Back in the olden days of 2023, Jeremy16 launched The Black Vault Haul thread, asking the community to contribute brief descriptions of the cursed magic items listed in Forged of Darkness as the contents of Azalin Rex's Black Vault. A number of community members jumped at the challenge, and in the end nearly all of the items received a write-up.
In the spirit of that thread, I propose a sequel. I will start by requesting an item of a particular type suitable for use in a particular domain. Anyone who has an idea for such an item should post a description of their idea, along with whatever background information or game mechanics they create. The magic item in question may be unique or uncommon, cursed or actually helpful. (Despite this post's title, not everything has to be a candidate for the Black Vault.) Once an idea has been submitted, whoever submitted the first response to a given challenge should pose the domain and item type for the next challenge.
For example, let's assume that someone has posed the challenge Har'Akir and necklace. I might write up the following...
The Black Vault Haul II: Necromantic Boogaloo
Re: The Black Vault Haul II: Necromantic Boogaloo
Sitamen's Necklace
Har'Akir
Sitamen was high priestess of Isis during the years that Anhktepot ruled over the Black Lands. The necklace which now bears her name was one of her badges of office. When the priests of Ra rebelled against Anhktepot, the priestesses of Isis stood by their sides, using their healing magic to shield the priests from Anhktepot's touch of death. Indeed, Sitamen was the last person Anhktepot killed before he was drawn into the Mists. Knowing that her necklace would shield her from death, she interposed herself between Anhktepot and the high priest of Ra. However, Anhktepot grasped the necklace itself and yanked it from her neck, stripping her of its protections. Fortunately, though, those few moments were sufficient for the high priest to finish the spell which bound the pharaoh in place until he could be slain.
The necklace itself is gold worked into the shape of the tyet, which is similar to an ankh with downward-pointing arms. The body of the tyet is inset with three emeralds. When the necklace is fully charged, these emeralds shimmer with a faint green light.
The necklace may be imbued with up to three negative plane protection spells. These charges expend automatically when needed, and the subsequent saving throw is made with a bonus of +2. In addition, the bearer of the necklace may cast cure critical wounds 1/week and restoration 1/month.
(Next challenge: Nosos and dust.)
Har'Akir
Sitamen was high priestess of Isis during the years that Anhktepot ruled over the Black Lands. The necklace which now bears her name was one of her badges of office. When the priests of Ra rebelled against Anhktepot, the priestesses of Isis stood by their sides, using their healing magic to shield the priests from Anhktepot's touch of death. Indeed, Sitamen was the last person Anhktepot killed before he was drawn into the Mists. Knowing that her necklace would shield her from death, she interposed herself between Anhktepot and the high priest of Ra. However, Anhktepot grasped the necklace itself and yanked it from her neck, stripping her of its protections. Fortunately, though, those few moments were sufficient for the high priest to finish the spell which bound the pharaoh in place until he could be slain.
The necklace itself is gold worked into the shape of the tyet, which is similar to an ankh with downward-pointing arms. The body of the tyet is inset with three emeralds. When the necklace is fully charged, these emeralds shimmer with a faint green light.
The necklace may be imbued with up to three negative plane protection spells. These charges expend automatically when needed, and the subsequent saving throw is made with a bonus of +2. In addition, the bearer of the necklace may cast cure critical wounds 1/week and restoration 1/month.
(Next challenge: Nosos and dust.)
Re: The Black Vault Haul II: Necromantic Boogaloo
Oscar's Black Bones
Nosos
Oscar Cullivan was but of the many teeming poor of Nosos, destorying his body and mind in the industrial hell of Nosos to support himself and his family. A rough man, he was nonetheless more loving and gentle to his family than most men of the city. Taking extra shift after extra shift, all for the promise of not just a raise but for his family to be taken care of, he meet his end like many men do in a horrible industrial accident, accidentally burned alive in a smokestack. All that was left was ash and his chared bones.
Management was quick to renege on its promise when Oscar's wife demanded his, and thus the family's, promised recompense, the most being offered being a new position for her oldest son (since there was, after all, a recent loss in the workforce). Silent with rage, the poor woman demanded to at least collect her husbands bones, with the manager granting it with a laugh.
Days later, the widow returned, gun in hand, shoting mangament with a crude pistol. While the poor woman was beaten by his guards, the man began to shrivel and smoke on the spot, burning without flames till he was but bleached bone. Beside his body, near the wound, was the powdered remains of a black, burned, fingerbone.
Its said the woman fashioned the man's finger and toe-bones into bullets, the rest of his bones ground and mixed into smoke-powder. Many vengeful workers and crude thugs covet both the bullets and powder of Oscar's Black Bones, for its said it brings sure and horrible death. However, any weapon which bares it is very likely to backfire...
(I'm okay at narrative and don't know the rules well, so interpret this into rules and powers as you will) (basically just bane bullets who make even grazing wounds deadly, but have high possiblity of making the gun backfire).
Next: Falkovnia and Toy / Doll
Nosos
Oscar Cullivan was but of the many teeming poor of Nosos, destorying his body and mind in the industrial hell of Nosos to support himself and his family. A rough man, he was nonetheless more loving and gentle to his family than most men of the city. Taking extra shift after extra shift, all for the promise of not just a raise but for his family to be taken care of, he meet his end like many men do in a horrible industrial accident, accidentally burned alive in a smokestack. All that was left was ash and his chared bones.
Management was quick to renege on its promise when Oscar's wife demanded his, and thus the family's, promised recompense, the most being offered being a new position for her oldest son (since there was, after all, a recent loss in the workforce). Silent with rage, the poor woman demanded to at least collect her husbands bones, with the manager granting it with a laugh.
Days later, the widow returned, gun in hand, shoting mangament with a crude pistol. While the poor woman was beaten by his guards, the man began to shrivel and smoke on the spot, burning without flames till he was but bleached bone. Beside his body, near the wound, was the powdered remains of a black, burned, fingerbone.
