Cup of Curing

The origins of this gold chalice, crafted in intricate baroque patters and encrusted with dozens of jewels, are as mysterious as its powers. At various times in history, the cup has an object of worship for nearly every major religion—indeed, there is evidence that its possession has precipitated innumerable wars.

Any liquid drunk from the cup takes on amazing curative powers. One swallow cures all diseases, blindness, deafness, hit point damage, and all temporary ability damage. It also neutralizes poisons in the drinker’s system (so that no additional damage or effects are suffered) and cures mental disorders caused by spells or injury to the brain.

A second swallow in the same sitting removes negative levels and restores permanently drained levels and ability scores.

A third swallow grants the drinker a +5 bonus on saving throws, attack rolls, and skill checks for one day.

A fourth swallow causes the drinker to glow with a brilliant white light. One round later, as the light grows brighter, anyone looking at the person must succeed at a Fortitude save (DC 25) or be struck blind for 2d6 minutes. On the next round, the drinker’s body is completely consumed as the light flares—anyone still watching must succeed at a Fortitude save (DC 35) or be struck permanently blind. The following round the light ceases, and the cup of curingdisappears along with any trace of the greedy drinker. No spell can divine where the cup goes or when it will surface again.

A character may drink from the cup on up to five different occasions. The sixth time, he immediately suffers consequences identical to drinking four times in a sitting.

Drinking from the cup is a move action that provokes attacks of opportunity.

*Type:*Artifact (magic); Caster Level:—; *Purchase DC:*51; *Weight:*3 lb.