The Rod of Lordly Might in Dungeons and Dragons

The Rod of Lordly Might has been with us since the Greyhawk supplement to Original Dungeons and Dragons which was published in 1975. This magical rod is made of metal. It has a flanged ball at one end and various studs along it’s length. It weighs about ten pounds. When these studs are pressed the rod performs certain functions.

The Rod can turn into a flaming sword such as this one

The Rod of Lordly Might in Original Dungeons and Dragons

This rod is a fighter’s arm. It is about four feet in length. If one presses a catch a blade pops out of the end. This makes it equal to a Glaive-Guisarme. If the catch is pressed a second time the rod extends to 15 feet. If a second catch is pressed the rod extends to 50 feet and has projections with which one can climb it. A hooked spike is at the end so that the pole can be used to hook onto a rooftop or some other object which needs to be climbed.

If a command word is given the rod turns into a flaming sword about three and one half feet long. Another command word makes it turn into a two and one half foot long axe +2. It can also be turned into a +3 spear about six feet long.

These effects have a detrimental effect on the morale of enemies who see this rod being used in this way. Those who see it must make a saving throw against paralyzation or become paralyzed. If they make this saving throw then they must make another saving throw versus fear or flee the battle field.

This is a powerful weapon. In the hands a of a fighter it is both a weapon of great strength as well as a symbol of leadership. It is also a symbol of intimidation to one’s enemies.

Or it can function as a battle axe

The Rod of Lordly Might in Dungeons and Dragons 1st Edition

First Edition expands upon the Rod of Lordly Might. It requires a strength of at least 16 to wield. Only a fighter may use one properly. Like the Original Dungeons and Dragons version it still has the power to intimidate enemies.

It has spell like functions:

  • Paralyzation upon touch if the wielder commands it
  • Fear upon enemies viewing it if commanded (six yards maximum range)
  • Drains 2-8 hit points from an opponent touched and bestows them upon the wielder (up to the normal maximum)

These functions allow a saving throw versus magic with the exception of the last power which requires a successful hit roll. Each power costs a charge from the rod.

The rod can become one of many different weapons.

  • It is normally a +2 mace
  • +1 sword of flame (button #1) 3 feet long
  • +4 battle axe (button #2) 4 feet long
  • +3 spear (button #3) six feet to fifteen feet long

These functions do not cost charges.

The rod also has a few other mundane uses.

  • Climbing pole (button #4). A spike pops out of the end which can be used as a grappling hook and the rod can be extended out to 50 feet. Horizontal bars pop out of the pole at intervals which can be used for climbing. This pole can bear a load of up to 4000 pounds. It retracts by pushing button #5.
  • If the rod is set less than 30 feet from a door it can be used to force a door open with storm giant strength using the button #4 to extend as the climbing pole.
  • Button #6 allows the wielder to find magnetic north and know the approximate depth beneath the surface (or height above it) that the wielder is.

These functions also cost no charges to use.

When the charges are all used up they cannot be recharged. When all charges are gone the weapon functions #2 and #3 will no longer work. The mundane functions will still work as will the other weapons.

As you can see the Advanced Dungeons and Dragons version is a bit more powerful than the original. It has new weapons and new functions. It has uses beyond that of a weapon. Overall it is a very useful thing for a fighter type to find.

Or it can be a spear

The Rod of Lordly Might in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition

The Rod of Lordly Might exists in 5th Edition Dungeons and Dragons as well. It is a rod with a flanged head. It functions as a magic mace that grants a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls. The rod has properties controlled by six buttons set in a row on the shaft. It also has three other properties.

The six buttons have the following functions:

  • Button #1 makes the mace turn into a flame tongue sword
  • Button #2 turns the rod into a battle axe with a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls
  • Button #3 turns the mace into a spear six feet long with a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls
  • Button #4 makes it turn into a climbing pole up to 50 feet long with a grappling hook on one end. This can support up to 4000 pounds of weight
  • Button #5 turns the mace into a battering ram which grants the user a +10 bonus to strength checks made to break through doors, barricades and barriers
  • Button #6 causes the rod to return to mace form and shows magnetic north. It also gives the user their approximate depth below ground or height above it

There are three other powers of the Rod of Lordly Might.

  • When struck with a melee attack from the rod a target can be forced to make a DC 17 constitution saving throw or take an extra 4D6 necrotic damage which is applied to the user’s hit points (up to the normal maximum). This power can be used only once until the next dawn.
  • When struck with a melee attack from the rod the target can be forced to make a DC 17 Strength saving throw or be paralyzed for one minute. Each turn the target will get to make a saving throw. If made then the paralyzation ends. If failed then it continues another round. This power cannot be used again until the following dawn.
  • When held the user can make all enemies within 30 feet who see the rod to make a DC 17 wisdom saving throw or be frightened (terrified). The victim can make a new saving throw at the end of each turn afterwards. This property cannot be used again until the following dawn.

Keep in mind that turns in 5th edition are not the same as a turn in 1st edition. Turns in fifth edition equal a round in 1st edition.

But it’s normal mode is as a mace

The Rod of Lordly Might in Dungeons and Dragons has evolved over the years

Some functions from the original rod are still found in the latest edition of the game. But many of the functions changed over the years. It is still a very potent weapon for a fighter type to find.

The rod offers many weapon types. It also offers the climbing pole ability as well as a little help in busting open doors. All of these are quite useful to the warrior type who leads a group into battle or in their explorations.

The rod is a powerful weapon in the hands of a fighter. Those who see it may be paralyzed by it or flee in terror

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