Its said the woman fashioned the man's finger and toe-bones into bullets, the rest of his bones ground and mixed into smoke-powder. Many vengeful workers and crude thugs covet both the bullets and powder of Oscar's Black Bones, for its said it brings sure and horrible death. However, any weapon which bares it is very likely to backfire...
(I'm okay at narrative and don't know the rules well, so interpret this into rules and powers as you will) (basically just bane bullets who make even grazing wounds deadly, but have high possiblity of making the gun backfire).
Next: Falkovnia and Toy / Doll
Re: The Black Vault Haul II: Necromantic Boogaloo
I was originally thinking along the lines of dust of disappearance or dust of sneezing and choking. Just for the record, though, I'm entirely fine with a flexible interpretation of "dust". Grave ash as magical black powder? Enchanted bullets made from finger bones? That's a far better notion than what I'd had in mind!
Great atmosphere. I particularly like the snark about the newly-open position. And don't worry about the lack of crunch; it's entirely possible that others will provide suggestions.KingCorn wrote: ↑Sat Dec 28, 2024 7:59 pm Oscar's Black Bones
Nosos
Oscar Cullivan was but of the many teeming poor of Nosos, destorying his body and mind in the industrial hell of Nosos to support himself and his family. A rough man, he was nonetheless more loving and gentle to his family than most men of the city. Taking extra shift after extra shift, all for the promise of not just a raise but for his family to be taken care of, he meet his end like many men do in a horrible industrial accident, accidentally burned alive in a smokestack. All that was left was ash and his chared bones.
Management was quick to renege on its promise when Oscar's wife demanded his, and thus the family's, promised recompense, the most being offered being a new position for her oldest son (since there was, after all, a recent loss in the workforce). Silent with rage, the poor woman demanded to at least collect her husbands bones, with the manager granting it with a laugh.
Days later, the widow returned, gun in hand, shoting mangament with a crude pistol. While the poor woman was beaten by his guards, the man began to shrivel and smoke on the spot, burning without flames till he was but bleached bone. Beside his body, near the wound, was the powdered remains of a black, burned, fingerbone.
Its said the woman fashioned the man's finger and toe-bones into bullets, the rest of his bones ground and mixed into smoke-powder. Many vengeful workers and crude thugs covet both the bullets and powder of Oscar's Black Bones, for its said it brings sure and horrible death. However, any weapon which bares it is very likely to backfire...
(I'm okay at narrative and don't know the rules well, so interpret this into rules and powers as you will) (basically just bane bullets who make even grazing wounds deadly, but have high possiblity of making the gun backfire).
Thanks for jumping in!
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Speedwagon
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Re: The Black Vault Haul II: Necromantic Boogaloo
Reingard's Hawks
As Vlad Drakov's control over Falkovnia solidified over the years, the Falkovnian Ministry of Intelligence found itself overextended. The Kingfuhrer demanded both careful espionage of enemies outside the state as well as enemies within the state. Falkfuhrer Calons Weir served as an exceptional Talon officer gifted in tactical reconaissance during raids upon rebellious Falkovnians, but found state intelligence to be another matter altogether. His work was only further complicated by the ubiquity of the Hawk brand. Frustrated, Calons Weir did what most Falkovnian top brass did: he punted the problem to a lower-ranked (middle-managing) subordinate. Reingard Golitsyn was given his own counter-intelligence agency within the Ministry of Intelligence's convoluted hierarchy, and was shielded from the ruthless ladder-climbing and rug-pulling of the Falkovnian bureaucracy by his Falkfuhrer. Given semi-free rein, Reingard decided to bring his own personal touch to addressing the issue of enemies within.
One day, as was as he was bringing his daughter to a local toymaker in Silbervas, Reingard had an idea. He saw how the toys of the toyshop all had to reflect themes of militarism and the state, in order to further lionize Drakov's rule. Though he saw through the propaganda, an idle thought came to him. "Rebels have children, and even those children need toys." If one can find the children of rebels, one can extort and subdue the rebels. Failing that, children tend to walk around with their toys and listen to all sorts of things. The Ministry of Intelligence had always dreamed of being like flies on a wall, able to see or listen into the homes and private sanctums of their greatest enemies.
Freshly inspired, Reingard commissioned the help of Helmut Litvin, of the Ministry of the Arcane, alongside famed toymakers within Falkovnia to mass produce little toy hawks, to be sold to families and fill homes. Each toy hawk is magically connected to a mundane rock called a tracking stone (which has been provided to bases near prominent toymakers). When someone (usually a child) holds the toy hawk, the hawk begins listening to all that is being said, through use of a heavily modified magic mouth. The audio is also heard through the tracking stone. This ability does not function if the toy hawk and the tracking stone are more than 1,000 feet away. Additionally, a wizard can locate the location of the toy hawk by casting a heavily modified locate object on the stone itself.
What Reingard does not know is that his plan has already been compromised. Luborek Topol, a toymaker in Aerie, was one of the artisans contacted to take part in this project. Luborek Topol already had discrete contacts with the Shadow Insurrection and the Freemen of Falkovnia, and informed both of the plot. With their help, Luborek Topol was able to have each of Reingard's Hawks, that he received for his own toyshop, modified by rebellious wizards. Instead, the Ministry of Intelligence may find themselves being spied upon by the rebels. Furthermore, the main groups of rebels in Falkovnia are aware of the danger that Reingard's Hawks pose and don't plan on getting state approved toys. Despite this, Reingard's Hawks have proven to be very useful in monitoring less well-organized resistance groups and independent acts of dissidents by individuals. In cities like Lekar and Morfenzi, Reingard's Hawks even provide a small but appreciated (albeit very twisted) increase in local morale. "Bread and circuses", as the saying goes...
