New Magic Item – Shield of Balance

“Why did we get chosen to take the fight to the enemy wizards again?” asked Voddick as another bolt of fire sizzled by him.

“Triple pay and a bounty?” replied Gollaon snapping a shot off with his bow.

“Oh, right,” nodded Voddick just before something slammed into his shield.  “Acid?  I just got that shield.”  He said tossing the shield aside as the acid continued to eat it way through its layers.

“Let’s catch up with our brave leader, his shield has been magicked to resist such things, I think.”

Shield of Balance

These shield are always fairly large and often decorated with a simple symbol of balance, being painted half black and half white is common, on the back are inscribed complex calculations of the seasons and paired oppositional symbols of the elements.

It is a +3 heavy shield and the bearer gains a +4 circumstance bonus to resist any attempt to knock them down or off-balance (obviously the maker had a sense of humor).

Each morning, the bearer may choose an elemental damage type and gain resistance to that element 5 + their level that lasts until the next morning.

Additionally, the first elemental damage that suffer from each day (that is not the chosen type). the bearer gains Resistance to that Element 5 + their level but they also become vulnerable to an opposing elemental damage type, both effects lasting until the next morning.

However, during the Equinox, the shield is uniquely empowered by the balance of the world, acting as a +5 heavy shield and the bearer gains resistance to all energy types at an amount equal to the bearer’s level instead of the shield’s usual grant of resistances.

Aura strong abjuration; CL 13th
Slot shield; Price 70,170; Weight 15 lbs
Construction Requirements
Craft Magic Arms and Armor, cat’s grace, protection from energy; Cost 35,000 + 170 for the shield

For D&D 5E:

Armor (shield), very rare  (requires attunement)

First paragraph as above.

You gain a +2 bonus to AC while you use this shield and you gain advantage on all saving throws to resist any attempt to knock you down or off-balance (obviously the maker had a sense of humor).

At the end of a long rest, the bearer may choose an elemental damage type and gain resistance to that element that lasts until the bearer completes another long rest.

Additionally, the first elemental damage that suffer after a long rest (that is not of the type they have chosen). the bearer gains Resistance to that Element but they also become vulnerable to an opposing elemental damage, both effects lasting until the bearer takes a long rest (if the bearer end up with both resistance and vulnerabilty to the same element they cancel each other out).

However, during the Equinox, the shield is uniquely empowered by the balance of the world, you gain a +4 bonus to AC during this time and you gain resistance to all energy types instead of the shield’s usual grant of resistances.

Notes: Happy Equinox!  This is the fourth Equinox themed item I have done, there have been: Equinox Bracers, Robes of the Equinox’ Chosen and the Equinox Blade.

The elemental opposition for the item has been left deliberately vague so that each Game Master can shape it appropriately for their game world (though you can look to the Equinox Bracers to some suggestions).

Image is in the public domain.