The Origins of Greyhawk Artifacts and Relics
I differentiate between the terms "artifact"
and "relic"--D&D 3rd Edition doesn't
distinguish between the two, and also creates the "minor
artifact" category to cover powerful magic items such as Spheres of
Annihilation, Decks of Many Things, Staves of the Magi,
etc. I like this designation, and apply it to relics as
well.
What constitutes a major artifact, or a minor relic, then?
Greyhawk is famous for its unique magical items (Gygax and Kuntz seemed
to create unique and new items all of the time in their
adventures). In my view,
the following subjective elements form the core for my definition of an
artifact or relic, and each should be present for a magical item to
classified as an artifact or relic:
-
Unique (although not necessarily solitary)
-
Very powerful (artifacts and relics I designate as
'minor' do not possess Prime Powers or their equivalent)
-
Substantial body of folklore and/or significant to history
-
Very difficult to destroy
-
Manufactured (may not necessarily apply to relics)
-
Significant to an Oerthly religion (relics only)
See also Denis Tetreault's web site
and WotC's The Primal Order for other points of view on how to
define artifacts and relics.
I'm still unsure if places/sites
can be artifacts; I have this sense that artifacts should be
mobile. Therefore, although I list the Court of Essence, Heward's Mystical
Organ, the Machine of Lum the Mad, the Malachite Throne, the Throne of
the Gods, and Tovag Baragu below, I may migrate them to my Mythical
Geography of Greyhawk page.
I have split apart the various
sets of items into seperate entries, since in most cases individual
artifacts or relics of a set would not qualify as major items on their
own, and it is rare for a set to be collected in full. Those minor
artifacts and relics which grant Prime Powers when fully assembled (and
therefore qualify as 'major' items) are marked with an
asterisk.
While I do not count powerful, non-unique items as
major artifacts, I do consider tomes like the Demonomicon of Iggwilv
(Gygax and Kuntz's version of The Necronomicon) or The Tome of
the Black Heart to be minor artifacts: they are unique items,
although multiple copies of each may exist.
Some items that I do not generally consider major artifacts include intelligent
magical swords (unless of exceptional power like Blackrazor or Hunger),
unique but relatively low-signifcance items (like The Gauntlet and The
Sentinel from UK2-3), etc. I add various traditional artifacts to
the "minor artifact" category, as well, especially if they
have little to no impact to Greyhawk's history or legends.
Major Artifacts
Artifact |
Original Author(s) |
Publication Source |
Notes |
Axe of the Dwarvish Lords |
|
|
See also The Axe of the Dwarvish
Lords adventure by Skip Williams |
Baba Yaga's Hut |
|
|
See "Larger than Life" by
David Nalle (Dragon 53), and Roger E. Moore's excellent artcle
"The Dancing Hut" (Dragon 83) |
Blackrazor |
Lawrence Schick |
S2 White Plume Mountain |
|
Codex of the Infinite Planes |
|
|
See Denis Tetreault's "The
Codex of the Infinite Planes" for an interesting take
on the Codex |
Daoud's Wondrous Lanthorn |
Gary Gygax |
S4 The Lost Caverns of Tsojconth (1976) |
|
Eye of Vecna |
|
|
If you use David Cook's treatment of
Vecna from WGA4 Vecna Lives, then you may classify this
artifact as a relic |
The Hand of Vecna |
|
|
If you use David
Cook's treatment of Vecna from WGA4 Vecna Lives, then you
may classify this artifact as a relic
|
Heward's Mystical Organ |
|
|
See also Steven Wiederhoft's "A
Working Design for Heward's Mystical Organ" from The Dragon
29, and article on origin of Heward in Polyhedron (does this exist?) |
Hunger |
Carl Sargent |
Ivid the Undying (1995)
|
Forged by the insane elf Darnakurian
(and also known as Darnakurian's Doom) |
