The Ashenward Phoenix Plume is a long, radiant feather taken from a legendary fireborn avian at the moment of its cyclical renewal. Its barbs shift from deep copper to molten gold tones, shedding a steady warmth and faint sparks of light that never quite detach from the feather itself. The quill remains cool to the touch, etched with natural striations that resemble runes of endurance and return.
When held by a spellcaster, the plume responds to breath and intent, its glow intensifying during moments of resolve or defiance. Even when separated from its source, the feather embodies the principle that destruction is never final.
Raw Material Use
In its unprocessed state, Ashenward Phoenix Plume may be used as a material component for spells involving renewal, restoration, resilience, purifying force, or destructive magic tempered by rebirth.
- When used raw, the plume is consumed during casting.
- When you cast a spell using a raw Ashenward Phoenix Plume, choose one of the following benefits:
- Gain a +2 bonus to the spell’s save DC or spell attack roll.
- If the spell deals damage, add +2d6 fire damage to one damage roll of the spell.
- If the spell restores hit points or prevents a creature from falling unconscious, increase the total restored or prevented by +10 hit points.
Risk:
After the spell resolves, the caster gains one level of exhaustion, as the plume demands a moment of personal renewal in exchange for its power.
Processing the Material
Through ritual quenching, sigil-wrapping, and arcane tempering, the Ashenward Phoenix Plume can be refined into Stabilized Ashenward Fibers, suitable for repeated and disciplined spellcasting.
Processing Requirements
- Proficiency with Arcana
- 24 hours of work
- 500 gp in rare reagents
- One intact Ashenward Phoenix Plume
The processed material is not consumed when used as a spell component.
Processed Component Benefits
When used as a material component or integrated into a spellcasting focus, Processed Ashenward grants the following benefits:
- Renewing Channel:
Once per turn, when you roll damage or healing for a spell, you may treat one die result of 1 or 2 as a 4. - Defiant Persistence:
When you make a Constitution saving throw to maintain concentration, you gain a +3 bonus to the roll. - Rekindled Casting (1/Long Rest):
When you cast a spell of 5th level or lower that restores hit points or deals fire damage, you may immediately regain a spell slot of 3rd level or lower. - Last Rise:
If you would be reduced to 0 hit points while concentrating on a spell cast using the processed plume, you may instead drop to 1 hit point, end concentration safely, and gain temporary hit points equal to twice your proficiency bonus. This property cannot be used again until you finish a long rest.
These benefits apply only if the processed material is actively used as part of the spell’s components or housed within a focus.
Limitations
- Processed Ashenward has no effect on spells of 9th level.
- A creature may benefit from only one processed Ashenward source at a time.
- Spells that create undead or suppress life gain no benefit from this material.
Lore
Ashenward Phoenix Plumes are among the most fiercely guarded arcane materials in existence. Obtained only during the rare renewal cycle of a phoenix, each feather represents a moment where annihilation gives way to continuation. Orders of battle-menders, wardens, and renewal-focused arcanists prize the plume as a symbol of controlled power and earned survival.
Entire wars have paused for the chance to negotiate for a single intact plume.
Destruction
A raw plume cannot be destroyed by mundane means. It may only be unmade by willingly quenching it in consecrated water during a dawn vigil, where it dissolves into warm light and drifting ash. Processed Ashenward can be rendered inert by sealing it within cold iron and denying it all magical influence for seven consecutive days.
Notes: Consumable
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