Essence Siphon

From: Spectral Lupines

Tier One Stats:

• Essence Absorption: The siphon can absorb and store residual ethereal energies.
• Weapon Imbuement: The siphon can temporarily imbue weapons with ghostly properties.
• Minor Spectral Healing: The siphon can mend minor spectral injuries.
• Spectral Form Enhancement: The siphon can temporarily bolster the Lupine’s spectral form, granting temporary hit points equal to its level.

Skills:

• Arcana: Proficiency with Arcana may grant advantages when using the Essence Siphon, especially in understanding and harnessing ethereal energies.

Cost: The Essence Siphon is a valuable and versatile magical item. Its cost could be approximately 500 gold pieces or equivalent value in your game system.

Tags: Extraction, Restoration, Imbuement, Alchemical, Enhancement, Essence, Utility, Spectral Healing, Temporary Buff, Ethereal Combat

Item Type: Consumable/Tool (Vial)

Rarity: Uncommon

Magical: Yes

Spectral/Ethereal: Yes

Lore: The Essence Siphon is believed to have been created by ancient alchemists and spectral enchanters who sought to harness the residual energies of the ethereal realm. These skilled artisans discovered a method of capturing and preserving the essence of spectral energies in an ornamental vial. The shimmering, ghostly liquid within the siphon is said to be a concentrated form of ethereal power, capable of various applications when used by a skilled Spectral Lupine.

Use: The Essence Siphon provides the Spectral Lupine with a versatile tool for harnessing ethereal energies. Here are its primary uses:

Essence Absorption: The siphon can absorb and store residual ethereal energies present in the environment. This ability allows the Lupine to harvest spectral essences left behind by ethereal creatures, haunted locations, or supernatural phenomena. The stored energy can be utilized for various purposes, as detailed below.

Weapon Imbuement: By releasing the captured ethereal energy, the Lupine can temporarily imbue weapons with ghostly properties. When a weapon is coated with the essence, it gains the ability to deal additional necrotic or spectral damage for a limited duration. This feature can be advantageous when facing enemies vulnerable to such energies or when engaging spectral or ethereal foes.

Minor Spectral Healing: The ethereal essence within the siphon possesses minor mending properties. When applied to minor spectral injuries, it can aid in healing the Lupine’s wounds. While not a replacement for proper rest or significant injuries, the siphon can help in restoring vitality during intense encounters or expeditions in spectral realms.

Spectral Form Enhancement: The ethereal energies within the siphon can temporarily bolster the Lupine’s spectral form. When consumed, the essence grants the Lupine temporary hit points equal to its level. These temporary hit points provide a buffer against damage and dissipate once depleted or when a short rest is taken. This enhancement can be utilized in challenging battles or dangerous spectral environments.

Alchemical Ingredient: The Essence Siphon’s captured ethereal essence can also be used as a valuable alchemical ingredient. Skilled alchemists or enchanters may find creative ways to incorporate the essence into the creation of other magical items, potions, or enchantments with spectral properties.

Symbolic Representation: The Essence Siphon symbolizes the Spectral Lupine’s ability to tap into the ethereal realm’s latent energies. It represents the Lupine’s affinity with spectral essences, its role as a guardian of spectral balance, and its resourcefulness in utilizing ethereal energies to its advantage.

The Essence Siphon, a rare and valuable item tied to the ethereal realm, would likely be found in specialized shops and establishments that cater to those versed in arcane arts, alchemy, and spectral dealings. Here are some examples of where and how the Essence Siphon might be bought and sold in the world of Saṃsāra, along with the cost variations:

