D&D Introduction to Wandcraft, Pt. 4

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Part 1: Initiative, Deflecting, Disarming, Wands’ Natures
Part 2: Wand Allegiance, Improvement, Attitudes
Part 3: Pliability, Requirements, Preferences, Affinities

Art Credit: Wand Designs by Oneoftwo on Deviantart

Otherworldly Wands

As implied, these are rare items mentioned in the first article, possibly of an outer-planar nature. They require owners with experience levels 9+ (or at least 9 HD). In the hands of less experienced users, otherworldly wands do not function at all. However, in their preferred spellcasters’ hand, these wands receive an additional +1 bonus to their ratings increasing their maximum bonus to +5 and, therefore, their success odds of deflecting, disarming, and dominating a weaker bearer. Special powers these wands confer are only valid when held in the hands of preferred owners.
            Many of them are unyielding (or worse: –3 “adamantine”). They are divided into 6 classes: A. Elemental, B. Incorporeal, C. Metal, D. Mineral, E. Organic, and F. Legendary Wands. The materials making these items have been altered magically to give them a wand-like shape and to make them shatter-proof. They also are immune to decay, corrosion, and insect damage. Their resonance often differs from wands made of wood, bone, or ivory. Only incorporeal beings or preferred spellcasters can physically handle Class B wands.
            Legendary Wands are those unique items related to “named” creators (like Elminster, Etienne d’Amberville, Eriadna, Bargle, Raistlin Majere, Fizban, Fistandantilus, Mordenkainen, Leomund, Bigby, Nolzur, Zagyg, Tasha, Keoghtom, Tenser, Melf, Rary, Merlin, Baba Yaga, etc.). They conform to none of what has been described so far. Either randomly roll for each feature (Material, Pliability, Preference, and Affinity) on the chart below, or just pick what best fits, and add greater powers.

NB. In the following chart Good and Evil refer to the AD&D game system’s alignments, while Lawful and Chaotic only refer to the simpler OSR-style alignments. Use your best judgment in potentially debatable situations. For example: the Chaos wand listed below could arguably be fine with a Chaotic-Neutral owner but not with Chaotic Good or Lawful Evil bearers.

Repertoire of Otherworldly Wands by Wendigrint & Arymonthius
d00	Class A. Elemental Wands
1	Chaos Pliability: +1 (Dexterity) Requirement: Cast one illusion spell daily at a target randomly picked with a die roll. Preference: Evil or Chaotic spellcasters Affinity: Illusion, gibbering Details: Made of solidified kinetic energy as black as obsidian, chaos wands exude an aura akin to heat distortion although they are cool to the touch. They appear to vibrate and randomly go in and out of focus. Once per day, chaos wands corrupt Divination magic, yielding false results in the owners’ best interest.
2-3	Clayheart Pliability: 0 (Constitution) Requirement: None Preference: Spellcasters with 15+ Charisma, or dwellers from the elemental plane of earth Affinity: Invocation, rumbling Details: Clayhearts originate from the elemental plane of earth. Typical terracotta wand colors are brown, red, orange, buff, medium grey, or white. They bestow a +2 bonus to save vs. poisons and venoms.
4-5	Frostbrand Pliability: –1 (Strength) Requirement: None Preference: White dragons, ice or snow dwellers Affinity: Alteration, crackling Details: Frostbrands are frosty white and exude an icy, crackling fog. When used, they cover all within a 15’ radius with a thin layer of rime. If other than preferred, spellcasters touching these wands without gloves suffer 3d6 damage per round until released. Confers a +2 bonus to save vs. cold-based attacks.
6-7	Skyfire Pliability: –3 (Dexterity) Requirement: None Preference: Flying creatures Affinity: Alteration, crackling; spell affinity extends to electricity-based magic. Details: Originating from the elemental plane of air, skyfire wands are made from bluish hair fused into a rigid form. When used, they emit an aura of sparkling electricity. They are safe to handle and feel slightly warm to the touch. Their targets suffer a –2 penalty to save vs. electrical attacks.
8-9	Stonefire Pliability: –2 (Strength) Requirement: None Preference: Red dragons, efreeti, fire-breathing creatures, or desert dwellers Affinity: Alteration, crackling Details: Originating from the elemental plane of fire, stonefire wands are glowing red energy exuding an aura of heat distortion. If other than preferred, spellcasters touching these wands without gloves or magical protection suffer 3d6 damage per round until released. Bestows a +2 bonus to save vs. fire-based attacks.
