Treasures
Source: Mythic Odysseys of Theros, p. 195
A quote from Ari Levitch, "Gideon: Kytheon Iora of Akros"
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.
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 +1 spear might have been carried by a company of hoplite veterans that went missing during their quest to reach the edge of the world. Wands might be crafted from legendary sources, while potions might bear the seals of famed alchemists or include signature reagents—like a pegasus feather in a potion of flying. The Remarkable Origins table offers just a few ways to suggest a magic item’s remarkable pedigree without altering its magical properties.
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.
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.
Artifact Descriptions
This section presents an assortment of artifacts in alphabetical order. See the “Dungeon Master’s Guide” for the rules on artifacts.