Gong of Disruption
This gong looks as any other found throughout the Asian lands, but with one minor difference. It is jet black in color with a small band of silver around its outside edge. It hangs from a oaken frame of red and is suspended by two pieces of gold cord.
But the gong itself is only half of the item. In order to make it work, there is a special curved wooden mallet that hides neatly within the rolled metal rim in back of the gong. It is made of red oak with a finely covered cloth end. Under close inspection, anyone who can read ancient languages and magic can detect small writing around the base of the mallet. When the command word is uttered, both the gong and the mallet will vibrate slightly. Also, any means of detecting magic on the items will reveal them to give off a magical glow. Normally, a gong is used in Asian countries to announce the entrance of royalty, visitors, or just for meditation purposes. But this device is used on the battlefield or brought out onto the wall of a castle to thwart attack or siege.
When used, the gong is brought out and placed in an area to which it will have the greatest effect, such as in front of an oncoming horde of attackers, large creature etc. When the moment is right or the order is given, the person wielding the mallet speaks the magical command word which starts the two pieces vibrating. The vibration in the mallet can be felt in the hand while a low hum can be heard coming from the gong itself. Again, both the special mallet and gong must be used for the magic to take place. If anything else is used, the gong will act like an ordinary gong.
The gong only need be struck once. When struck, it emits the sound of a normal gong, but at a loud lower tone. This sound wave pulse shoots outward toward the target or targets. Since sound travels long distances, the sound emitted can travel a long ways. The wave covers an area 1,000 yards long X 1,000 yards wide X 500 feet high. Any human, creature or undead caught in the wave will automatically be confused and move about aimlessly, even in the middle of a charge attack. Thus, a large group of soldiers charging to attack will suddenly stop in the midst of their attack and be confused for 1D12+2 rounds. This magic is more potent than the normal wizard spell of the same name, so the save required is at a 2 penalty. If the save is made, there is no effect for that individual and they keep attacking normally. Riders on horseback or on other creatures must also have their mounts save as well or they may find themselves being taken in different directions or tossed about until the magic wears off. Normal magic resistance applies.
Undead, on the other hand, suffer the same outcome as well as one added affliction. The magical tone brought forth from the gong also disrupts the negative plane. This causes certain undead creatures to vibrate so violently as the sound rips away at the negative plane, keeping them alive either through spell or natural life force, so that they will shatter and fall apart and be destroyed within a few rounds. If their save at a 2 penalty is failed, undead such as skeletons, zombies and ghouls will suffer this fate and their bones will merely fall apart and crumble within 2 rounds. Undead higher than these will be automatically stunned for 2D4+1 rounds with no save, while their energy is torn apart as they suffer 2D6 points of damage each round. Only undead creatures with magic resistance may suffer no ill effects from the sound if the roll is made. But two rolls must be made, one for the confusion and one for the stunning effect/damage.
The Gong may also be used again or moved to be used in a different location upon waiting 2 rounds after the initial strike. This is the amount of time it takes the gong to stop sounding completely. If moved or struck again before that time, it will cause no cumulative effect, but will render the initial magic useless. Also, the same creatures can be affected over and over if the magic is again applied with saves having to be made once again. There is no limit to the amount of uses. This is an extremely rare find and has been hunted down by many warlords as well as highly intelligent undead over the years.
(c) John (Jake) Brunette 2004