Skip to main content

Handy Haversack

Handy Haversack
  • Category: Wondrous Item
  • Rarity: Rare

This backpack has a central pouch and two side pouches, each of which is an extradimensional space. Each side pouch can hold up to 200 pounds of material, not exceeding a volume of 25 cubic feet. The central pouch can hold up to 500 pounds of material, not exceeding a volume of 64 cubic feet. The haversack always weighs 5 pounds, regardless of its contents.

Retrieving an item from the haversack requires a Utilize action or a Bonus Action (your choice). When you reach into the haversack for a specific item, the item is always magically on top.

If any of its pouches is overloaded, pierced, or torn, the haversack ruptures and is destroyed. If the haversack is destroyed, its contents are lost forever, although an Artifact always turns up again somewhere. If the haversack is turned inside out, its contents spill forth unharmed, and the haversack must be put right before it can be used again.

Each pouch of the haversack holds enough air for 10 minutes of breathing, divided by the number of breathing creatures inside.

Placing the haversack inside an extradimensional space created by a Bag of Holding, Portable Hole, or similar item instantly destroys both items and opens a gate to the Astral Plane. The gate originates where the one item was placed inside the other. Any creature within 10 feet of the gate and not behind Total Cover is sucked through it and deposited in a random location on the Astral Plane. The gate then closes. The gate is one-way only and can't be reopened.

Tactical Applications​

Combat Strategy: Backpack that holds significantly more than its size suggests and allows instant access to any item stored within. Essential for carrying extensive equipment and supplies without weight penalties.

Class Synergies:

  • Any Class: Universal utility for equipment management and supply logistics
  • Utility Specialists: Perfect for characters carrying diverse tools and supplies
  • Expedition Leaders: Essential for long-distance travel and exploration logistics
  • Support Builds: Excellent for characters managing party equipment and resources

Build Considerations: Provides massive carrying capacity and instant item access. Most valuable for characters with extensive equipment needs or party support roles.

Acquisition Methods​

Crafting Requirements: Requires dimensional magic, spatial manipulation techniques, and enchanted storage materials. Creation cost 8,000-15,000 gp and takes 3 months.

Common Sources:

  • Magical equipment suppliers and dimensional specialists
  • Treasure hoards of professional adventurers and merchants
  • Commission from enchanters specializing in dimensional magic
  • Found in the collections of explorers and expedition leaders
  • Rewards from grateful merchant organizations

Alternative Acquisition: Sometimes discovered in abandoned campsites or obtained from dimensional creature encounters.

Value & Trade​

Estimated Value: 12,000-20,000 gp, with consistent demand among all adventurers and explorers.

Trade Considerations: One of the most universally desired magic items due to practical utility in any campaign setting.

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: Suggests experience with long expeditions, professional adventuring, or specialization in logistics and equipment management.

Character Concepts:

  • Professional explorer with extensive expedition experience
  • Merchant adventurer specializing in trade and logistics
  • Party quartermaster responsible for equipment and supplies
  • Character with comprehensive preparation and planning skills

Adventure Hooks​

The Grand Expedition: Long-distance exploration where equipment management becomes crucial for survival and success.

The Merchant Mission: Trade expeditions where carrying capacity determines profit potential and mission viability.

The Supply Line: Military operations where logistics support provides crucial advantages for allied forces.

The Collector's Quest: Treasure hunting expeditions where storage capacity enables comprehensive artifact collection.

Variants & Customization​

Greater Handy Haversack (Very Rare): Enhanced capacity and includes preservation effects for perishable items.

Bag of Holding (Rare): Similar concept with different mechanics and capacity limitations.

Portable Hole (Very Rare): Much larger capacity but with different access mechanics and safety considerations.

Specialized Variants:

  • Adventurer's Haversack: Optimized for dungeon exploration with quick-access compartments
  • Merchant's Haversack: Enhanced for trade goods with preservation and organization features
  • Scholar's Haversack: Includes protection for books, scrolls, and research materials

Lore & History​

Origins: Created by ancient explorers who needed practical solutions for the logistics challenges of extended expeditions.

Historical Significance: These haversacks enabled the exploration of previously inaccessible regions and the establishment of long-distance trade routes.

Cultural Impact: Represent the practical application of magic to solve everyday problems and enhance quality of life.

Magical Craft: Demonstrates mastery of dimensional magic and the practical integration of spatial manipulation with portable storage.

Balancing Notes​

Introduction Timing: Appropriate for levels 6-12 when equipment management becomes significant and carrying capacity limits adventure scope.

Campaign Impact: Provides major quality-of-life improvement without affecting combat balance directly.

Practical Utility: One of the most campaign-changing items due to its impact on exploration and logistics.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Extended exploration scenarios where supply management matters
  • Treasure recovery missions requiring significant carrying capacity
  • Logistics challenges where equipment access speed provides advantages
  • Survival scenarios where organized storage enables better resource management

Tactical Adjustments: Adventures may include more equipment-dependent challenges when storage limitations are removed.

Storage Items: Bag of Holding, Portable Hole, and other items that provide enhanced carrying capacity.

Utility Equipment:

  • Items that improve expedition logistics and equipment management
  • Equipment for long-distance travel and exploration support
  • Tools for professional adventuring and supply coordination

Complementary Equipment: Items that benefit from instant access or require significant storage space.

Roleplay Opportunities​

Logistics Mastery: Characters develop expertise in expedition planning and equipment optimization.

Party Support: Enhanced storage enables characters to support allies with comprehensive equipment access.

Professional Recognition: Superior equipment management creates reputation for thorough preparation and expedition expertise.