Occultic Resonator

From: Obsidian Alchemists Conclave

Lore: The Occultic Resonator is a product of the collective efforts of the Obsidian Alchemist’s Conclave, born from the desire to comprehend the intricacies of magic and the underlying principles governing the arcane. As the alchemists delved deeper into the mysteries of the cosmos, they sought a means to detect, analyze, and understand the diverse magical energies that permeate the world.

Drawing inspiration from ancient celestial observatories and the principles of harmonics, the Occultic Resonator was meticulously crafted. The device resonates with various magical frequencies, allowing the alchemists to detect and study arcane phenomena and disturbances that are otherwise imperceptible to ordinary senses. It has become an invaluable asset in their pursuit of unlocking the secrets of magic and alchemy.

Description: The Occultic Resonator is a captivating sight to behold. It comprises a network of crystal spheres suspended in an intricate web of fine metallic threads, each sphere resonating with a distinct magical frequency. The threads connect to a central console adorned with switches and buttons, allowing alchemists to interact with the device’s functions.

Purpose: The primary purpose of the Occultic Resonator is to detect and analyze magical energies and disturbances. By attuning itself to various magical frequencies, it enables the alchemists to gain insights into the nature of arcane phenomena and the underlying principles of magic. The device serves as an invaluable tool for their research and experimentation in the realm of magic and alchemy.

Tier One Stats:

• Size: The Occultic Resonator stands at approximately 7 feet tall and 6 feet wide.
• Color: The device is predominantly made of a combination of dark iron and shimmering crystals, giving it an ethereal and mysterious appearance.
• Shape: It has a semi-spherical central console from which the metallic threads extend to hold the crystal spheres.
• Sound: When the Occultic Resonator is active, it emits a faint, melodious hum that resonates in harmony with the magical frequencies it detects.
• Requirements: The construction and operation of the Occultic Resonator require the expertise of alchemists proficient in the study of magical frequencies, resonance, and harmonics. Only those who have undergone rigorous training and initiation within the Obsidian Alchemist’s Conclave are entrusted with the responsibility of working with the device.
• Tags: Arcane, Magical, Harmonic, Resonance, Detection, Frequency Calibration, Arcane Surveillance, Mystic Analysis, Magical Instrumentation, Energetic Lattices, Spellfield Mapping, Resonant Calibration Matrix, Esoteric Vibration Node, Aetheric Diagnostic Tool, Flux Harmonic Detector

Cost and Where to Obtain: The Occultic Resonator is a prized possession of the Obsidian Alchemist’s Conclave and not available for sale or trade to outsiders. The knowledge and secrets required for its construction and utilization are tightly guarded within the conclave. The device is considered an essential and sacred tool, and access to it is limited to the conclave’s highest-ranking members.

Environment and Usage: The Occultic Resonator is housed within a specially designed chamber known as the Arcanum Sanctum, a well-guarded and isolated location within the Obsidian Alchemist’s Conclave. Only the most esteemed and adept alchemists of the conclave have access to the Arcanum Sanctum, where they study magical energies and disturbances detected by the resonator.

The results obtained from using the Occultic Resonator are crucial for the alchemists’ understanding of magic and the enhancement of their alchemical endeavors. The data collected from the resonator’s analyses can be used to create potent spells, refine alchemical processes, and unlock new methods of harnessing and manipulating magical energies. Additionally, the resonator’s ability to detect magical disturbances aids the alchemists in identifying potential threats and anomalies within the conclave’s borders, ensuring the safety and stability of their sacred sanctuary.

The Occultic Resonator adds a touch of arcane mystery and magical exploration to the world of Saṃsāra. Its potential to detect and analyze magical energies offers boundless possibilities for storytelling and adventure, as alchemists and adventurers seek to uncover the secrets of the arcane and the nature of magic within the captivating lore of Saṃsāra.

Tuning of the Forgotten Spheres

Translated from broken clay glyphs and etched moonsilver plates once buried beneath the Fifth Vault of the Veiled Meridian, long unread, their tongue older than root-speech, carried by whispers across starlight.