10-11	Waterborn Pliability: 0 (Constitution) Requirement: None Preference: Good or Lawful spellcasters, or aquatic creatures Affinity: Conjuration, burbling Details: Originating from the elemental plane of water, waterborn wands are a semi-solid, translucent fluid. If disturbed it ripples or reforms into its wand-like shape. Immersed targets sustain a –2 penalty to their saves.
12-13	Windborn Pliability: +1 (Dexterity) Requirement: Doesn’t function underwater. Preference: Flying beings or any Neutral spellcasters Affinity: Divination, wuthering Details: Originating from the elemental plane of air, a windborn wand looks like dust spiraling beyond its slender acacia wood handle fitting in the owner’s hand. If disturbed, its forward half reforms into its spiraling shape. When deflecting a spell or averting a disarm attempt, it unveils the names of the attacking device and its owner.
Class B. Incorporeal Wands
14	Astral Pliability: –2 (Wisdom) Requirement: None. Preference: Monstrous spellcasters or necromancers Affinity: Necromancy, moaning Details: Astral wands are made of ectoplasm shaped into a wand’s form; pale white, semi-translucent. Living targets sustain a –2 penalty to their saves.
15	Chromatic Pliability: –3 (Charisma) Requirement: None Preference: Dragon-like creatures or illusionists Affinity: Illusion, warbling. Details: Shimmering, multicolored light radiate to form a wand-like shape. Observers perceive the wand as any other small object its owner wishes.
16-17	Cloud Pliability: +1 (Dexterity) Requirement: Needs natural rain or fog. The length of exposure in hours determines the number of weeks (maximum 4) before resuming exposure. Preference: Spellcasters with 15+ Dexterity, cloud giants, or storm giants Affinity: Divination, rumbling Details: Billowing clouds extend from the wand’s handle. When the owner is at peace, the handle looks like ivory and the clouds are wispy and white, otherwise, the handle looks like ebony, and the clouds dark with faint flashes within. Targets in clouds or fog incur a –2 penalty to their saves.
18-19	Darkheart Pliability: +1 (Wisdom) Requirement: Doesn’t function while exposed to direct sunlight. Preference: Evil, Chaotic, or undead spellcasters Affinity: Necromancy, moaning Details: The wand appears to be made of inscrutable darkness. Any living creature other than a preferred spellcaster touching it with or without gloves suffers 3d6 damage per round until released.
20-21	Moonray Pliability: –2 (Charisma) Requirement: None Preference: Female spellcasters (except if afflicted with lycanthropy) Affinity: Abjuration, wuthering. Details: Pale, bluish, glowing, and translucent, this wand keeps were-creatures at least 15’ away. The ability is negated when attacking creatures kept at bay.
22-23	Phlogiston Pliability: +1 (Constitution) Requirement: Requires starlight. The length of exposure in hours determines the number of weeks (maximum 4) before resuming exposure. Preference:  Any Neutral spellcasters Affinity: Invocation, whispering Details: A dark and starry wand, it exudes a faint smoky aura. It enables breathing in an unbreathable environment.
24-25	Shadow Pliability: +1 (Wisdom) Requirement: Must be used to cast a spell of darkness once daily at dusk. Preference: Monstrous or subterranean spellcasters Affinity: Conjuration, growling Details: This invisible wand casts a shadow when exposed to a light source. “Picking up” its shadow moves the wand into the spellcaster’s hand. Owners can alter their shadows and displace them up to 100’ away per “plus” modifier.
26-27	Soul Pliability: –1 (Wisdom) Requirement: None Preference: Monstrous spellcasters or necromancers Affinity: Necromancy, moaning Details: As white as alabaster, though incorporeal, soul wands retain a fraction of their slain victims’ souls, remembering 1d10+10 years-worth of their lives per “plus” modifier.
28-29	Sunray Pliability: –3 (Charisma) Requirement: None Preference: Gold dragons and Good or Lawful spellcasters Affinity: Enchantment, heavenly clamoring Details: As bright as a ray of sun, the wand feels warm to the touch. It is natural sunlight and provides a +2 bonus to AC against the undead and shadow creatures; it grows dim in the hands of non-preferred spellcasters.
30	Twilight Pliability: –1 (Wisdom) Requirement: None Preference: Thieving or plane-shifting spellcasters Affinity: Illusion, hooting Details: From pale gold to amber with pink and purple shades, these wands alter their owners' facial appearances and silhouettes when seen from at least 30 yards in twilight conditions (outdoors only).
