ExtraHidden 4 of Admiration

The Mirror of Reflection

This ornate handheld mirror, with its polished silver surface and intricate frame, seems to hold a depth beyond its reflection. It was said to be crafted by a reclusive artisan who sought to capture the essence of admiration, not merely the outward appearance.

Lore: As you gaze into the mirror, you see not just your own reflection but also glimpses of those you admire. Their strengths, their wisdom, their grace… it all flickers across the mirrored surface, inspiring you to greater heights.

Tier 1 Stats:

• Slot: Trinket
• Skills: Charisma (Persuasion) +1
• Passives:
  • Reflected Glory: When you succeed on a Charisma (Persuasion) check, roll a d4 and add the result to the total.
  • Inner Light: You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened.
• Active Magics: (Recharge on a long rest)
  • Mirrored Image: Create an illusory duplicate of yourself that can distract or deceive others for one minute.
  • Inspiring Gaze: As an action, choose one ally within 30 feet. They gain temporary hit points equal to your Charisma modifier and have advantage on their next attack roll, saving throw, or ability check.
• Tags: Trinket, Charisma, Illusion

Note: This item is designed for roleplay purposes and may not be suitable for combat-heavy campaigns. The Mirror of Reflection is a tool for personal growth and inspiration, not a weapon.

The Mirror of Reflection, with its emphasis on personal growth and introspection, would likely be found in specialty shops catering to those seeking enlightenment or personal betterment. Such shops might be tucked away on quiet side streets, their storefronts adorned with symbols of wisdom and self-discovery. They could be part of larger emporiums selling magical artifacts or standalone establishments run by knowledgeable sages or artisans.

Given its common rarity and tier 1 status, the mirror wouldn’t command an exorbitant price. It might be bartered for goods or services of similar value or sold for a modest sum of gold or silver. Alternatively, a shop owner might recognize the mirror’s unique qualities and offer it as a gift to a customer they deem worthy or in need of its particular brand of inspiration.

The transaction itself would likely involve more than just a simple exchange of currency. The shopkeeper might engage the buyer in conversation, seeking to understand their motivations and aspirations. They might share stories of the mirror’s origins or offer guidance on how to best utilize its powers. This personalized approach would not only enhance the value of the item but also create a sense of connection between the buyer and the mirror, making it a cherished possession.

Roleplay in different environments:

• Defensive Roleplay:
  • Intimidation: In a tense negotiation or confrontation, the user can subtly gaze into the mirror, drawing upon the reflected strength and confidence of their admired figures. This can bolster their resolve, making them appear more formidable and less likely to be targeted.
  • De-escalation: By focusing on the reflected wisdom and composure of their role models, the user can maintain a calm demeanor in the face of aggression or provocation. This can help diffuse a volatile situation and prevent it from escalating into violence.
  • Inner Strength: When facing fear or doubt, the user can draw inspiration from the reflected courage of their admired figures. This can help them overcome their anxieties and stand their ground.
• Offensive Roleplay:
  • Persuasion: During negotiations or social interactions, the user can subtly flash the mirror to their interlocutor, showcasing the reflected charisma and charm of their admired figures. This can subconsciously sway the other person’s opinion, making them more amenable to the user’s suggestions.
  • Manipulation: In a more cunning scenario, the user can use the mirror to project a false image of themselves. By focusing on the reflected qualities they wish to emulate, they can temporarily mask their true intentions and deceive others.
  • Inspiration: In a leadership role, the user can use the mirror to rally their allies. By sharing the reflected courage and determination of their admired figures, they can instill a sense of hope and motivate others to take action.
• Environmental Considerations:
  • Crowded Marketplace: The mirror’s subtle magic can be effectively employed amidst the hustle and bustle of a marketplace. The user can discreetly glance at the mirror to bolster their confidence during haggling or to assess the intentions of potential threats.
  • Formal Court: In a courtly setting, the mirror’s ability to enhance charisma and project a desired image can be invaluable. The user can utilize it to sway the opinions of nobles and gain favor with influential figures.
  • Dangerous Wilderness: While the mirror’s primary function is not combat-oriented, its ability to inspire courage and instill hope can be crucial in a perilous environment. The user can draw strength from the reflected resilience of their admired figures to face the unknown with greater confidence.

