Amulet of Arachnopotheosis
An ancient pendant and a monstrous transformation.
A monstrosity shambles closer. The hunched, hooded figure catches the dim light and horror is revealed. Vicious mandibles glint and arachnid limbs poke out awkwardly from one flank. The creature disappears into the shadows, leaving a trail of webbing behind.
This seemingly unique amulet was utilised by the Coven of Covens hag Sister Meggett. It is unknown whether she created it or was simply its current holder, but her affinity for arachnids and venoms makes it seem like the amulet was a major part of her repertoire. It is made of solid gold, the raw materials worth a few hundred gold pieces alone, and is affixed to a spider-silk cord. The shape of the amulet is vaguely evocative of a spider, with eight small points around the circumference of the disc. There are many small engravings into both the face and back of the amulet - thin lines that bear no discernable meaning but are unsettling to look at.
The amulet of arachnopotheosis is capable of absorbing the life force of a sufficiently large spider and storing it until the wearer is in mortal danger. Upon a fatal wound being delivered, the wearer is engulfed in a blast of poisonous energy and transformed into a half-spider. Sister Meggett put this to use during her encounter with the adventurers but was ultimately slain. In addition, wearing the amulet provides a moderate amount of protection from poison damage.
The amulet was taken from Sister Meggett's grotesque body and currently remains with the adventuring party.
Urvén Homebrew
Amulet of Arachnopotheosis
Wondrous Item
Varies Unknown Requires Attunement
This amulet must be charged before use. It is charged by the death of a spider with a challenge rating of at least 1 at the hands of the wearer. This act may be a melee attack, a ranged weapon attack or a spell cast by the wearer but requires the amulet to be touched to the corpse within a minute of death. The amulet may only contain a single charge - note down the type of spider and the challenge rating contained within the charge. The following rules use "CR" to refer to the challenge rating of the spider contained within the charge.
While attuned to the charged amulet of arachnopotheosis, you have resistance to poison damage and advantage on saving throws against poison.
The remaining properties of the amulet of arachnopotheosis take place when the wearer is reduced to 0 hit points. Instead of falling unconscious, the wearer transforms into a half-spider monstrosity and the gem within the amulet shatters with a burst of energy. These effects are specific to the type of spider used to charge the amulet.
Gem Shatter. On transformation, the jewel set into the centre of the amulet bursts with poisonous energy. All creatures within 10ft of the wearer, excluding the wearer themself, must make a DC 13+CR Dexterity saving throw, taking 4d8 poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Transformative Regeneration. On transformation, the wearer regains hit points equal to the hit dice total of the spider used to charge the amulet of arachnopotheosis. For example, consuming a phase spider to transform would heal the wearer for 5d10 hitpoints.
Spider Traits. After transformation, the wearer gains the attacks and traits of the spider used to charge the amulet. Attacks use the wearer's ability scores and proficiency where appropriate for attack and damage rolls. While transformed, you have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) and Charisma (Performance) checks and lose the use of one hand due to your horrific appearance.
- Giant Spider - Spider Climb, Web Sense, Web Walker, Bite, Web (recharge 5-6)
- Ice Spider - Spider Climb, Web Sense, Web Walker, Bite, Icy Web (recharge 5-6)
- Ice Spider Queen - Cold Aura, Spider Climb, Web Sense, Web Walker, Bite, Icy Web (recharge 5-6)
- Phase Spider - Ethereal Jaunt, Spider Climb, Web Walker, Bite
Returning to Normal. After 24 hours, the wearer makes a DC 13+CR Constitution save, returning to their original form on a success. This saving throw is repeated each day until a success is achieved. Until this happens, the amulet may not be removed. If the wearer dies while transformed, their body retains its monstrous form but the amulet may be removed.
This solid gold amulet is a large, flat disc with a socket of roughly 1 inch diameter in its centre. When charged, this socket fills with a jewel matching the colour of the spider killed. The disc is engraved with unsettling lines with no apparent meaning and there are four points on each side of the circumference that project outwards just a little. The cord the amulet sits upon is made from spider silk.
Cost: Unknown
Weight: 5lb
Intelligence (History) to understand the sinister origins of this item.
Crafting
The amulet of arachnopotheosis is of unknown construction. It does not follow the usual crafting system in my setting.
Rules on crafting magic items can be found here.
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