Class C. Metallic Wands
31	Araldium Pliability: –3 (Strength) Requirement: None Preference: Spellcasters with 15+ Dexterity or denizens of the dark such as the drow and shadow elves. Affinity: Enchantment, chiming Details: Also known as adamantine or mithril in other universes, this wand appears as if made of bluish chrome. Bestows immunity to magically induced fear, and NPC companions receive a +2 bonus to their Morale Checks.
32-33	Brass Pliability: –2 (Dexterity) Requirement: None Preference: Brass dragons or demi-human spellcasters Affinity: Alteration, clattering Details: Its fiery hues are unmistakable though it feels cool to the touch. Confers a +2 Charisma bonus to deliberately brazen and daring spellcasters for the remainder of the day following the demonstration of swagger and panache.
34-35	Bronze Pliability: –3 (Constitution) Requirement: None Preference: Bronze dragons or spellcasters with 15+ Strength Affinity: Invocation, low humming Details: Gold to brown possibly with a dull green patina, a bronze wand confers its owner a 1-in-6 chance (plus wand rating) of detecting a shapechanging creature within 30’ (30 yards outdoors).
36-37	Copper Pliability: –2 (Wisdom) Requirement: None Preference: Copper dragons or spellcasters with 15+ Strength Affinity: Alteration, clattering Details: Of reddish-orange tones, copper wands are reputed to help heal ailments, thus conferring their owners a +2 bonus to save vs. physical or mental diseases, and mind-controlling magic.
38-39	Gold Pliability: –2 (Constitution) Requirement: None Preference: Gold dragons or spellcasting rulers (dominion and military leaders) Affinity: Divination, metallic heartbeat Details: When held, gold wands are empowering devices conferring their owners a +2 bonus to all Wisdom-based skill rolls and Wisdom checks. They feel warm to the touch and softly pulsing.
40-41	Iron Pliability: –2 (Strength) Requirement: None Preference: Human spellcasters or with Willpower at least 5 pts higher than the wand’s Affinity: Alteration, diffuse humming Details: Iron wands are dull black and cold to the touch. Demonic creatures suffer a –2 penalty to their saving throws vs. spells cast with these wands.
42-43	Mercury Pliability: +1 (Dexterity) Requirement: Inert for an hour after double-casting (see Details below). Preference: Chaotic or shape-shifting spellcasters Affinity: Illusion, metallic winding Details: Shiny and mirror-like, mercury wands are made of solidified quicksilver. Once per day, they enable their owners to cast one extra spell during the same round. The wands’ “plusses” indicate the maximum spell level that can be double-cast. The extra spell takes effect at the end of the round.
44-45	Pewter Pliability: –2 (Charisma) Requirement: None Preference: Spellcasters who are neither male nor female, or both Affinity: Conjuration, chirping Details: Dark gray with blue undertones and a dull sheen, pewter wands enable their owners to trade any memorized spell for an un-memorized Conjuration spell of the same or lower level. The wands’ “plusses” indicate the number of times spells can be traded in a day.
46	Platinum Pliability: –2 (Charisma) Requirement: None Preference: Good or Lawful spellcasters, or platinum dragons Affinity: Enchantment, soft heartbeat Details: Pale silvery in appearance, platinum wands do not kill anyone who should have died from their magic. At their owners’ discretion, these wands leave targeted foes unconscious for an hour with 1 hit point left, or turn them gaseous until dispelled.
47-48	Silver Pliability: –2 (Wisdom) Requirement: None Preference: Good or Lawful spellcasters, or silver dragons Affinity: Invocation, throbbing Details: Silver wands enable their owners to trade any memorized spell for an un-memorized Invocation spell of the same or lower level. The wands’ “plusses” indicate the number of times spells can be traded in a day.
49-50	Steel Pliability: –3 (Strength) Requirement: None Preference: Combat-skilled spellcasters or with willpower at least 5 pts higher than the wand’s Affinity: Alteration, metallic rasp Details: Pale gray, shiny, and with gold to pink damask, steel wands are shaped like stilettos or slender daggers. They can be used as such in combat, aside from spellcasting. These are magical weapons whose ratings are equivalent to those of swords.
51-52	Tin Pliability: –1 (Dexterity) Requirement: None. Preference: Thieving or gnomish spellcasters Affinity: Alteration, clattering Details: Pale gray and dull, a tin wand cannot disarm an opponent, but any successful roll to disarm its owner results in the attackers’ own devices being flung away if their ratings are equal or lower than the tin wand’s (no saves).
53-54	Zinc Pliability: –2 (Constitution) Requirement: None Preference: Any Neutral spellcasters Affinity: Illusion, clattering Details: Silvery-white with a blue tinge and dull patina, zinc wands are also known as luck wands. Whenever affected by any spell cast manually or with a lower-rated wand, roll two saving throws and keep the best score.
