Special Holy Symbols

Twilight Green: A distant relative of belladonna, this herb is a deadly poison (ingestion, DC 14 Fortitude negates, primary and secondary damage ld4 Constitution). When used as a component in the casting of any spell that deals negative energy damage, however, twilight green increases that damage by 1 point per spell level. Price: 250 gp.

Unicorn Horn: If a horn taken from a unicorn that has died of natural causes is used as a component in the casting of any touch spell that has the healing descriptor, it transforms the spell into a ray with a 30-foot range. Price: 190 gp.

Clerics, paladins, and most other divine spellcasters require some sort of holy symbol, both for their spellcasting and to use some of their other divine abilities. Two types of holy symbols—wooden and silver—are described in the Player's Handbook. Neither is more effective than the other.

In truth, many different types of holy symbols exist. Each incorporates the symbol of the deity in some way, but the styles and materials used can vary widely. Symbols of the same god might not be exact duplicates—in fact, different sects of a religion might focus on separate aspects of the same deity, and their symbols might reflect that difference. And finally, divine casters who don't follow a particular religion tend to have symbols of their own.

This section provides examples of a few unique holy symbols. Each draws upon a different core D&D deity for inspiration but can be adapted to similar deities in other campaign worlds.

COMMON ELEMENTS OF HOLY SYMBOLS

Each of the following holy symbols has a unique description and its own special enhancements. However, all have the following elements in common.

• Each symbol is made of materials worth at least 100 gp.

Even those made of natural materials go through a refining process that makes them inherently valuable. • Each symbol is durable, with hardness 5 and 10 hit points. • Each symbol is made to fit in one hand, regardless of the size of that hand. Its power lies not in its size, but in its connection to the divine. • To wield a holy symbol, the user must hold it in one hand and brandish it openly. Although some holy symbols can be worn, the wielder must always touch his symbol with at least one hand and display it prominently to use it as a focus for spellcasting, turning checks, and other related uses. Only the use of a metamagic feat such as Still Spell allows a caster to forgo this motion. • Each special symbol costs 350 gp. That price covers all material costs, plus any blessings or rituals needed to consecrate it. This cost also represents the fact that each symbol is of masterwork quality.

WHO CAN USE HOLY SYMBOLS

Typically, only clerics and paladins (and a few other divine casters) need to use holy symbols in spellcasting and other similar actions. However, any spellcaster can gain benefits from using these special holy symbols, assuming that she can cast spells of the appropriate type (see below). Not all symbols work equally well for all spellcasters.

Each symbol represents a character's devotion, beliefs, and worship, so both divine and arcane casters can use these symbols as foci for their spells. Even a spell that doesn't normally require a focus can be improved by the use of these symbols. The following rules apply to such use.

Alignment: To gain the benefits associated with a special holy symbol, you must be of a compatible alignment—that is, you cannot have an alignment component in opposition to either component of the deity associated with the symbol. For example, Kord is a chaotic good deity, so you could not use his holy symbol for spellcasting if you were either lawful or evil. (The alignment of clerics and other divine casters must be within one step of the deity they worship, as specified in the Player's Handbook)

Worship: Although nondivine characters might not pay as much homage to deities as divine casters do, anyone wishing to gain the benefits of using a special holy symbol as a focus must offer up at least a little religious respect. Work with your DM to decide what sort of roleplaying is required for your character to be considered a worshiper of a particular deity.

Exclusivity: Most spellcasters pay homage to only one deity at a time, but some—especially nondivine casters— pay homage to an entire pantheon, or perhaps a subset of deities. But even if your game uses a pantheistic approach, you still need to pick an individual deity to use one of the special holy symbols in this section. And furthermore, once you select a particular special holy symbol, you can't swap it for another without abandoning the first deity entirely. If you do want to make such a switch, the DM should work out the roleplaying ramifications of changing faiths with you.

HOLY SYMBOL DESCRIPTIONS

Each entry includes a brief physical description of the holy symbol, followed by its benefits.

Blood-Face of Erythnul: This rust-colored talisman depicts a face cackling with evil laughter. Swaths of bloodred highlight the open, grinning mouth and the brow ridge, giving the face a wild, almost demonic look.

When used as a focus for illusion spells or spells with the chaotic designator, a blood-face of Erythnul increases the save DC by 1.

Barbs of Hextor: The shape of this dark-colored, metallic talisman is that of a mailed fist grasping barbed arrows.

When used to cast Evil domain spells or spells that have the evil descriptor, this symbol increases your effective caster level by 1.

Bolt of Heironeous: Cast in the shape of a hand grasping a lightning bolt, this holy symbol is usually made of silver, gold, or a combination of both.

When used to cast Good domain spells or spells that have the good descriptor, this symbol increases your effective caster level by 1.