(Inspired by this article here: https://www.historynet.com/deceitful-ch ... ird-reich/)
Next challenge: Vechor and wedding ring
As Vlad Drakov's control over Falkovnia solidified over the years, the Falkovnian Ministry of Intelligence found itself overextended. The Kingfuhrer demanded both careful espionage of enemies outside the state as well as enemies within the state. Falkfuhrer Calons Weir served as an exceptional Talon officer gifted in tactical reconaissance during raids upon rebellious Falkovnians, but found state intelligence to be another matter altogether. His work was only further complicated by the ubiquity of the Hawk brand. Frustrated, Calons Weir did what most Falkovnian top brass did: he punted the problem to a lower-ranked (middle-managing) subordinate. Reingard Golitsyn was given his own counter-intelligence agency within the Ministry of Intelligence's convoluted hierarchy, and was shielded from the ruthless ladder-climbing and rug-pulling of the Falkovnian bureaucracy by his Falkfuhrer. Given semi-free rein, Reingard decided to bring his own personal touch to addressing the issue of enemies within.
One day, as was as he was bringing his daughter to a local toymaker in Silbervas, Reingard had an idea. He saw how the toys of the toyshop all had to reflect themes of militarism and the state, in order to further lionize Drakov's rule. Though he saw through the propaganda, an idle thought came to him. "Rebels have children, and even those children need toys." If one can find the children of rebels, one can extort and subdue the rebels. Failing that, children tend to walk around with their toys and listen to all sorts of things. The Ministry of Intelligence had always dreamed of being like flies on a wall, able to see or listen into the homes and private sanctums of their greatest enemies.
Freshly inspired, Reingard commissioned the help of Helmut Litvin, of the Ministry of the Arcane, alongside famed toymakers within Falkovnia to mass produce little toy hawks, to be sold to families and fill homes. Each toy hawk is magically connected to a mundane rock called a tracking stone (which has been provided to bases near prominent toymakers). When someone (usually a child) holds the toy hawk, the hawk begins listening to all that is being said, through use of a heavily modified magic mouth. The audio is also heard through the tracking stone. This ability does not function if the toy hawk and the tracking stone are more than 1,000 feet away. Additionally, a wizard can locate the location of the toy hawk by casting a heavily modified locate object on the stone itself.
What Reingard does not know is that his plan has already been compromised. Luborek Topol, a toymaker in Aerie, was one of the artisans contacted to take part in this project. Luborek Topol already had discrete contacts with the Shadow Insurrection and the Freemen of Falkovnia, and informed both of the plot. With their help, Luborek Topol was able to have each of Reingard's Hawks, that he received for his own toyshop, modified by rebellious wizards. Instead, the Ministry of Intelligence may find themselves being spied upon by the rebels. Furthermore, the main groups of rebels in Falkovnia are aware of the danger that Reingard's Hawks pose and don't plan on getting state approved toys. Despite this, Reingard's Hawks have proven to be very useful in monitoring less well-organized resistance groups and independent acts of dissidents by individuals. In cities like Lekar and Morfenzi, Reingard's Hawks even provide a small but appreciated (albeit very twisted) increase in local morale. "Bread and circuses", as the saying goes...
(Inspired by this article here: https://www.historynet.com/deceitful-ch ... ird-reich/)
Next challenge: Vechor and wedding ring
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Mistmaster
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Re: The Black Vault Haul II: Necromantic Boogaloo
The Rings of Julian and Sabine
Once upon a time, in Vechor there were two young lovers, Julian, and Sabine. They wanted to marry, but on the date they choose, the Mad King decided "No marriages today". Their parents told them to wait a day, but they were so in love that theyu decided to defy the mad king. But Easan decrees are not so easily ignored. The moment they exchanged the rings, their bodies started to twist and change. Julian became a being of elemental fire, while Sabine a being of elemantal water. From those days, whoever couple (lover, friends or similar) wears those rings their body changes forever in something in antithesys with each other.
(Next Lazendrak QtR 26 and Mirrors)
Once upon a time, in Vechor there were two young lovers, Julian, and Sabine. They wanted to marry, but on the date they choose, the Mad King decided "No marriages today". Their parents told them to wait a day, but they were so in love that theyu decided to defy the mad king. But Easan decrees are not so easily ignored. The moment they exchanged the rings, their bodies started to twist and change. Julian became a being of elemental fire, while Sabine a being of elemantal water. From those days, whoever couple (lover, friends or similar) wears those rings their body changes forever in something in antithesys with each other.
(Next Lazendrak QtR 26 and Mirrors)
Re: The Black Vault Haul II: Necromantic Boogaloo
Mirrors of Respiro
The mirror craftsman Respiro is well regarded amoung the vampire elite of Lazendrak, for his custom-made mirrors which, thanks to intricate enchantments, can actually reflect a vampire, something though impossible. Little do they suspect this supposed egalitarian and vampire-loyalist is infact a fervent member of the Bloodstakes. These mirrors of his creation are infact infested with living illusions similar to the infamous Fetch, though these are created to specifically hunt vampires.
Because each must be custom made for a target, these mirrors take time and great resoruces to produce, and often are given custom instructions: murder this one, gaslight this one, drive this one mad. Already dangerous for vampires, these mirrors have become a growing problem for all in Lazendrak as they go onto the market after the death of their targets. Freed from their purpose, the Fetch's broader in their hunting, often doing so in the visage of their old owner. To Respiro nd the Bloodstakes, this added bloodshed to be placed at the feet of vampires is an added bonus.
Next: Hazlan and Prosthetic (fake / replacement limb)
The mirror craftsman Respiro is well regarded amoung the vampire elite of Lazendrak, for his custom-made mirrors which, thanks to intricate enchantments, can actually reflect a vampire, something though impossible. Little do they suspect this supposed egalitarian and vampire-loyalist is infact a fervent member of the Bloodstakes. These mirrors of his creation are infact infested with living illusions similar to the infamous Fetch, though these are created to specifically hunt vampires.
