjustments. He looked around him,then remembered to lower the protective goggles that he had shoved up on his head.Through them,the world was a dimmer place, but he liked it that way. Suddenly the shaft ofa crossbow bolt cut through the air from behind him,just missing his head.Kail turned and saw a shadow run toward the open door ofthe stone building he had just left.He bit down on the mouth switch connected to the emitter by a thick coppery wire,aiming the weapon with his mind rather than his hands.Yellow and violent energy cascaded out ofthe device and slammed into the target,who fell against the wall and slumped to the ground like a half-empty sack.

As described in the Introduction,some chaositech devices are fashioned from steel,wire,and glass. These items seem more straightforward than the other types ofchaositech,because they look the most like devices that people are already familiar with,such as crossbows or clockwork machines.These are the chaositech devices that virtually anyone can just pick up and use—if they can figure out how to work them.So many ofthose desiring chaositech seek these types ofdevices first.Chaos cultists use the term “bones ofsteel” as a secret code phrase for this type of“familiar” chaositech.

The bones ofsteel tap into chaotic energies and harness them,but,in terms ofbasic operation,they are still machines.Those with the proper training can refuel,repair, or even sometimes create these devices using specialized tools.Iron bolts and clamps hold the mechanisms together. Their interiors are a jumble ofwires,tubes,and spinning apparatuses bewildering to the eyes ofmost people—but then,most people rarely see a chaositech device at all,let alone open one up to look at the insides.

When hefted,the bones ofsteel feel cold and give offa tingling sensation that sets most people’s teeth on edge.A few users complain ofheadaches or muscle aches in the hands or arms (specifically,the hand holding the device). When activated,chaositech devices are rarely subtle.They make strange,unearthly noises,flare with arcing energy,and sometimes give offodors—usually a powerful metallic smell or the stench ofacrid chemicals.

This chapter deals with chaositech devices that are not meant to become fused with a creature’s body.They are frequently called non-intrinsic devices.These inorganic items draw on the power ofchaos to produce strange and often dangerous effects.In the hands ofsomeone who knows how to use it properly,a non-intrinsic chaositech device might appear to be magical.

The truth is actually much stranger.

The chaositech devices described here do not have caster levels.They are not magic items and cannot be dispelled.In addition,because they are not magical,devices like insect gloves† do not resize to fit the wearer.

Spells that offer protection against spell-like effects and magic,such as nondetection, do not work against similar chaositech devices (such as a long-range tracker†).

The primary exception to this rule is energy types.Ifa chaositech device inflicts damage ofa given type,such as acid,a spell or magic item that offers protection against the energy type,such as a potion ofprotection from acid, still provides protection.(This is true in more general cases as well: A ring ofprotection still offers an Armor Class bonus against an attack made with a chaositech weapon.) As a rule of thumb,when an effect specifies spells or magic,you cannot extrapolate that such an effect applies to chaositech as well.

Chaositech items are never masterwork.They can be made into magic items with the proper feats and spells,however.

Activation

Using a chaositech device is rarely easy or straightforward. Usually,strange switches,levers,dials,or even more obtuse mechanisms are involved.Sometimes one lever must be activated just right in order for another switch to function at all, or to function safely.Other devices have two switches that the user must activate at the exact same time.There is no internal logic to it,and even two devices with the same function might have different appearances and different means ofactivation.

A character who finds a chaositech item and wants to figure out how to use it has two options: 1. Use the identify device† spell.(A generous DM may allow identify to work on chaositech items,but technically speaking the spell reveals only the magical properties of magic items.) 2. Examine and experiment with the item.The character makes an Intelligence check (DC 20),with the following modifiers: