Bizzarre items (and should RPGs include more decorative & "useless" items?)

[Arravis]

One of the items in my Sigil/Union shopping list...

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.

P.S.: The illustration doesn't quite fit the description 100%, but I think it turned out decent...

 

[Ashwyn]

I want one!

 

[tleilaxu]

this is a nice post. a cool item that people can.... *YOINK*.....

hehehe....

 

[WombleHunter]

Very, very nice, but what does it DO?

 

[Arravis]

Absolutely nothing... how many items in your house actually DO something? I find it very unrealistic that all magical/unique items are only basicly tools. If all you could get in your life were wrenches, cars and screwdrivers; it wouldn't be very interesting. We spend much of our time with items that serve no useful purpose. Music, movies, television, fiction books, etc... I like a balanced range of magical and unique items in my game, so I make them myself, since WoTC tends not to.
*gets down from his soapbox*

 

[ColonelHardisson]

That's an attitude I basically agree with. I've always thought that some treasures need not do anything to be extremely valuable in a campaign, and I have had players who also thought so. Stuff like paintings by Van Gogh from an alternate universe, or lost symphonies of Mozart, or maybe even mint condition Topps baseball cards.

 

[Arravis]

hehe... that's not a bad idea. Well, in the spirit of uselessness, I'll post four items from some of my games...

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 its wax expended that the requests written on it will sometimes come true. Usually it will be a pre-written prayer, wishes for luck, 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.


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 glows beautifully and sparkles in the dark. The flavor of this bread varies on the group of Dao that made it and the gem or gems 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.


Seditious Dress: These semi-sentient dresses are glammered to able to change basic design at the wearer’s command. If the dress comes within 10’ of a dress that is more attractive then itself, it will cast an illusion on the “opposing” dress making it seem soiled and torn. This effect lasts for one two hours and can only be used three times in a day. If two Seditious Dresses come within 10’ of each other, both dresses will wither and rot.


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.
(a cookie to whomever can figure out whom wrote the original poem... I've forgotten )

 

[Angelsboi]

William Ernest Henley

I think its Invictus, Invictus. Ill take an oatmeal raisan cookie please

 

[Arravis]

Thanks Angelsboi (congrats on the engagement btw!)

I'll have to look him up again in the poetry books I have and see what else I can steal for future finds . That poem is very powerful, and if asked by my players, I want to be able to give credit, where credit is due.

 

[green slime]

Actually some of the most appreciated and talked about items in my game are just that; useless magical items that aren't really required but seem to add a bit of... I don't know, the mysterious?

I won't list them here, because they seem so uncool compared to this amazing Ice Orchid, which is just amazing. Truly inspiring stuff Arravis