Because each must be custom made for a target, these mirrors take time and great resoruces to produce, and often are given custom instructions: murder this one, gaslight this one, drive this one mad. Already dangerous for vampires, these mirrors have become a growing problem for all in Lazendrak as they go onto the market after the death of their targets. Freed from their purpose, the Fetch's broader in their hunting, often doing so in the visage of their old owner. To Respiro nd the Bloodstakes, this added bloodshed to be placed at the feet of vampires is an added bonus.
Next: Hazlan and Prosthetic (fake / replacement limb)
Re: The Black Vault Haul II: Necromantic Boogaloo
The Hand of Omur Bakkal
Omur Bakkal was an acknowledged master of the oud, a form of lute popular in Mulani music. He performed all across Hazlan, including once for the Red Wizard himself. As musicians often do, he thrived upon adoration of his audiences, including sometimes intimate adoration. Perhaps one his affairs went very wrong, or perhaps one of his affairs went very right but with the wrong person. Regardless, rumor quickly spread around the Mulani music scene that Omur Bakkal's right hand had been severely mutilated by a lover's furious older brother. He would never play again!
Yet when the next season started, Omur Bakkal returned to the scene with two hands! Although the right hand appeared to be carved from a weirdly pearlescent marble, it remained fully supple, and Omur Bakkal played the oud as masterfully as ever. If anything, he grew even more popular. People wished to witness not only the music but also the mystery of Omur Bakkal. For the first time, he received invitations to play outside of Hazlan.
When asked where he had received his new hand, Omur Bakkal refused to say. However, keen observers note that Bakkal's older sister was a sculptor and his younger brother studied at the Red Academy.
Unfortunately Omur Bakkal did not learn from his misadventure. In Port-a-Lucine he was caught abed with another man's wife and shot in the face. However, this time he did not return the subsequent season.
The Hand of Omur Bakkal itself is on display at the Guignol Museum. It has lost none of its luster. Sometimes the fingers move.
(Next: Sebua and flute.)
Omur Bakkal was an acknowledged master of the oud, a form of lute popular in Mulani music. He performed all across Hazlan, including once for the Red Wizard himself. As musicians often do, he thrived upon adoration of his audiences, including sometimes intimate adoration. Perhaps one his affairs went very wrong, or perhaps one of his affairs went very right but with the wrong person. Regardless, rumor quickly spread around the Mulani music scene that Omur Bakkal's right hand had been severely mutilated by a lover's furious older brother. He would never play again!
Yet when the next season started, Omur Bakkal returned to the scene with two hands! Although the right hand appeared to be carved from a weirdly pearlescent marble, it remained fully supple, and Omur Bakkal played the oud as masterfully as ever. If anything, he grew even more popular. People wished to witness not only the music but also the mystery of Omur Bakkal. For the first time, he received invitations to play outside of Hazlan.
When asked where he had received his new hand, Omur Bakkal refused to say. However, keen observers note that Bakkal's older sister was a sculptor and his younger brother studied at the Red Academy.
Unfortunately Omur Bakkal did not learn from his misadventure. In Port-a-Lucine he was caught abed with another man's wife and shot in the face. However, this time he did not return the subsequent season.
The Hand of Omur Bakkal itself is on display at the Guignol Museum. It has lost none of its luster. Sometimes the fingers move.
(Next: Sebua and flute.)
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Mistmaster
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Re: The Black Vault Haul II: Necromantic Boogaloo
The flute of Jamal al-Nilaq
The tribe of Nilaq is one of the many nomad tribes which roam the Sebuan Desert. they have a rich tradition of music and instrument crafting. Jamal al -Nilaq is the most famous of them and his instruments are said to be magic. However he never builds flute. The reason is that he once build one and it was the best flute ever made. He loved it and refused to be parted from it nomatter the offert he recieved. But after he refused to sell it to a Kartakassian wandering ministrel, it was stolen. Jamal cursed the flute. Until it is restored to him or until he will create a new one, whoever will play that flute will get obsessed with it, and keep playing it all day. The soul of the dead and horrible monsters are attracted by the sound and will stay enraptured by it. The moment a player is too tired to play and stops, the monsters and undead will act freely. No one will willingly destroy the Flute of Jamal al-Nilaq.
(Hairbrushes and Tepest)
The tribe of Nilaq is one of the many nomad tribes which roam the Sebuan Desert. they have a rich tradition of music and instrument crafting. Jamal al -Nilaq is the most famous of them and his instruments are said to be magic. However he never builds flute. The reason is that he once build one and it was the best flute ever made. He loved it and refused to be parted from it nomatter the offert he recieved. But after he refused to sell it to a Kartakassian wandering ministrel, it was stolen. Jamal cursed the flute. Until it is restored to him or until he will create a new one, whoever will play that flute will get obsessed with it, and keep playing it all day. The soul of the dead and horrible monsters are attracted by the sound and will stay enraptured by it. The moment a player is too tired to play and stops, the monsters and undead will act freely. No one will willingly destroy the Flute of Jamal al-Nilaq.
(Hairbrushes and Tepest)
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Speedwagon
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Re: The Black Vault Haul II: Necromantic Boogaloo
Abby's Hairbrush
Tepest
Once upon a time, in the faraway domain of Tepest, a young little girl named Abby, of Linde, had a hairbrush. She was very proud of her fiery red hair, and refused to share her hairbrush with anyone. Not even her younger sister, Riley, could use her hairbrush, even though their parents wanted them to share. Riley didn't mind at first, but she grew jealous of how pretty Abby was.
