Usable by all classes. A magical cube is a metal block measuring 2 inches per side. Unless otherwise specified, a cube is activated by firm, deliberate pressure against a pair of opposite faces; the cube's power remains in effect as long as the pressure is applied. By default, holding a cube precludes making the gestures that accompany spellcasting.
Level 5. This item can be used to project an enclosure of magical energy. The enclosure is a cube measuring 8' per edge, with the item at its center. This magical force is transparent to all forms of sight, but prevents the passage of physical, magical, or spiritual objects or energy through it in either direction. The barrier cannot exert pressure or do damage as it appears, so the item does not function if an 8' cube cannot be erected around it. If the item is moved while activated, the barrier remains in position around it, unless the barrier is pressed against something, in which case the force immediately disappears. (It is usually held immobile when in use.) The wall can only be brought down at the will of the user, or by an item or Grand Patterning spell of disintegration, which destroys the Cube.
Level 5. Burnout 10%. Once per week, the user of this cube can summon and controla 2' tall iron golem. The golem is AC 2, has 20 hit points, can only be hit by +2 or better magical weapons or by magical lightning, moves at 4", and attacks for D10 damage. Magical fire repairs the golem at a rate of 1 hit point for every 4 points of fire damage applied, rounded down. At least one week must have passed since the cube was last used for a golem to be summoned. Once summoned, the golem serves the user for D6 turns before it disappears. The user can command the golem as long as he keeps the cube activated; the golem simply stands motionless if the cube is not activated. If the golem is destroyed before it disappears, the cube becomes powerless.
Level 2. This cube has two different pairs of faces that can be pressed to activate it. One pair, when activated, can store any sound the user wishes, while he is listening to the sound. The user can reproduce at will any sound he has stored by activating the other pair of faces. The cube can store an unlimited number of sounds, but if it leaves the possession of its user, all stored sounds vanish. Only one of the functions can be in use at a time. (This item is analogous to a recordable disk that can be instantly accessed at any point.) By default, this item will not carry sounds out of a PrinceCon scenario, because the number of sounds that could be recorded is unlimited; with the approval of the Convention Director, a GM may specify that a very small number of sounds (preferably one) may be retained and written on the item card.
Level 4. Anyone who spends a turn or more within 10' of this cube must make a constitution system shock roll. Failure means the permanent loss of one point of constitution. For each additional turn a person spends near this cube, he must make another system shock roll, at his current constitution. All time spent near the cube is cumulative. A conscious character is immediately aware of the loss of a point of his constitution; a sleeping person usually awakens after the loss of two points. Lost constitution can only be restored by means of the clerical prayer Restoration, with each point of constitution being equivalent to a character level. This item is not cursed, but anyone with a Cube of Radiation usually suffers from its negative effects before realizing its nature and getting rid of it. An X-ray vision item always spots this cube.
Level 2. This cube's power is always in effect. Its zone of effect is a 20' long cube centered on the item. Any invisible being or object, including the user, that intersects this zone of effect immediately becomes visible. Invisibility spells and the effects of invisibility items are not dispelled; they are simply neutralized while in the cube's zone of effect. (Only the portion of an invisible object that is within the cube's zone of effect is made visible.) The effects of this item cease only when it is destroyed.
Level 2. Burnout 10%. This cube is hollow, with either a hinged lid or an open face. It is activated by placing a gemstone inside; it has no effect on other objects. Any such gemstone is disintegrated and reassembled into a perfectly cut and polished flawless gem of the same type and carat size. (This item cannot work on any gem that does not fit inside the 2 inch cube.) The cube produces a gem worth up to ten times its previous value, depending on its original quality. Magical gems and stones are not affected by this item. Repeated uses of the cube on the same gem have no additional effect (unless it burns out). When the cube burns out, it transforms into a Wondrous Pulverizer of Jewels. (The suggested PrinceCon procedure for this burnout is simply to rip up the item card and return it to the player; he may use the pieces to represent a Wondrous Pulverizer of Jewels if he wishes.)
Level 2. This item is a Wondrous Enhancer of Jewels that has burned out. Instead of reassembling the disintegrated gem into a perfect jewel, this cube simply reduces it to dust. Although there could be a wealthy alchemist or enchanter somewhere who would pay for gem dust, a disintegrated jewel is usually considered worthless.
Last Modified on September 25,1995.
ammulder@princeton.edu