When you get right to it the difference between fantasy monsters and sci-fi aliens largely comes down to aesthetics.
We’ve talked before about how easy it is to blend sci-fi and fantasy. Older editions of D&D are riddled with examples of either alien spacecraft that have crash-landed on one of D&D’s many worlds or creatures that roam the stars. But the sword goes both ways – if you want your D&D games to feel a little more sci-fi, these monsters will do handily. Have an alien invasion featuring monsters like these, and nobody will bat an eye…
Keoghtom’s Ointment
Keoghtom’s Ointment is a classic magic healing item that has long been a part of D&D. It’s gone through some changes over the years – notably, it used to be one of the few healing potion type items you could apply to another member of your party. Now it has a different role. A single jar of Keoghtom’s Ointment contains 1d4 + 1 doses, each dose of the thick ointment can either be swallowed (to use it on yourself) or slathered on someone.
I hate that it’s an ointment for other people but if you want to combat heal you have to swallow the ointment. Especially since they go out of their way to say it’s thick and smells like aloe. Either option takes a utilize action – but doing so regains you 2d8 + 2 hit points and cures the Poisoned Condition, making it a better way to Cure Wounds. Plus you get 1d4 + 1 uses out of a single item.
Periapt of Health
The Periapt of Health is an underrated magic item. It’s like a healing potion that you can drink once per day. Sure, it takes a Magic Action instead of a Bonus Action to use it, but it heals you for 2d4 + 2 hit points, like a regular healing potion. And more importantly, it works again after the next dawn. It’s sustainable healing that falls outside of the Cleric’s precious spell slots.
Anstruth Harp
Now we get into the Instruments of the Bards. Specifically, though, the Anstruth Harp. This magical instrument gives you the ability to cast Cure Wounds at level 5 once per day for free, whether you know it or not, whether you have it prepare or not. You just can once per day strum the harp and heal a creature for 10d8 + Your Spellcasting Modifier in hit points. Which is absolutely crazy big for a heal.
Necklace of Prayer Beads
The Necklace of Prayer Beads is another of the party’s best friend type items. This magical item is packed full of different beads which can potentially cast different kinds of spells. A given necklace has 1d4 + 2 magic beads, and is most likely to have a Bead that gives you the level 2 Cure Wounds, but you might also get a Bless or Greater Restoration out of the deal.
Staff of Healing
Finally, the Staff of Healing. It does exactly what you think. It has 10 charges, you can spend them to cast spells. Five charges will get you a Mass Cure Wounds. Two a Lesser Restoration. And of course, you can spend one charge per spell level to get up to a Level 4 Cure Wounds spell from the staff (healing something like 8d8 + stat mod per casting, with enough charges left over to fully do that again).
Good luck, and happy adventuring!
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Source: Bell of Lost Souls
