Sanguine Gem
Aura strong necromancy;
CL 17th
Slot none;
Price 3,500 gp;
Weight —
Description
Favored by hemotheurges, this blood-red gem is cold to the touch, with foreboding eddies of crimson that languish beneath its polished surface.
As a free action, the user can clutch the gem in one hand while casting a spell. By doing so, he may choose to increase his effective caster level for the spell he is casting by a number no greater than his maximum HD. If two or more caster levels are increased, the spell is Intensified; if four or more are increased, the spell is Intensified and Empowered; if six or more are increased, the spell is Intensified, Empowered, and Maximized.
The user's own life force is siphoned into the sanguine gem, fueling its potency. After the spell is cast, the user is hit with a backlash of negative energy equivalent to the amount by which he increased his caster level. For each caster level increased, the user gains one negative level, as if struck by the energy drain spell (DC equal to that of the spell cast with the sanguine gem).
Most of the time, after a sanguine gem is used it fills with black vapor, turns chalky, and crumbles—becoming useless. However, if a user gains an amount of negative levels equal to his maximum HD by using a sanguine gem, the gem immediately kills the user, refills with swirls of crimson, and can be used once more.
A creature that is immune to energy drain or negative levels, or is protected by a spell or effect that prevents energy drain or negative levels, cannot use a sanguine gem.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, Empowered Spell, Intensified Spell, Maximize Spell, energy drain; Cost 1,750 gp