Storm Star (Magic Mace)

This magical weapon is a morning star of ancient design, thought to have been devised in Netheril. Various specimens exist in the North; most of them are electrum-plated steel. They tend to be as long and heavy as the biggest morning stars. They are +1, +2, or +3 weapons, and they crackle with spectacular, though harmless, arcs of lightning when they are wielded.
Once per turn, the wielder of a storm star can unleash a battle bolt of lightning. This is chain lightning that strikes for 8d6 points of damage in addition to the purely physical weapon damage. Of course, a successful attack roll is required for the physical weapon damage to be inflicted. After the chain lightning strikes the first target, it then arcs up to 70' away in a direction chosen by the weapon wielder. It can even arc toward a moving target. Beings endangered by this first “hop” must save vs. spell or take 6d6 points of damage. Success means they take no damage at all; the bolt missed them. After the first hop, the bolt hops three more times, arcing up to 20' at a time toward the nearest concentration of metal. If no metal is present, it seeks the largest concentration of life and movement. The bolt does 4d6 points of damage on the first of these three hops, 3d6 on the next, and 2d6 on the last. In all cases, there is no damage if a save is made. If the weapon misses striking its first intended target, the target takes no physical damage but must still save vs. spell or suffer the full 8d6 points of lightning damage. The magic of this weapon can never harm its wielder, though the bolt can hop back to that person and then away again. A storm star does 2d4+1 to 2d4+3 physical damage per strike, depending on the strength of its enchantment. 
Category:Encyclopedia Magica Magic Items
Category:Magic Items
Category:Magic Maces
Category:Magic Weapons