Devastation of Nerull: This symbol is either carved from bone or made from the skeleton of a Diminutive creature, and it always appears to be decaying. Worshipers

of Nerull typically either grow lichen on it, or whet it with but many worshipers of the Soul Forger feel the action a small amount of acid. As a result, it usually carries a mildly is appropriate. unpleasant odor. When used to cast Earth domain spells or spells that have

When used to cast a spell from the necromancy school the earth descriptor, Moradin's forge increases the save DC or the Death domain, or when brandished to rebuke or by 1. In addition, it increases your effective caster level by command (not turn or destroy) unintelligent undead, this 1 when used to turn or rebuke air creatures (as the Earth symbol increases your effective caster level by 1. domain granted power).

Ehlonna's Brooch: Worn by worshipers of the god Nugget of Garl Glittergold: This small symbol looks dess of the woodlands, this emerald carving of a unicorn like a chunk of unrefined gold ore—because it is. Blessed rampant sometimes seems to blend into the wearer's garb. by gnome priests, it is even more precious than its materiWhen grasped and used as a focus for a spell, it exudes a als suggest. faint green glow. When used to cast Trickery domain or illusion spells, a

When Ehlonna's brooch is used as a focus for a summon nugget of Garl Glittergold increases your effective caster animal or summon monster spell, each creature summoned level by 1. gains +1 hit point per Hit Die. Ruby Skull of Wee Jas: This stylized symbol carved from

Fharlanghn's Badge: This symbol is almost always ruby resembles a skull stretched and twisted by magic. Its made to look like a worn, weathered piece of wood bearing empty eye sockets stare unceasingly at the viewer. a crude carving of a sunset. In actuality, a Fharlanghn's When used as a focus for Death domain or necromancy badge is almost always made from materials that have spells, a ruby skull of Wee Jas increases your effective caster traveled a long way, such as driftwood, or the planks of a level by 1. In addition, when used to rebuke or command (not settler's wagon. turn or destroy) undead, it grants a +1 bonus on your turning

When brandished during the casting of any spell that in damage rolls. creases a creature's speed (or even one that imparts a Silver Badge of Larethian: This moon-sliver new mode of movement, such as fly), Fharlanghn's symbol is always silver in color and often decobadge increases the target's speed by an ad rated with etched or embossed images of leaves, ditional 5 feet. This item has no effect on berries, and nuts. Worshipers of the Protecspells that magically transport a character tor keep these items highly from one place to another (such as tele-port polished so that they shine or dimension door). brightly in moonlight.

Obad-Hai's Green Man: Always made When displayed while from living wood and green leaves, this casting Protection domain or symbol remains fresh as long as you remain abjuration spells, a silver badge alive and pay homage to the nature of Larethian increases your effecgod. Only upon close inspection tive caster level by 1. can nonworshipers see the face Stone Socket of Gruumsh: Orcs hidden amid the leaves. and other worshipers of Gruumsh

When used to cast spells sometimes carve these holy symbols from the Animal or Plant out of stone, making them look like domain, Obad-Hai's green empty eye sockets. During the conman increases your caster secration rituals, they pour blood level by 2. In addition, you (usually taken from the eyes of their gain a +1 bonus on turn sacrificial victims) into the hole to stain the or rebuke checks made stone permanently. against plant creatures while When used to cast War domain spells brandishing it. Special holy symbols confer bonuses or spells that have the evil descriptor, a stone

Mirror of Olidammara: This to their wielders' actions socket of Gruumsh grants a bonus equal to +1 symbol looks like a plain silver hand mir per damage die on damage rolls made for the ror, but anyone who looks into the glass sees a theatrical spells. However, this bonus cannot increase a spell's dammask with half the face dark and smiling and the other half age beyond its normal limit. So if used with spiritual weapon, white and scowling. This image is not magical in nature— which normally deals damage equal to ld8 points +1 point/ the glass is not a mirror, and the mask is simply embedded three caster levels, the stone socket of Gruumsh grants a +1 in the backing. bonus on the damage roll. However, that bonus cannot bring

When held forth during the casting of Luck domain the damage above 8 points for a lst-level caster, or above 13 | spells or spells that have the chaotic descriptor, the mirror points (ld8+5 maximum) for a 15th-level caster. of Olidammara increases your effective caster level by 1. Sun Disk of Pelor: Worshipers of Pelor believe they can

Moradin's Forge: Usually made of a heavy metal (lead, feel the sun's warmth through their golden, sun-shaped taladamantine, or even gold) and painted flat black, this talis ismans. One surface of each sun disk of Pelor is emblazoned man comes in two parts—a model hammer and a tiny anvil. with a stern but somehow comforting face, and the holy disks Most crafters attach the two parts with a thin but strong do shine in both sun and torchlight. and flexible wire, so that the hammer can be struck against When used to cast Sun domain or conjuration (healing) the anvil during casting. Doing so isn't strictly necessary, spells, a sun disk of Pelor grants a +1 bonus on healing (or