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Scarabs of death were deadly enchanted items that appeared harmless at first glance.[8]

Description[]

Scarabs of death appeared indistinguishable from mundane or magical amulets, brooches, or scarabs.[8]

Powers[]

If a scarab of death was touching warm living flesh, placed in a bag or a similar container, worn on clothes, or simply kept within 1 foot (0.3 meters) from a warm living creature for between 1 and 10 minutes, the item's enchantment became obvious. A scarab of death transformed into a deadly flesh-burrowing insect that chewed and tore through the target's leather armor, clothes, and body moving towards the heart. It took 1 to 10 minutes for the monster to reach the target's heart and kill them. After the target's death, a scarab of death transformed back into its inert form.[8][6]

Scarabs of death could be safely kept in containers made of thick wood, ceramic, ivory, or metal.[8] Undead creatures could safely wear these pieces of jewelry as cold dead bodies did not trigger the deadly magics.[9]

Creation[]

Scarabs of death could be created by experienced magic item crafters with the use of the slay living spell.[8]

Notable Owners[]

Aragath, a lich priest of Talos who laired underneath Jathrin's Jump guarded his underground temple with six golems. Each was outfitted with numerous magic items, including scarabs of death.[3]

Appendix[]

Appearances[]

Adventures

Card Games

Organized Play & Licensed Adventures

References[]

  1. Douglas Niles and Michael Dobson (1988). The Throne of Bloodstone. (TSR, Inc), p. 44. ISBN 0-8803-8560-X.
  2. John Terra (November 1997). Four from Cormyr. Edited by Kim Mohan. (TSR, Inc.), p. 72. ISBN 0-7869-0646-4.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Dungeon Master's Guide). (TSR, Inc), pp. 39–40. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
  4. Jeff Grubb (August 1992). Land of Fate (Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara). (TSR, Inc), p. 62. ISBN 978-1560763291.
  5. Gary Gygax (August, 1985). Unearthed Arcana (1st edition). (TSR, Inc.), p. 87. ISBN 0880380845.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Monte Cook, Jonathan Tweet, Skip Williams (July 2003). Dungeon Master's Guide v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 274, 276. ISBN 0-7869-2889-1.
  7. Jeremy Crawford, Stephen Schubert, et al. (September 2011). Mordenkainen's Magnificent Emporium. Edited by Cal Moore, Tanis O'Connor. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 114. ISBN 978-0-7869-5744-6.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 David "Zeb" Cook (1989). Dungeon Master's Guide 2nd edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 237. ISBN 0-88038-729-7.
  9. David Wise (1992). AD&D Trading Cards 1992 series, #151, "Mazrikoth's Scarab of Death". TSR, Inc..
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