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Bowl of Commanding Water Elementals

Bowl Of Commanding Water Elementals
  • Category: Wondrous Item
  • Rarity: Rare

While this bowl is filled with water and you are within 5 feet of it, you can take a Magic action to summon a Water Elemental. The elemental appears in an unoccupied space as close to the bowl as possible, understands your languages, obeys your commands, and takes its turn immediately after you on your Initiative count. The elemental disappears after 1 hour, when it dies, or when you dismiss it as a Bonus Action. The bowl can't be used this way again until the next dawn.

The bowl is about 1 foot in diameter and half as deep. It holds about 3 gallons.

Tactical Applications​

Combat Strategy: Provides a powerful ally for combat encounters. Most effective when the bowl can be safely positioned and protected during battle.

Class Synergies:

  • Spellcasters: Natural fit for characters who can position and protect the bowl effectively
  • Support Classes: Excellent for characters who focus on battlefield control rather than direct damage
  • Any Class: Universal benefit from having a reliable combat ally

Build Considerations: Most valuable when the party can coordinate tactics with the elemental. Requires strategic thinking about bowl placement and protection.

Acquisition Methods​

Crafting Requirements: Requires rare materials connected to the Elemental Plane of Water, master-level enchantment, and specialized vessel creation. Typically costs 15,000-25,000 gp.

Common Sources:

  • Rewards from water elemental creatures or their allies
  • Treasure from underwater ruins or aquatic locations
  • Inheritance from mages specializing in elemental magic
  • Commission from enchanters with planar magic expertise

Alternative Acquisition: Some coastal magical academies create these bowls for advanced students studying elemental summoning.

Value & Trade​

Estimated Value: 18,000-30,000 gp, with higher prices in regions where elemental magic is rare.

Trade Considerations: Highly valued by mages and anyone needing reliable combat support. Often sought by collectors of elemental artifacts.

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: Suggests familiarity with elemental magic and planar connections. May indicate advanced magical training.

Character Concepts:

  • Elemental mage specializing in water magic and planar summoning
  • Scholar studying the connections between Material and Elemental Planes
  • Coastal dweller with natural affinity for water-based magic
  • Tactician who values reliable allies and battlefield control

Adventure Hooks​

The Elemental War: Conflicts between elemental factions require the party to choose sides and use elemental allies strategically.

The Planar Breach: A connection to the Elemental Plane of Water is destabilizing, and the bowl becomes crucial for managing the situation.

The Water Temple: An aquatic dungeon requires elemental allies to navigate successfully and overcome water-based challenges.

The Elemental Diplomat: Water elementals need representation in Material Plane negotiations, making the bowl essential for communication.

Variants & Customization​

Greater Bowl of Water Command (Very Rare): Summons more powerful water elementals or allows multiple simultaneous summons.

Bowl of Elemental Binding (Legendary): Can capture and bind water elementals permanently rather than summoning temporary allies.

Enchanted Elemental Vessel (Rare): Provides benefits for underwater travel and aquatic exploration along with summoning.

Specialized Variants:

  • Combat Water Bowl: Summoned elementals have enhanced combat capabilities
  • Healing Water Bowl: Elementals provide healing and support abilities
  • Utility Water Bowl: Elementals excel at non-combat tasks like transportation and exploration

Lore & History​

Origins: Created by ancient mages who established treaties with the Elemental Plane of Water to enable mutual assistance.

Historical Significance: Several famous naval battles and aquatic expeditions succeeded due to elemental allies summoned through these bowls.

Cultural Impact: In coastal societies, these bowls represent mastery over water magic and connections to elemental powers.

Planar Magic: The bowls serve as stable anchors for elemental summoning, reflecting advanced understanding of planar mechanics.

Balancing Notes​

Introduction Timing: Best introduced at mid-levels (8-12) when elemental allies provide meaningful assistance without overwhelming encounters.

Campaign Impact: Provides powerful combat support while requiring tactical positioning and protection of the bowl.

Resource Management: The daily limitation prevents overuse while maintaining the bowl as a significant tactical asset.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Combat encounters where positioning and ally coordination matter
  • Aquatic adventures where water elementals provide natural advantages
  • Situations requiring elemental expertise for puzzles or obstacles
  • Scenarios where protecting valuable equipment becomes tactically important

Tactical Adjustments: Enemies may target the bowl specifically or use tactics that exploit the elemental's weaknesses.

Elemental Magic: Other items that provide connections to elemental planes or summon elemental creatures.

Summoning Equipment:

  • Items that provide temporary allies or combat support
  • Equipment that enhances control over summoned creatures
  • Tools that improve tactical coordination with allies

Complementary Equipment: Items that work well with elemental allies, such as protective magic or tactical positioning tools.

Roleplay Opportunities​

Elemental Diplomacy: Characters may develop relationships with summoned elementals, leading to ongoing connections with elemental planes.

Tactical Command: The bowl encourages players to think strategically about battlefield positioning and ally coordination.

Planar Awareness: Regular interaction with elementals may inspire characters to learn more about planar magic and elemental societies.