Queen Ehlissa's Marvelous Nightingale
Queen Ehlissa's Marvelous Nightingale is a powerful artifact of the world of Oerth, in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.
Publication history
Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)
Queen Ehlissa's Marvelous Nightingale first appeared in the fourth supplement to the original D&D rules, Eldritch Wizardry (1976).[1]
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
Queen Ehlissa's Marvelous Nightingale was also mentioned in the original 1979 Dungeon Master's Guide.[2]
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
Queen Ehlissa's Marvelous Nightingale was further developed in 1993's Book of Artifacts.[3]
Description
The artifact resembles a bejeweled bird with crystal eyes and golden feathers. A small key on its belly makes the bird appear to be powered at least partly through clockwork. A cage with a mesh of golden wires encases the Nightingale and prevents it from escaping.
The Nightingale is animate, and will hop on its perch to perform, spreading its wings and singing beautiful songs.
Powers
Boons
The Nightingale is rumored to emit beams of brilliant light from its eyes, different colored beams having various effects. Those who remain within 30 feet of the artifact neither hunger or thirst. Other rumored powers include the restoration of lost energy levels, a slow effect, speak with animals, bless, detect evil, music of the spheres, zone of truth, and emotion.
Baneful effects
The owner of the Marvelous Nightingale becomes increasingly childlike, insomniac, and easily frightened, and must always speak the complete truth.
There is a cumulative chance that the power within the artifact will break free, possessing its owner and going on an enraged killing spree.
History
The Nightingale was created some 1,700 years ago at the direction of Queen Ehlissa the Enchantress. Mordenkainen believes much of the thaumaturgy in its creation to have been performed by the mysterious Xagy and the goddess Joramy.
Somehow, Ehlissa managed to keep the force imprisoned within the Nightingale from escaping in all the centuries of her reign.
References
- ↑ Gygax, Gary; Blume, Brian (1976), D&D Supplement IV: Eldritch Wizardry, Lake Geneva WI: TSR, pp. 43–44
- ↑ Gygax, Gary (1979), Dungeon Masters Guide, Lake Geneva WI: TSR
- ↑ Cook, David. Book of Artifacts. (TSR, 1993)
Additional reading
- Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
- Henson, Dale, and Doug Stewart, eds. Encyclopedia Magica Vol 3. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995.
- Moore, Roger E. Greyhawk: The Adventure Begins. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.