Egg of the Phoenix II (Magic Egg)

The egg of the phoenix is an egg-shaped artifact of great power, and a "foldbox" (that is, bigger inside than outside). It is a source of great power, but it must be used properly. It has beneficial and malevolent powers aplenty, and it is complicated.
In game terms, the egg is usable only by a wizard, and supplies the magical energy normally drawn upon by the casting of a magical spell. One unique aspect is that the user can cast any spell he or she knows (that is, has written in a spell book) by using the egg, without memorizing the spell. Using it does not cause the loss of the spell, nor do spells have to be one memorized at the time. Furthermore, as the magical energies are a bit different from "normal," there is only a one-half normal chance for dispelling the effects produced by egg spells.
In addition, the operator of the egg (the character who discovers how to open and activate it) gains a subsequent magic resistance while touching the egg. This resistance is 10% per stage of opening (to magic from an 11th-level caster, adjusted by 5% per level difference); 20% when using the egg in stage 2, 30% in stage 3 and so forth.
When found, the egg is a 3-foot-long egg shape, 2 feet in diameter, and seems to weigh about 30 pounds. It appears to be made of black onyx, shot with fine strands of gold and silver, with several large runes inscribed upon it. Oddly, neither the metallic strands, the runes, nor the weight exists in reality. They cannot be touched, interpreted, read, or affected in any way.
The egg itself is immune to nearly all forms of damage. A being with a Strength score of 24 may dent it, and if struck with the full force of a 25 Strength, it may implode (violently collapse into itself). No known magical spell has any affect on it at all. It is rumored that magical weapons of+ 7 or greater enchantments (unknown and beyond the power of mortals) can harm it similarly (DM's option, depending on the level of the campaign).
If the egg is dented, it cannot be opened or closed further until repaired by some being who knows how and has an Intelligence of at least 20 (plus the necessary tools and materials). If the egg is actually damaged at all by any of the above methods, it implodes, disintegrating itself and everything within the given radius around it. The radius is 20 feet per stage of opening (measuring from its current dimensions); at stage 4, for example, everything within 80 feet of it disappears. All matter thus disintegrated (including microscopic particles) goes into the Astral Plane, along with the remains of the egg, lost forevermore (wishes notwithstanding). The aftereffects of the implosion, when the surrounding air rushes in to fill the total void left where the egg had been, is left to the DM's imagination.
If a qualified operator experiments with the egg, the secret of opening it may be found (1% chance per point of intelligence per hour of continuous study). The egg may then be opened to stage 2, but the process of opening it will trigger a defensive flame that inflicts 10 hit points of magical fire damage to everything (and everyone) within a 10-foot radius, with no saving throw and no protections (similar to the flames of the phoenix itself).
At stage 1 (when discovered), the egg can give the operator the ability to cast any 1st-level alteration spell. The user will take I hit point of damage for each spell used, and the damage is not curable except by time, at the normal rate of one point per day.
ln a process identical to the opening procedure that takes as long to learn, the egg may be opened further, to stage 2. The fire damage at stage 2, however, is 20 hit points in a 15-foot radius. At stage 2 (twice the initial size), any 1st-level spell may be cast, plus any 2nd-level alteration. The damage per use rises to two points, regardless of the level of the spell actually cast.
The third opening procedure inflicts 30 hit points of magical fire damage to everything within 20 feet, again disregarding all protection and with no saving throws. At stage 3 (twice the size at stage 2), all 1st- and 2nd-level wizard spells are usable, plus all 3rd-level alterations. Damage per use is 4 points per spell, again regardless of level.
Further opening of the egg is impossible for any being with less than 18 Intelligence, 9% chance per hour of study with that score, and normal chances (1% per point per hour) for Intelligence 19 and greater. Opening damage rises by 10 points per opening thereafter (to 40 points when opening stage 4, 50 points at stage 5, and so forth), and damage per spell used rises proportionately (to 6 hit points, 8 hit points, and so on).
On a purely physical note, the first three times that one opens the egg, it merely gets bigger. Thereafter it becomes first a large black cube (almost identical to the gate in the Black Forest of Northending), then a 90-foot high archway, and then a mammoth slab 30 feet high and 120 feet square. It then assumes shapes inconceivable by normal humans; it is more properly a tool of the gods, too dangerous for mortal use.
Category:Encyclopedia Magica Magic Items
Category:Magic Items
Category:Magic Eggs