The Sun God reached out and put his hand upon Kytheon’s shoulder. “You proved your worth as a warrior in the attack on your polis, but it is time to prove yourself worthy to be my champion.” He reached up to the sunlit sky, and the light coalesced around his fist. It elongated and took the shape of a spear that resembled the god’s own weapon.
“With this spear, destroy the titan. This is what I task you with. This is your ordeal.”
Kytheon gaped, both at the spear and at the task the god had set before him.
—Ari Levitch, “Gideon: Kytheon Iora of Akros”
On Theros, magic items carry reputations as rich and storied as those who wield them. They might take form in the god-realm of Nyx, spring from Purphoros’s forge in Mount Velus, or come from legendary mortal smiths. Some crafters create great works to put an end to a specific peril, while others create to honor the gods. The most renowned works are the weapons of the gods themselves, treasures synonymous with divine power that forge legends with their every use.
Magic Items
The following sections explore some of the magic items that heroes might encounter during their adventures across Theros. These treasures might serve as rewards for heroic deeds, or they could spur the gods' champions toward great acts. All the gods have access to mighty troves of storied items, which they have few qualms about granting to their favored servants—or reclaiming when their usefulness is over.
Gifts of the Gods
Just as the heroes of Theros carry great destinies, so too do many of the magic items they encounter. The common folk don’t typically possess magic items, yet adventurers come across them with some regularity—further evidencing the divine favor most enjoy. Nearly every magic item was created with a purpose and often carries with it a role in some greater story, whether an epic long ended or one yet untold.
As DM, feel free to make ordinary magic items feel like they have significant history and purpose. Even a
Certain treasures might also be the objects of heroic quests. For example, one might not be considered a true hero until one follows in the footsteps of past legends and either makes or claims one’s own magical garment from the wool of a Nyx-fleece ram (see chapter 6). You can also use the tables in chapter 7 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide to help further inspire the story you create for a magic item.
Remarkable Origins
| d12 | Origin |
|---|---|
| 1 | The item bears the name or emblem of a lost troop of Akroan stratians (described in chapter 3). |
| 2 | The item is etched with a name or prayer written in Celestial (the language of the gods). |
| 3 | The item looks like it’s been at the bottom of the sea for a hundred years but functions perfectly. |
| 4 | The item is wrapped in handwritten scrolls, suggesting it was once possessed by a founder of one of Meletis’s philosophical schools (described in chapter 3). |
| 5 | The item bears a design or sculpted feature suggestive of a Returned mask. |
| 6 | A knotted cover or grip depicts colorful birds or stylized herd animals from the plains of Oreskos. |
| 7 | The item is at least partially made from the heartwood of a Setessan caryatid (described in chapter 3). The wood regularly sprouts fresh leaves, or its whorls suggest humanoid features. |
| 8 | The item rests among the remains of its former owner, who thanks (or curses) those who take it. |
| 9 | The item is at least partially made of iron. |
| 10 | Whoever first touches the item receives an omen from the god who watches over it (see chapter 4 for details on omens). |
| 11 | The item lies in a crater, as if it fell from the heavens. |
| 12 | The item glimmers with the stars of Nyx and is a perfect facsimile of an item used by a legendary hero. |
Magic Item Descriptions
This section presents an assortment of magic items in alphabetical order. See the Dungeon Master’s Guide for the rules on magic items.
Flying Chariot Helm of the Gods Molten Bronze Skin Potion of Aqueous Form Pyxis of Pandemonium Siren Song Lyre Sling Bullets of Althemone Two-Birds Sling
Artifacts
Miraculous relics fill the tales of Theros. Among these legendary items, none are more renowned than the weapons of the gods themselves. These artifacts embody divine will and the power of Nyx. Where they appear, these weapons change the tide of wars and the course of history.
Typically a deity bestows their weapon only on a favored champion or devotee. Depending on the champion’s piety score, the mortal can tap into hidden properties of the weapon (see chapter 2 for details on piety). Alternatively, those who don’t worship the weapon’s divine owner often find themselves cursed for their lack of proper devotion.
Occasionally a god’s weapon might fall into the wrong hands or go missing entirely, sparking fantastic quests. Consult the Weapons of the Gods Adventures table for suggestions of the sort of quests these artifacts might inspire.
Weapons of the Gods Adventures
| d6 | Plot |
|---|---|
| 1 | Steal a god’s weapon to lay low one of that god’s servants—a creature that can only be harmed by its creator’s wrath. |
| 2 | Recover a god’s weapon that has been stolen by another god’s champion in an attempt to frame the weapon’s owner for cruel acts. |
| 3 | Wrest back a god’s weapon from a divine champion who needed it but refuses to return it. |
| 4 | Destroy a god’s weapon and channel the energy released to create a new magic item or work a miracle. |
| 5 | Reforge a god’s weapon after an incredible feat caused it to shatter. |
| 6 | A god’s weapon has gained sentience (see “Sentient Magic Items” in chapter 7 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide). Determine whether to use it, return it to its creator, or help it grow into its own being. |
Artifact Descriptions
This section presents an assortment of artifacts in alphabetical order. See the Dungeon Master’s Guide for the rules on artifacts.
Akmon, Hammer of Purphoros Dekella, Bident of Thassa Ephixis, Bow of Nylea Khrusor, Spear of Heliod Mastix, Whip of Erebos