The terrible unholy device known commonly as the Rod of the Netherworld is a potent weapon inexorably linked to that dark plane of shadows and undeath. The rod is said to have been crafted in the late 10th century by the Archcleric Valefar the Eternal, the most wretched and despised of all villians within the Order of the Maleficants.
The Rod of the Netherworld was crafted using foul spells and dark enchantments and continually radiates a strong aura of evil. In appearance, it is a rod composed of duranium and ebony etched with symbols of undeath and horror. The head of the rod resembles a grinning, fiendish head topped with four twisted horns each protruding about a half inch in the four cardinal directions. The handle of the rod is wrapped with a leather strap, perhaps tanned from the hide of some lower planar beast, and is capped with a finial of precious stone, possibly a jet.
As stated above, the Rod of the Netherworld is somehow attuned to the Plane of the Netherworld and from which it derives much of its power. It is one of the better known Abyssal Artifacts said to sometimes dominate fiendish politics. It is believed that the rod will allow the bearer of the artifact to control certain forces of fiends and the undead. The bearer of the rod is able to speak and understand the Infernal language. Furthermore, the bearer of the rod receives a +10 enhancement bonus to all Knowledge (the planes) skill checks. The true power of the rod however is in its potent magical abilities. When grasped, and the proper command word spoken, the bearer of the Rod of the Netherworld can use the following spell-like abilities:
* When the gate function is used, the rod will open a two-way gate to the Plane of the Netherworld from which will emerge a random yugoloth (DMs descretion.
Side Effects: In addition to the awesome powers and dreadful effects, the artifact is also cursed. The bearer of the Rod of the Netherworld will never willingly part with the device and will become obsessed with death and dying, hardly being able to think of anything else. Once any of the spell-like abilities are used, not including the cause fear or command undead spells, the bearer of the artifact suffers an alignment change to Neutral Evil (no save). This change of alignment is permanent and may only be undone through divine intervention or the use of a wish or miracle spell followed by an atonement spell cast by a cleric of good alignment and at least 18th level of ability.