In the age before stars held names, before breath was measured in cycles, there stirred a pulse beneath the heavens, not of life—but of resonance. This hum, imperceptible to beast and god alike, was known to the Builders of the First Tone, whose cities were forged from silence and whose names have no sound.

From their thoughts was born the Orr’a Vetharal, what we now in shattered dialects call the Occultic Resonator. It was not made, but drawn forth, coaxed from hidden frequencies that rippled between dimensions. It began as a net of crystal-song—seven spheres suspended in a cage of silverwind, each bound by threads spun from star-screams and the breath of slumbering aeons. Its purpose: to listen—not to mortals or winds or fire—but to the language of magic itself, in all its unnamed forms.

The legend most remembered is not of its creation, but of the Divergent Apprentice, whose curiosity breached the bindings of what should not be known.

They were never named in the records, only referred to as She-Who-Dreamed-With-Open-Eyes. She was neither master nor initiate, but something in between—a soul adrift on the waves of questioning. When the masters of the Obsidian Conclave forbade her entry to the Arcanum Sanctum, she slipped in through a seam of time left ajar by the waning of an eclipse.

There, beneath the thirteenfold chandelier of mourning quartz, she placed her palm upon the central dial and whispered, “Reveal not what is taught, but what teaches.”

The Resonator answered.

Each sphere spun faster. Light bled through stone. Air was remade into threads of glowing ink, and what once hummed began to sing—not in music, but in truth. From every corner of the sanctum came the voices of forgotten spells, unfinished enchantments, and the laments of broken wards. These sounds wrapped around her and pulled her senses into the web of frequencies until her mind stretched past flesh and bone.

What she saw was not the world, but the weave of it. She saw the pattern that held Saṃsāra together—the sorrow of the sun, the envy of iron, the birth of flame in a whisper.

In her transcendence, she reached out to tune the lowest sphere, one no alchemist dared touch. It vibrated with the resonance of unformed potential—the magic that never was. The moment her fingers adjusted its alignment, a tear formed in the fabric of the Sanctum. All light twisted inward. The frequencies collapsed.

When the masters returned, the Arcanum was still. The Resonator was intact. But the apprentice was gone—no ashes, no blood, only a faint hum left behind.

It is said she became a frequency, now drifting between realms, ever-seeking the note that unravels all knowing.

The Resonator has since been locked beneath three seals and guarded by the sworn Silent Tetrarchs. Only during the convergence of the fractured moons may its full array be reawakened.

And even then, none dare whisper as she did.

Moral of the Story: That which reveals truth may also unmake the veil that protects the mind. Listen, but tune not the sphere whose song has never been sung.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

Occultic Resonator

• (Artifact)
• Use: An arcane construct that detects magical energy, alien resonance, and spatial anomalies within a 50-foot radius. Activation requires a successful Cthulhu Mythos (Hard) or Occult (Extreme) check.
• Effects:
  • Gain brief glimpses into non-Euclidean geometries and hidden auras.
  • Users must roll a SAN check (1/1d4) upon activation due to the overwhelming alien frequencies.
  • When used during rituals, provides a bonus die to any Magic or Cthulhu Mythos-based attempt involving planar detection or banishment.
• Downside: Extended use (more than 1 hour) causes auditory hallucinations and an increasing chance of Madness (INT roll or suffer a temporary psychosis).
• Durability: Nearly indestructible. Removing it from its sanctified base causes it to lose function.