Class D. Mineral Wands (also known as “duelist wands”)
55-56	Blue Sapphire Pliability: –3 (Charisma) Requirement: None Preference: Blue dragons, djinni, or human spellcasters Affinity: Alteration, chirping Details: Translucent and pale blue to rich royal blue, these wands enable disarming attempts against devices with an affinity for Enchantment magic to be rolled on a d8–4 instead of a d8–2 (see Disarming in Part 1).
57-58	Brimstone Pliability: –3 (Strength) Requirement: None Preference: Efreeti or spellcasters with 15+ Constitution Affinity: Necromancy, moaning Details: Evocative of the fiery tone of sulfur, these wands enable disarming attempts against devices with an affinity for Invocation magic to be rolled on a d8–4 instead of a d8–2.
59-60	Cat’s Eye Pliability: –3 (Dexterity) Requirement: None Preference: Monstrous or feline-like spellcasters Affinity: Conjuration, hissing Details: This highly polished gem possesses a green or gold chatoyant reflection reminiscent of a cat’s or a tiger’s eyes. These wands enable disarming attempts against devices with an affinity for Abjuration magic to be rolled on a d8–4 instead of a d8–2.
61-62	Cinnabar Pliability: –3 (Wisdom) Requirement: None Preference: Merchant princes or demi-human spellcasters Affinity: Enchantment, rattling Details: Scarlet to brick-red and with a quartz-like texture. Whenever devices with an affinity for Alteration magic fail disarming attempts, their owners must immediately succeed a saving throw or be disarmed.
63-64	Crystal Pliability: –3 (Dexterity) Requirement: None Preference: Ice-dwelling or human spellcasters Affinity: Alteration, chirping Details: They are translucent nearly to the point of being invisible. A rainbow-like reflection can be seen inside when exposed to direct sunlight. Crystal wands enable disarming attempts against devices with an affinity for Enchantment magic to be rolled on a d8–4 instead of a d8–2.
65-66	Diamond Pliability: –3 (Strength) Requirement: None Preference: Aquatic or female spellcasters Affinity: Illusion, warbling Details: Translucent nearly to the point of being invisible, a rainbow-like reflection can be seen on its surfaces when exposed to direct sunlight. These wands enable disarming attempts against devices with an affinity for Divination magic to be rolled on a d8–4 instead of a d8–2.
67-68	Emerald Pliability: –3 (Constitution) Requirement: None Preference: Forest-dwelling or demi-human spellcasters Affinity: Alteration, chirping Details: These wands showcase a rich green or blue-green hue. When performing/parrying a disarming move or when deflecting an attack from a device with an affinity to Enchantment, roll twice and pick the best score.
69-70	Glassteel Pliability: –3 (Constitution) Requirement: None Preference: Combat-skilled spellcasters or those only harmed by +1 or better weapons. Affinity: Abjuration, clinking Details: Similar to glass with slight blue-green shades, these wands often feature smooth surfaces rather than carved with sharp geometric patterns. Some are shaped as daggers or stilettos. Whenever devices with an affinity for Conjuration magic fail disarming attempts, their owners must immediately succeed a saving throw or be disarmed.
71-72	Hematite Pliability: –3 (Constitution) Requirement: None Preference: Black dragons or human spellcasters Affinity: Necromancy, moaning Details: These wands feel heavy and are black or gray with blood-red streaks. Contrary to certain beliefs, hematite wands are not magnetic. When performing/parrying a disarming move or when deflecting an attack from a device with an affinity to Invocation, roll twice and pick the best score.
73-74	Jade Pliability: –3 (Charisma) Requirement: None Preference: Spellcasters with 15+ Wisdom, dominion and military leaders, or jade dragons Affinity: Conjuration, growling Details: Jade ranges from translucent to opaque and can be light to dark green, yellow, brown, black, gray, or white, often mottled or streaked. When performing/parrying a disarming move or when deflecting an attack from a device with an affinity to Abjuration, roll twice and pick the best score.
75-76	Malachite Pliability: –3 (Strength) Requirement: None Preference: Green dragons or human spellcasters Affinity: Invocation, whispering Details: Malachite features a bright green color with lighter streaks, and a vitreous to adamantine luster. Whenever devices with an affinity for Necromantic magic fail disarming attempts, their owners must immediately succeed a saving throw or be disarmed.
