The Skullcarved Reliquary is a rare wondrous item that summons ancestral spirits, granting allies advantage on Wisdom saves and has a protective warding effect.
✨ Embrace the Ancestral Spirits
The Skullcarved Reliquary is a wondrous item shrouded in mystery and power. Crafted by the enigmatic necromancer Evantor in the Bone Crypts of Valemoor, this relic serves as a conduit to the spirits of ancient warriors. The intricate skull carvings and the cracked stone-like surface tell tales of battles fought and victories secured.
Ancestral Echo: Once per short rest, you can call upon the spirits to empower your allies. Within a 30-foot radius, all allies gain advantage on Wisdom saving throws for 1 minute — fortitude against fear, charm, and mind-affecting magic.
Spectral Ward: When danger is imminent, the reliquary’s spirits can deflect a blow. Use your reaction when you or an ally within 30 feet is hit — roll a d6. On a 4 or higher, the attack magically misses.
- Ideal for support-focused clerics and warlocks who need battlefield protection
- Combine with concentration spells — the Wisdom save advantage keeps them alive
- The Spectral Ward is powerful but use it sparingly, as exhaustion stacks
The whispers never stop. That’s how you know it’s working.
🔑 Key Facts
- Type: Wondrous Item
- Rarity: Rare
- Attunement: Required
- Ancestral Echo: Grants allies advantage on Wisdom saves for 1 minute (once per short rest).
- Spectral Ward (Reaction): Roll a d6 when you or an ally is hit — on 4+, the attack misses.
- Drawback: Each use of Spectral Ward imposes one level of exhaustion on the wielder.
- Magic School: Necromancy
- Lore: Forged by the necromancer Evantor in the Bone Crypts of Valemoor.
📜 Item Stats
| Type | Wondrous Item |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Attunement | Required |
| Ancestral Echo | Once per short rest, summon ancestral spirits to grant allies within 30 feet advantage on Wisdom saves for 1 minute. |
| Spectral Ward | Reaction: when you or an ally within 30 feet is hit, roll a d6. On a 4+, the attack misses. Each use imposes one level of exhaustion. |
| Drawback | Each use of Spectral Ward imposes one level of exhaustion on the wielder. |
Forged by the necromancer Evantor in the depths of the Bone Crypts of Valemoor, the Skullcarved Reliquary was last wielded by the knight Sir Aldren Voss, who vanished in the misty groves of Greyvale — his horse returned riderless, the reliquary still buckled to the saddle. When held, the artifact emits a faint chill and whispers just below hearing — the names of those it has protected, endlessly repeated.
🎲 Free Magic Items for DnD
Want to use Skullcarved Reliquary in your campaign? Download the free token below — perfect for VTTs like Roll20 or Foundry, or print it out for your table!
⚔️ Foundry VTT Macro
Create the Skullcarved Reliquary directly in your world — with one click.
This Script Macro creates two fully configured items in Foundry VTT: the Skullcarved Reliquary item and the Ancestral Echo feature, complete with Active Effects, damage rolls, saving throws, and an unidentified state for mystery-first reveal at the table. No modules required. Recharge: 1× per short rest.
In Foundry, click the macro hotbar at the bottom. Click any empty slot or open the Macro Directory and hit Create Macro.
In the macro editor, make sure the type is set to Script (not Chat). Give it a name like Skullcarved Reliquary.
Copy the macro below, paste it into the editor, and click Save Macro.
Click the macro button in the hotbar. Optional: select a token first — items will be added directly to that character’s sheet. With no token selected, they appear in the World Items sidebar.
Macro & item by RuneForge Studio · Free to use in your campaign
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Ancestral Echo ability work?
Once per short rest, as an action, you summon ancestral spirits. All allies within 30 feet gain advantage on Wisdom saving throws for 1 minute — powerful protection against fear, charm, and mind-affecting spells.
What happens when Spectral Ward is used?
When you or an ally within 30 feet is hit by an attack, you can use your reaction to roll a d6. On a 4 or higher, the attack magically misses. However, each use imposes one level of exhaustion on the wielder — a significant trade-off.
Does the Skullcarved Reliquary require attunement?
Yes, the Skullcarved Reliquary requires attunement. Once attuned, both the Ancestral Echo and Spectral Ward abilities become available.
Is the Skullcarved Reliquary good for frontliners or support characters?
It excels in support roles. The Ancestral Echo benefits the entire party, while the Spectral Ward is best saved for critical moments — since exhaustion stacks quickly, it’s most effective in the hands of a character who isn’t constantly in melee range.
What classes benefit most from Skullcarved Reliquary in DnD 5e?
Clerics benefit most because the Ancestral Echo’s Wisdom save advantage synergizes with their concentration spells — enemies can’t easily break Bless, Spirit Guardians, or Banishment with fear or charm effects. Warlocks also gain significant value: they rely on Wisdom saves for concentration and lack the Paladin’s Aura of Protection, making this relic a crucial defensive tool in their kit.
How does Skullcarved Reliquary compare to similar official DnD 5e items?
Compared to the Cloak of Protection (which grants a steady +1 to all saves), the Skullcarved Reliquary trades constant reliability for explosive group utility — the Ancestral Echo covers every ally at once, but the warding ability demands careful rationing due to exhaustion.
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