Rod of Rulership 5e
Rod, rare (requires attunement)
You can use an action to present the rod and command obedience from each creature of your choice that you can see within 120 feet of you. Each target must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by you for 8 hours. While charmed in this way, the creature regards you as its trusted leader. If harmed by you or your companions, or commanded to do something contrary to its nature, a target ceases to be charmed in this way. The rod can't be used again until the next dawn.
Commentary by Sam West, Twitter: @CrierKobold
To command armies, a person needs charisma and moxy- short of that, they need everyone to be close-ish, and a Rod of Rulership. Once-a-day mass charm is incredibly powerful and has tons of potential to turn the tide of battle in your favor.
The effect ends on a creature-by-creature basis- if you charm a band of orcs, and half of them pass, the other half will be charmed by you and regard you as a trusted leader so long as you only attack the half that passed the save.
Charmed creatures can’t attack the charmer, but aren’t compelled to be kind to their companions.
“Trusted leader” implies they obey orders, but how the creatures respond to their own kind of trusted leader may vary.
Rods are a type of Arcane Focus, which is the spellcasting focus wizards, warlocks, and sorcerers use to cast their spells with material components.
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