Array of the Manticore

This striking set of magic items grants you the freedom of the skies and the power to wreak havoc from above. Crafted in honor of their namesake creature, the array of the manticore is tailored for the individual who fights in the air or fights airborne foes, bestowing the ferocity of a manticore and its fearsome sting.

Characters focused on making ranged weapon attacks get the most benefit from the array of the manticore. Scouts and rangers see the most benefit, since an airborne scout can skirmish more easily and a ranger’s combat styles prove useful.

Lore

Characters who have ranks in Knowledge (arcana) or Knowledge (religion), or who have the bardic knowledge ability, can research the array of the manticore to learn more about these items. When a character succeeds on a check, the following lore is revealed, including the information from lower DCs.

DC 15: A hobgoblin sorcerer crafted the first array of the manticore for his favorite bugbear bodyguard. This bugbear rode a tamed manticore into battle, and it seemed fitting to the hobgoblin to reward his servant’s skill and bravery with a tribute to his ferocity.

DC 20: A group of humans and halfings attacked the goblinoid stronghold. The goblins were eventually defeated, but only after many of the invaders died from the javelins and spikes cast down upon them from the air. The few survivors divided up the array of the manticore among themselves, not understanding the power the items held when worn together. When one of the halflings inherited a second piece from a fallen companion, she discovered the power of feather fall granted by possessing two pieces of the array. When this knowledge spread among the others, infighting broke out, and eventually only two remained. They made a truce, and each parted to investigate the means of creating the missing companion pieces. In this way, use and knowledge of the array spread.

DC 25: Although the array of the manticore bears no curse or magic that makes one vulnerable, legend says that the hobgoblin who created the first set also created a spell whereby he could command the movements of the wearer by impelling the items to move, accomplishing a jerky, puppetlike control over a wearer’s body. This spell also prevented the items from being removed. Many have sought the spell or attempted to recreate it, but no one is known to have succeeded.

DC 30: A check result of 30 or higher reveals the location of another piece of the set. Use this to drive further adventure and direct the PCs toward some location or story you would like them to explore.

Collection Benefits

Wearing any two pieces of the array of the manticore grants you freedom from the threat of falling damage. Wearing the full set allows you to call upon a manticore for aid, bringing it into battle on swift wings to rain death down upon your foes.

2 Pieces: You function as though perpetually affected by a feather fall spell (CL 5th). You can negate or renew this power as a swift (mental) action.

5 Pieces: You can summon a manticore (as if using a summon monster spell) with a swift (mental) action, which fights on your behalf for 5 rounds. The manticore has damage reduction 10/magic and gains a +5 competence bonus on attack rolls. This ability functions two times per day, but summoning a second manticore causes the first to disappear if still present.

Bracers of Aerial Combat

Each of these fine steel bracers is inlaid with a golden image of a swooping manticore.

Bracers of aerial combat grant you a +1 competence bonus on attack rolls if you or the foe you attack is airborne.

Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, gust of wind, possession of a piece of the set.

Cost to Create: 2,500 gp, 200 XP, 5 days.

Gloves of Endless Javelins

This pair of black leather gloves is set with golden studs, each embossed with the image of a manticore’s head.

Gloves of endless javelins allow you to rain death down on your enemies. When you activate these gloves, a +1 javelin made of pure force appears in your hand.

A javelin created by the gloves lasts until you resolve an attack with it or until the end of your turn, whichever comes first.

Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Craft Wondrous Item, magic missile, possession of a piece of the set.

Cost to Create: 3,500 gp, 280 XP, 7 days.

Helm of the Hunter

This gold and mithral helm looks like the bristle-bearded head of a manticore.

A helm of the hunter grants you a +5 competence bonus on Spot checks and the benefit of the Far Shot feat. These effects function continuously.

When you activate this helm, you gain low-light vision and darkvision out to 60 feet for 4 hours. This ability functions once per day.

Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, clairaudience/clairvoyance, darkvision, possession of a piece of the set.

Cost to Create: 4,500 gp, 360 XP, 9 days.

Medallion of Aerial Defense

This medallion is composed of a manticore’s head and wings exquisitely crafted in gold and hung from a black leather band.

A medallion of aerial defense grants you damage reduction 10/magic against ranged weapons, as long as either you or your attacker is airborne.

Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, protection from arrows, possession of a piece of the set.

Cost to Create: 4,000 gp, 320 XP, 8 days.

Winged Vest

This black leather vest is decorated with fine black scales and has a pair of dragonlike wings folded against its back.

When you activate a winged vest, it unfolds its manticore wings and allows you to fly at a speed of 60 feet (good maneuverability) for 5 rounds.

A winged vest functions five times per day.

Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, fly, possession of a piece of the set.

Cost to Create: 6,000 gp, 480 XP, 12 days.

Source: Magic Item Compendium, page 193.