BOOK OF ARTIFACTS

Introduction

The Book of Artifacts is a sourcebook for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition game, published in 1993. It contains detailed descriptions of over 50 powerful and unique magical items, known as artifacts, that can be used in any campaign setting. One of these artifacts is the Teeth of Dahlver-Nar, a set of ancient red dragon teeth that grant the user various abilities and curses.

The Teeth of Dahlver-Nar are a collection of 32 teeth, each with a different shape and size. They are carried in a bag made from the hide of a coppery-red dragon. The teeth are believed to have belonged to Dahlver-Nar, a legendary sorcerer who lived thousands of years ago and was obsessed with the secrets of life and death. According to some legends, Dahlver-Nar used the teeth to perform dark rituals and experiments, while others claim that he was cursed by the gods for his hubris and madness.

The Teeth of Dahlver-Nar are not ordinary magic items. They are sentient and have a will of their own. They can communicate telepathically with anyone who touches them, and they can influence the user’s actions and emotions. The teeth can also be implanted into the user’s mouth, replacing their natural teeth. This grants the user access to various powers, such as casting spells, summoning creatures, or altering their appearance. However, this also comes with a price: each tooth has a negative effect on the user’s body or mind, such as causing pain, disease, madness, or death.

The Teeth of Dahlver-Nar are a mysterious and magical artifact that can offer great rewards or terrible consequences. They are not for the faint of heart or the weak of will. They are a challenge for adventurers who seek to uncover their secrets and harness their power. In this article, we will explore the history, lore, and mechanics of the Teeth of Dahlver-Nar, as well as some possible ways to use them in your game.

History of the Teeth of Dahlver-Nar

The Teeth of Dahlver-Nar are a set of ancient red dragon teeth that have a long and mysterious history. They have been the source of wonder and horror for many who have encountered them. Here is a timeline of some of the major events involving the Teeth of Dahlver-Nar:

Long ago: The red dragon Incendax attacks and kills a group of young mages and their teacher. The archmages of the guild retaliate and slay the dragon with powerful magic, causing a massive explosion. The only remains of the battle are the teeth of the dragon.
Centuries later: The cleric Dalhvar-Nar discovers the teeth in a hidden chamber in the dragon’s lair. He decides to keep them and experiment with them, finding out that they can summon creatures and grant other abilities.
Years later: Dalhvar-Nar becomes obsessed with the teeth and isolates himself from his friends and order. He becomes a bandit and a recluse, living in a remote mountain cave. He is eventually captured by a gold dragon, who takes him and the teeth away.
Unknown date: The teeth are somehow separated from Dalhvar-Nar and scattered across the world. Some are found by adventurers, some are hidden in dungeons, some are lost or destroyed. The teeth develop a sentience and a personality, influenced by their previous owners and experiences.
Present day: The teeth are still sought after by those who crave power, knowledge, or adventure. They are also feared by those who know their dangers and curses. The teeth can communicate with anyone who touches them, and they can tempt or manipulate them to implant them into their mouths.

Powers and Curse of the Teeth of Dahlver-Nar

The Teeth of Dahlver-Nar are a set of 32 teeth that belonged to the ancient and powerful wizard Dahlver-Nar. These teeth have been imbued with various magical powers and curses that affect anyone who possesses them. The powers and curse of the Teeth can be classified into three categories: constant, invoked, and curse.

Constant Powers

These are the powers that are always active for a character holding any of the Teeth. They include:

The ability to detect the exact number and type of all gems and precious metals within 60 feet.
The ability to speak and understand the language of red dragons, and the tongue common to all evil dragons.
The immunity to all forms of fire.

Invoked Powers

These are the powers that are released only if the Teeth (not including the molars) are thrust point-first into the ground. Depending on the type and size of the tooth, different effects will occur. These effects include:

Summoning various monsters, such as remorhaz, fire giants, wyverns, hydras, fire toads, or lizard men. These monsters serve the owner of the Teeth for 30 rounds and follow all other guidelines specified in Monster Summoning I.
Creating a wall of fire that lasts for 20 rounds and has a diameter of 60 feet and a height of 20 feet.
Granting one of eight random spell-like abilities, such as teleport without error, cone of fire, fly, suggestion, domination, transmute rock to mud (or the reverse), improved invisibility, or disintegrate. These abilities have a casting time of 3 and may be interrupted and wasted like normal spells.

The invoked powers have some limitations. They only work if the surface is any form of soil (clay, dirt, sand, etc.). On any other surface, or if dropped on their sides, the Teeth lie there until picked up. After being used, they magically reappear among the rest of the Teeth in 1d2 + 1 days.

Curse

The curse of the Teeth is that the character possessing them immediately becomes chaotic evil in alignment and cannot bear to be separated from them. He will also develop some traits and habits similar to those of an ancient red dragon over time. These include:

Retrieving any Teeth that fall upon an impenetrable surface, ignoring anything happening around him.
Hording all his possessions, developing accurate lists and spending vast periods of time counting them— valuable or not.
Searching for a large cave extending deep within a mountain, to dwell in solitude.
Assuming a haughty and condescending attitude, enjoying surveying the surrounding countryside from his cave, developing a fierce hatred of gold dragons, and aspiring to establish and hold a large territory.
Perceiving anyone approaching him or his possessions as a thief. He receives a -5 reaction adjustment to former friends and will immediately attack approaching strangers.

The curse can be lifted if the character no longer possesses the Teeth for 1d4 + 2 weeks. He will then return to his original alignment and lose the traits of the dragon over a period of two weeks. However, some side-effects of alignment change may remain with him at the DM’s option.

Suggested Means of Destruction of the Teeth of Dahlver-Nar

The Teeth of Dahlver-Nar are powerful and dangerous artifacts that should not be used lightly. They are also very difficult to destroy, as they have resisted many attempts over the centuries. However, some legends and lore suggest a few possible ways to get rid of them for good. These include:

Allowing the Teeth to soak in 32 doses of sweet water for 1,000 years, whereupon they will rot away. Sweet water is a rare and precious liquid that can neutralize any poison or magic. It is said to be found only in the deepest wells and springs of the world, and is guarded by powerful beings.
Pulling all the teeth of a conscious ancient red dragon and replacing them with the artifacts without explaining what you’re doing. This method requires a great deal of courage, stealth, and skill, as well as a way to restrain or distract the dragon long enough to perform the operation. The dragon’s natural magic and fire will consume the Teeth over time, but the dragon will also become enraged and vengeful, seeking to destroy whoever did this to him.
Bathing the Teeth in the breath of 32 different types of dragons within 32 days. This method requires a lot of travel, diplomacy, and luck, as well as a way to collect and preserve the dragon breaths. The different types of dragons must include at least one from each chromatic and metallic color, as well as some rare and exotic ones. The combination of different elemental energies will overload and shatter the Teeth, but it may also cause unpredictable side effects.

These methods are not guaranteed to work, and may have dire consequences for those who attempt them. They are only suggested as a last resort, when all other options have failed or are unavailable. The best way to deal with the Teeth of Dahlver-Nar is to avoid them altogether, or to entrust them to someone who can keep them safe and hidden from those who would misuse them.

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