Invulnerable Coat of Arnd |
|
First placed in Kuntz's module Dark Druids |
|
Jacinth of Inestimable Beauty |
|
|
|
Machine of Lum the Mad |
|
|
In Ivid the Undying, Carl Sargent
placed this artifact in the fortress Rifter (near Rauxes) |
The Malachite Throne |
Carl Sargent |
Ivid the
Undying (1995)
|
|
Orb of the Elder Wyrm |
|
|
See Roger E. Moore's "The Orbs of
Dragonkind" (Dragon 230, June 1996)
|
Orb of the Eternal Grand Dragon |
|
|
See Roger E. Moore's "The Orbs of
Dragonkind" (Dragon 230, June 1996)
|
Queen Ehlissa's Marvelous Nightingale |
|
|
Note picture of a female character summoning Orcus, from Eldritch Wizardry, which was apparently Sutherland's artistic license and not Gygax's direction |
Recorder of Ye'Cind |
|
|
|
Ring of Gaxx |
|
|
|
The Soul Gem |
Allen Hammack |
The Ghost Tower of Inverness
(1979) |
|
Sword of Kas |
|
|
|
Tovag Baragu
|
|
|
|
Wand of Orcus
|
|
|
|
Minor Artifacts
Artifact |
Original Author(s) |
Publication Source |
Notes |
The Brass Bottle |
Robert J. Kuntz |
MoZ4 The Eight Kings (1987) |
Each bottle summons a different type of
creature: greater demons/etc., lesser demons/etc., least
demons/etc., and half-mortal demons/etc. |
Bringer of Doom |
Gary Gygax |
Monster Manual II |
Summons hordlings? |
Bronze Key of Portals |
Roger E. Moore |
Return of the Eight (1998) |
Based upon Kuntz and Gygax's Silver Key
of Portals (below); this artifact's existence also suggests
that a Gold Key of Portals may exist |
The Court of Essence |
Carl Sargent |
Ivid the
Undying (1995)
|
Created by Schandor |
Crystal of the Ebon Flame |
|
|
|
Crystal Skull of Iuz |
Gary Gygax |
T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil (1984) |
|
Demonomicon of Iggwilv |
Gary Gygax |
S4 The Lost
Caverns of Tsojcanth (1982)
|
|
Face of Xenous |
? |
WGR2 Treasures of Greyhawk
|
trapped in The Great Maze of Zagyg, a
demi-plane |
Frost Razor |
? |
Return to White Plume Mountain
|
|
Fraz-Urb-luu's staff |
Gary Gygax |
S4 The Lost
Caverns of Tsojconth (1976)
|
|
The Gauntlet |
Phil Masters? |
UK2 The Senintel |
|
The Helm of Lynerden the
Spinner* |
Carl Sargent |
Ivid the
Undying (1995)
|
Lynerden was an Oeridian mage |
Horn of Change |
|
|
Mentioned in passing as once in possession of the Maure family in Kuntz's "Chambers of Antiquities" level in Maure Castle (Dungeon 124) |
Iron Flask of Tuerney the Merciless |
Neal Healey |
The Strategic
Review 7 (April 1976)
|
Originally titled the Brazen Bottle; see
Roger E. Moore's Return of the Eight for more background on
Tuerney |
Johydee's Mask |
|
|
|
Kuroth's Quill |
|
|
|
Lens of Transformation |
Gary Gygax and Frank Mentzer |
T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil (1984)
|
|
Mighty Servant of Luek-O |
|
|
In Ivid the Undying, Carl Sargent postulates that this artifact
may have been destroyed by the earth elementals of Al-Fasrallah |
Orb of the Hatchling |
|
|
See Roger E. Moore's "The Orbs of
Dragonkind" (Dragon 230, June 1996); also, Carl
Sargent postulates that the smallest orb is in the hands of
Aerdy's Overking |
Orb of the Wyrmkin |
|
|
See Roger E. Moore's "The Orbs of
Dragonkind" (Dragon 230, June 1996) |
Orb of the Dragonette |
|
|
See Roger E. Moore's "The Orbs of
Dragonkind" (Dragon 230, June 1996)
|
Orb of the Dragon |
|
|
See Roger E. Moore's "The Orbs of
Dragonkind" (Dragon 230, June 1996)
|
Orb of the Great Serpent |
|
|
See Roger E. Moore's "The Orbs of
Dragonkind" (Dragon 230, June 1996)
|
Orb of the Firedrake |
|
|
See Roger E. Moore's "The Orbs of
Dragonkind" (Dragon 230, June 1996)
|
Philidor |
Carl Sargent |
Ivid the
Undying (1995)
|
Philidor is a construct created by
Corellon Larethian and Pelor, per some postings on Greytalk |
Prison of Zagig |
Gary Gygax |
S4 The Lost
Caverns of Tsojcanth (1982)
|
|
Rod of Seven Parts* |
Skip Williams (?)
