Arcanist Gauntlets (Patreon)

Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement by a spellcaster)

This pair of rich silk gloves are guarded by an enchanted mithral shell that sporadically releases arcane power. You can use the gauntlets as a spellcasting focus while wearing them, and when you cast a spell using a 1st through 5th-level spell slot, you can choose to roll a d6. If you roll a number on the d6 equal to or greater than the spell's slot level, the spell draws on the magic within the gauntlets, instead of your own, and is cast without expending a spell slot. The slot must be of a level you can normally cast. The gauntlets can provide up to 5 levels worth of spell slots in this way each day, and no two slots can be the same level.

If the number rolled on the d6 is less than the spell slot's level, you cast the spell as normal and expend the spell slot. If you don't have the spell slot to cast the spell, the spell fails and the slot is counted toward the gauntlets' daily provided spell slots.

For example, a 9th-level wizard can use the gauntlets to provide either one 5th-level spell slot or a 4th- and 1st-level spell slot over the course of a day, but not two 2nd- or 3rd-level spell slots.

The gnolls snarled and crept toward the pair of dwarves, savoring their dread. The man was bloodied and held only the pitiful remains of a broken sword. The other, a mage, lifted her hands in concentration as she tried to draw any lingering magic within her.

When it was all but certain that they were done for, a raging fire spewed forth from her hands and swept through the horde before them. The monsters, incinerated, fell as charred corpses to the ground:: the foul smell of their burnt fur wafting through the corridor around them.

Without hesitation, the battered duo ran toward the exit, taking care to crush any stirring gnolls beneath their heels as they ran.

"I thought ye were tapped out, Farra!" said the man.

"So did I!" said the mage.