Sphere of Annihilation

A sphere of annihilationis a globe of absolute blackness, a ball of nothingness 2 feet in diameter. The sphere is actually a hole in the continuity of the universe. Any matter that comes in contact with a sphere is instantly sucked into the void, gone, and utterly destroyed.

There are several known spheres of annihilation. Most belong to government agencies, some to universities or private research groups, and a few to private collectors. It is even feared that one or two have fallen into the hands of radical terrorist groups.

The origin of the spheres is uncertain, but the most common rumor is that they are all small pieces of a single original globe of annihilation. It is said that the globe is over 200 feet in diameter and that the U.S. government has it secreted away in an underground bunker in the Nevada desert.

A sphere of annihilationis static, resting in some spot as if it were a normal hole. It can be caused to move, however, by mental effort. The brain waves of the individual concentrating on moving it bend spatial fabrics, causing the hole to slide. The range of this control is 40 feet initially, then 40 feet + 10 feet per character level once control is established. Control is based on the character’s Intelligence and level. (The higher his level, the greater his mental discipline.) The character adds his Intelligence bonus and character level and then applies the total to a 1d20 roll. To control the sphere, the DC is 30. The sphere’s speed is 10 feet per round + 1 foot for every point by which the control check result exceeds 30.

If two or more characters vie for control of a sphere of annihilation, the rolls are opposed. If none is successful, the sphere slips toward the one who rolled lowest.

Should a teleportincantation be cast upon a sphere of annihilation, there is a 50% chance (a 01–50 result on d%) that the spell destroys it, a 34% chance (51–85) that the spell does nothing, and a 15% chance (86–100) that a gap is torn in the spatial fabric, resulting in a tremendous explosion. Everything within a 60-foot radius takes 2d6x10 points of damage. Dispel magichas no effect on the sphere, although a greater dispel magicincantation has a chance of succeeding (treat the sphere as a spell effect created by a 20th-level spellcaster for this purpose).

*Type:*Artifact (magic); Caster Level:—; *Purchase DC:*40; Weight:—.