Neophyte's Aid
Description
A battlefield can shift without warning, and while several magical implements offer greater power than a neophyte's aid, few can match the versatility of simply having an additional reserve of personal mana to call on. These rods are often the first magical item a young magician acquires, usually as a gift from their mentor. In Urizen and other places where large numbers of student-mages gather, these rods are kept on hand to teach the bond-creating spell. The rod's power is both fairly harmless and provides the student with enough power to break the bond again, making it an excellent training tool. It is also often the first magical rod used by would-be battle-magicians, helping them to get use of such a weapon while providing the fuel for an extra spell.
Demand for these rods increases greatly when Personal Resource|sources of crystal mana are scarce. The Navarri Vates and magicians living in the more isolated Varushkan Vales or Urizen Spires find these rods helpful when unable to secure stocks of crystalised mana and value the daily replenishment of the rod's power over the expendable nature of mana crystals. In conjunction with certain potions, such as Philosopher's Gold and Leaden Quicksilver, these magicians can even employ the rod's reserve in ritual magic.
Rules
- Form: Rod.
- Effect: While you are bonded to this rod you have one point of additional personal mana.
- Materials: Crafting a neophyte's aid requires nine measures of iridescent gloaming and three measures of beggar's lye. It takes one month to make one of these items.