Abby and Riley both lived in Linde and worked as the Tepestani of that community did. They helped their parents with cultivating the cloudberry wine the village was known for, as all families in Linde did. But as all families have also lost one or two members to the sudden windstorms that come rushing across the Shadow Rift during harvest time, either when trees fell on them, or when gusts flung them from the cliffs and into the Blackmist River below, Abby and Riley's family were no exception. Abby and Riley had been playing together by the riverbank after completing their daily chores, but Abby and Riley started to argue. Riley wanted the hairbrush, as Abby never let her have it and she felt self-conscious. Abby didn't want to give up her most prized possession, and told Riley to get her own. Their arguing escalated into fighting, with Riley pulling at Abby's red hair and getting a hold of the hairbrush. Thinking with nothing but anger on the mind, Riley threw Abby's hairbrush towards the riverbank. Abby threw off Riley and dove to retrieve the hairbrush, right as a sudden gale came from the Shadow Rift and agitated the river. Neither Riley nor Abby knew how to swim. Abby was never found, and the family mourned her passing.
Riley grew into a reserved and melancholy young woman. She did her daily tasks and did not care for her appearance, like she once did in her youth. She dutifully harvests her cloudberry wine and puts on a mask of measured politeness and professional behavior amongst the other villagers, before she retreats to her whitewashed, thatched-roof home. She prays to the Tepestani pantheon every day for forgiveness and for the soul of her older sister. She keeps her windows shut and blinds drawn so she doesn't have to see the Blackmist River.
Riley's despondent routine has recently changed. One day, as she was cultivating cloudberries for wine production, she saw a familiar glimmer of silver against the brown dirt. Her sister's ornate silver hairbrush had returned. Reluctantly, and with much hesitation, Riley took the hairbrush. She returned to her home that day, cleaning the hairbrush. That night, as she prayed for her sister's soul, she felt like she could hear Abby's voice. Abby forgave her, and Abby wanted Riley to have the hairbrush. Abby wanted Riley to use the brush, and to be beautiful. So Riley did.
The next day, Riley went to do her daily tasks. As she did, she noticed that the villagers were kinder to her, and more interested in her too. The men began to court her, too, much to her embarrassment. As she looked at her reflection in the Blackmist River, Riley thought something was off---the woman staring back looked almost the same, but a bit more beautiful. Her hair was just a tad more red than it was before. And as the days went by, and as Riley used the hairbrush more and more, and checked her reflection against the water, she began to look more and more like Abby.
All of this reminded Riley of her past sins, and she began to pray more feverishly to Belenus and other Tepestani gods. More and more, Riley noticed the effects of the brush: those who gaze upon Riley would feel an inexplicable amicability or (in certain cases) a strong romantic and sexual attraction that varied in intensity. Already Riley found herself perturbed by this effect, as she desired nothing more than a quiet life out of penance for her past. But more and more, Riley believes that Abby's spirit is in the brush. What does she want? Is Abby waiting for Riley to be identical to her? What would happen then? All of these questions plagued Riley, so she began to reach out to Inquisitor Mannen. She entrusted him with the brush, and returned to her home that night. The morning after, Inquisitor Mannen was summoned to help pay respects to Riley, after locals found her corpse washed up on the riverbank. Inquisitor Mannen kept Abby's hairbrush under lock and key within his home. Unfortunately, he found that it had disappeared since he last laid eyes on it. Today he prays to Belenus for Riley's soul and that no other unfortunate young lady or little girl will find the hairbrush. But he is proactive, and plans to put Abby's soul to rest if another girl suffers from Abby's hairbrush.
(Next: Fur Coat and Sanguinia)
Tepest
Once upon a time, in the faraway domain of Tepest, a young little girl named Abby, of Linde, had a hairbrush. She was very proud of her fiery red hair, and refused to share her hairbrush with anyone. Not even her younger sister, Riley, could use her hairbrush, even though their parents wanted them to share. Riley didn't mind at first, but she grew jealous of how pretty Abby was.
Abby and Riley both lived in Linde and worked as the Tepestani of that community did. They helped their parents with cultivating the cloudberry wine the village was known for, as all families in Linde did. But as all families have also lost one or two members to the sudden windstorms that come rushing across the Shadow Rift during harvest time, either when trees fell on them, or when gusts flung them from the cliffs and into the Blackmist River below, Abby and Riley's family were no exception. Abby and Riley had been playing together by the riverbank after completing their daily chores, but Abby and Riley started to argue. Riley wanted the hairbrush, as Abby never let her have it and she felt self-conscious. Abby didn't want to give up her most prized possession, and told Riley to get her own. Their arguing escalated into fighting, with Riley pulling at Abby's red hair and getting a hold of the hairbrush. Thinking with nothing but anger on the mind, Riley threw Abby's hairbrush towards the riverbank. Abby threw off Riley and dove to retrieve the hairbrush, right as a sudden gale came from the Shadow Rift and agitated the river. Neither Riley nor Abby knew how to swim. Abby was never found, and the family mourned her passing.
Riley grew into a reserved and melancholy young woman. She did her daily tasks and did not care for her appearance, like she once did in her youth. She dutifully harvests her cloudberry wine and puts on a mask of measured politeness and professional behavior amongst the other villagers, before she retreats to her whitewashed, thatched-roof home. She prays to the Tepestani pantheon every day for forgiveness and for the soul of her older sister. She keeps her windows shut and blinds drawn so she doesn't have to see the Blackmist River.
Riley's despondent routine has recently changed. One day, as she was cultivating cloudberries for wine production, she saw a familiar glimmer of silver against the brown dirt. Her sister's ornate silver hairbrush had returned. Reluctantly, and with much hesitation, Riley took the hairbrush. She returned to her home that day, cleaning the hairbrush. That night, as she prayed for her sister's soul, she felt like she could hear Abby's voice. Abby forgave her, and Abby wanted Riley to have the hairbrush. Abby wanted Riley to use the brush, and to be beautiful. So Riley did.
The next day, Riley went to do her daily tasks. As she did, she noticed that the villagers were kinder to her, and more interested in her too. The men began to court her, too, much to her embarrassment. As she looked at her reflection in the Blackmist River, Riley thought something was off---the woman staring back looked almost the same, but a bit more beautiful. Her hair was just a tad more red than it was before. And as the days went by, and as Riley used the hairbrush more and more, and checked her reflection against the water, she began to look more and more like Abby.