Blades in the Dark

Occultic Resonator

• (Arcane Device)
• Tier: IV
• Category: Arcane Implements / Tinkering Tool
• Use: Detects ghost fields, forgotten rituals, and supernatural echoes. It hums when detecting arcane disturbance, allowing the user to Study or Attune with potency.
• Mechanics:
  • Gain +1d when Attuning to sense arcane presences or deciphering magical constructs.
  • Can be used as a long-term project tool to uncover lost knowledge or experiment with new rituals.
• Quirk: Emits residual harmonic vibrations that may attract spirits or demons if not shielded with warding glyphs.
• Special Permission: Requires an Alchemist, Whisper, or Leech to operate. Possessing it without a license raises suspicion among spirit wardens.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

• Wondrous Item, legendary, requires attunement by a spellcaster
• Aura: Strong Divination and Transmutation
• Use:
  • While attuned, you may activate the device as an action to detect invisible arcane signatures within 60 feet (including active spells, glyphs, and planar boundaries).
  • Grants advantage on Arcana and Investigation checks involving magical auras or residual effects.
  • Once per long rest, you can ask a single question regarding a magical phenomenon or entity as if using the Legend Lore spell (no components required).
• Drawback:
  • Each time the Resonator is activated, roll a d6. On a roll of 1, the user must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be afflicted with Confusion (as per spell) for 1 minute.
• Flavor: Emits a soft harmonic hum and illuminates ambient magical frequencies in visible waves.

Knave (Ben Milton’s Ruleset)

Occultic Resonator

• (Arcane Apparatus)
• Usage: Grants the user the ability to detect invisible magic and disturbances in the arcane field.
• Activation: Takes one full round to activate.
• Effect:
  • Once activated, reveals all magical auras, enchantments, or illusions within 60 feet for 10 minutes.
  • Allows advantage on all magic-related Lore rolls while the device is active.
• Limitations:
  • Can only be used once per rest period, as the magical harmonics must realign.
  • If used more than once per rest, the user must pass a WIL save or be stunned by ethereal feedback for 1 round.
• Slots: Takes up 2 inventory slots due to its complexity and size.

Fate Core

Occultic Resonator

• Aspect: “Attuned to the Unseen Frequencies of Magic”
• Function: A device used to detect and analyze arcane or supernatural disturbances.
  • Invocation Benefit: When you use the Occultic Resonator in a scene involving magical anomalies or detection, you gain a free invocation of the aspect (once per session).
  • Create Advantage: Use Crafts or Lore to create advantages like “Ambient Magical Interference” or “Harmonic Echo Detected.”
  • Compel Example: The device resonates uncontrollably in areas of extreme magical disruption, attracting unwanted attention or triggering spiritual phenomena.
  • Stunt (Optional): Once per session, you may use the Occultic Resonator to detect hidden magical elements, even if they are protected by illusion or warding effects.

Numenera / Cypher System

Occultic Resonator

• (Artifact)
• Level: 1d6+3
• Form: Large webbed lattice of crystal spheres and threads surrounding a semi-spherical core.
• Effect: When activated (action), the device resonates with surrounding magical energies. The user can:
  • Detect magical or supernatural effects within long range for 10 minutes.
  • Gain an asset on all Intellect-based tasks related to arcane knowledge, detection, or resonance analysis.
• Depletion: 1 in 1d10 (roll each activation).
• Special: If used in areas of extreme magic, it can open rifts or draw planar echoes, requiring an Intellect defense roll (DC 15) or suffer Confusion (GM intrusion recommended).
• Interaction Difficulty: Level 5 to operate without prior training in arcane harmonics.

Pathfinder Second Edition

Occultic Resonator

• (Wondrous Item)
• Item Level: 10
• Bulk: 2
• Usage: Held in two hands; Activated with 3 actions (Interact)
• Traits: Magical, Divination, Rare
  • Effect: The Resonator functions as a heightened detect magic (60-foot radius, 10-minute duration). Additionally, the user gains a +2 item bonus to Arcana checks related to analyzing magical auras, planar disruptions, or detecting hidden wards.
  • Frequency: Once per hour
  • Overcharge Feature (Free Action, once per day): The device expands its field and grants true seeing for 1 round. The user must succeed at a DC 20 Will save or become stunned 1 due to arcane feedback.
  • Destruction Effect: If critically damaged, it releases an uncontrollable harmonic burst, casting confusion in a 30-foot radius (DC 21).

