Accelerator (Magic Weapon)

The accelerator is a rapid-fire weapon built by the arcane for use on spelljamming craft of all types. Much in the same way that spelljamming helms gain their magical properties from the spellcasters who sit in them, the accelerator gains its magical properties from the activated spelljamming helm. (Without the helm, the accelerator is nonfunctional.) When first found or purchased, it does not possess any dweomer at all. Only when fitted to a ship with an occupied, functioning spelljamming helm, does it radiate an aura of magic.
Looking much like a gigantic sextant, the accelerator's main arm is a 4-foot-long, 6-inchdiameter hollow tube with a hand-sized cup at one end. The arm can be elevated and swiveled once the weapon is bolted in place. Items placed in the cup are magically seized, accelerated through the arm's length, and shot out the far end. The weapon can be fired twice in a single round. The range of the weapon is six hexes (6,000 yards). It causes 1d2 points of hull damage to ships and 1d10 points of damage to individuals. On an attack roll of 19 or greater, it inflicts a critical hit.
When the accelerator is aboard a spelljamming ship, it decreases the ship's total SR by one point, even when the accelerator is not mounted or in use. The penalty occurs even if the accelerator is merely in the presence of an activated helm. There is no way to block the penalty or regain the lost SR. The weapon-handler must beware. Anything placed in the cup is shot out the other end, including sleeves, knives, daggers, fingers, toes, hands, rocks, helmseekers, etc. Anything living, including any of the vast number of slimes, jellies, and molds, dies when shot by the accelerator.
It is not known if the arcane themselves use this weapon, but apparently only the arcane can repair or service it, should anything damage its delicate mechanisms.
Category:Encyclopedia Magica Magic Items
Category:Magic Items
Category:Magic Weapon