The Pen of the Void
) The Pen of the Void | |
---|---|
Base item | athame |
Damage vs. small | 1d4 x2 + (special) |
Damage vs. large | 1d3 x2 + (special) |
To-hit bonus | +1d5 |
Bonus versus | pen restored |
Weapon skill | dagger |
Size | one-handed |
Affiliation | |
When carried |
(none) |
When wielded |
(special) |
When invoked |
see article |
Base price | 2500 zm |
Weight | 10 |
Material | iron |
The Pen of the Void is both the Binder's first gift and their quest artifact.
Single Blade Form
Before the quest leader is slain, the Pen is a normal athame, though it can be enchanted to only +5 max (attempts to overenchant the Pen simply fail). In this form, the pen can store one spirit (as detailed below) and has no #invoke effect. Reading the Pen will show that it was once a dual-bladed athame, but the second blade has been snapped off.
Dual Blade Form
After the quest leader is slain, a lot of variables concerning the Pen are doubled. It is now a 2x damage artifact, can be enchanted to +10, and can store two spirits. The effects of each spirit also increase. In this form the Pen can be #invoked to activate the Void Chime power. Reading the Pen will show that it now has both blades.
Void Chime
Invoking the restored Pen activates the Void Chime Power. For the next 5 turns, any spirits stored in the blade count as being bound to the character as well, and all spirits bound to the player count as being in the Pen. While the Void Chime is sounding, breaking a spirit's taboo does not unbind it. The Void Chime also resets the cooldowns of all spirit powers.
Pen Binding
If a Binder with no free slots attempts to bind a spirit while wielding the Pen of the Void, the spirit may instead be stored in the Pen. The spirit's binding timeout is set as normal, and it's seal appears on the Pen. Spirits stored in the Pen do not grant their usual abilities, and the character is not subject to their taboos. Instead, each spirit modifies the Pen in some way. If the Pen is still single-bladed, you may only bind one spirit inside it. The dual-bladed pen can store two spirits. Reading the pen will tell you what spirits are inside it.
Spirit Effects
Spirit | Damaged Pen Effect | Restored Pen Effect | Ritual Modifications |
---|---|---|---|
Ahazu | 20%: Subtract 3 move and +1d4 damage | 20%: Subtract 3 move and +4d4 damage | |
Amon | +1d4 fire damage | +4d4 fire damage | |
Andrealphus | Can engrave Teleport and TP control wards | The Pen burns engravings. | |
Andromalius | Sneak Attack + Resist theft of weapon | +Extra Sneak attack damage | |
Astaroth | +1d4 Shock | +4d4 Shock | The Pen must be rusty or corroded. |
Balam | +1d4 Cold | +4d4 Cold | |
Berith | Can joust, +1d4 Blood Merc damage | Can shatter weapons, +4d4 Blood Merc damage | |
Buer | Heal 1d4 HP per hit | Heal 4d4 HP per hit | |
Chupoclops | 10%: +1d4 and Create Web | 10%: +4d4 and Create Web | |
Dantalion | 10%: +1d4 and Probing | 10%: +4d4 and Probing | |
Echidna | +1d4 Acid | +4d4 Acid | |
Eden | +Silver | +2xSilver | |
Enki | +1d4 Water | +4d4 Water | |
Eurynome | 5% Counterattack | 10% Counterattack | |
Eve | Pen can launch any projectile | Pen has unlimited range with projectiles | |
Fafnir | +2d4 vs golems, +1d4 vs nonliving | +8d4 vs golems, +4d4 vs nonliving | |
Huginn and Muninn | vs sighted: +1d4 and Blind 1 turn | vs sighted: +4d4 and Blind 1 turn | |
Iris | +1d4 Wilting | +4d4 Wilting | |
Jack | Pen is a lightsource | Pen gains the Bright Light artifact property | |
Malphas | 5% of killed enemies become pet crows | 10% of killed enemies become pet crows | |
Marionette | Pen can be applied like a polearm | Pen gets 2x Strength bonus. | |
Mother | 5% Paralyze | 20% Paralyze | |
Naberius | +1d4 vs peaceful or frightened | +4d4 vs peaceful or frightened | |
Orthos | 10%: +1d4 + knockback | 10%: +4d4 + knockback | |
Ose | 20%: +1d15 | 20%: +4d15 | |
Otiax | +1 and 5% theft | +1d4 and 5% theft | |
Paimon | Gain 1 energy per hit | Gain 4 energy per hit | |
Shiro | Throw rock at melee target | Throw boulder at melee target | |
Simurgh | Stun target | +2d4 and stun target | |
Tenebrous | 5%: Drain level | 25%: Drain level | |
Ymir | Poison Pen | Set str to 25 |