All of this reminded Riley of her past sins, and she began to pray more feverishly to Belenus and other Tepestani gods. More and more, Riley noticed the effects of the brush: those who gaze upon Riley would feel an inexplicable amicability or (in certain cases) a strong romantic and sexual attraction that varied in intensity. Already Riley found herself perturbed by this effect, as she desired nothing more than a quiet life out of penance for her past. But more and more, Riley believes that Abby's spirit is in the brush. What does she want? Is Abby waiting for Riley to be identical to her? What would happen then? All of these questions plagued Riley, so she began to reach out to Inquisitor Mannen. She entrusted him with the brush, and returned to her home that night. The morning after, Inquisitor Mannen was summoned to help pay respects to Riley, after locals found her corpse washed up on the riverbank. Inquisitor Mannen kept Abby's hairbrush under lock and key within his home. Unfortunately, he found that it had disappeared since he last laid eyes on it. Today he prays to Belenus for Riley's soul and that no other unfortunate young lady or little girl will find the hairbrush. But he is proactive, and plans to put Abby's soul to rest if another girl suffers from Abby's hairbrush.
(Next: Fur Coat and Sanguinia)
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Mistmaster
- Evil Genius
- Posts: 1232
- Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2016 5:27 pm
Re: The Black Vault Haul II: Necromantic Boogaloo
The Golden Furcoat of Sanguinia.
Back in the days when Prince Mircea was young he neglected his people. But someone did not. A Golden wolf at the head of a massive pack started to help the population of Sanguinia, fighting bandits, sharing their gunted prey, killing pests and helping with the harvest. They protected and helped every one in need. But Mircea grew jealous of the popularity of the Golden Wolf, and had him hunted and killed. However, one of the hunters after they skinned the Golden Wolf, grew greed and possessive, and killed his partners, to keep the pelt for himself. The moment he wore the pelt, the Lawful Good spirit of the Golden wolf took possession of the greedy hunter who became a Loup-de-Noire. Since then Mircea has had the Golden Wolf killed many times but the golden pelt has always found another owner. Sometime unwilling, more often willing.
(Skulland QtR 26 and Cups)
Back in the days when Prince Mircea was young he neglected his people. But someone did not. A Golden wolf at the head of a massive pack started to help the population of Sanguinia, fighting bandits, sharing their gunted prey, killing pests and helping with the harvest. They protected and helped every one in need. But Mircea grew jealous of the popularity of the Golden Wolf, and had him hunted and killed. However, one of the hunters after they skinned the Golden Wolf, grew greed and possessive, and killed his partners, to keep the pelt for himself. The moment he wore the pelt, the Lawful Good spirit of the Golden wolf took possession of the greedy hunter who became a Loup-de-Noire. Since then Mircea has had the Golden Wolf killed many times but the golden pelt has always found another owner. Sometime unwilling, more often willing.
(Skulland QtR 26 and Cups)
Re: The Black Vault Haul II: Necromantic Boogaloo
Cups of Poisoned Nectar
Skulland
Benjamin de la Neige, the Lord Mayor of Barrow Town, has noticed an inexplicable rise in wasp-related attacks. In the interest of learning more about these oddly intelligent-seeming wasps, he has developed a collection of cups enchanted to draw in and allow the capture of giant wasps. Before firing, each pottery cup has been painted with bright floral designs interwoven with magical glyphs.
The magic of a cup of poisoned nectar activates whenever a sweet liquid such as mead (or even sugar water) is poured into the cup. Once a cup has activated, any wasp-like creature which approaches within 30 feet of the cup must make a Will save or become fascinated by the scent. Furthermore, any wasp-like creature which actually drinks from the cup must make a Fortitude save or become paralyzed for 2d6 hours.
The cup's magic effects blood wasps and giant wasps as described above. It also effects werewasps, although they gain a +2 bonus to any saving throws in their insectoid or hybrid forms, and in their humanoid forms they gain a +4 bonus instead. Also, the magic of the cup of poisoned nectar is too weak to effect the darklord of Skulland.
Next: Blaustein and saber.
Skulland
Benjamin de la Neige, the Lord Mayor of Barrow Town, has noticed an inexplicable rise in wasp-related attacks. In the interest of learning more about these oddly intelligent-seeming wasps, he has developed a collection of cups enchanted to draw in and allow the capture of giant wasps. Before firing, each pottery cup has been painted with bright floral designs interwoven with magical glyphs.
The magic of a cup of poisoned nectar activates whenever a sweet liquid such as mead (or even sugar water) is poured into the cup. Once a cup has activated, any wasp-like creature which approaches within 30 feet of the cup must make a Will save or become fascinated by the scent. Furthermore, any wasp-like creature which actually drinks from the cup must make a Fortitude save or become paralyzed for 2d6 hours.
The cup's magic effects blood wasps and giant wasps as described above. It also effects werewasps, although they gain a +2 bonus to any saving throws in their insectoid or hybrid forms, and in their humanoid forms they gain a +4 bonus instead. Also, the magic of the cup of poisoned nectar is too weak to effect the darklord of Skulland.
Next: Blaustein and saber.
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Speedwagon
- Evil Genius
- Posts: 306
- Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2021 2:31 pm
- Gender: Male
- Location: New Jersey
Re: The Black Vault Haul II: Necromantic Boogaloo
Jonah's Seacutter
Blaustein
Jonah Deville didn't think he'd amount to very much. He lived his life contently as a coastal fisherman in Mordent's waters, bringing the daily catch to his little village. If he had a surplus, he would sail north to Mordentshire-by-the-Sea and trade it for the means to get better supplies. He lived a simple life, but felt a yearning to do more. Sometimes, he liked to think, he must've been the descendant of the Holsworth Family that disappeared long ago, but he knew that was impossible. Still, Jonah Deville would look out onto the sea and wonder if he could have done something more than be just another fisherman.
