Apocalypse D&D Artifact Compendium
Artifact Compendium
This is a compendium of artifacts to include in
treasure hordes for Apocalypse D&D.
Artifacts are items of particular power that can be
found scattered throughout the dungeon world.
One of the advantages of artifacts is that they are
always efficacious. They do what they’re supposed
to do and do it well. On a failed roll, the DM’s move
should never be to have the artifact fail unless that
possibility is part of the item’s description. So, a
magic sword should not break; a character using
magical climbing slippers shouldn’t slip and fall; and
so on.
Artifacts may be identified through a Spout Lore roll,
experimentation, or by paying the appropriate sages.
Cursed items may be identified by magical curse
detection or by asking “Is it dangerous to me” on a
successful Spout Lore move.
Armor
1. Drake Chain
Forged by a legendary race of highly developed
lizardfolk in a previous age, this chainmail has a slimy
feel and greenish cast. However, it provides the
wearer with +1 to all rolls to Defy Danger and is
nearly weightless in water. The owner may not harm
any lizardfolk while wearing it.
2. Meteoric Shield
Few of these were ever made, owing to the rarity of
meteoric iron. In addition to the regular effects of a
shield, a meteoric shield provides +1 protection
against any hot, cold, or acid attack and a +1 to Defy
Danger where these elements are involved.
3. Terrance’s Spectacular Helm
This helm never belonged to Terrance but was
forged in imitation of his legendary headgear, the
Borealis Helm. Terrance’s helm produces an
unwavering light from gems set around the rim,
illuminating up to 30’. This light cannot be
extinguished by magic or any other means.
4. Wildwood Leathers
While many armors go by the name “Wildwood
leathers”, true items of this name allow their owner
to choose the option “slip into concealment” as the
result of any successful Make my Move roll taken in
an environment where there are shadows. If the
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character is a thief, they may choose to “vanish from
sight without a trace”.
Cursed Items
1. Dullard’s Blade
The Dullard’s Blade is named for King Wenclas the
Dull, famous for his cowardice. The Dullard’s Blade
provides +1 to damage, however on a failed move in
combat, the user must roll Defy Danger with the goal
of escaping from combat if possible. If the wielder is
already surrounded and unable to flee, they will
drop their blade and put their hands in the air.
2. Holey Shield
They say these were forged by the Eyrines before
the dawn of civilization. Each bears a different sigil,
some of which may be known to the very
knowledgeable. The shield provides +1 armor
protection over and above the normal shield bonus;
however, whenever the owner rolls a natural 2 while
making a move in combat, one opponent will strike
through the invisible magical flaw in the shield,
doing maximum damage. These shields have an
unlucky aura to them.
3. Icarus Draught
This potion is indistinguishable from a Theseus
Draught except that its user becomes subject to a
risk of berserk rage and must successfully Defy
Danger to do anything other than attack a nearby
target. If there are no targets visible, the drinker will
immediately fall into an exhausted sleep for 1 hour.
4. Potion of Trust
Not strictly cursed, this potion is prepared in a
similar fashion to a potion of healing. When given as
a gift and drunk immediately, it prevents the drinker
from acting directly against the giver or lying to
them. Doing so causes intense abdominal pain and
requires the drinker to Defy Danger using WIS
instead of CON, or collapse in pain for 30 seconds.
Potions
1. Gorilla Glue
This magical substance, applied to any surface other
than glass immediately becomes a powerful
adhesive that cannot be dissolved or removed by
any means short of destroying or damaging the
things it’s stuck to. Amusing mishaps associated with
attempts to identify this substance are the mainstay
of fireside stories at many adventuring taverns.
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2. Potion of Healing
The preparation of these potions requires significant
care and attention and a sacrifice of the maker’s
blood, hair, or skin. This potion cures 1d8 points of
damage and will also heal non-magical diseases.
Anyone who accepts a potion of healing as a gift may
not harm or act directly against the giver (after
drinking it) without first rolling Defy Danger, which is
why these potions are sometimes offered freely by
temples or alchemists to select friends.
3. Theseus Draught
Found under as many names as there are heroes,
this draught imbues the drinker with great courage
and aggression, making them immune to effects of
fear, charming, and immobilization for as long as
they continue to Go Aggro or until they rest;
however. Afterwards the user must rest for an hour
before they can undertake any strenuous activity.
4. White Lightning
This powerful draught blesses the drinker with a
sudden burst of terrific speed, providing +3 to Make
my Move and enabling them to perform spectacular
feats. The ability to dodge arrows or run across a
pond without sinking have been reported. The effect
lasts for the duration of only one roll, however. The
drink also causes hangovers.
