An item for the Palladium Fantasy RPG, 2nd Edition
A Magical Item of Meager Means
The Weathercock is an iron weathervane, shaped to resemble a rooster, and covered with runes and arcane symbols (though these will only be visible from close up). Created only recently, it was a gift from a young alchemist to his brother, who owned the family farm and had supported him through school. The design was fairly simple to make and rather innocuous in use, so it was widely disseminated in the East, and has now found its way across the continent, and is available from most alchemists (though usually must be special ordered, as it is too expensive for the common farmer, and beneath the notice of the usual customers of alchemists).
The device is imbued with a very simple intelligence (IQ 5), that is focused towards a particular person's land (that person's name, a piece of hair, or a similar connection must be included in the device), and its sole purpose is to improve the quality of his harvest. Towards that end, it has several magical abilities that it can use, though they are very focused in their use.
Resist Cold (Once a week, protecting crops from snap freezes)
Protection From Energy (all lightning strikes, even magical ones, on the protected property are redirected to harmlessly hit the weathercock)
The abilities of a Summon Elemental Forces circle, but directed by a very simple and benign intelligence.
Cost to make: 400gp
Cost to buy: 1000gp
Campaign Uses
1) While in combat, none of either side's Call Lightning spells will hit anybody... it turns out that its because someone has one of these set up about half a mile away, and all the spells are being diverted to there.
2) One of these goes berserk, and using all of those summoning circle abilities to completely trash the surrounding country side.... can you imagine having to fight an idiot who is practically invincible and controls the weather?
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