Jonah's wish was answered, in the way he least expected and least desired. One day, a powerful fog rolled in and left him lost on the sea. His ship drifted until it caught site of another. Recklessly, Jonah hailed the larger ship, hoping he'd be able to get their help and maybe follow them back to a safe port (preferably still on the shores of Mordent). To his horror, the ship was a Blausteiner schooner, and they were also lost. More importantly, they were looking for new sailors to join them, as they lost a few crewmates in a skirmish with Dementlieuse naval boats earlier that day. Jonah's ship was boarded, and he was pressganged into service. Under their cruel mercies, Jonah suffered the rotten life of a pirate. But inside, he felt strangely excited. It wasn't a glorious life, that was certain, but he finally did it: he wasn't just another fisherman. Maybe he could make something of this new twist of fate.
For three years, Jonah served dutifully onboard the Blausteiner vessel, the Vagabond Moon, under Captain "Gray" Larry. The crack of a whip was his reprimand for a job poorly done and a pint of grog his reward for a job well done. Though he initially chafed under their scoundrel ways, he gradually grew closer to his crew (the Lamordians or the Vaasi had a term for that, Stock-something Syndrome) and was trusted with greater and greater opportunities. By the end of those grueling three years, Jonah became the first mate, and was considered by all to be a true-blue Blausteiner in spirit. On the night of the celebration of his promotion, after ransacking a Ghastrian fishing vessel, the crew celebrated Jonah. Jonah felt truly happy.
Unfortunately, Jonah's troubles did not end. The Vagabond Moon and its crew got too careless; the sailors, in their haste to join the party, failed to properly secure the ship and its anchor. The currents of the Sea of Sorrows did their work, and led the ship into the Leviathan's Clutches. The party ended prematurely when they ran aground on the thick mats of seaweed that was the Saragoss. The crew had never seen nor heard of this sailor's hell, and in their inebriated state, they began to panic. Jonah and "Gray" Larry quickly calmed the crew and set about doing what they could to escape. They were Blausteiners, after all---loyalty was their code and they wouldn't be broken by this place.
Weeks passed, and the Vagabond Moon struggled to live through the hell that was Saragoss. Half their crew had perished, but the remainder continued to persevere. The loyalty amongst the crew had been tested time and time again, but they hadn't fallen to the infighting and treachery that was endemic to the domain. Throughout this time, Jonah and "Gray" Larry had devised a system to keep their resources. "Gray" Larry would stay with the main ship and coordinate the defenses there, while Jonah would take a daring band of raiders to steal lumber, rope, oar-paddles, and other necessary cargo from other forsaken ships. During those raids, Jonah both looted a highly sharp scimitar and used it to fend off an attack from ambushing sea reavers and sahuagin. The crew slowly began to grow even more loyal to Jonah than "Gray" Larry, with the raiders beside him telling sea shanties of "Jonah's Seacutter" and how Jonah saved them from certain doom. "Gray" Larry noticed, but said nothing.
The day finally came when the remaining crew of the Vagabond Moon had everything they needed to escape. All they needed was the right opportunity the sail back into the Mists and hope for the best. That opportunity came when a massive storm rocked the mire, with the most eagle-eyed amongst them seeing that the Mists near the Leviathan's Clutches were roiling unnaturally. They hoped and prayed that this would be their chance, and began to prepare to dislodge the ship in earnest and sail off, carefully skirting the perimeter of the mire. Jonah was given this great responsibility, and he did not hesitate to rise to the occasion. With his trust Seacutter, he carefully hacked away at the pieces of mire and seaweed obstructing the ship, all while worrying about whether he would fall into a watery grave. But his loyalty to his captain and his crew surmounted his deep fear. The ship was finally dislodged, and the crew cheered.
As he boarded the ship from its ladder, he was attacked by "Gray" Larry. The captain could not stomach Jonah's growing ascent in popularity any longer, and had finally been broken by the atmosphere of Saragoss. As they tussled and tumbled on the ship's deck, the rest of the crew were torn on who to help. They tore themselves apart in combat while their idols fought. Eventually, those that favored Jonah won out, and intervened to help him. "Gray" Larry was killed, his throat slit by Jonah's Seacutter, and his corpse dropped into the drink. Jonah and his loyalists were too few to commandeer the Vagabond Moon, so they took the remaining rowboat and hoped for the best. Miraculously, they survived the storm, and returned to Blaustein.
There, Jonah and his remaining crewmates told his fellow Blausteiners (and by extension, the world---which is how people know about there being a sailor's hell called Saragoss somewhere in the Mists) and was rewarded for his daring leadership. He was given a mansion as one of the Worthy of Blaustein, and his Seacutter was mounted atop his wall. Until it was stolen, with it being rumored to have ended up in ports such as Martira Bay and Ludendorf.
Weapon (Scimitar), requires attunement
Properties:
Razor’s Edge: This scimitar is unnaturally sharp. It deals an extra 1d8 slashing damage on a hit. Against creatures with resistance to slashing damage, the Seacutter ignores that resistance as if cutting through seaweed.
Sailor’s Instinct: The attuned wielder has advantage on Survival checks related to navigating the sea and can always tell which direction is north.
Reaver’s Riposte: If an enemy attacks and misses the wielder, the wielder may use their reaction to make an attack of opportunity against that enemy.
Loyalty’s Test: If the wielder willingly betrays their sworn allies (defined as creatures they consider part of their “crew”), the sword curses them. While cursed, they suffer disadvantage on all Charisma-based ability checks and saving throws, as well as an inability to benefit from magical healing.
