Lightning Water

This spell is used by dwarven priests in the process of enchanting magical items, and thus is seldom encountered. By means of this spell, a dwarven priest causes a quantity of water to become infused with the magical spirit of the lightning. The water is then used in the forging or creation of certain items to improve the quality of the goods. The lightning water removes imperfections, strengthens metal, and generally makes treated items superior in quality.

Metal jewelry crafted with lightning water becomes one category more valuable (see the jewelry table in the DMG). All metal items, weapons, and armor crafted with lightning water have a +1 bonus to their item saving throws.

To prepare the water, a special trough or container made of fine wood inlaid with silver decorations must be constructed. The container must be made from materials worth no less than 5,000 gp. The container is then blessed by a dwarven priest. Thereafter, the container can be used any number of times to collect lightning water.

The water-filled container is first placed outdoors. The lightning water spell is then cast over the water, which is left out overnight to capture the spirit of the lightning from a nighttime thunder storm (either natural or summoned). If no storm occurs, the spell is wasted. Once the lightning spirit is captured within the water, the water itself is not electrified, nor is it dangerous to touch; instead, the water is simply infused with the magical potential and spiritual strength of the lightning.

When the water is retrieved the next morning, it holds its lightning-spirit charge for 12 hours or until the water is used up in the smithy. The lightning water is used in the forging of weapons, armor, or metal goods, either to improve the quality of the items or to prepare them for magical enchantment. To treat items, 2 cubic feet of water is necessary for each piece of metal jewelry or other small item crafted, 6 cubic feet of water for each weapon, and 12 cubic feet of water for each suit of armor.

The material components for this spell are a miniature silver lightning rod worth at least 500 gp and a vial of holy water sprinkled into the trough of water to be ensorcelled.