Prophetic Magic Items

[mac1504]

I love alot of these ideas. I think I can certainly use the hand mirror idea as that actually ties into another upcoming adventure.

I'm really trying to stay away from any items that replicate spells, as those can be used on anything. I want these items to be something the PC's will scratch their heads and think, "when would I ever use this thing?" until it comes to the right time and place and then they just throw me that look

 

[clockworkjoe]

A brass windup toy in the shape of a mouse. It was once owned by a small child who loved it very much. Once wound up and placed on the floor, the mouse will seek out objects in a pattern.

The first time it will seek out a red blanket owned by the child.

The second time it will seek out the child's favorite story book.

The third time it will seek out the child's pet, a scrawny dog.

The fourth time it will seek out the child's home.

The fifth time it will seek out the child's room.

The sixth time it will seek out the child.

The seventh time it will seek out the child's killer.


In each case, the object must be retrieved and kept near the mouse before it will look for the next item on the list. Each time the toy is wound, the killer gains a hideous mutation/deformity. The killer looks for the players and tries to stop them with magic/minions but is magically protected from scrying.

 

[ackron]

How about a mirror that only reflects illusions. It would obviously do nothing against someone invisiable, but if somone were using an illusion to disguise himself, or mask a doorway or something it could come in handy. Otherwise its effect is pretty minor I think.

 

[Ferret]

A book of odd words, such as absquatulate. When a succession of these are said that do something, like open a library door or hurt a modron.

 

[rbingham2000]

Oil of Cure Light Wounds - not particularily more useful for healing, but much better (than the potion) for hurting undead. (I can never get zombies to drink my CLW potions )

I like this. And it makes a certain amount of sense too, with the oil being applied to the wounds in question and healing them. And yes, it is suitably nasty against the undead.

 

[Piratecat]

I had something similar to the head in the box. The head would prophesize if you poured quicksilver on it.

 

[RangerWickett]

A dreamcatcher that lets you see people's dreams if they sleep with it over their bed. Or, if you know what you're doing, you can sneak in and try to read someone's dreams while they sleep.

One of the 'items' shouldn't be an object. Maybe make it a song, or a poem. Perhaps written on a piece of paper, but not necessarily. The song could trigger something, or be an old tune that a person might recognize and thus mistake a PC for someone from his home town.

 

[Vlos]

Well, you probably want one shot items. Items that activate under a specific set of circumstances. Just watching tomb raider waiting for a computer system to get updated and the clock piece which activated at the exact start of the alignment. It was good for nothing else.

So for example the bell, which sounds cool, only works when within 100' of a Golem and once used, it cracks.

You would want to make the items something the party will carry around with them. Maybe a special tower shield that when placed at the ground next to a ravine it forms a tall bridge, which has a gate that lowers over the ravine.

Or a special lantern that has a special light based power activated upon specific situation.

Just some thoughts.

 

[The Goblin King]

An hourglass. It appears to be frozen in time. There is a bit of sand left in the top but it doesn't move at all. You can turn it upside down and it wont run back. Long-lived races who study it may notice that the sand is running down but very very slowly. Obviously, something is going to happen when the sands run out. But that could take a thousand years. Unless the hourglass somehow returned to normal time. In which case it would be perhaps only seconds before it ran out.

A small metal trinket. It is very shiny and detailed. It could be anything. Maby a small statue of an animal. You could make it resemble a figureine of wonderous power just to throw the players off the trail. Its actual use is a distraction. When you throw it anyone who sees it must make a will roll to avoid feelings of intense curiosity.

 

[Steel_Wind]

An odd, oblong box, without a lid, 6 inches long, 3'5" inches wide, composed of what appears to be dyed whalebone.

A thin, piece of glass is glued to the whalebone on the front, beneath which are inscribed many runes etched upon the whalebone with a demonic precision.

No amount of magical experimentation will penetrate the device or explain its purpose. Even the Collective Bard's College is perplexed at the origins of the box.

One bard will offer helpfully that it is probably from the Abyss. Others will disagree. The PCs can leave now, as the bards begin to bicker...

Whatever the case, the box is, in fact, quite useless until the device is matched with the mysterious artifacts below, which are inserted into a secret panel in the back of the box:

Two small metal cylinders - about 1 3/4 ' long and as big around as your small finger.

The cylinders are inscribed with a strange script that defies translation - even comprehend languages seems to be unable to penetrate the spell securing the devices' purpose.

When within 10 feet of a suitable receptacle, the cylinder's magic will give way and the words "Energizer" may be read upon them.

Once inserted inside and the box suitably fumbled with, the device's glass will light up with a magical light illuminating runes within the glass.

The word "Palm" followed by the display of this wondrous and important text can be discerned...

[DM insert critical plot text here]

Regards,