Refined Darklight Rod (3.5e Equipment)

Refined Darklight Rod
The radioactive darklight ore is dangerous in its own right, but not quite as dangerous as refined darklight rods. Processed through various alchemical means and typically smelted into silver-gray metal bars or rods, refined darklight rods are much more radioactive and dangerous, but also much more reliable and powerful for the purpose of nuclear reactors, weapons, and other such functions. It is typically held safely underwater with control rods made of carbon and other materials which reduce the reactivity of the rods. Without these in place and a constant flow of cold water, the darklight rods would eventually heat up to the point of melting into molten slag and cause a radioactive disaster.

While typically held in safe conditions, getting exposed to refined darklight rods without protection is very dangerous. The rods radiate 1d6 points of fire damage out to 30 feet, and the damage increases by +1d6 damage for every round it is not cooled in some manner. At 21d6 fire damage, it melts itself down and becomes molten. In addition every round a creature spends within 60 feet of refined darklight rods, they must make a Fortitude save DC 14, +2 for every subsequent minute exposed in the last 24 hours. Those who fail their saves are sickened for as long as they remain in the area and for 24 hours after. They continue to make saving throws, and after three failed saves in 24 hours they are nauseated for 1 round and take 1 Con damage each minute, even after they leave the area. Only by casting heal or making a DC 25 Heal check as a full-round action can you prevent the inevitable slow death from constitution damage.

If the metal gets into the water or air as is common when a meltdown or a nuclear explosion, or otherwise bypasses the skin the victim immediately is sickened and must start making saves against its much more deadly effect. Metal dust typically remains suspended in the air for 1 minute before settling, though movement may kick up a cloud again. Creatures which are immune to [Light] damage are immune to the radiation damage and sickness caused by refined darklight rods, though not the subsequent heat. Refined darklight rods are not safe to handle, though certain materials and cooling such as water can make it safe.

Refined darklight rods is impossible to shape into weapons and armor as it would quickly destroy itself in short order. It is used in nuclear technologies or weapons, and the rare oddball alchemical or magic experiment. Refined darklight rods goes for about Cost::6000g per rod.