Rune-Marked Bracers (Patreon)

Wondrous item, very rare (requires attunement)

These bracers were made by giant stone carvers and enchanters. Five elemental runes are carved into the sides of this pair of stone bracers, which magically loosen or tighten around your forearms to fit. Each bracer weighs 10 pounds, but they miraculously become weightless once you attune to them. While wearing the bracers, you gain a +1 bonus to AC.

If you're wearing the bracers, you can use your reaction when a creature hits you with a melee attack to activate one of the runes on the bracers. Once a rune has been activated, that rune can't be used again until the next dawn.

Cloud. The attacker must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be pushed up to 30 feet away from you.

Fire. The attacker must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or take 2d8 fire damage. The creature repeats the saving throw at the start of each of its turns for 1 minute, taking another 1d8 fire damage on a failed save, or ending the effect on a successful one. Alternatively, a creature within reach of the original attacker can use an action to extinguish the flames and end the effect.

Frost. The attacker must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 3d8 cold damage and have its speed halved until the end of your next turn.

Stone. The attacker must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or become sluggish and stone-like, causing the creature to be restrained until the end of your next turn.

Storm. The attacker must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or take 3d8 lightning damage and it can't take reactions until the end of your next turn.

Inge Obogsbur woke from meditation. Dust from the sanctum's beams drifted down around them. They had not built this place, nor had their hill giant kin, but was nevertheless left to any giant who would fulfill its lesson: one few of his kin would hear, as illustrated by the runes on the bracers Inge wore.

Five such runes marked their arms, paired on each side. One for each of the greatest giant clans. Notably missing was one from his own folk. He had been scolded by his family and friends for wearing such heretical things. It was worth the admonishment.

The lesson this sanctum taught was in unity among differences. Each rune bore strength. Yet, were a single rune removed, the strength of all could only crumble.

Such unity was against the clans' assumed order, and, spoken in the voice of the smallest among them, seemed laughable.

To silence Inge, the clans had fallen to their most base intents. Each had sent their strongest to break through the sanctum's trials and prove Inge's heresy. Each believed that their order was the one true path.

However, these great warriors would be forced to see where others' strengths covered their weaknesses.

Inge's bracers flared as the door burst open. Their power could buy only moments in the coming brawl, but it would have to be enough. They had no choice. It was Inge's oath to speak what these champions must finally hear.