Mourning+Stones

A "Mourning Stone" is a rounded Eberron shard, about one inch in diameter, enchanted with the following spell effects as a 9th-level caster: //fog cloud//, //silence// and //mass inflict light wounds//. The size and shape of the shard allows it to be thrown, or even used as a Sling bullet. When thrown or fired, the shard activates on impact, initiating the //fog cloud// and //silence// immediately to a 20' radius centered on where the stone lands.The //inflict// spell triggers the following round, doing 1d8+9 negative energy damage to all within 20' of the stone every round until the //silence// expires (eight rounds total). After those effects end, the cloud lingers until it dissipates (up to 90 minutes, per the //fog cloud// spell).

Every round, each person in the affected area must make a DC 18 Will save to temporarily negate the //silence// and halve the damage inflicted. Multiple Mourning Stone effects do not stack in the same round. Like other spell effects that use negative energy, a Mourning Stone cures undead rather than damaging them (they must still make saves against the //silence//).

Such a magic "grenade" could be devastating on a battlefield if used on conscripts, levy soldiers, or commoners like the Murnie family of New Cyre, but it's especially deadly indoors, underground or in confined spaces.

The name, coined by Faye Dwarfhammer, comes from the fact that the combined spell effects mimic The Mourning which destroyed Cyre -- a silent, dead-gray mist, killing everything it touched. A Minor //schema// containing the magical formula for making Mourning Stones was discovered among the personal effects of the suspected leader of the Dark Hand Goblinoids, an artificer and alchemist called Tyron (formerly Tyron d'Cannith).

Prince Oargev ir'Wynarn, fearing that the power of The Mourning had been refined into a portable weapon, paid handsomely for the //schema// and a live Mourning Stone.


 * Crafting:** The //schema// operates by placing it atop a small flat wooden box, approximately 8"x4"x2" with an appraised value of at least 250 gp, into which no more than six rounded Eberron shards are placed. The enchanter casts the three spells into the //schema//, one after the other over three rounds. Each requires a Concentration check (//fog cloud// and //silence//, DC 12 each; m//ass inflict light wounds//, DC 15) to shape the spell into the schema; failure means that spell is cast normally, centered on the //schema//, and the casting process must begin again (the box, //schema// and shards are not damaged). Once all three spells are successfully cast, the //schema// glows and the box turns black and brittle (losing all value), but the shards inside are now Mourning Stones. The //schema// can be immediately reused with fresh Eberron shards and a new box. Deciphered Scrolls can be used with read magic or Spellcraft / Use Magic Device check.


 * Update, 4 Eyre 998 YK:** Just before the Siege of New Cyre commenced in earnest, a squad of six Halflings in Cyran green-and-gold was seen practicing volley fire with their slings. Later, as a line of Swords of Liberty conscripts and militia approached the town wall, the Halflings appeared atop the wall. They fired one volley of Mourning Stones, spaced out for maximum effect. The advance was broken, and several dozen enemy killed. Oargev, now Governor of Yedan's Expanse, was unapologetic about ordering their manufacture and use.