Brian Blume?
Gary Gygax? |
Eldritch Wizardry (1976) |
Skip Williams' excellent "A History
of the Rod of Seven Parts" appears in Dragon 224 (December
1995) as a tie-in to the Ro7P box; see also the RPGA tournament adventure "The Dwarven Quest for the
Rod of Seven Parts" |
The Sentinel |
Phil Masters? |
UK3 The Gauntlet |
|
The Silver Key of Portals |
Robert J. Kuntz |
WG5 Mordenkainen's Fantastic
Adventure (1984) |
Inspired by H. P. Lovecraft's story,
"The Silver Key" |
The Spear of Sorrow
|
Carl Sargent |
Ivid the Undying (1995) |
|
Tenser's Ethereal Transport
|
Gary Gygax |
WG6 Isle of the Ape (1985) |
An old Aerdy artifact, which Tenser
presumably discovered in his keep (see Roger E. Moore's Return
of the Eight adventure) |
Tome of the Black Heart |
Robert J. Kuntz |
WG5 Mordenkainen's Fantastic
Adventure (1984) |
|
Treatise of Malbolge |
Robert J. Kuntz
|
MoZ2: Dimensions of Flight (1987) |
A tome dedicated to the worship of Baal |
Wand of Lynerden the
Spinner* |
Carl Sargent |
Ivid the Undying (1995) |
Lynerden was an Oeridian mage |
Wave |
Lawrence Schick |
S2 White Plume Mountain
|
|
Whelm |
Lawrence Schick
|
S2 White Plume Mountain
|
|
Zydilec's Dimension Crystal |
Robert J. Kuntz |
MoZ4 The Eight Kings |
A tricky planar-travel device |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Major Relics
Relic |
Original Author(s) |
Publication Source |
Notes |
Crook of Rao |
Gary Gygax |
WG6 Isle of the Ape (1985) |
See also Eric L. Boyd's
article "The Crook of Rao..." in Oerth
Journal 3 |
Istus' Spindle |
Gary Gygax |
Dragon 69 |
|
Kanteel of the Oldest |
Gary Gygax |
Dragon 70
|
Owned by Olidammara |
Life Cutter |
Gary Gygax |
Dragon |
|
Mace of Krevell |
Carl Sargent |
Ivid the Undying |
Krevell was a high priest of Nerull |
The Oerth Disc
|
Gary Gygax |
Dragon 68
|
Owned by Fahrlanghn |
Throne of the Gods |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minor Relics
Relic |
Original Author(s) |
Publication Source |
Notes |
Afterglow |
Len Lakofka |
Dragon 86 |
Owned by Lendor |
Azure Razor |
Gary Gygax |
Dragon 64 |
Owned by Raxivort |
Baton of Retribution |
Gary Gygax |
Dragon 68 |
Owned by Trithereon |
Boccob's Staff of the Archmage |
Gary Gygax |
Dragon 70 |
|
Celestian's Weaponry |
Gary Gygax |
Dragon 68 |
|
Crown of Might* |
|
|
|
Cup of Al'Akbar* |
Neal Healey |
The Strategic Review 7 (April 1976) |
Originally titled the Cup and Talisman
of Akbar |
Ehlonna's Weaponry |
Gary Gygax |
Dragon 68 |
|
|
|
|
|
Freedom's Tongue |
Gary Gygax |
Dragon 68 |
Owned by Trithereon |
Golbi |
Len Lakofka |
Dragon 88
|
Owned by Fortubo |
Heironeous' Arms and Armor |
Gary Gygax |
Dragon 67 |
|
Hextor's Arms and Armor |
Rob Kuntz |
Dragon 67
|
|
Iuz's Sword,
Cape, and Soul Object |
Gary Gygax |
Dragon 67
|
Iuz's soul object may be on Zuggtmoy's
plane of the Abyss |
Kelmar |
Len Lakofka |
Dragon 87
|
|
Kord's Clothing, back-up sword, |
Len Lakofka |
Dragon 87
|
|
