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Instant Fortress

Instant Fortress
  • Category: Wondrous Item
  • Rarity: Rare (Requires Attunement)

As a Magic action, you can place this 1-inch adamantine statuette on the ground and, using a command word, cause it to grow rapidly into a square adamantine tower. Repeating the command word causes the tower to revert to statuette form, which works only if the tower is empty. Each creature in the area where the tower appears is pushed to an unoccupied space outside but next to the tower. Objects in the area that aren't being worn or carried are also pushed clear of the tower.

The tower is 20 feet on a side and 30 feet high, with arrow slits on all sides and a battlement atop it. Its interior is divided into two floors, with a ladder, staircase, or ramp (your choice) connecting them. This ladder, staircase, or ramp ends at a trapdoor leading to the roof. When created, the tower has a single door at ground level on the side facing you. The door opens only at your command, which you can issue as a Bonus Action. It is immune to the Knock spell and similar magic.

Magic prevents the tower from being tipped over. The roof, the door, and the walls each have AC 20; HP 100; Immunity to Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing damage except that which is dealt by siege equipment; and Resistance to all other damage. Shrinking the tower back down to statuette form doesn't repair damage to the tower. Only a Wish spell can repair the tower (this use of the spell counts as replicating a spell of level 8 or lower). Each casting of Wish causes the tower to regain all its Hit Points.

Tactical Applications​

Combat Strategy: Transforms from a small cube into a large fortress tower, providing instant fortification and tactical advantage. Excellent for defense, siege scenarios, and controlling battlefield positioning.

Class Synergies:

  • Any Class: Universal utility for defensive positioning and tactical fortification
  • Defensive Specialists: Perfect for characters focused on protection and area control
  • Leaders: Essential for coordinating defensive operations and protecting allies
  • Siege Warfare: Excellent for characters involved in large-scale military operations

Build Considerations: Provides instant fortification with significant defensive capabilities. Most valuable in campaigns featuring siege warfare and defensive scenarios.

Acquisition Methods​

Crafting Requirements: Requires dimensional magic, architectural enchantments, and fortress construction materials. Creation cost 25,000-50,000 gp and takes 6 months.

Common Sources:

  • Military organizations and fortress construction specialists
  • Treasure hoards of legendary commanders and siege engineers
  • Commission from enchanters specializing in dimensional architecture
  • Found in the collections of military historians and defensive specialists
  • Rewards from grateful kingdoms and defensive organizations

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

Value & Trade​

Estimated Value: 35,000-60,000 gp, with higher demand among military leaders and defensive specialists.

Trade Considerations: Extremely valuable and rare, often requiring military connections or epic quests rather than simple purchase.

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: Suggests experience with military command, siege warfare, or leadership roles requiring defensive capabilities.

Character Concepts:

  • Military commander specializing in defensive operations
  • Siege engineer with fortress construction expertise
  • Character with extensive large-scale warfare experience
  • Leader requiring mobile fortification capabilities

Adventure Hooks​

The Siege Defense: Military campaigns where instant fortification provides crucial defensive advantages.

The Frontier Outpost: Exploration missions where portable fortresses enable establishment of secure bases.

The Tactical Fortress: Combat scenarios where controlling high ground and defensive positions determines victory.

The Emergency Shelter: Survival situations where instant fortification provides protection from environmental hazards.

Variants & Customization​

Greater Instant Fortress (Artifact): Enhanced size and defensive capabilities with additional fortress features.

Mobile Fortress Cube (Legendary): Includes movement capabilities and advanced defensive systems.

Specialized Fortress (Very Rare): Optimized for specific defensive scenarios and tactical applications.

Specialized Variants:

  • Command Fortress: Enhanced for military leadership with communication and coordination features
  • Siege Fortress: Optimized for defensive warfare with enhanced structural integrity
  • Exploration Fortress: Includes provisions and equipment for extended frontier operations

Lore & History​

Origins: Created by ancient military engineers who needed portable fortifications for frontier warfare and siege defense.

Historical Significance: These fortresses enabled crucial military victories and the establishment of defensive positions in hostile territory.

Cultural Impact: Represent the pinnacle of defensive architecture and the integration of magic with military engineering.

Magical Craft: Demonstrates legendary mastery of dimensional magic and the complex enchantments required for architectural transformation.

Balancing Notes​

Introduction Timing: Appropriate for levels 10-16 when large-scale warfare becomes common and defensive positioning is crucial.

Campaign Impact: Provides major defensive capabilities that should be central to military campaign storylines.

Tactical Consideration: Instant fortification dramatically alters battlefield dynamics and encounter design.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Siege warfare scenarios where defensive positioning provides tactical advantages
  • Large-scale military operations requiring fortified command posts
  • Exploration missions where secure bases enable extended operations
  • Survival scenarios where environmental protection determines success

Tactical Adjustments: Encounters may need scaling to account for instant fortification capabilities.

Defensive Items: Shield magic items, Protective enchantments, and other items that enhance defensive capabilities.

Military Equipment:

  • Items that improve large-scale warfare and tactical operations
  • Equipment for siege warfare and defensive positioning
  • Tools for military leadership and command operations

Complementary Equipment: Items that enhance leadership abilities or provide additional defensive options.

Roleplay Opportunities​

Military Leadership: Characters develop expertise in defensive strategy and large-scale tactical operations.

Fortress Command: Managing instant fortifications teaches strategic thinking and resource management.

Siege Mastery: Learning to utilize defensive positions creates opportunities for military advancement and recognition.