What are the coolest non-magical/minor magic items you've created for your campaign? Might just be me... but I love making interesting items of little actual combat value. Just flavor, really, but I think that's something that often gets ignored. What interesting/quirky items have you made? I'd love to see what you guys have come up with over the years.
Here are just a few of the ones I've made for my Forgotten Realms campaign:
Netherese Moon Wine:
This exquisite wine is made of a secret variety of outerplanar grapes, berries and distilled moon-essence. It was bottled in the Abbey of the Moon, found on the highest peak of the Abbey Mountains, a house of worship to Selune. The monks within have produced these wines nearly since the founding of Netheril itself. The wine is an indescribable mix of sweet wine, it has earthy undertone with a heady flavor. The wine itself is colorless, but when brought before moonlight it glows with a pale radiance and acquires a stronger flavor. It is rumored to have curative properties to those that worship the lady. The bottles are made of precious amberglass; this protects the flavor since it can easily pick up the taste of a container. Each label on the bottle is lovingly crafted by a monk-artist to show scenes from the Abbey or tales of Selune. 10,000 gp per bottle.
Dethed’s Blackwine:
Blackwine, also known as Dethed’s Folly, was born of strange circumstance. Dethed was an infamous arcanist whom turned himself to a lich at the ripe old age of 25. This wine was of his own creation and seemed to be a component of his spell that turned him to undeath. The Archmage Iolaum found the recipe in Dethed’s laboratory after destroying the lich. The making of it is a closely guarded secret of the Ioulaum family that distributes these dark spirits. The wine itself is always chill, regardless of the environment it’s placed in, except when exposed to direct sunlight, which turns the flavor of the wine. Blackwine has a strong bitter taste at first but quickly mellows in subsequent swallows, reaching a subtle taste that cannot be wholly described. Its effects seem to be quite different from other wines in that it clears the mind, sharpening its focus. Many scholars and arcanists are known to abuse this drink to aid them in their work. Blackwine comes in white ceramic bottles that hide its contents from the harmful sunlight. The double circle of Iolaum’s rune is the only writing on this container. 3,000 gp per bottle.
Keltarian Scroll-Poem.
This old poem is found within a preserved scroll from the famed Keltarian (ancient human kingdom east of Calimsham) poet Sandelle (circa: -5700 DR), in exquisitely wrought silver and iron frame. 5,000 gp.
Out of the night that covers me, black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of chance my head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishment the scroll,
I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.
(The poem is Invictus by William Earnest Henley)
Flesh Bed:
This “mattress” is a construct made for those with tastes in the unusual. A Flesh Bed is composed of a core of warm and soft fleshy tissue surrounded by skin and hair. Different types of skin and hair are available upon demand. The Flesh Bed has limited movement and can be commanded by the owner to move in the simplest of fashion. Usually this is done to envelop the owner, but other more exotic, yet simple, requests may be made. 6,000 gp.
Lupinal Windchimes:
These beautiful windchimes are made from shells and bones of a Yeshen, a small aquatic lizard found on the banks of the River Oceanous within the plane of Elysium. Yeshen shells are similar to a conch shells in their shape, but their swirling colors vary from midnight blue to a golden red hue. The shells are tuned by carving holes or slits into them, as the shell turns, different notes are played. Sophisticated lupinial craftsmen carve the shells to produce a specific melody, the more notes that are played the more difficult it is to create. Yeshen bones are often tied to the shells so they ring out as the shell turns in the wind. 50 gp for a simple melody; 100 gp for a medium difficulty melody; 200 gp for a difficult melody; 800 gp for a masterwork melody windchime.
Magniloquent Cloak:
These exquisitely elegant cloaks are created by Imp tailors, led by Kri-galik, Hell’s finest master-tailor. Each cloak is a uniquely commissioned (usually by Hellish nobility or other powers) work that can take many months to create. The threads used to create the cloaks are made of a secretive blend of exotic materials that form a faintly shimmering cloth. Kri-galik’s cloth is known for its ability to hold any dye permanently, but above all, its other property is what makes it so demanded. The cloth is completely invulnerable to all types of energy and all but the most severe punishment before it tears or rips (hardness: 25, 20 hp). This ability does not transfer to the wearer, but she does gain a +1 circumstantial bonus to saves against any energy attacks. None of these abilities are magical, though the cloaks are considered masterwork and can be enchanted. Each Cloak is individually priced, but this finery begins at a minimum of 15,000 gp and can only be afforded by the elite.