Next: Dementlieu & quill
Blaustein
Jonah Deville didn't think he'd amount to very much. He lived his life contently as a coastal fisherman in Mordent's waters, bringing the daily catch to his little village. If he had a surplus, he would sail north to Mordentshire-by-the-Sea and trade it for the means to get better supplies. He lived a simple life, but felt a yearning to do more. Sometimes, he liked to think, he must've been the descendant of the Holsworth Family that disappeared long ago, but he knew that was impossible. Still, Jonah Deville would look out onto the sea and wonder if he could have done something more than be just another fisherman.
Jonah's wish was answered, in the way he least expected and least desired. One day, a powerful fog rolled in and left him lost on the sea. His ship drifted until it caught site of another. Recklessly, Jonah hailed the larger ship, hoping he'd be able to get their help and maybe follow them back to a safe port (preferably still on the shores of Mordent). To his horror, the ship was a Blausteiner schooner, and they were also lost. More importantly, they were looking for new sailors to join them, as they lost a few crewmates in a skirmish with Dementlieuse naval boats earlier that day. Jonah's ship was boarded, and he was pressganged into service. Under their cruel mercies, Jonah suffered the rotten life of a pirate. But inside, he felt strangely excited. It wasn't a glorious life, that was certain, but he finally did it: he wasn't just another fisherman. Maybe he could make something of this new twist of fate.
For three years, Jonah served dutifully onboard the Blausteiner vessel, the Vagabond Moon, under Captain "Gray" Larry. The crack of a whip was his reprimand for a job poorly done and a pint of grog his reward for a job well done. Though he initially chafed under their scoundrel ways, he gradually grew closer to his crew (the Lamordians or the Vaasi had a term for that, Stock-something Syndrome) and was trusted with greater and greater opportunities. By the end of those grueling three years, Jonah became the first mate, and was considered by all to be a true-blue Blausteiner in spirit. On the night of the celebration of his promotion, after ransacking a Ghastrian fishing vessel, the crew celebrated Jonah. Jonah felt truly happy.
Unfortunately, Jonah's troubles did not end. The Vagabond Moon and its crew got too careless; the sailors, in their haste to join the party, failed to properly secure the ship and its anchor. The currents of the Sea of Sorrows did their work, and led the ship into the Leviathan's Clutches. The party ended prematurely when they ran aground on the thick mats of seaweed that was the Saragoss. The crew had never seen nor heard of this sailor's hell, and in their inebriated state, they began to panic. Jonah and "Gray" Larry quickly calmed the crew and set about doing what they could to escape. They were Blausteiners, after all---loyalty was their code and they wouldn't be broken by this place.
Weeks passed, and the Vagabond Moon struggled to live through the hell that was Saragoss. Half their crew had perished, but the remainder continued to persevere. The loyalty amongst the crew had been tested time and time again, but they hadn't fallen to the infighting and treachery that was endemic to the domain. Throughout this time, Jonah and "Gray" Larry had devised a system to keep their resources. "Gray" Larry would stay with the main ship and coordinate the defenses there, while Jonah would take a daring band of raiders to steal lumber, rope, oar-paddles, and other necessary cargo from other forsaken ships. During those raids, Jonah both looted a highly sharp scimitar and used it to fend off an attack from ambushing sea reavers and sahuagin. The crew slowly began to grow even more loyal to Jonah than "Gray" Larry, with the raiders beside him telling sea shanties of "Jonah's Seacutter" and how Jonah saved them from certain doom. "Gray" Larry noticed, but said nothing.
The day finally came when the remaining crew of the Vagabond Moon had everything they needed to escape. All they needed was the right opportunity the sail back into the Mists and hope for the best. That opportunity came when a massive storm rocked the mire, with the most eagle-eyed amongst them seeing that the Mists near the Leviathan's Clutches were roiling unnaturally. They hoped and prayed that this would be their chance, and began to prepare to dislodge the ship in earnest and sail off, carefully skirting the perimeter of the mire. Jonah was given this great responsibility, and he did not hesitate to rise to the occasion. With his trust Seacutter, he carefully hacked away at the pieces of mire and seaweed obstructing the ship, all while worrying about whether he would fall into a watery grave. But his loyalty to his captain and his crew surmounted his deep fear. The ship was finally dislodged, and the crew cheered.
As he boarded the ship from its ladder, he was attacked by "Gray" Larry. The captain could not stomach Jonah's growing ascent in popularity any longer, and had finally been broken by the atmosphere of Saragoss. As they tussled and tumbled on the ship's deck, the rest of the crew were torn on who to help. They tore themselves apart in combat while their idols fought. Eventually, those that favored Jonah won out, and intervened to help him. "Gray" Larry was killed, his throat slit by Jonah's Seacutter, and his corpse dropped into the drink. Jonah and his loyalists were too few to commandeer the Vagabond Moon, so they took the remaining rowboat and hoped for the best. Miraculously, they survived the storm, and returned to Blaustein.
There, Jonah and his remaining crewmates told his fellow Blausteiners (and by extension, the world---which is how people know about there being a sailor's hell called Saragoss somewhere in the Mists) and was rewarded for his daring leadership. He was given a mansion as one of the Worthy of Blaustein, and his Seacutter was mounted atop his wall. Until it was stolen, with it being rumored to have ended up in ports such as Martira Bay and Ludendorf.
Weapon (Scimitar), requires attunement
Properties:
Razor’s Edge: This scimitar is unnaturally sharp. It deals an extra 1d8 slashing damage on a hit. Against creatures with resistance to slashing damage, the Seacutter ignores that resistance as if cutting through seaweed.
Sailor’s Instinct: The attuned wielder has advantage on Survival checks related to navigating the sea and can always tell which direction is north.
Reaver’s Riposte: If an enemy attacks and misses the wielder, the wielder may use their reaction to make an attack of opportunity against that enemy.
Loyalty’s Test: If the wielder willingly betrays their sworn allies (defined as creatures they consider part of their “crew”), the sword curses them. While cursed, they suffer disadvantage on all Charisma-based ability checks and saving throws, as well as an inability to benefit from magical healing.
Next: Dementlieu & quill