Janus’ Doorway – New Magic Item / A to Z Blogging Challenge [J]

Janus

Once again the Republic was at war and the doorways of the temple of Janus were opened, as they always were to symbolize such a state of affairs.

As the young men marched to way, they passed through the Janus’ doorway, leaving the past behind and venturing into the future.  A handful of grain and salt given to the gods in hopes of receiving his blessing and guidance on the upcoming campaign.

Janus’ Doorway

These ceremonial doorways are usually quite large, sometimes large enough for a column of soldiers to march abreast through them.  A two-faced bust of Janus always rests at the pinnacle of the arch, one face looking backward to the part and the other forward into the future.  These edifices are usually made of hard stone faced by marble.

When leaving on a journey or campaign, one can make a sacrifice of grain and pure salt to Janus asking his blessing and guidance.  The blessing takes the form of a +1 divine bonus to the following checks and saves for the duration: Swim checks made to resist nonlethal damage from exhaustion; Constitution checks made to continue running; Constitution checks made to avoid nonlethal damage from a forced march; Constitution checks made to avoid nonlethal damage from starvation or thirst; Fortitude saves made to avoid nonlethal damage from hot or cold environments.  Additionally, once during that time, each person blessed may reroll a single save or skill check having seen a glimpse of the future from Janus at an opportune time.

At the game master’s option, Janus may give minor visions to aid and guide the faithful in their task, especially if such are beneficial to Janus and his city.

Aura strong abjuration and divination; CL 15th
Slot none; Price 12,500 + the cost of the doorway; Weight fixed
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Items, prayer, commune, creator must by a follower of Janus; Cost 6,250 + cost of the doorway (+500 xp for D&D)

Notes: A powerful effect, well the reroll is, but limited in so many ways.  Pricing it was difficult, because it is a globally useful and powerful item yet it has a variety of restrictions on how the abilities it grans can be used and it is not very mobile.

Janus as god of doorways, entrances and exits and a host of other things is one of the more interesting Roman gods so I had to include him in this project.

Photo from wikipedia and is in the public domain.