DIVINE BLESSINGS ־ TALONA

DIVINE BLESSINGS ־ TALONA

Divine Blessings - Magic Items of the Gods Chapter 18: Talona Talona, the Mother of All Plagues, is the goddess of blights, illnesses, and poisons. She has complete mastery over these afflictions, healing with one hand while infecting with the other. Despite having few temples dedicated to her name, she receives countless prayers from those hoping to save themselves and their loved ones. Others seek her cruelty, such as the assassin that poisons their mark, or the woman scorned that prays for a pox. Reflecting the duality of her cures and ailments, she can appear as a beautiful maiden or a wretched crone. However, her outward appearance cannot conceal how hideous she is inside, for she is fickle, sadistic, and heartless. Deadly Opportunist Like the diseases that she so adores, Talona preys upon the weak. She makes them dance to her macabre tune, by infecting a region with a plague and then basking in their prayers for salvation. She was formerly a servant of Bhaal, alongside her bitter rival Loviatar, the Maiden of Pain. However, ever since Bhaal's death and diminished return, Talona has gained in stature and aligned herself with Shar. Duel of Plagues Three centuries after the fall of Netheril, Talona had a dispute with an interloper deity from Earth. She was Loviatar's sister, Kiputyttö, the Finnish goddess of pain and illness. As gods often do, they battled for supremacy over their conflicting portfolios. The battlefield was the Netherese successor kingdom of Asram, which was ravaged by a series of plagues as the two goddesses attempted to surpass each other. The desperate population would pray to each goddess in turn, hoping to appease them but only empowering them further. The plagues persisted, unrelenting, until the entire population was dead. In the end, Kiputyttö's divine power was expended, and Talona proved herself to be the true Mistress of Disease. Talona's victory was so complete that Kiputyttö was not only slain but forgotten. With time, historians began to describe Kiputyttö as merely an aspect of Talona, and the destruction of Asram as an elaborate hoax to demonstrate her power. Even if you were to pray to Kiputyttö today, it would only reach Talona's ears. Life and Death Talona's greatest enemies are Chauntea and Silvanus. Their conflict began as the irreconcilable difference between life and death. It became aggravated when Talona claimed mastery over disease-ridden vermin and venomous creatures. The conflict reached its peak when the Rotting Man, a Chosen of Talona, began to experiment with nature's creations. He had discovered the blightspawned, a cruel mockery of life created by infecting animals and plants with a terrible supernatural disease. As their bodies rot away, they slowly transform into plantlike undead. They are beings of distilled corruption, who hate everything that is pure in the world. Palace of Poison Tears Talona's divine realm is located in Cathrys, the second layer of the plane of Carceri. This layer has an infinite number of floating world-sized orbs, each a jungle teeming with deadly hazards. The flora secretes acid and is covered with razorsharp leaves and thorns, while the fauna consists of creatures of every lethal variety, from swarms of infectious vermin to venomous super predators. 2 This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.

Magic Items While pursuing my goal of discerning the purpose regarding magic items related to the gods, I've found many to be of great intrigue. Some are unique, reserved for specific individuals of note or rank. Others are more common, made to be used by a more novice or introductory follower. Castigator Martial weapon (scimitar), rare (requires attunement) This magic weapon deals an extra 1d6 poison damage when it hits a poisoned creature. Creatures hit by this magic weapon must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned until the end of their next turn. While holding this sword, you can cast feather fall and misty step. Once the sword has been used to cast a spell, it cannot be used to cast the same spell again until you finish a long rest. If you cast misty step and then take the Attack action, you can make one additional attack with this sword. "This sword is carved from the horn of a Kastighur, a demon from the Abyss that idolizes aggression and terror." Castigator Corrupting Virulence Light Armor (studded leather), rare (requires attunement) When a creature causes you to become afflicted with the poisoned, blinded, or deafened conditions, you can use a reaction to return the favor. That creature must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, they are also afflicted by the same conditions. While wearing this armor, you can use an action to cast contagion (attack bonus of +6, save DC 14). You can't use the armor this way again until you finish a long rest. "Talona believes in sharing her gifts far and wide - even with you." Death's Whisper Martial weapon (blowgun), rare (requires attunement) This magic weapon deals an extra 1d8 poison damage to any target it hits. You know the poison spray cantrip. Also, when a creature succeeds on a saving throw against your poison spray, they take half of its damage. When you cause a creature to take poison damage, they can't regain hit points until the end of your next turn. "The inside of this blowgun is lined with the poison gland of a giant toad, sustained and empowered by necromantic magic." Slow Death Simple weapon (dagger), very rare You have a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this weapon. If this dagger is stored in its scabbard for at least 1 hour, it becomes coated in poison until it hits a creature. That creature must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 minute. While poisoned in this way, a creature must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw at the end of each of its turns. If it succeeds on three of these saves, it is no longer poisoned. Each time it fails this save it becomes afflicted by an additional condition that lasts until they are no longer poisoned. First they become blinded, then incapacitated, and finally paralyzed. The creature dies if it fails this saving throw while afflicted by all three of these conditions. "This dagger was commissioned by Nox, a sadistic assassin that operated in Baldur's Gate long ago. Her inefficient methods led her to take one risk too many, and the dagger has changed hands many times since then." The Poison Tears Wondrous item, legendary (requires attunement) You ignore resistance to poison damage and necrotic damage. You can use an action to transfer a poison from a poisoned ally to an enemy. An ally within 30 feet of you is cured of the poisoned condition. An enemy within 30 feet of you must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, they take 4d8 poison damage and are poisoned until the end of your next turn. While wearing this necklace, you can use an action to cast one of the following spells (save DC 17): blight, cloudkill, and harm. Once the necklace has been used to cast a spell, it cannot be used to cast the same spell again until you finish a long rest. "Shaped like her holy symbol, this necklace is Talona's reminder of the inevitability of death." The Poison Tears Death's Whisper 3 This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.

