Marbol's Chess Set (Magic Chess Set)

Marbol, a brilliant tactician, was once a war advisor to King Azoun. However, he grew to hate playing games with people's lives and left the king's service to turn his hobby, chess, into a career.
Marbol learned the game as a child. Highly intelligent and exceptionally well-educated, he had a knack for predicting his opponent's maneuvers, and he was known for winning in record time.
Marbol traveled throughout the heart of the Realms for several years, challenging players to matches and winning games and prizes. He became the undisputed champion, dominating opponents of all ages and amassing a fortune. However, the years caught up to Marbol, and, with tired bones, he decided to settle down. Ravens Bluff was his choice, as the inland sea and the river traffic brought in new opponents every day.
Marbol's shop has a patio deck at the entrance, where all of his games are played. There is also a single room display area, a work room next to a small kitchen, and lower-level living quarters. He fashions all of the chess sets he has for sale, carving them from various woods, sculpting them from clay, and chiseling them from marble and other stone. The exquisite chess sets are displayed on glass shelves throughout his showroom. The chess pieces range in price from1 gp to 100 gp each, and the boards from 10 gp to 1,000 gp. The more expensive the set, the more intricate the work. He even fashions sets for nobility, often putting gems in the eyes of the kings and queens.
The chess master maintains the shop without the help of employees, amazing the patrons who wonder where the old man gets so much energy to keep the place clean and freshly painted. Marbol's secret is an enchanted marble chess set he won four decades ago as the grand prize in a Waterdeep meet.
Pawns (16): Int Low; AL N; AC 6; MV 12; HD 1; hp 6 each; THAC0 19; #AT Nil; SZ M (5' tall); ML 12
Knights and bishops (4 of each): Int Average; AL N; AC 4; MV 12; HD 3; hp 18 each; THAC0 17; #AT 1; Dmg 1d6; SZ M (6' tall); ML 12
Knights' steeds (4): Int Animal; AL N; AC 6; MV 15; HD 2; hp 12 each; THAC0 18; #AT 2; Dmg 1d6/1d6; SZ L (6' at the shoulder); ML 12
Rooks (4): Int Average; AL N; AC 3; MV 9; HD 5; hp 30 each; THAC0 15; #AT 1; Dmg 1d8; SZ M (6' tall); ML 12
Kings and queens'(2 each): Int Average; AL N; AC 1; MV 9; HD 8; hp 45 each; THAC0 12; #AT 1; Dmg 1d10; SZ M (6' tall); ML 12
Each piece can assume human form for up to12 hours each day. The pieces are fanatically loyal to Marbol and zealously protect him. If apiece is defeated, it reverts to its marble form for48 hours; the pieces cannot be permanently killed.
Marbol considers the pieces close friends, and after business hours they help him clean his shop, polish the other chess sets, and play matches with him. The knights (dressed in common clothes) often hitch their steeds to Marbol's wagon and travel to nearby towns for wood, marble, and other materials for chess sets. The knights take turns animating so they can travel without stopping. The old master has been known to hire adventurers to bring back rare materials he wants for special chess sets.
Category:Encyclopedia Magica Magic Items
Category:Magic Items
Category:Magic Chess Sets