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

Occultic Resonator

• (Relic/Gadget)
• Category: Magical Gadget / Arcane Tool
• Requirements: Arcane Background (Magic or Psionics), Repair or Weird Science d6+
• Powers:
  • Detect/Conceal Arcana (base power; free use when holding the Resonator).
  • Grants +2 bonus to Notice or Occult rolls to analyze magic-related phenomena or arcane disturbances.
  • Once per session, it can substitute an Arcane Background roll to stabilize a wild arcane effect (as a dramatic test).
• Drawback: When used in a Wild Magic Zone, roll on the Backlash Table as if the wielder had rolled a natural 1 on their arcane skill die.
• Encumbrance: Encumbers like a large backpack unit (Str d6 recommended to carry without penalty).

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

Occultic Resonator

• Device Type: Arcano-Technological Instrument
• Availability: 9R
• Cost: 14,000¥
• Slots Required: 1 (Portable device carried in a backpack; requires hands-free rig for remote operation)
• Function:
  • When activated, the Resonator allows the user to make an Arcana + Magic Test (Threshold 3) to detect lingering astral signatures or magical activity in a 20-meter radius.
  • On 2+ net hits, the user may identify the school or tradition of the magic present.
  • Grants +2 dice to Assensing tests for magical disturbances and ward detection.
  • If used during combat in high-background-count areas, roll 1d6: on a 1, the device glitches, projecting confusing harmonic echoes (-2 dice to magical tests for 1 round).
• Restrictions: Legal only for licensed magical researchers; illegal on the black market.

Starfinder

Occultic Resonator

• (Technomagical Device)
• Item Level: 9
• Price: 12,500 credits
• Bulk: 1
• Usage: 1 charge/hour; Capacity: 10
• Slot: Held or worn externally (as a scanning module)
• Effect:
  • While activated, the device grants the user blindsight (magic) 60 ft. and a +4 enhancement bonus to Mysticism checks involving the detection, analysis, or identification of magical auras or effects.
  • May be used once per day to cast detect radiation and identify simultaneously as a full action, targeting both magical and technological phenomena.
  • In unstable magical zones, the GM may require a Will save (DC 18) or the device produces harmonic feedback, stunning the user for 1 round.
• Special: Can be installed into a drone or robot chassis for autonomous arcane surveying.

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

Occultic Resonator

• Tech Level (TL): 12
• Mass: 8 kg
• Power: Requires high-efficiency battery (lasts 6 hours of continuous operation)
• Cost: Cr80,000
• Function:
  • Grants a +2 DM to any Science (Physics), Psionics, or Investigate check to detect or analyze anomalous energy fields, psionic signatures, or warp-field echoes.
  • When properly configured (Average Electronics (Computers) check, INT), it can detect anomalies up to 100 meters through solid terrain, revealing hidden structures or magical emissions.
  • On a failed check to recalibrate, the device may generate a ghost field (Reflex save or be momentarily disoriented, DM-1 to all checks for 1d3 turns).
• Availability: Rare; only found in xenotech caches or high-restricted research centers.

Warhammer 40K: Wrath & Glory

Occultic Resonator

• (Archeotech Device)
• Rarity: 5 (Archeotech)
• Tier: 3
• Keywords: Device, Inquisition, Arcane, Investigative
• Function:
  • Awareness (INT) tests to sense Warp disturbances or detect psychic residue gain +2 bonus dice when the Resonator is active.
  • As a full action, the user may align the Resonator’s harmonic lens to attempt a DN 5 Tech test. On success, the GM reveals the presence of sorcery, lingering Warp energy, or daemon residue in the area.
  • Once per session, the user may use the Resonator to banish minor Warp echoes or stabilize psychic bleed, removing one lingering Minor Complication caused by warp-taint.
  • On a Complication during operation, the Resonator may emit psychic screeches, triggering a Shock test (DN 4).
• Use Restrictions: Only sanctioned psykers, tech-priests, or Ordo Malleus agents may legally possess and operate the device.