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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Scott Christian" data-source="post: 8178431" data-attributes="member: 6901101">I tend to make magic items with their own story and keep them to a minimum. Here is an example:I start out with the item's history.Book of the GiantsThe book of the Giants is an ancient text used for centuries. Its unique features offer a variety of tools for finding, communicating and fighting giants. History In centuries past, the wars between giants and man become more and more common. Men would move into an area rich in resources, push the giants out, and then the giants would retaliate. Unfortunately for their reproductive cycle, the giants were at a severe disadvantage.Enter one elven diplomat who sympathized with the giants. His name was Flore “Cup Bringer” D’Leaf. His name can still be heard in some storm giant songs. He brought about diplomacy through drink and wit. He kept the peace through power.Once on the scene, peace lasted for over a century. The giants and humans traded with him present. Any aggression was won over with charm. And, in general, according to the history books, times were good. That’s when Flore disappeared.His spell book would appear ten years later at a library. There were no other signs of Flore or his whereabouts. The book was bought by many who wished to understand its secrets, some to continue Flore’s work, others to undue it. In the end, the giants drifted away, tired of the human’s surreptitious ways. Which leads to today, where the book has been found once again. The book that once held the giants and people at peace.Then I go for its description.Gulp: The book of many drinks. On almost all pages there are wine circles, coffee circles and tea circles, almost as if done on purpose.Silver & Gold: Hints of elven silver twist with constellation patterns across a midnight blue background. The stars shift on each page, and the connecting silver strands curve and stretch to connect. It seems to tell an ancient story: a giant and hero, locked in immortal combat.Hints of Power: A partial solar eclipse centers of this book cover. When the visible portion of the sun is touched, a slight heat is generated. When the lunar portion is touched, a faint hint of cold can be felt. The rim between the sun and moon gives off a slight electric pulse. This pulse seems to match the book’s owner’s heartbeat.Then I move to abilities. I try to make the powers intermittent, so it acts as like a Christmas present, maybe even one the player forgot about. I also do my best to make sure one or two the powers don't always align exactly with the character. It's nice because it allows them to stretch their wings a little.Ability's Level; Title; Ability1; Silver & Gold; After being attuned to this item, the owner is able to speak giant fluently2; Gulp; While this book is in the owner’s possession they are unable to become inebriated4; Hints of Power; When a spell using the damage type fire is memorized from this book, it deals damage 1 spell slot higher5; Hints of Power; When a spell using the damage type cold is memorized from this book, it deals damage 1 spell slot higher6; Broken Mirror; The owner of this book is able to cut themselves using the mirror on the back side of the book. The blood will create a compass needle and point in the direction of the nearest giant9; Silver & Gold; When the spell Charm Person is memorized from this book, its power is increased to include giants, not just humanoids.12; Hints of Power; When a spell using the damage type lightning is memorized from this book, it deals damage 3 spell slots higherLastly, I tend to write a few narratives that describes how they received the power. If it happens in game, that is just icing on the cake. But in case it doesn't, it is nice to have a little story about the PC's downtime and what they (and their item) happened to experience.Noisy Night“You toss and turn all night. Each moment of sleep interrupted by dreams. Dreams of bawdy jokes, loud laughter, and then, in serious tones, talks of family, life, and death. The voices are deep and echo in your head. Each time you awake, the area around you is quiet. Then, as your eyes close, the dreams begin again. When you awake you realize it was all in giant’s tongue, one which you now understand.”Hope this helps. It's a bit of work, but what I can say is it gets the focus on the magic item, and in turn, makes it feel special.</blockquote>

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