Buy me a coffee“Sustaining Spoon: The Humble Horn of Endless Nourishment”
“Sustaining Spoon: a humble horn utensil that endlessly provides nourishing gruel to sustain any creature, anywhere.”
The Sustaining Spoon is a humble horn utensil imbued with quiet magic, capable of producing nourishing gruel that sustains any creature. Revered in folklore and recorded in monastic chronicles, it is said to respond to honesty and humility, offering sustenance without fail.
Appearance
The Sustaining Spoon is deceptively simple, carved from smooth, dark horn that has mellowed with age. Its bowl is slightly deeper than ordinary spoons, and delicate, almost imperceptible runes trace the handle—catching the light only at certain angles. Despite its humble design, the spoon carries a quiet presence, as if it senses the hunger it is meant to soothe.
Origins
Legends trace the first Sustaining Spoon to secluded northern monasteries, where wandering friars and herbalists sought ways to care for the sick and impoverished. Some claim it was crafted by a solitary alchemist who believed nourishment should flow from compassion rather than coin. Through the centuries, it passed quietly through monastery pantries, humble kitchens, and the wagons of traveling merchants, each owner leaving subtle marks of care and reverence.
Stories and Folklore
Villagers tell that the spoon never fails a truly hungry mouth—so long as it is offered with honesty and humility. One tale recounts a famine-stricken hamlet saved when a priest left the spoon in the communal cauldron; the gruel never ran out, sustaining the villagers through winter. Another speaks of a knight who fed starving refugees, only to see the spoon’s nourishment endure beyond expectation. Minstrels have long sung of the “spoon that fills the heart as well as the belly,” a line that has endured in folk poetry for generations.
Mysterious Qualities
The spoon’s nature remains a matter of debate. Its gruel tastes plain, yet carries a warmth that eases hunger. Observers have noted the runes on the handle seem to shift subtly when unobserved, aligning with the intentions of the user. Scholars speculate its power may come from spirits, the goodwill of those who touch it, or an ancient, lost art of alchemical sustenance—but all agree it remains quietly magical, dependable, and deeply respected.
Sustaining Spoon 5e 2024
Sustaining Spoon, Pathfinder
Sustaining Spoon 3.5
Sustaining Spoon
Wondrous Item, Uncommon
Lore
The Sustaining Spoon appears as a simple horn utensil, worn smooth by centuries of use. Despite its humble appearance, it quietly hums with magical energy. Monks, wandering healers, and traveling merchants have long whispered of its power to provide sustenance to those in need. Legends tell of famine-stricken villages saved by its endless gruel, and of knights who fed entire caravans of refugees with nothing more than a single spoon. Its runes are said to subtly shift in response to the intentions of those who use it, rewarding honesty and compassion.
Abilities
- Endless Nourishment: Once per day, when placed in an empty container, the Sustaining Spoon produces a thick, bland but nourishing gruel. The gruel is sufficient to feed up to four Medium creatures for one day.
- Universal Diet: The gruel sustains creatures of any diet—herbivore, omnivore, or carnivore—providing all necessary nutrition to survive without ill effects.
- Practical Utility: While not flavorful, the gruel can feed adventurers in harsh environments, support wounded allies, or sustain animals in dire circumstances.
- Subtle Magic: The spoon exudes faint magical energy detectable by detect magic, but it does not require attunement, making it accessible to any adventurer.
Rarity
Uncommon – Its effects are modest yet reliably practical, making it highly valued by explorers, survivalists, and altruistic characters.
Potential Uses in Gameplay
- Survival Tool: Ideal for long wilderness treks, dungeon delves, or desert crossings where food is scarce.
- Roleplay Opportunities: Can spark moral dilemmas—who deserves the spoon’s nourishment first? How does a character respond to those in need?
- Resource Management: Reduces the DM’s bookkeeping for rations while giving players a tangible, magical solution to hunger.
- Story Hooks: The spoon can be central to folklore, hidden treasures, or quests, offering both practical and narrative value.
Sustaining Spoon
Aura: Faint conjuration
CL: 5th
Slot: —
Price: 5,400 gp
Weight: 1 lb.
Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, create food and water
Market Availability: Uncommon
Description
The Sustaining Spoon is a humble horn utensil, worn smooth by centuries of careful use. Its bowl is slightly deeper than a typical spoon, and delicate, nearly imperceptible runes trace the handle, catching the light at certain angles. Though unassuming in appearance, it carries a subtle, reassuring presence, as if aware of the hunger it can alleviate.
When placed in an empty container, the spoon produces a thick, bland gruel. Despite its unremarkable taste—often likened to warm, wet cardboard—the gruel is perfectly nourishing and sufficient to sustain any creature, herbivore, omnivore, or carnivore, feeding up to four Medium creatures per day.
Construction & Requirements
- Craft Wondrous Item, create food and water
- Cost to Create: 2,700 gp
- Aura: Faint conjuration
- CL: 5th
Magic Item Abilities
- Endless Nourishment (Su): Once per day, placing the spoon in an empty container creates enough gruel to sustain up to four Medium creatures for 24 hours.
- Universal Diet: The gruel provides full nutrition for creatures of any dietary requirements without harm.
- No Attunement Required: The spoon can be used by any creature capable of handling it.
Lore & Folklore
The first mentions of the Sustaining Spoon appear in monastic records and travelers’ tales from northern forests, where wandering healers and monks sought ways to aid the hungry and sick. Legends recount famine-stricken villages surviving harsh winters, and knights feeding entire caravans of refugees, all thanks to a single spoon. Minstrels and storytellers describe it as the “spoon that fills the heart as well as the belly.”
The runes along the handle are rumored to shift subtly, reflecting the intentions of the user, rewarding honesty and compassion. Over centuries, the spoon has quietly passed through monastery pantries, humble kitchens, and traveling merchant wagons, always prized for its simple, dependable magic.
Gameplay & Uses
- Survival Tool: Perfect for long wilderness treks, desert crossings, or dungeons where food is scarce.
- Roleplay Opportunities: Sparks moral decisions—who receives the spoon’s sustenance, and when?
- Resource Management: Reduces DM bookkeeping for rations while providing reliable nourishment to adventurers or animals.
- Adventure Hooks: Can serve as a focal point in folklore, hidden caches, or quests, blending practical utility with narrative depth.
Sustaining Spoon
This material is Open Game Content, and is licensed for public use under the terms of the Open Game License v1.0a.
This unremarkable eating utensil is typically fashioned from horn. If the spoon is placed in an empty container the vessel fills with a thick, pasty gruel. Although this substance has a flavor similar to that of warm, wet cardboard, it is highly nourishing and contains everything necessary to sustain any herbivorous, omnivorous, or carnivorous creature. The spoon can produce sufficient gruel each day to feed up to four humans.
Faint conjuration; CL 5th; Craft Wondrous Item, create food and water; Price 5,400 gp.