The Scepter of Defense is a rod like instrument
about 3' long, with a handgrip on
one end. It may be used by all fighter
classes <(e.g. fighter, barbarian, ranger, archer, guard)>,
clerics, druids, thieves, assassins,
and monks as a parrying device. When its
user is in combat against a human, demihuman,
or humanoid opponent, the scepter
may be wielded to cause all attacks against
the user to be made at a -4 penalty to hit.
The scepter can parry two attacks in one
melee round, regardless of the user's
level, so long as the attacks come from the
user's front and sides. Attacks made from
the rear cannot be parried.

The scepter is useless as a parrying implement
against non-humanoid creatures
like dragons or black puddings, against
blows from humanoid creatures larger than
an ogre, and against attacks from creatures
using weaponless combat (such as ogrillons,
trolls, or wrestlers).

The user's strength bonus to hit (if any)
may be subtracted from an opponent's
chance to hit the scepter's wielder. No sort
of attack can be made in the same round
that the scepter is used as a parrying device.

The scepter will function as a +1 club if
used offensively. And, so long as it is carried,
it confers a +1 bonus to the holder's
saving throw vs. all magical effects. This
bonus is cumulative with other savingthrow
bonuses, as per a ring of protection.

Experience Point Value: 1,000
Gold Piece Sale Value: 4,000

-
Magic mysteries
-
Dear Editor:
Though "Five new enchanted objects" in #86
was very good, I still have a few questions.
The scepter of defense, as the article says, can
be used by all fighter classes, clerics, druids,
thieves, assassins, and monks. I would like to
know if this also applies to anti-paladins, samurai,
ninjas, or any other NPCs that have appeared
in DRAGON.

Charles Kluz
Schofield, Wis.
(Dragon #88)
 

The scepter of defense can be used by NPC
classes which are similar to those listed in the
article; thus, anti-paladins, samurai, ninjas,
duelists, and so forth could use it. However,
magic-user subclasses (like the alchemist) could
not.

— RM
(Dragon #88)