Ancilia

The front of this shield is shaped in the likeness of a face. While bearing the shield, you can use a bonus action to alter the face’s expression. Ancilia is made out of a darker unknown metal. As a gift from Count Strahd von Zarovich himself, Ancilia was given to his loyal general Intalos Eomenos. He shall conquer and defeat everything that stands in his way.

While holding this shield, you have a +1 bonus to AC. This bonus is in addition to the shield's normal bonus to AC.

The shield has 5 charges for the following properties. It regains 1d4+1 expended charges daily at dawn. 

Spells. While holding the shield, you can use an action to expend some of its charges to cast one of the following spells from it, using your spell save DC and spellcasting ability: bless (1 charge), knock (2 charges),  or scorching ray (2 charges).

Transformatio. You can use a bonus action to speak a command word to change the appearance and effects of the shield. The shield uses your spell save DC and spellcasting ability. 

• Aries (1 charge). The shield grows large spikes for 1 minute. You can make a melee attack using the shield, which has a reach of 5 feet. Your proficiency bonus applies to the attack roll. On a hit, the target takes 9 (2d4+4) piercing damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it must succeed on a  Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
• Deflecto (1 charge, reaction). You can use a reaction to transform Ancilia to a flattened round shield and add 3 to your AC against one melee attack that would hit you. To do so, you must see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.
• Dracones (3 charges). The shield transforms into a roaring red dragon head. You can use an action to let the dragon head exhale fire in a 15-­-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 31 (7d8) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Shields require the Utilize action to Don or Doff. You gain the Armor Class benefit of a Shield only if you have training with it.

Notes: Bonus: Armor Class, Combat, Warding