Core Idea
A Portable Glyph is a contained spell construct.
It contains four components:
Spell Matrix
+ Glyph Frame
+ Catalyst Material
+ Trigger Mechanism
= Portable Glyph
Maximum stored spell level: 5
1. Required Spell Foundations
To craft a portable glyph the creator must know or have access to:
| Requirement | Function |
|---|---|
| Glyph of Warding | Creates spell container |
| Arcane Lock | Stabilizes glyph |
| Magic Circle | Prevents magical leakage |
Optional advanced control:
| Spell | Effect |
|---|---|
| Contingency | Complex triggers |
| Symbol | Legendary glyph effects |
2. Glyph Construction
Portable glyphs require three physical components.
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Glyph Frame | Physical medium |
| Arcane Core | Spell energy container |
| Trigger Mechanism | Activation condition |
3. Glyph Frame Materials
Different cultures build glyphs differently.
| Frame Type | Culture | Cost | Stability | Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runestone plate | Dwarven | 40 gp | High | +2 durability |
| Blood sigil parchment | Dark-elf | 30 gp | Medium | +1 spell DC |
| Clockwork rune disk | Gnomish | 50 gp | High | programmable trigger |
| Crystal sigil shard | Arcane | 75 gp | Very High | +1 spell damage die |
| Tattoo glyph | Forbidden magic | 100 gp | Medium | hidden |
4. Crafting Time
| Spell Level | Craft Time |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 hour |
| 2 | 3 hours (INT 9) |
| 3 | 6 hours (INT 11) |
| 4 | 12 hours (INT 14, CON 11) |
| 5 | 24 hours (INT 14, CON 14) |
5. Crafting Check
Arcana check:
DC = 12 + spell level
Failure = unstable glyph.
6. Storage Capacity
A character can safely maintain:
Intelligence modifier + proficiency bonus
portable glyphs.
Example:
Wizard INT 18 (+4)
PB +3
Safe capacity = 7 glyphs
Beyond this → instability checks happen instantly upon creation of any glyph over the Safe capacity limit.
7. Instability (Loss Probability)
Each week of storage roll:
| d100 | Result |
|---|---|
| 1–3 | Glyph dissolves |
| 4–7 | Trigger weakens |
| 8–95 | Stable |
| 96–100 | Glyph intensifies (+1 DC or +1 damage die) |
Modifiers:
| Condition | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Dwarven frame | -2 failure (Instability table is reduced by 2) |
| Crystal frame | -3 failure (Instability table is reduced by 3) |
| Blood sigil | +2 instability (Instability table is increased by 2) |
A roll of 1, always dissolves the Glyph, 1 cannot be modified out of the table, minimum value will always remain 1.
Example :
If a Dwarven frame is used then Instability table is reduced by 2, which means that :
Glyph dissolves on a 1, Trigger weakens on 2-5, Stable for 6-93, Glyph intensifies for 94-100.
8. Trigger Systems
Choose when crafting.
Multiple triggers can be used, each additional trigger adds a -10 to the success of the artficing roll (increases Instability).
| Trigger Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Touch | activates on contact |
| Command | spoken word |
| Impact | thrown object |
| Proximity | creature enters radius (cannot exceed 30ft/9m) |
| Damage | activates when struck |
| Timed | delay activation |
| Spell detection | activates when magic nearby |
9. Deployment Modes
Trap Glyph
Placed on surface.
Trigger examples:
- opening door
- pressure plate
- proximity
Reaction Glyph
Attached to wearer.
Example triggers:
when wearer takes damage
when wearer is targeted by spell
when HP drops below threshold
Automated Sentinel Glyph
Area-control automation.
Examples:
detect hostile creature
detect undead
detect weapon drawn
Thrown Glyph Device
Limited use.
Range: 30 ft (9m)
10. Misfire Table
Roll d20 if crafting fails.
| d20 | Effect |
|---|---|
| 1 | Immediate detonation |
| 2 | Spell targets creator |
| 3 | Wild magic surge |
| 4 | Random spell |
| 5 | Delayed activation |
| 6–15 | Works normally |
| 16 | Damage doubled |
| 17 | Radius doubled |
| 18 | Trigger resets |
| 19 | Spell not consumed |
| 20 | Permanent glyph |
11. Random Glyph Generator
Spell Category
| d12 | Type |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fire |
| 2 | Cold |
| 3 | Lightning |
| 4 | Necrotic |
| 5 | Radiant |
| 6 | Poison |
| 7 | Illusion |
| 8 | Charm |
| 9 | Summoning |
| 10 | Battlefield control |
| 11 | Healing |
| 12 | Random |
Trigger
| d10 | Trigger |
|---|---|
| 1 | Touch |
| 2 | Command word |
| 3 | Impact |
| 4 | Proximity |
| 5 | Time delay |
| 6 | Damage taken |
| 7 | Spell cast nearby |
| 8 | Door opened |
| 9 | Object moved |
| 10 | Random |
12. Random Malfunction Table
If a glyph is unstable roll d12.
