Ball bearings were tiny metal balls that were used to hinder pursuers by forcing them to slow down and tread carefully or risk tripping and falling.[1] Glass variants of these balls, known as marbles, were also used for that purpose.[2][3]
Description[]
A pouch of 1000 metal ball bearings could be spread over an area equivalent to a square 10 ft (3 m) on a side to provide an effective coverage.[1] A pouch of 24 was sufficient to cover an area of 5 ft.[3]
Availability[]
- Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue sold marbles in a pouches of a hundred for around 8 silver pieces.[2]
- Galandor's Glassworks, a glass workshop in Kirinwood, made glass marbles among various other glass goods.[4]
- Pelauvir's Counter, a general store in Waterdeep, sold marbles among its miscellaneous goods.[5]
Usages[]
- Besides slipping up foes, ball bearings were sometimes used by those traversing dungeons to test for slopes and other irregularities.[2][3]
- Dead man's eyes required a pair of glass marbles, the same color as the spellcaster's eyes, as a material component.[6]
- Shadow form required a black marble as a material component.[7]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
Adventures
Gamebooks
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 150–151. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), p. 19. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 96. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 92–96. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (January 1993). Volo's Guide to Waterdeep. (TSR, Inc.), p. 159. ISBN 1-56076-335-3.
- ↑ Rick Swan (1990-08-04). The Complete Wizard's Handbook. (TSR, Inc.), p. 105. ISBN 0-88038-838-2.
- ↑ Mark Middleton et al (March 1998). Wizard's Spell Compendium Volume Three. (TSR, Inc), p. 796. ISBN 978-0786907915.