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Bead of Force

Bead Of Force
  • Category: Wondrous Item
  • Rarity: Rare

This small black sphere measures 3 / 4 of an inch in diameter and weighs an ounce. Typically, 1d4 + 4 Beads of Force are found together.

You can take a Magic action to throw the bead up to 60 feet. The bead explodes in a 10 -foot-radius Sphere on impact and is destroyed. Each creature in the Sphere must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or take 5d4 Force damage. A sphere of transparent force then encloses the area for 1 minute. Any creature that failed the save and is completely within the area is trapped inside this sphere. Creatures that succeeded on the save or are partially within the area are pushed away from the center of the sphere until they are no longer inside it. Only breathable air can pass through the sphere's wall. No attack or other effect can pass through.

An enclosed creature can take a Utilize action to push against the sphere's wall, moving the sphere up to half the creature's Speed. The sphere can be picked up, and its magic causes it to weigh only 1 pound, regardless of the weight of creatures inside.

Tactical Applications​

Combat Strategy: Excellent for battlefield control, temporary enemy removal, and protecting allies. Can isolate dangerous enemies or create safe spaces during combat.

Class Synergies:

  • Tactical Fighters: Benefits characters who excel at battlefield positioning and control
  • Support Casters: Allows protection of vulnerable allies or removal of threats
  • Creative Problem Solvers: Appeals to players who enjoy unconventional tactical solutions

Build Considerations: Most effective when used strategically to alter encounter dynamics. The single-use nature requires careful timing and target selection.

Acquisition Methods​

Crafting Requirements: Requires rare crystals, force magic expertise, and precision enchantment work. Typically costs 1,500-2,500 gp per bead in materials.

Common Sources:

  • Specialized magical workshops dealing in force magic
  • Rewards from encounters with force-based creatures
  • Military suppliers providing siege and crowd control equipment
  • Inheritance from tactical mages or battlefield controllers

Alternative Acquisition: Some magical academies create these as advanced student projects, though they're typically kept for institutional use.

Value & Trade​

Estimated Value: 2,000-3,500 gp per bead, with higher prices for intact sets of multiple beads.

Trade Considerations: Valued by military leaders, adventuring parties, and anyone needing reliable battlefield control options.

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: Possession suggests tactical thinking and preparation for complex encounters. Characters may become known for creative use of battlefield control.

Character Concepts:

  • Tactical genius who specializes in battlefield manipulation
  • Former military officer experienced in siege warfare
  • Creative problem solver who enjoys unconventional solutions
  • Protective character focused on ally safety and enemy containment

Adventure Hooks​

The Prison Break: Criminals have acquired beads of force and are using them to create temporary prisons during elaborate heists.

The Siege Weapon: Military forces are stockpiling beads for use in an upcoming siege, but enemies are trying to sabotage the supply.

The Trapped Ally: An important NPC has been trapped in a force sphere and the party must find ways to free them before time runs out.

The Arena Challenge: A combat arena uses beads of force as part of their challenges, requiring participants to adapt to rapidly changing battlefield conditions.

Variants & Customization​

Greater Bead of Force (Very Rare): Creates a larger sphere (15-foot radius) that lasts for 10 minutes with higher damage and save DC.

Selective Force Bead (Rare): Allows the user to designate certain creatures to be unaffected by the sphere creation.

Delayed Force Bead (Rare): Can be set to activate after a specified delay rather than immediately upon impact.

Specialized Variants:

  • Healing Force Bead: Trapped creatures slowly heal while contained
  • Temporal Force Bead: Time moves slower inside the sphere
  • Communication Force Bead: Allows limited communication with trapped creatures

Lore & History​

Origins: Developed by battle mages seeking non-lethal ways to control dangerous enemies and protect allies during chaotic conflicts.

Historical Significance: Several famous victories have been attributed to clever use of force beads to trap key enemy leaders or protect crucial personnel.

Cultural Impact: In some military traditions, beads of force represent the ideal of tactical superiority through superior equipment and planning.

Magical Theory: The beads store compressed force energy that expands on impact, creating a stable but temporary dimensional barrier.

Balancing Notes​

Introduction Timing: Best introduced at levels 8-12 when tactical complexity is appreciated and the effects remain significant.

Campaign Impact: Provides powerful battlefield control without permanent solutions. The consumable nature maintains resource management tension.

Limitation Balance: The single-use nature and limited duration prevent trivializing encounters while providing powerful temporary effects.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Multi-enemy encounters where isolating specific threats is valuable
  • Situations where protecting allies from area effects is crucial
  • Scenarios requiring creative environmental manipulation
  • Encounters where temporary enemy removal changes the tactical landscape

Tactical Adjustments: Intelligent enemies may spread out to avoid multiple captures or focus on ranged attacks that don't require proximity.

Force Magic: Other items that utilize force energy for offensive or defensive purposes.

Battlefield Control:

  • Items that provide area denial or terrain manipulation
  • Equipment that offers temporary protection or containment
  • Tools for tactical positioning and encounter modification

Complementary Equipment: Items that work well with battlefield control tactics, such as ranged weapons or positioning abilities.

Roleplay Opportunities​

Tactical Genius: Characters can demonstrate superior strategic thinking through clever use of battlefield control options.

Moral Considerations: The ability to trap enemies raises questions about the ethics of temporary imprisonment and treatment of confined foes.

Creative Problem Solving: The versatile applications of force spheres encourage innovative solutions to both combat and non-combat challenges.