Krelestro (The Harbinger of Doom) |
Gary Gygax |
Dragon 68
|
Owned by Trithereon |
Lendor's Ring |
Len Lakofka |
Dragon 86 |
|
Llerg's Girdle of Cave Bear Strength,
Sword, |
Len Lakofka |
Dragon 89
|
|
Mace of Cuthbert |
|
|
See also Dragon 67 |
Norebo's Clothing, Sling, and Dagger |
Len Lakofka |
Dragon 86 |
|
Orb of Might* |
|
|
|
Olidammara's Ring and Mask (and
Left-over Carapaces?) |
Gary Gygax |
Dragon 70
|
|
Osprem's Ring and Trident |
Len Lakofka |
Dragon 90
|
|
Phaulkon's Bow and Dagger |
Len Lakofka |
Dragon 87
|
|
Phyton's Scimitar and Rings |
Len Lakofka |
Dragon 90
|
|
Pyremius' Bracers |
Len Lakofka |
Dragon 89
|
|
The Red Light of Hades |
Len Lakofka |
Dragon 89
|
Owned by Pyremius |
St. Cuthbert's Arms and Armor |
Gary Gygax |
Dragon 67
|
The Mace of Cuthbert is a seperate relic |
Sceptre of Might* |
|
|
|
The Shalmstaff |
Gary Gygax |
Dragon 69
|
Owned by Obad-hai |
Skull Ringer |
Gary Gygax |
Guide ('83 box set)
|
Owned by Ulaa |
The Staff of the Silvery Sun |
Gary Gygax |
Dragon 68
|
Owned by Pholtus |
Symbol of Hate and Discord |
Gary Gygax |
Dragon |
Owned by Hextor |
Syrul's Cloak, Dagger, and Rod |
Len Lakofka |
Dragon 88
|
|
Talisman of Al'Akbar* |
Neal Healey |
The Strategic Review 7 (April 1976) |
Originally titled the Cup and Talisman
of Akbar |
Talisman of Krevell |
Carl Sargent |
Ivid the Undying |
Krevell was a high priest of Nerull |
The Teeth of Dahlver-Nar* |
|
|
|
The Trumpet of Acheron |
Gary Gygax |
Dragon |
Owned by Hextor |
The Viper of Hades |
Len Lakofka |
Dragon 89
|
Owned by Pyremius |
Wastri's Glaive-Guisarme |
Gary Gygax |
Dragon |
|
Wee Jas' Gowns |
Len Lakofka |
Dragon 88
|
|
Xan Yae's Falchions |
Gary Gygax |
|
|
Xerbo's Trident |
Len Lakofka |
Dragon 90
|
|
|
|
|
|
Miscellaneous Magic of Greyhawk
In this section, I list the Oerthly items that seem to fall between
the cracks of the rulebooks, modules, and such.
Magic Item |
Original Author(s) |
Publication Source |
Notes |
Dirawaen |
Carl Sargent |
Ivid the
Undying
|
magical roads throughout the extent of
the Great Kingdom's empire |
formula for homonculus creation |
Gary Gygax? |
Monster Manual ? |
|
formula for magical mortar |
Gary Gygax? |
S1 The Tomb of Horrors? |
prevents the use of teleportation, passwall, etc.
magics within structures built using it |
Bibliography
Dave Cook. WGA4 Vecna Lives.
Gary Gygax. WG6 Isle of the Ape.
Robert J. Kuntz. The Maze of Zayene. Creations
Unlimited. Getter Press Works: Whitewater, WI,
1987.
- Part 1: Prisoners of the Maze
- Part 2: Dimensions of Flight
- Part 3: Tower Chaos
- Part 4: The Eight Kings
Roger E. Moore. Return of the Eight.
Roger E. Moore. Revised Greyhawk Campaign Index, Part
1.
Roger E. Moore. Revised Greyhawk Campaign Index, Part
2.
Carl Sargent. Ivid the Undying.
Denis Tetreault's Greyhawk web site.
Return to Grodog's
Greyhawk.
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D&D.
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