Worn by royalty and borne by conquerors, the regalia of the phoenix has no equal among the magic crafted by humans or elves. Individually, the pieces that make up the regalia are magic items of stunning beauty and reasonable power, but together they make you a commanding figure of flames, lending you the regal authority of the regalia’s namesake and allowing you to stave off death time and again.
The regalia of the phoenix can be used to good effect by many characters, but sorcerers and warlocks find it most useful. Both kinds of characters rely on Charisma and can wield the talon scepter, a simple weapon. Remember that you can use the rules in Adding Common Item Effects to Existing Items to increase the benefit the items grant, so the +2 to Charisma granted by a crown of flames could become +4 or higher. If you are a warlock or sorcerer who has a phoenix cloak, consider replacing any invocation or spell that grants you the ability to fly; you will benefit more from the item and the versatility of having access to a different effect that you can bring to bear on your foes.
Characters who have ranks in Knowledge (arcana), or who have the bardic knowledge ability, can research the regalia of the phoenix 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: The regalia of the phoenix sears its story into the mind of every ambitious noble who hears it. It made its first fiery appearance in the possession of the Phoenix Queen, a sorcerer of tremendous power who took the throne of a longforgotten kingdom by force. Because the Phoenix Queen possessed all the elements of the regalia, she could not be defeated, and anyone who rose against her was burnt to a cinder. After years of her vicious rule, a lover tricked her into removing her mask, pleading with her to see her face. When she pulled the mask away, revealing a face of cold beauty untouched by remorse or sorrow, assassins rose from the shadows, and she fell beneath their many blades.
DC 20: After the assassins killed the Phoenix Queen, they quarreled over the regalia. Only four survived, each taking a single piece. Fearing attempts by the others to steal their pieces, they fled the kingdom, spreading knowledge of the regalia of the phoenix to foreign lands.
DC 25: The forgotten kingdom of legend was an elf empire, and some say that the Phoenix Queen’s lover also survived the assassin’s quarrel. According to some, the lover was true to his pitiless mistress, and the assassins tricked him into asking the queen to remove her mask. Rumors persist that this elf lives still, clutching to life despite his extreme age and the call of his ancestors, hanging on with the inhuman strength that only a thirst for vengeance can give. It’s said he seeks any who would dare profit from the assassins’ foul deed by using any piece of the regalia or its copies. When he finds them, he snuffs out their lives as calmly as one might blow out a candle.
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.
Wearing parts of the regalia of the phoenix grants its owner protection from fire and even the immunity to flames that the legendary phoenixes enjoy. When a creature wears all the pieces of the regalia of the phoenix and wields the talon scepter, all the items appear to transform into pure fire, and the phoenix cloak takes on the shape of fiery wings. Should the user of the whole regalia fall in battle, her body seems to be consumed by that fire and then remade, whole and hale again, in a burst of rubycolored light.
2 Pieces: When you are dealt fire damage, the set automatically provides you with resistance to fire 5 against that attack only. This ability functions five times per day.
3 Pieces: When you are dealt fire damage, the set automatically provides you with immunity to fire against that attack only. This ability functions five times per day. Only after all five uses of this power are expended does the set’s resistance to fire collection benefit (see above) function.
4 Pieces: The regalia automatically produces a heal effect (CL 11th) on you if you are reduced to 0 to –9 hit points. This ability functions once per day.
| Piece | Body Slot | Price (gp) | Item Level | Ability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raptor’s mask | Face | 3,500 | 8th | +5 on Spot checks; immunity to blindness and dazzling effects |
| Crown of flames | Head | 8,500 | 12th | +2 Charisma; 1/day fire shield |
| Talon scepter | — (held) | 10,305 | 13th | +1 flaming light mace; swift ray of fire deals 1d6 damage |
| Phoenix cloak | Shoulders | 50,000 | 18th | Fly with perfect maneuverability at your land speed |
| Pieces Worn | Benefit |
|---|---|
| 2 pieces | 5/day resistance to fire 5 |
| 3 pieces | 5/day immunity to fire |
| 4 pieces | 1/day heal automatically when you reach 0 to –9 hp |
Price (Item Level): 8,500 gp (12th)
Body Slot: Head
Caster Level: 8th
Aura: Moderate; (DC 19) transmutation
Activation: — or immediate (mental)
Weight: —
The tines of this gem-encrusted crown are twisted and sharp, like a ring of flames frozen in gold.
A crown of flames continuously grants you a +2 enhancement bonus to Charisma. In addition, once per day, it can be activated to surround you in a sheath of red flames that functions like a fire shield spell (warm only) lasting for 5 rounds.
Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, eagle’s splendor, fire shield, possession of a piece of the set.
Cost to Create: 4,250 gp, 340 XP, 9 days.
Price (Item Level): 50,000 gp (18th)
Body Slot: Shoulders
Caster Level: 10th
Aura: Moderate; (DC 20) transmutation
Activation: —
Weight: 1 lb.
This cloak is made of incredibly fine gold chain. Its exterior is covered in paper-thin feathers of solid gold and strewn with tiny rubies. Despite its material, it feels almost as light as cloth and flows on the wind like silk.
A phoenix cloak grants you a fly speed equal to your land speed, with perfect maneuverability.
Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, fly, possession of a piece of the set.
Cost to Create: 25,000 gp, 2,000 XP, 50 days.
Price (Item Level): 3,500 gp (8th)
Body Slot: Face
Caster Level: 5th
Aura: Faint; (DC 17) divination
Activation: —
Weight: —
This golden half-mask has a large, sharp beak like that of an eagle and feathery flanges of gold that sweep away from the eyes. Each eyehole is covered by a large ruby that gleams with an inner light.
A raptor’s mask grants you a +5 bonus on Spot checks and renders you immune to effects that would leave you blinded or dazzled.
Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, clairaudience/clairvoyance, glitterdust, possession of a piece of the set.
Cost to Create: 1,750 gp, 140 XP, 4 days.
Price (Item Level): 10,305 gp (13th)
Body Slot: — (held)
Caster Level: 10th
Aura: Moderate; (DC 20) evocation
Activation: — or swift (mental)
Weight: 4 lb.
The head of this golden scepter is wrought in the shape of an eagle’s claw. The talons seem to be made of rubies, and a flame motif adorns the entire length of the item.
A talon scepter functions as a +1 flaming light mace. In addition, you can activate the scepter to create a ruby-colored ray that extends up to 30 feet. This requires a ranged touch attack and deals 1d6 points of fire damage.
Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, flame blade, flame strike, or fireball, possession of a piece of the set.
Cost to Create: 5,000 gp (plus 305 gp for masterwork light mace), 400 XP, 10 days.
Source: Magic Item Compendium, page 208.