| d12 | Result |
|---|---|
| 1 | Spell reversed |
| 2 | Radius doubled |
| 3 | Radius halved |
| 4 | Random target |
| 5 | Delay 1 round |
| 6 | Delay 1 minute |
| 7 | Trigger twice |
| 8 | Spell weaker |
| 9 | Spell stronger |
| 10 | caster detected |
| 11 | random elemental effect |
| 12 | perfect execution |
13. Example Portable Glyph
Dwarven Thunder Rune
Frame: Runestone
Spell stored: Thunderwave
Trigger: Impact
Throw 30 ft
15 ft cube
CON save
3d8 thunder damage
Drow Blood Sigil of Paralysis
Frame: Blood parchment
Spell: Hold Person
Trigger:
touch or proximity
Gnomish Clockwork Shield Glyph
Frame: Clockwork disk
Spell: Shield
Trigger:
when wearer is hit by attack
14. Upgrade System
Glyph Engineering skill required
(can only be learnt from gnome master, blood-sister, dwarven mason), instead of ASI.
| Upgrade | Effect |
|---|---|
| Dual-spell glyph | two spells stored |
| Rechargeable glyph | resets after long rest |
| Chain glyph | triggers another glyph |
| Remote activation | magical detonator |
15. Examples
Items
Dwarven Thunder Rune
Item Description
A heavy obsidian rune disk set into a hammered bronze dwarven frame, engraved with angular thunder sigils. The runes glow faint blue and vibrate when activated. When thrown, the rune detonates into a shockwave.
Frame: Runestone plate
Stored Spell: Thunderwave
Trigger: Impact
Crafting Process
Requirements:
- Glyph Frame: Runestone plate
- Catalyst: powdered sapphire (10 gp)
- Stored spell: Thunderwave
- Tools: Mason tools or Artificer tools
Steps:
- Carve thunder rune geometry into runestone.
- Embed catalyst powder into rune grooves.
- Cast Glyph of Warding while focusing spell matrix.
- Bind the rune with Arcane Lock.
- Stabilize with Magic Circle during final seal.
Craft Check:
DC = 12 + spell level (14)
Effect
Throw range: 30 ft
Impact effect:
15 ft cube shockwave
CON save
3d8 thunder damage
push 10 ft
Drow Blood Sigil of Paralysis
Item Description
A thin black parchment sigil written in living crimson blood runes. The sigil pulses like a heartbeat. When triggered, the blood glyph releases binding magic.
Frame: Blood sigil parchment
Spell: Hold Person
Trigger: Touch or proximity
Crafting Process
Requirements:
- Glyph Frame: blood parchment
- Catalyst: fresh blood from spellcaster
- Spell: Hold Person
Steps:
- Draw ritual circle in blood ink.
- Write sigil language of the Veyr’Dhal.
- Cast Glyph of Warding into the sigil.
- Bind spell with sacrificial blood catalyst.
Craft Check:
DC 14
Blood magic instability modifier:
+2 instability
Effect
Trigger radius:
15 ft proximity or touch
Effect:
Hold Person
WIS save
DC based on glyph creation
Gnomish Clockwork Shield Glyph
Item Description
A small brass clockwork disk with rotating rune rings. When struck by an attack, the rings spin and deploy a shimmering magical shield.
Frame: Clockwork rune disk
Spell: Shield
Trigger: Damage taken
Crafting Process
Requirements:
- Glyph frame: clockwork disk
- Catalyst: charged arcane crystal
- Spell: Shield
Steps:
- Assemble clockwork rune rings.
- Insert arcane capacitor crystal.
- Cast Glyph of Warding into rune matrix.
- Program trigger into mechanical runic logic.
Craft Check:
DC 13
Effect
Trigger:
when wearer is hit
Effect:
Shield spell
+5 AC until start of next turn
Crystal Sigil Mine of Frost
Item Description
A jagged frost crystal shard embedded with spiral runes. The crystal releases a freezing explosion when approached.
Frame: Crystal sigil shard
Spell: Shatter (cold variant)
Trigger: Proximity
Crafting Process
Requirements:
- Glyph frame: crystal shard
- Catalyst: powdered diamond
- Spell: Shatter (cold energy variant)
Steps:
- Carve rune channels into crystal.
- Infuse with spell energy.
- Seal crystal with Magic Circle stabilization.
Craft Check:
DC 14
Crystal stability bonus:
-3 instability
Effect
Trigger radius:
20 ft
Effect:
Cold explosion
3d8 cold damage
CON save half
Sentinel Rune of Arcane Detection
Item Description
A stone rune pillar fragment used for automated defense systems. When hostile magic is detected nearby, the rune triggers a counterspell pulse.
Frame: Runestone pillar fragment
Spell: Counterspell
Trigger: Spell detection
Crafting Process
Requirements:
- Glyph frame: rune pillar fragment
- Catalyst: arcane focus gem
- Spell: Counterspell
Steps:
- Carve detection rune network.
- Link rune sensors with spell matrix.
- Bind counterspell energy inside glyph core.
Craft Check:
DC 17
Effect
Trigger:
detect spell casting within 30 ft
Effect:
Counterspell
spell level check as normal
