Scarab of Protection

Scarab of Protection: This device appears to be any one of the various magical amulets, stones, etc. It gives off a faint magical aura, however, and if it is held for one round, an inscription will appear on its surface letting the holder know it is a protective device.
The possessor gains a +1 bonus to all saving throws vs. spell. If no save is normally possible, he gets a one in 20 chance of saving, adjusted by any other magical protections that normally give bonuses to saving throws. Thus, this device allows a saving throw vs. spell at base 20 against magic missile attacks, for example. If the target also has a +4 bonus for magical armor and a +1 bonus for a [[Ring of Protection|ring of protection, any roll of 15 or better would indicate that the missiles did no damage.
The scarab can also absorb up to 12 level-draining attacks (two level drains count as two absorbings), death touches, death rays, or fingers of death. However, upon absorbing 12 such attacks the scarab turns to powder—totally destroyed.
One in 20 of these scarabs will be a cursed item, giving the possessor a -2 penalty to his saving throws. However, one in five of these cursed items will become a +2 scarab if the curse is removed by a cleric of 16th-level or higher. In this case, the scarab will have absorption capability of 24 rather than 12.
Category:DMG Magic Items
Category:Magic Items
Category:Magic Scarabs