Perception of Activation: The Mirror of Reflection

• Five Senses:
  • Sight: The mirror’s surface shimmers briefly, and the reflection seems to deepen, becoming more vibrant and alive. The intricate frame may glow faintly with a warm light.
  • Touch: The mirror feels cool and smooth to the touch, but upon activation, a slight tingling sensation may be felt in the hand holding it.
  • Sound: A soft chime or whisper may be heard, as if the mirror itself is acknowledging the user’s intent.
  • Smell: A subtle, pleasant fragrance may waft from the mirror, reminiscent of blooming flowers or fresh parchment.
  • Taste: N/A
• Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
  • Empathy: A wave of warmth and reassurance washes over the user, as if the spirits of those they admire are offering their support.
  • Intuition: A heightened sense of clarity and focus may be experienced, as if the mirror is sharpening the user’s mind and intuition.
  • Spiritual Awareness: Some users may feel a deeper connection to the ethereal plane, sensing the presence of unseen forces or entities.
• Positives:
  • Reinforcement of Intent: The sensory feedback confirms the successful activation of the mirror’s magic, reassuring the user and strengthening their resolve.
  • Heightened Awareness: The multi-sensory experience can enhance the user’s focus and concentration, making them more attuned to their surroundings and better prepared to face challenges.
  • Emotional Uplift: The positive sensations associated with the activation can boost the user’s morale and confidence, preparing them for social interactions or difficult situations.
• Negatives:
  • Distraction: For those not accustomed to the sensory overload, the activation may be momentarily disorienting or distracting.
  • Dependency: Over-reliance on the mirror’s effects could lead to a diminished sense of self-confidence and a reliance on external validation.
  • Potential for Misinterpretation: The extra-sensory perceptions may be misinterpreted or dismissed as mere imagination, leading to a misunderstanding of the mirror’s true power.

Crafting Recipe: The Mirror of Reflection

• Materials Needed:
  • A polished silver disc of exceptional clarity
  • A frame crafted from a rare wood infused with positive energy (e.g., wood from a tree struck by lightning or blessed by a benevolent spirit)
  • A shard of a crystal known for its ability to amplify emotions (e.g., rose quartz, amethyst, or moonstone)
  • A vial of distilled water from a sacred spring or fountain
  • A handful of petals from a flower associated with admiration or inspiration (e.g., sunflowers, lilies, or orchids)
• Tools Required:
  • Jeweler’s tools for intricate metalwork
  • Woodworking tools for shaping and carving the frame
  • A mortar and pestle for grinding the crystal shard
  • A small cauldron or crucible for heating and mixing ingredients
• Skill Requirements:
  • Proficiency in metalworking and woodworking
  • Basic knowledge of herbalism and alchemy
  • Attunement to positive emotions and energies
• Crafting Steps:
  • Preparation: Cleanse all materials with the distilled water and infuse them with positive energy through meditation or prayer.
  • Frame Creation: Carve the rare wood into an intricate frame that reflects the desired aesthetic and symbolism of admiration.
  • Crystal Infusion: Grind the crystal shard into a fine powder using the mortar and pestle. Mix the powder with a small amount of distilled water to create a paste.
  • Mirror Enhancement: Carefully apply the crystal paste to the back of the silver disc, ensuring an even coating. Allow the paste to dry completely.
  • Assembly: Secure the silver disc within the wooden frame, ensuring a snug fit.
  • Activation Ritual: In a tranquil setting, light a candle or incense and arrange the flower petals around the mirror. Focus on the emotions of admiration, gratitude, and inspiration, channeling them into the mirror.
  • Final Touches: Seal the mirror with a drop of distilled water and recite a blessing or incantation to imbue it with the desired magical properties.

Note: The success of this crafting recipe depends heavily on the skill and intent of the crafter. A pure heart and a genuine desire to inspire admiration are essential for creating a truly potent Mirror of Reflection.

Chronicle of the Mirrored Visage

In the annals of forgotten epochs, when the veil between worlds was thin, there lived a lone artisan in a hamlet shrouded by mist. He was known only as the ‘Weaver of Reflections,’ for his craft was unlike any other. With hammer and hearth, he forged not swords or shields, but mirrors that captured not the flesh, but the spirit.

Among his creations, none were as revered as the ‘Mirrored Visage.’ This was not a mere looking glass, but a window to the soul’s aspirations. The artisan sought to capture the essence of admiration, the yearning for betterment that resides in every heart.

It is said that he ventured into the heart of a primeval forest, where ancient trees whispered secrets of the ages. There, he found a fallen branch, struck by celestial fire yet untouched by decay. From this, he carved the mirror’s frame, imbuing it with the resilience of the forest and the spark of the heavens.

For the reflective surface, he sought the purest silver, mined from the depths of the earth under the light of a full moon. He labored tirelessly, polishing the metal until it shone with an ethereal glow, a canvas for the soul’s aspirations.

Finally, he adorned the mirror with a shard of moonstone, a gem said to harness the power of dreams and desires. With a final flourish, he breathed life into the mirror with a whisper of his own admiration for the world and its endless possibilities.

Thus was born the Mirrored Visage, a beacon of hope and inspiration. Those who gazed upon it saw not their own reflection, but the potential for greatness that lay dormant within them. They were filled with a renewed sense of purpose, a yearning to emulate the virtues they admired in others.

The mirror passed through many hands, each owner leaving their mark upon its surface. It graced the halls of kings, inspiring them to rule with wisdom and compassion. It comforted the downtrodden, reminding them of their inherent worth and potential for greatness. It guided warriors on their quests, reflecting the courage and determination they needed to overcome adversity.

And so, the Mirrored Visage became a symbol of hope, a testament to the power of admiration to uplift and inspire. Its legacy lives on, a reminder that within each of us lies the potential for greatness, waiting to be awakened by the reflection of our own aspirations.