Here's an image: http://www.ralloszek.net/uploads//32650-MagniloquentCloak.jpg
Simorh’s Lute:
This dress was made popular by the bard-mistress Simorh Cire, whose ballads and romantic exploits made her one of the most well known Sensates to live in Union. The dress achieved its name when a celestial lord was visiting the Morning Star feasthall and asked Simorh which musical instrument she played. The outer coat of Simorh’s Lute is crushed velvet of a deep burgundy color trimmed in light fur. The inner dress is made out of open-weave silk or satin in a variety of colors. Finishing it all is a brocade skirt with multi-colored swirl pattern. In addition to its beauty, Simorh had her dress designed with dancing in mind. The outer coat has several small metal weights sewn inside so the dress would twirl dramatically. The metal weights inside are pitched to a specific notes that clink together musically when the wearer dances allowing her to even create her own music. This gives the wearer a +1 circumstantial bonus to Perform (dancing). 150 gp.
Here's an image: http://www.ralloszek.net/uploads//32651-SimorhsLute.jpg
Fate Candles:
These candles are unique to Athkatla. They are made from either plain white wax or fabulously colored waxes and then carefully written on the outside. It is believed that when the candle is lit and the candle is expended that the requests written on it will sometimes come true. Usually it will be a pre-written prayer, wishes for luck or love or simply wealth. These candles though, are often custom made with specific desires written on them. Pre-made fate candle: 1 sp-5 sp; uniquely made candle 3 gp.
Constellation Dress:
This elegant but dramatic dress has rich black silk sides and back with a purple-black velvet insert in the front to create a striking combination of fabrics. The solid half-sleeves has a beautiful floral pattern, tri-cornered lace that falls into a point of silver-thread piping. Sewn delicately to the dress and the sleeves are 200 tiny diamonds that sparkle in a pattern of a chosen constellation. A spiral silver and black silk cord belt wraps around twice to tie in the front. 4,000 gp
Dao Bread:
This bread is made out of a luminous fungus found only within the elemental plane of earth. This fungus is mixed with flour and other ingredients, the dough formed is then sprinkled with finely ground gem-dust and baked. The resulting bread is a swirl of color (depending on the gem color used) that beautifully glows and sparkles in the dark. The flavor of this bread varies on the group of Dao that made it and the gem used. The bread is said to be delicious and hearty by those that have acquired a taste for it, something that is usually difficult for non-planars considering the ingredients (though it is in no way harmful). 5 gp a loaf.
Efreeti Wine:
This golden wine comes in an brass bottle shaped like a spired tower with an onion-shaped top with the stamp of the Grand Sultan of the City of Brass at it’s base. The brass bottle has the magical quality of keeping the wine piping hot, since if it cools off the flavor turns sour. The wine is quite sweet with an earthy mixture of many flavors that seem to change each time it is drank. Exactly how this wine is created is kept secret by the Sultan’s brewers and none have been able to replicate its unique flavor. 250 gp a bottle.
Molikroth’s Ice Orchid:
This extremely difficult to obtain orchid comes from Molikroth’s Garden in Cania on Baator. This garden is considered one of the most remarkable and life-changing sights of the outer planes. It is composed entirely of frozen bouquets of flowers and rock gardens frosted over with ice. Delicate snow and ice dew covers the many roses here but the main attraction is the ice orchid. To Baatezu scholars it is a symbol of control over change, to the Tanar’ri it’s a symbol of the death of fertility, but most are awed by its strange and amazing beauty. This orchid has long stems and leaves composed out of a rich purple-black color with white ringed, dark blue spots over its frost covered surface. The flower has a bright white core with lighting blue striping that extends to a royal blue-purple on its edges. It constantly exudes a biting cold that causes a light mist to issue from it. Ice orchids are difficult to take care of and require careful attention. If spends more then just a few minutes in below freezing temperature it begins to wither and die. This ice orchid comes in a magical glass container and plant pot that keeps the temperature within quite cold. There is only one of these items available. 20,000 gp.
Image: http://www.ralloszek.net/uploads//32649-iceorchid.jpg
Singing Ferns:
This spiky little plant is common to mountainsides all over Arborea. Sunlight causes the tiny leaves to open; though cold weather or strong winds will cause them to close into tiny spikes. The plant gets its names from the sound of the wind through its spikes that create a high-pitched haunting melody that rises and falls with the wind. During the spring pale blue flowers cover the base of each leaf. 30 gp.
