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Magic from the Music: 8 Legendary Instruments from Across the Realms

Playable, Powerful, and Perfect for Bards and Beyond

Last time, we expanded the D&D instrument list with eight real-world instruments that could breathe new life into your bard’s kit. But why stop at flavor? Each of these rare instruments deserves a legendary counterpart—artifacts of power, mystery, and music that alter the course of adventure.

Here are eight unique magical instruments, each tied to one of our featured world instruments, complete with lore and adventure hook potential. Feel free to use these as is or modify to your hearts content.

1. Erhu of the Lost Ancestors (Wondrous Item, Rare, requires attunement by a Bard or Cleric)

Magical Effect: Once per day, playing this erhu for 1 minute allows you to cast Speak with Dead without material components. While playing, all undead within 60 feet must make a DC 15 Charisma saving throw or become pacified and unable to attack for 1 minute.
Location: Hidden in the Echoing Vault beneath the Jade Necropolis, guarded by spectral warriors who can only be calmed by music.
Lore Hook: Believed to contain the final song of an ancient ghost queen seeking peace.

2. Drum of the Iron Skies (Wondrous Item, Very Rare)

Magical Effect: When struck with force, the djembe emits thunderclaps that can be used to cast Thunderwave (2nd level) three times per long rest. Once per day, the wielder may summon a localized storm (as per Call Lightning).
Location: Buried beneath a collapsed temple in a savannah struck by permanent storms, where war drums once summoned rain.
Lore Hook: A rival tribe seeks to recover it to reignite an ancient war ritual.

3. Nyckelharpa of the Winter Veil (Wondrous Item, Rare, requires attunement)

Magical Effect: When played in dim light or moonlight, the instrument casts a faint glow and projects illusions of auroras. Once per long rest, it casts Mirror Image. While concentrating on a spell, you gain +1 AC.
Location: Frozen in a glacier cave guarded by a lonely frost spirit who wishes only to hear its music one last time.
Lore Hook: Said to have been the gift of a northern goddess to her mortal lover, lost when the stars blinked out.

4. Shamisen of the Severed Thread (Wondrous Item, Rare, requires attunement by a Bard, Monk, or Warlock)

Magical Effect: Once per long rest, you can cast Bane and Silence simultaneously as a single action. Creatures charmed by you have disadvantage on saving throws against fear while you play.
Location: Held in a lacquered box within a shrine abandoned after a divine betrayal. The locals believe it is cursed, but some say it still sings the final song of a fallen kami.
Lore Hook: A ronin seeks it to reclaim his honor in a deadly duel.

5. Didgeridoo of the Deep Earth Pulse (Wondrous Item, Uncommon)

Magical Effect: While playing, you can sense tremors and movement within 60 feet as if under the effect of Tremorsense. Once per long rest, you may cast Earthbind or Meld into Stone.
Location: Hidden within a labyrinthine canyon guarded by elemental spirits who only speak in vibrations.
Lore Hook: A dwarven geomancer will pay dearly for its recovery—and will kill to keep its secrets.

6. Sitar of the Weeping Flame (Wondrous Item, Very Rare, requires attunement)

Magical Effect: You may cast Flame Blade once per short rest. When performing with the sitar, any creature within 30 feet that can hear you must succeed a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or fall into a trance-like state (stunned until they take damage).
Location: Encased in ruby glass at the summit of the Sun Temple, only accessible during a rare eclipse.
Lore Hook: A cursed prophet once played this to burn an entire city to ash with a single, sorrowful note.

7. Steel Pan of the Sapphire Surf (Wondrous Item, Rare)

Magical Effect: Once per long rest, this steel drum can cast Control Water or Water Breathing. Creatures who hear it underwater can communicate telepathically with you for the duration of a song.
Location: Beneath the sunken ruins of a port city swallowed by the sea, guarded by merfolk who revere it as a relic.
Lore Hook: A seafaring bard hopes to recover it to reunite their scattered crew lost across the oceans.

8. Fujara of the Hollow Winds (Wondrous Item, Rare, requires attunement)

Magical Effect: While played outdoors, wind cannot carry your scent, sound, or presence. Once per long rest, cast Wind Wall or Gust of Wind while playing.
Location: Balanced atop a wind-carved pillar in the Cradle of Gales, reachable only by those who ride the mountain’s breath.
Lore Hook: A skybound cult believes playing the fujara at the peak of a hurricane will awaken their slumbering god.

🎶 Final Thoughts: Let Music Be Magic

Each of these instruments tells a story. They aren’t just gear—they’re relics of a bard’s journey, the soul of a culture, or the key to unlocking a realm’s ancient secrets. And let’s be real: wouldn’t it be amazing for a party’s entire quest to revolve around recovering a single, powerful musical relic?

So whether you’re a DM looking to shake up your loot tables or a bard ready to wield rhythm as a weapon, let the music roll and the magic rise.

Thanks for reading. Until Next Time, Stay Nerdy!!