The Golem Control Rod, or Golem Control Rod (Prototype), is a magic rod for controlling constructs, found in a hidden workshop in Vault 18 of the sealed Underforge Vaults beneath Argentum. Luma took it from the workshop on the Vigil of Remembrance, 1714 PSF.1
Description
Appearance
The rod is about two feet long, simple in design and vaguely cylindrical. Its handle is dark metal wrapped in leather cord. Its main body is a light-colored, faintly golden metal with a beveled, twisting design, and one side is toothed like a key, though no part of it is sharp. Where a sword would have a crossguard, there is a round gizmo.1
Properties
Pointed at a construct with a command, the rod can throw it into confusion. It works on a single construct at a time, and can get past protections that would otherwise keep its magic from taking hold.1 It holds a limited store of energy.1
Mechanics
Rod, Rare
The rod has 3 charges. The rod regains 1 expended charge daily at dawn. While holding the rod, you can use any of its properties:
Control Construct. When you cast a spell from this rod it may only target a single Construct, even if it normally would be able to target multiple creatures or an area.
Cast Spell. You can expend 1 of the rod’s charges to cast Confusion (save DC 15).
Manual Override. When you cast a spell using this rod using charges, you can choose to expend an additional charge. If you do, the spell ignores any immunities the creature has that would prevent the spell from affecting it (like the “Axiomatic Mind” trait). The spell also ignores any condition immunities for conditions granted by the spell. If the creature targeted has Legendary Resistance, it can expend a use of Legendary Resistance to ignore this trait for this casting of the spell.
Alternatively, if the creature does not have any such immunities, that creature makes its Saving Throw against this spell with Disadvantage.1
History
The dwarven crafter whose workshop held the rod wrote in his journal that “the key doesn’t work”, and that “the device seems to disrupt the internal control array further”. His notes on it in the workshop are heavily scribbled out.1
Session 11
The rod lay on a workbench behind two stone defenders. When Luma picked it up and began to identify it, the defenders came to life.1 Remembering the journal, she pointed it at the nearer one and said “stand down” in Dwarvish. It clicked, the round piece turned once, and the rod buzzed with energy and magic. The defender’s head began to spin as it repeated “target lost, target acquired” in Dwarvish, and the magic drained out of the rod.1 While confused, the defender could not shield its partner.1
After the fight Luma put the rod back on the desk, since the party had been told not to take anything from the vault, and finished identifying it.1 She took it after all when she decided to keep the Masterwork Dwarven Pistol, reasoning that the hidden workshop was outside the scope of the vault.1