Dragonnel-by-the-Cliff (Magic Art)

This is an unframed square painting, 3' to a side, and mounted on tightly stretched dragonnel hide. Its powers are mostly unknown, and this fact alone makes the painting worth 5,000 gp. Unlike the other paintings described in this section, Dragonnel radiates no aura of magic. Only an identify spell can show that it is magical. This work was created two centuries ago by the half-drow wizard Liemuai (now rumored to have become the lich lord of an Underdark kingdom) and is thought to reside in the treasure repository of some drow noble. This painting originated from an undisclosed location in the Pomarj region of Greyhawk. It depicts a large dragonnel perched on a rocky cliff above a river valley.
By concentrating and speaking the word of summoning, “fuga,” the viewer can call forth the dragonnel, causing it to vanish from the painting and appear before the summoner. The dragonnel is totally obedient to the mental orders of the person who called it forth, willing to act as a mount to the limits of its strength or to fight to the death.
Note that obedience is not transferrable, since the mental rapport necessary for control exists only between the dragonnel and its summoner.
Dragonnel: (INT semi-; AL NE; AC 3; MV 12, Fl 18 (C, D if mounted); HD 8+4; hp 68; THAC0 11; #AT 3; Dmg 1d6/1d6/4d4; SA tail slap to the rear, with no other attack, for 2d6; ML 13.
If called during the day, the dragonnel remains in existence until the sun touches the horizon, disappearing instantly-with no warning (potentially embarrassing to its rider if in flight at the time). If called during the night, it disappears at the moment the sun first appears above the horizon. The dragonnel can be dispelled by its summoner at any time, returning it to the painting. If the beast is killed, the corpse remains until the sun next touches the horizon, then returns to the painting. The dragonnel can only be summoned once in any 24-hour period; even if it is slain, another dragonnel cannot be called again for 24 hours.
Alternatively, by concentrating on the painting for one round and speaking the word of changing, “mutare,” the viewer can shape change (like the wizard spell) into a dragonnel. The duration of the effect is 20 turns, but it can be dispelled by the viewer at any time before it expires. This power can be used three times a day.
Category:Encyclopedia Magica Magic Items
Category:Magic Items
Category:Magic Art