Miscellaneous Items
1. Crystal Ball
There are many scrying devices, but the crystal ball is
perhaps the best known. To use, a character simply
gazes into the ball and thinks about a person, place,
or thing. Roll INT: on a 10+, the character sees the
target and may ask up to three questions about the
thing. On a 7-9, the character sees the target, but
questions are unanswered. The crystal ball may only
show images, not speak answers. Also, the DM may
ask the user up to three questions as well. Be
warned, a crystal ball is a two-way connection, and
particularly powerful targets, or beings with access
to scrying magic of their own may also be able to see
the user.
2. Cthonic Necklace
This string of beads features 1d6 red pearls hanging
from a silver chain. When a pearl is plucked and
hurled at a target, it will explode upon impact with
the force of a sixth-level fireball spell. The pearls are
quite hot to the touch and may be used to heat
water for tea and other useful purposes.
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3. My Lucky Rope
These curious items turn up from time to time in
adventuring circles. No one seems to know their
origin. When the owner of a Lucky Rope finds
themselves in a situation where a rope might save
the day, they may use their lucky rope. No move roll
of any sort is required to achieve the owner’s goal.
However, the rope is always irretrievably lost
immediately afterwards. No one who has owned a
Lucky Rope may ever own another in their lifetime.
4. Shrunken Head
This appalling fetish still contains some of the soul of
its original owner. Once per day, the owner may
keep the undead at bay using this item. Roll WIS, on
a 10+ the head speaks the true names and natures of
the undead, revealing some secrets of their lair or
origin. On a 7-9 the head does not speak at all. On a
failure, the spirit inside the head is released to its
own devices when its job is done.
Wands and Staves
1. Anatomist’s Staff
This disturbingly carved bone staff has the power of
knitting bones and healing wounds, healing all
wounds, curses, and diseases received within the
last 24 hours. The one applying the healing must
make a WIS roll. On a 10+, there are no other results.
On a 7-9, the wielder takes the same amount of
damage as they healed. On a failure, the staff’s
demands that the healed character undertake a
quest that serves the staff’s own obscure goals. The
staff will not function again until the quest is
completed.
2. Gold Digger’s Wand
A fancifully wand covered with gold-leaf symbols of
wealth and good fortune. When waved allows the
user to ask “Where is the nearest treasure” as part
of a Spout Lore roll; however, if the roll is failed, the
wand breaks in two after providing the answer,
never to function again. The broken wand is worth
125 gp.
3. Odegard’s Wand
This wand was given to Odegard of Waymark by the
Wildwood Rangers and allows a non-ranger to use
the Ranger Hunt and Track move by making the
quarry’s tracks glow slightly. The Wand was lost in
the Wildwoods when Odegard was slain by wargs.
The Wildwood Rangers consider it their rightful
property.
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4. Serpentine Staff
Once per day, when this staff’s true name is spoken,
it turns into a giant snake that obeys the owner’s
commands for 1 minute. The true name may be
discovered by a Spout Lore roll, hiring a sage, or
other means, however the first time the staff is used,
the owner must roll INT. On a 10+, the true name is
known and the staff may be used again without
rolling. On a 7-9, it’s pronunciation is incorrect, and
the snake becomes a free-willed creature when it’s
service is done. On a failure, the serpent attacks its
owner. If the owner joins the snake cult, they don’t
have to roll and the serpent will always serve them.
Weapons
1. Bow of Mark
A plain bow made of apparently just cut green wood
which allows the user to Go Aggro using DEX instead
of STR, however each use of this power consumes 10
arrows.
2. The Envenomed Dagger
This cruel-looking blade produces a terrible venom
on its blade (enough for one user per day). Using the
blade requires a Defy Danger roll to make a precision
strike. If successful, the victim takes maximum
damage and writhes in pain helplessly for 1 minute.
3. Wolfsbane
This bronze sword is a relic of the Chain Wars and
provides a +1 to all dice rolls when the owner is
fighting wolves, wargs, or werewolves. It hums
quietly when wolves are near. Rumor has it there is a
similar blade (always wielded by a werewolf) that
acts against humankind, but this may be mere
rumor.
4. Odegard’s Mace
This magical mace provides +1 to Go Aggro in
combat against evil-aligned creatures. Once per day,
Odegard’s name may be invoked to smash a single
mundane object to splinters; however the user must
Defy Danger to avoid taking 1d4 damage from the
resulting blast.
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