77-78	Obsidian Pliability: –3 (Dexterity) Requirement: None Preference: Jungle-dwelling or shape-changing spellcasters Affinity: Abjuration, clinking Details: Obsidian has a glassy luster and is slightly harder than glass. Though obsidian is typically jet-black in color, tiny gas bubbles may create a golden sheen. Whenever devices with an affinity for Conjuration magic fail disarming attempts, their owners must immediately succeed a saving throw or be disarmed.
79-80	Onyx Pliability: –3 (Strength) Requirement: None Preference: Monstrous spellcasters or denizens of the dark (drow, shadow elves) Affinity: Alteration, chirping Details: Most people associate onyx with a jet-black color layered with white bands. Onyx is also found in brown, red, and white variations. These wands enable disarming attempts against devices with an affinity for Enchantment magic to be rolled on a d8–4 instead of a d8–2.
81-82	Porcelain Pliability: –3 (Charisma) Requirement: None Preference: Spellcasting constructs and demi-human spellcasters Affinity: Enchantment, clinking Details: These wands are vitrified pottery with a white, fine-grained body that is usually translucent.  Whenever devices with an affinity for Alteration magic fail disarming attempts, their owners must immediately succeed a saving throw or be disarmed.
83-84	Ruby Pliability: –3 (Strength) Requirement: None Preference: Human spellcasters or beings with innate magical charm abilities Affinity: Alteration, chirping Details: Wand-grade ruby is pure, vibrant red to a slightly purplish-red. When performing/parrying a disarming move or when deflecting an attack from a device with an affinity to Enchantment, roll twice and pick the best score.
85-86	Turquoise Pliability: –3 (Charisma) Requirement: None Preference: Desert dwellers and female spellcasters Affinity: Illusion, warbling Details: Semitranslucent to opaque, turquoise usually ranges from light to medium blue or greenish-blue, often mottled or with dark splotches. When performing/parrying a disarming move or when deflecting an attack from a device with an affinity to Divination, roll twice and pick the best score.
87-88	Yellow Sapphire Pliability: –3 (Wisdom) Requirement: None Preference: Beings who are permanently blind or spellcasters with 15+ Wisdom Affinity: Invocation, whispering Details: The preferred color is a medium, vibrant, canary yellow with naturally high brilliance. Whenever devices with an affinity for Necromantic magic fail disarming attempts, their owners must immediately succeed a saving throw or be disarmed.
Class D. Organic Wands
89-90	Amber Pliability: –1 (Wisdom) Requirement: None Preference: Spellcasters with 15+ Charisma Affinity: Divination, wuthering Details: Semitranslucent amber wands range from golden to orange or reddish-brown. White amber exists as well, which is opaque and marbled with gold amber. When deflecting a spell or foiling a disarm attempt, the wand heals its owner 1d4 hit points + the wand's rating.
91-92	Arachnite Pliability: +1 (Wisdom) Requirement: Must keep a giant spider as a pet or as a familiar. Preference: Female or drow spellcasters Affinity: Abjuration, hissing Details: Essentially solid spider silk, arachnite features a glistening, semitranslucent white appearance with slight blue shades. When owners deflect a spell, their attacker moves at half speed for the rest of the encounter.
93-94	Chocolate Pliability: 0 (Constitution) Requirement: None Preference: Ghosts, jack-o-lanterns, or witches Affinity: Illusion, muted crunching Details: Luscious and dark, with or without enchanted nuts, it is a chocolate-lover’s delight that regrows as fast as bits are bitten off; melts only in one’s mouth and not in one’s hands. Each sweet morsel exudes a magic Charm effect (no saves during All Hallows’ Eve).
95-96	Coral Pliability: –2 (Charisma) Requirement: None Preference: Demi-human or aquatic spellcasters Affinity: Conjuration, bubbling Details: The most common range from pale and opaque pink or salmon, to deep dark red. Black and gold corals are infrequent, and blue the rarest. When owners deflect a spell, they earn a cumulative +1 AC bonus until the end of the encounter.
97-98	Pearl Pliability: –2 (Charisma) Requirement: None Preference: Female or aquatic spellcasters Affinity: Enchantment, burbling Details: Iridescent and opaque, pearl wands are white, cream, black, gray, or silvery with pink, green, purple, or blue overtones. When owners deflect a spell, it is turned against their attacker (saving throw negates).
99-00	Resin Pliability: 0 (Dexterity) Requirement: None Preference: Demi-human or forest-dwelling spellcasters Affinity: Alteration, rustling Details: These wands are made of solidified resin ranging from opaque yellow to brown. When owners deflect a spell, their attacker incurs a cumulative –2 penalty to Initiative for the rest of the encounter.
Technically, bone, ivory, and wood wands are organic devices, all of which were listed earlier.

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