Here are just a few of the ones I've made for my Forgotten Realms campaign:
Netherese Moon Wine:
This exquisite wine is made of a secret variety of outerplanar grapes, berries and distilled moon-essence. It was bottled in the Abbey of the Moon, found on the highest peak of the Abbey Mountains, a house of worship to Selune. The monks within have produced these wines nearly since the founding of Netheril itself. The wine is an indescribable mix of sweet wine, it has earthy undertone with a heady flavor. The wine itself is colorless, but when brought before moonlight it glows with a pale radiance and acquires a stronger flavor. It is rumored to have curative properties to those that worship the lady. The bottles are made of precious amberglass; this protects the flavor since it can easily pick up the taste of a container. Each label on the bottle is lovingly crafted by a monk-artist to show scenes from the Abbey or tales of Selune. 10,000 gp per bottle.
Dethed’s Blackwine:
Blackwine, also known as Dethed’s Folly, was born of strange circumstance. Dethed was an infamous arcanist whom turned himself to a lich at the ripe old age of 25. This wine was of his own creation and seemed to be a component of his spell that turned him to undeath. The Archmage Iolaum found the recipe in Dethed’s laboratory after destroying the lich. The making of it is a closely guarded secret of the Ioulaum family that distributes these dark spirits. The wine itself is always chill, regardless of the environment it’s placed in, except when exposed to direct sunlight, which turns the flavor of the wine. Blackwine has a strong bitter taste at first but quickly mellows in subsequent swallows, reaching a subtle taste that cannot be wholly described. Its effects seem to be quite different from other wines in that it clears the mind, sharpening its focus. Many scholars and arcanists are known to abuse this drink to aid them in their work. Blackwine comes in white ceramic bottles that hide its contents from the harmful sunlight. The double circle of Iolaum’s rune is the only writing on this container. 3,000 gp per bottle.
Keltarian Scroll-Poem.
This old poem is found within a preserved scroll from the famed Keltarian (ancient human kingdom east of Calimsham) poet Sandelle (circa: -5700 DR), in exquisitely wrought silver and iron frame. 5,000 gp.
Out of the night that covers me, black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of chance my head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishment the scroll,
I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.
(The poem is Invictus by William Earnest Henley)
Flesh Bed:
This “mattress” is a construct made for those with tastes in the unusual. A Flesh Bed is composed of a core of warm and soft fleshy tissue surrounded by skin and hair. Different types of skin and hair are available upon demand. The Flesh Bed has limited movement and can be commanded by the owner to move in the simplest of fashion. Usually this is done to envelop the owner, but other more exotic, yet simple, requests may be made. 6,000 gp.
Lupinal Windchimes:
These beautiful windchimes are made from shells and bones of a Yeshen, a small aquatic lizard found on the banks of the River Oceanous within the plane of Elysium. Yeshen shells are similar to a conch shells in their shape, but their swirling colors vary from midnight blue to a golden red hue. The shells are tuned by carving holes or slits into them, as the shell turns, different notes are played. Sophisticated lupinial craftsmen carve the shells to produce a specific melody, the more notes that are played the more difficult it is to create. Yeshen bones are often tied to the shells so they ring out as the shell turns in the wind. 50 gp for a simple melody; 100 gp for a medium difficulty melody; 200 gp for a difficult melody; 800 gp for a masterwork melody windchime.
Magniloquent Cloak:
These exquisitely elegant cloaks are created by Imp tailors, led by Kri-galik, Hell’s finest master-tailor. Each cloak is a uniquely commissioned (usually by Hellish nobility or other powers) work that can take many months to create. The threads used to create the cloaks are made of a secretive blend of exotic materials that form a faintly shimmering cloth. Kri-galik’s cloth is known for its ability to hold any dye permanently, but above all, its other property is what makes it so demanded. The cloth is completely invulnerable to all types of energy and all but the most severe punishment before it tears or rips (hardness: 25, 20 hp). This ability does not transfer to the wearer, but she does gain a +1 circumstantial bonus to saves against any energy attacks. None of these abilities are magical, though the cloaks are considered masterwork and can be enchanted. Each Cloak is individually priced, but this finery begins at a minimum of 15,000 gp and can only be afforded by the elite.