Moral of the Tale: Seek not to mirror others, but to reflect their virtues upon your own soul. For in admiration, we find inspiration, and in inspiration, we discover our true potential.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

    Name: Mirror of Reflection

• Type: Arcane Artifact (Trinket)
• Sanity Loss: 1/1D4 upon first seeing one’s reflection
• Description: This ornate mirror grants the user fleeting glimpses of those they admire, bolstering their confidence and resolve.
• Mechanics:
  • Initial Sanity Loss: The mirror’s reflections can be unsettling, causing a minor loss of sanity.
  • Bonus Die: Once per game session, the user can add a bonus die to a single skill roll related to social interaction or personal resilience.
  • Resistance to Madness: The user gains a +1 bonus to Sanity rolls against spells and effects that induce fear or despair.

Blades in the Dark

    Name: Mirror of Admiration

• Type: Gear (Weird)
• Effect:
  • When used in a downtime activity, the mirror can grant a +1d to a relevant roll (e.g., Sway or Consort).
  • During a score, the mirror can be flashed to provide a brief distraction or momentary advantage in a social interaction.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

    Name: Mirror of Reflection

• Rarity: Uncommon (requires attunement)
• Type: Wondrous item
• Properties:
  • Passive: While attuned, the mirror grants advantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks and saving throws against being charmed or frightened.
  • Action: The user can cast the disguise self spell once per day without expending a spell slot.

Knave

    Name: Mirror of Reflection

• Type: Trinket
• Tags: Social, Arcane
• Effect: The mirror grants the user advantage on Persuasion checks and allows them to reroll a failed save against Fear once per day.

Fate (Accelerated/Core)

    Name: Mirror of Reflection

• Type: Aspect
• Description: This mirror reflects not just your appearance, but also your potential.
• Invokes:
  • Add a +2 bonus to overcome rolls when acting in accordance with your best self or emulating someone you admire.
  • Reroll a failed overcome roll when your actions are motivated by admiration or inspiration.
• Compels:
  • The mirror may tempt you to focus on appearances or become overly reliant on others’ approval.

Numenera & Cypher System

    Name: Mirror of Reflection

• Level: 1
• Form: Artifact
• Effect: When you gaze into the mirror, you can expend 1 Intellect point to gain an insight related to your current challenge or interaction. This insight may take the form of a memory of someone you admire, a vision of your own potential, or a glimpse of the true nature of a person or situation.
• Depletion: The mirror’s power is finite. After using it a certain number of times (determined by the GM), it may become clouded or cracked, losing its effectiveness.

Pathfinder (Second Edition)

    Name: Mirror of Reflection

• Aura: Faint enchantment
• Level: 1
• Price: 15 gp
• Activation: 1 reaction, which you take when you fail a Charisma check or a saving throw against being charmed or frightened
• Effect: You gain a +1 circumstance bonus to the triggering roll. If the triggering roll was a Charisma check, you also gain a +1 circumstance bonus to your next attack roll, saving throw, or skill check before the end of your next turn.

Savage Worlds

    Name: Mirror of Reflection

• Type: Trinket
• Description: This mirror bolsters your confidence and resolve.
• Effect: When you draw the mirror and gaze into it, you gain a +2 bonus to a single Trait roll of your choice (Spirit, Smarts, or Persuasion). You can use this ability once per game session.

Shadowrun (Sixth World)

    Name: Mirror of Inspiration

• Category: Gear
• Availability: 8R
• Concealability: 3
• Cost: 2,000 nuyen
• Description: This hand mirror, crafted with intricate designs and embedded with a small datachip, projects holographic images of admired individuals, inspiring the user to greater heights.
• Game Effect: When activated, the user chooses a persona to emulate. For the next hour, they gain a +2 dice pool bonus to all Social tests and a +1 dice pool bonus to all other tests when acting in accordance with the chosen persona. However, they also become more susceptible to manipulation and deception.

Starfinder

    Name: Mirror of Emulation

• Level: 1
• Price: 150 credits
• Category: Technological
• Description: This handheld mirror, embedded with advanced holographic technology, allows the user to project the image of an admired figure, gaining temporary benefits from their persona.
• Activation: 1 standard action
• Effect: The user chooses a skill or ability associated with the emulated figure. For 10 minutes, they gain a +1 circumstance bonus to checks using that skill or ability. However, they must also make a Will save against the emulated figure’s most prominent flaw, potentially gaining a temporary negative condition if they fail.

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

    Name: Mirror of Inspiration

• Skill: Carouse +1
• Description: This antique mirror, said to be crafted by ancient psionics, allows the user to draw upon the strength of their admired figures.
• Game Effect: Once per session, the user can spend 1 Endeavour to gain a +2 DM bonus to a single Carouse or Persuade check. They can also use this item to resist Psionic attacks targeting their mental fortitude.

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (4th Edition)

    Name: Mirror of Vainglory

• Type: Arcane Artefact
• Description: This ornate hand mirror, rumored to be crafted by a Slaaneshi cultist, grants the user a fleeting glimpse of their idealized self.
• Game Effect: When gazed upon, the mirror grants a +10 bonus to a single Fel test, but also inflicts 1 Corruption point. The user becomes obsessed with their reflection, risking further Corruption if they continue to use the mirror.