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Censer of Controlling Air Elementals

Censer Of Controlling Air Elementals
  • Category: Wondrous Item
  • Rarity: Rare

While gently swinging this censer, you can take a Magic action to summon an Air Elemental. The elemental appears in an unoccupied space as close to the censer 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 censer can't be used this way again until the next dawn.

Tactical Applications​

Combat Strategy: Provides a powerful flying ally with air manipulation capabilities. Most effective when the censer can be used safely and the elemental's mobility is maximized.

Class Synergies:

  • Spellcasters: Natural fit for characters who can position safely while commanding elementals
  • Support Classes: Excellent for characters who focus on battlefield control and ally coordination
  • Any Class: Universal benefit from having a mobile aerial combat ally

Build Considerations: Most valuable when the party can coordinate tactics with flying allies. The elemental's whirlwind ability provides excellent crowd control options.

Acquisition Methods​

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

Common Sources:

  • Rewards from air elemental creatures or their allies
  • Treasure from sky temples or aerial ruins
  • Inheritance from mages specializing in air magic
  • Commission from enchanters with planar magic expertise

Alternative Acquisition: Some mountain monasteries and sky-dwelling communities create these censers for protecting their territories.

Value & Trade​

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

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

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: Suggests familiarity with air magic and planar connections. May indicate training in weather magic or aerial combat.

Character Concepts:

  • Air mage specializing in elemental magic and wind control
  • Scholar studying the connections between Material and Elemental Planes
  • Mountain dweller with natural affinity for air-based magic
  • Tactician who values mobile allies and aerial superiority

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 Air is destabilizing, and the censer becomes crucial for managing the situation.

The Sky Temple: An aerial dungeon requires elemental allies to navigate successfully and overcome air-based challenges.

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

Variants & Customization​

Greater Censer of Air Command (Very Rare): Summons more powerful air elementals or allows multiple simultaneous summons.

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

Enchanted Weather Censer (Rare): Provides benefits for weather control and atmospheric manipulation along with summoning.

Specialized Variants:

  • Storm Censer: Summoned elementals have enhanced electrical and weather-based abilities
  • Utility Air Censer: Elementals excel at non-combat tasks like transportation and environmental manipulation
  • Swift Air Censer: Elementals specialize in speed and mobility enhancements

Lore & History​

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

Historical Significance: Several famous aerial battles and weather-controlling rituals succeeded due to elemental allies summoned through these censers.

Cultural Impact: In mountain and sky-dwelling societies, these censers represent mastery over air magic and connections to elemental powers.

Planar Magic: The censers 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 aerial combat support while requiring tactical positioning and protection of the censer.

Mobility Advantage: The flying elemental adds three-dimensional tactical complexity to encounters.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Combat encounters where aerial mobility provides significant advantages
  • Situations requiring elemental expertise for puzzles or obstacles
  • Scenarios where protecting valuable equipment becomes tactically important
  • Environmental challenges where air elementals provide natural solutions

Tactical Adjustments: Enemies may include ranged attackers, other flying creatures, or tactics that exploit the elemental's air-based nature.

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

Air Magic:

  • Items that enhance wind spells and air-based abilities
  • Equipment that provides flight or aerial movement capabilities
  • Tools that control weather or atmospheric conditions

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

Roleplay Opportunities​

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

Tactical Command: The censer encourages players to think strategically about battlefield positioning and aerial coordination.

Weather Mastery: Regular interaction with air elementals may inspire characters to learn more about weather magic and atmospheric control.