Here's an image: http://www.ralloszek.net/uploads//32650-MagniloquentCloak.jpg
Simorh’s Lute:
This dress was made popular by the bard-mistress Simorh Cire, whose ballads and romantic exploits made her one of the most well known Sensates to live in Union. The dress achieved its name when a celestial lord was visiting the Morning Star feasthall and asked Simorh which musical instrument she played. The outer coat of Simorh’s Lute is crushed velvet of a deep burgundy color trimmed in light fur. The inner dress is made out of open-weave silk or satin in a variety of colors. Finishing it all is a brocade skirt with multi-colored swirl pattern. In addition to its beauty, Simorh had her dress designed with dancing in mind. The outer coat has several small metal weights sewn inside so the dress would twirl dramatically. The metal weights inside are pitched to a specific notes that clink together musically when the wearer dances allowing her to even create her own music. This gives the wearer a +1 circumstantial bonus to Perform (dancing). 150 gp.
Here's an image: http://www.ralloszek.net/uploads//32651-SimorhsLute.jpg
Fate Candles:
These candles are unique to Athkatla. They are made from either plain white wax or fabulously colored waxes and then carefully written on the outside. It is believed that when the candle is lit and the candle is expended that the requests written on it will sometimes come true. Usually it will be a pre-written prayer, wishes for luck or love or simply wealth. These candles though, are often custom made with specific desires written on them. Pre-made fate candle: 1 sp-5 sp; uniquely made candle 3 gp.
Constellation Dress:
This elegant but dramatic dress has rich black silk sides and back with a purple-black velvet insert in the front to create a striking combination of fabrics. The solid half-sleeves has a beautiful floral pattern, tri-cornered lace that falls into a point of silver-thread piping. Sewn delicately to the dress and the sleeves are 200 tiny diamonds that sparkle in a pattern of a chosen constellation. A spiral silver and black silk cord belt wraps around twice to tie in the front. 4,000 gp
Dao Bread:
This bread is made out of a luminous fungus found only within the elemental plane of earth. This fungus is mixed with flour and other ingredients, the dough formed is then sprinkled with finely ground gem-dust and baked. The resulting bread is a swirl of color (depending on the gem color used) that beautifully glows and sparkles in the dark. The flavor of this bread varies on the group of Dao that made it and the gem used. The bread is said to be delicious and hearty by those that have acquired a taste for it, something that is usually difficult for non-planars considering the ingredients (though it is in no way harmful). 5 gp a loaf.
Efreeti Wine:
This golden wine comes in an brass bottle shaped like a spired tower with an onion-shaped top with the stamp of the Grand Sultan of the City of Brass at it’s base. The brass bottle has the magical quality of keeping the wine piping hot, since if it cools off the flavor turns sour. The wine is quite sweet with an earthy mixture of many flavors that seem to change each time it is drank. Exactly how this wine is created is kept secret by the Sultan’s brewers and none have been able to replicate its unique flavor. 250 gp a bottle.
Molikroth’s Ice Orchid:
This extremely difficult to obtain orchid comes from Molikroth’s Garden in Cania on Baator. This garden is considered one of the most remarkable and life-changing sights of the outer planes. It is composed entirely of frozen bouquets of flowers and rock gardens frosted over with ice. Delicate snow and ice dew covers the many roses here but the main attraction is the ice orchid. To Baatezu scholars it is a symbol of control over change, to the Tanar’ri it’s a symbol of the death of fertility, but most are awed by its strange and amazing beauty. This orchid has long stems and leaves composed out of a rich purple-black color with white ringed, dark blue spots over its frost covered surface. The flower has a bright white core with lighting blue striping that extends to a royal blue-purple on its edges. It constantly exudes a biting cold that causes a light mist to issue from it. Ice orchids are difficult to take care of and require careful attention. If spends more then just a few minutes in below freezing temperature it begins to wither and die. This ice orchid comes in a magical glass container and plant pot that keeps the temperature within quite cold. There is only one of these items available. 20,000 gp.
Image: http://www.ralloszek.net/uploads//32649-iceorchid.jpg
Singing Ferns:
This spiky little plant is common to mountainsides all over Arborea. Sunlight causes the tiny leaves to open; though cold weather or strong winds will cause them to close into tiny spikes. The plant gets its names from the sound of the wind through its spikes that create a high-pitched haunting melody that rises and falls with the wind. During the spring pale blue flowers cover the base of each leaf. 30 gp.
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