Talona's Archives Talona loves to create new poisons and diseases with which to torment mortals. Her most effective concoctions are highly sought after, especially by those in the business of murder. For the most part, the poisons described here follow the same basic rules. You can use an action to coat a weapon or up to three pieces of ammunition with poison. Once applied, it retains its potency for 1 minute or until you hit with the weapon or ammunition. As a reminder, poisons do not deal additional damage on a critical hit. Item Price per Dose Black Widow Venom 100gp Fleshmelter 800gp Gravedigger 400gp Grim Reaper 200gp Kiss of Death 800gp Liquid Pox 400gp Murky Eye 200gp Snake Bite 50gp Talona's Second Kiss 100gp Black Widow Venom Adventuring gear, poison (injury) When you hit with a weapon or ammunition coated in this poison, your target must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, your target takes 2d8 poison damage and is poisoned for 1 minute. At the end of each of their turns, they can repeat the save, with the condition ending on a success. Fleshmelter Adventuring gear, poison (injury) When you hit with a weapon or ammunition coated in this poison, your target must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, your target takes 2d8 poison damage and is poisoned for 1 minute. At the end of each of their turns, they can repeat the save. On a failure, they take 2d8 poison damage. When they succeed on the saving throw for the second time, this effect ends. Gravedigger Adventuring gear, poison (injury) When you hit with a weapon or ammunition coated in this poison, your target must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw. A creature takes 6d8 poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. Grim Reaper Adventuring gear, poison (injury) When you hit with a weapon or ammunition coated in this poison, your target must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, your target takes 2d8 poison damage and is poisoned until the end of your next turn. Unlike normal poisons, Reaper's Scythe retains its potency for 10 minutes or until you hit twice with a coated weapon. Kiss of Death Adventuring gear, poison (injury) When you hit with a weapon or ammunition coated in this poison, your target must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, your target takes 2d8 poison damage and is poisoned until the end of your next turn. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the creature is also paralyzed while poisoned in this way. Liquid Pox Adventuring gear, poison (injury) When you hit with a weapon or ammunition coated in this poison, your target must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, your target takes 2d8 necrotic damage and is poisoned until the end of your next turn. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the creature is also restrained while poisoned in this way. Murky Eye Adventuring gear, poison (injury) When you hit with a weapon or ammunition coated in this poison, your target must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, your target takes 2d8 poison damage and is poisoned until the end of your next turn. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the creature is also blinded while poisoned in this way. Snake Bite Adventuring gear, poison (injury) When you hit with a weapon or ammunition coated in this poison, your target must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw. A creature takes 3d8 poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. Universal Antidote The Lady of Poison lives up to her name, afflicting mortals with horrible venoms or cleansing them with a mere brush of her hand. Most of her worshippers are interested in cures, and she graciously provides them to those willing to pay. Talona's Second Kiss Adventuring gear, potion A creature that drinks this potion ceases to be poisoned, and is cured of any disease. Black Widow Grim Reaper Venom Talona's Second Kiss 4 This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.

Damra the Wise Damra rose from humble beginnings to become an archmage and Arcane Scholar of Candlekeep. He was a prodigy in his youth, earning the moniker "the Wise" due to his education on countless topics. Rumor has it that Damra owns a magical grimoire filled with lost knowledge, but no one knows what it looks like. He currently serves as the Arcane Forgemaster and is a professor of Magical Binding and Magical Research. He has not left Candlekeep in almost a decade, but during his youth he traveled to Cormyr, Amn, Waterdeep, and many other places, including several planes. Damra is a patient teacher and is willing to share his knowledge with those he deems worthy, provided that it won't be used for evil. He is often sought out by adventurers when they find something magical of unusual origin, such as an item that resists magical identification. In return for his assistance, Damra is interested in new or forgotten knowledge and magic items. Damra loves humor of all kinds, from bawdy to obscure. Some of his jokes contain references that only the educated would understand, and he uses them to measure someone's knowledge. Damra can be quite stubborn, never being swayed by an argument unless he personally sees wisdom in it. He also never gives up hope even in the most dire of circumstances. He would rather die with integrity than survive in infamy. He has connections with both the Harpers and the Lords' Alliance, assisting them when something magical threatens the realms. Damra has particular contempt for the followers of Shar, who actively oppose Mystra and threaten the Weave. He can also be swayed to assist those that work against Lolth, but always covertly in order to protect his loved ones from the Spider Queen's wrath. Credits Written by - Apacolyps and Zrave (Shadow Lab Games) Cover Page Art - Cropped. WotC. DMsGuild Eberron Heroes & Villains Art Pack Page stains - Jared Ondricek CC BY 4.0 Alchemist Table - Cropped. Elena Mozhvilo Unsplash License Death's Whisper - Midjourney. Personal Asset The Poison Tears - Cropped necklace, color shifted, reshaped, and duplicated gemstone. Jasmin Chew Unsplash License Castigator - Cropped. Anis Rahman Unsplash License Black Widow Venom - Bob Greyvenstein (Grim Press) Grim Reaper - Bob Greyvenstein (Grim Press) Talona's Second Kiss - Cropped. Qimono) Pixabay License Parchment - Andrey_Kuzmin Royalty Free (added text) Ink Splotch - Prawny Pixabay License Damra - Wisconsinart Royalty Free (cropped) Some artwork © Grim Press, used with permission. All rights reserved. This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.