• Arcane Emporiums
  • Description: These high-end shops, often found in major cities or arcane academies, specialize in rare magical items, potions, and artifacts. Owned by master wizards or scholars, Arcane Emporiums are known for their extensive collections of magical paraphernalia, and the shopkeepers are usually well-versed in the arcane arts.
  • Availability: The Essence Siphon might be displayed in glass cases, with detailed descriptions of its uses and origins. Buyers would likely need to prove their magical proficiency or present a recommendation from a reputable mage to purchase it.
  • Cost: 700-800 gold pieces, due to the shop’s reputation and the expertise involved in obtaining such items.
• Spectral Markets
  • Description: These are rare, mystical markets that appear in locations where the veil between the material and ethereal realms is thin. Vendors at Spectral Markets often sell items linked to the spirit world, including ethereal weapons, ghostly trinkets, and other spectral wares.
  • Availability: The Essence Siphon might be sold by a spectral vendor or an enigmatic figure, available only to those who can see beyond the material realm. Haggling is common, and the item may be exchanged for other rare spectral items or services instead of traditional currency.
  • Cost: 500-600 gold pieces or equivalent value in spectral currencies or rare items, reflecting the ethereal nature of the market.
• Alchemist Guilds
  • Description: Alchemist Guilds are establishments where skilled alchemists gather to share knowledge, craft potions, and trade rare ingredients. These guilds often have restricted access, with membership required for full privileges.
  • Availability: The Essence Siphon might be found in the guild’s vaults, available to guild members or sold at auctions held within the guild. Non-members might be able to purchase it through a guild-sponsored broker.
  • Cost: 600-700 gold pieces, with discounts available to guild members or through barter with rare alchemical ingredients.
• Black Markets
  • Description: Hidden from the eyes of law-abiding citizens, black markets in Saṃsāra cater to those who seek forbidden, dangerous, or illegal items. These underground markets are often run by smugglers, rogue mages, or shady merchants.
  • Availability: The Essence Siphon could be found in dimly lit stalls or secret auctions, sold discreetly to those willing to take risks for power. Buyers must be cautious, as counterfeit items or traps are common.
  • Cost: 400-500 gold pieces, reflecting the higher risk involved in purchasing from such a source. The lower price is due to the lack of guarantees on the item’s authenticity.
• Wandering Peddlers
  • Description: These itinerant merchants travel across Saṃsāra, selling a mix of common goods and rare finds. They are often found near adventurer’s camps, isolated villages, or crossroads.
  • Availability: The Essence Siphon might be a rare offering from a well-connected peddler who stumbled upon it in their travels. It could be offered as a special item, with a story or legend attached to its acquisition.
  • Cost: 550-650 gold pieces, with the price being negotiable depending on the buyer’s bargaining skills and the peddler’s need for quick cash.
• Ethereal Monasteries
  • Description: These secluded temples or monasteries are dedicated to studying the spiritual and ethereal realms. Monks and spectral adepts here often craft or collect items that bridge the gap between the material and ethereal worlds.
  • Availability: The Essence Siphon might be offered as a reward for completing a spiritual quest or as part of a ritual exchange with the monastery’s leaders. It may also be sold to those who seek spiritual enlightenment and can prove their worth.
  • Cost: 650-750 gold pieces, or offered as part of a trade involving services, rare spiritual artifacts, or knowledge.

In each of these establishments, the price of the Essence Siphon can vary based on the buyer’s status, their bargaining skills, and the shop’s location. The Essence Siphon is a prized item, and its value reflects both its rarity and the specific market where it is bought or sold.

The Essence Siphon plays a versatile role in both defense and offense, particularly for a Spectral Lupine or similar ethereal entity. Its usage in different environments provides unique tactical opportunities, blending roleplay with strategy. Below are examples of how the Essence Siphon can be used in various environments:

• Haunted Forest
  • Defense: In a haunted forest, where the veil between the living and the dead is thin, the Spectral Lupine might use the Essence Siphon to absorb lingering spectral energies from the environment. This absorption could be roleplayed as the Lupine drawing strength from the restless spirits, using the stored essence to heal minor wounds or bolster its spectral form, providing temporary hit points. This defensive measure can help the Lupine withstand the relentless assaults of hostile spirits or other supernatural threats that lurk in the shadows.
  • Offense: The Lupine could unleash the absorbed ethereal energy to imbue its weapons with ghostly properties, roleplaying the scene as the weapon shimmering with a spectral glow. This temporary enhancement allows the Lupine to strike at ethereal or undead foes with increased effectiveness, dealing necrotic or spectral damage that bypasses normal physical defenses. In this eerie setting, the weapon might even phase through obstacles to strike hidden enemies.
• Ancient Ruins
  • Defense: In the crumbling remains of an ancient city, the Spectral Lupine may encounter lingering curses or traps that sap its strength. By using the Essence Siphon, the Lupine can absorb any residual spectral energies left by the ancient inhabitants or past conflicts. Roleplaying this action could involve the Lupine performing a ritual or focusing its senses to draw the essence into the siphon, using it to heal spectral injuries sustained from cursed traps or magical wards.
  • Offense: If the ruins are inhabited by spectral guardians or undead creatures, the Lupine could channel the siphoned essence into its claws or a weapon. Roleplaying this offensive maneuver might include describing the Lupine’s attacks as imbued with the fury of the spirits, each strike carrying the weight of centuries of unrest. The enhanced weapon could be used to bypass the defenses of these ancient entities, cutting through their spectral forms with ease.
• Urban Environment
  • Defense: In a bustling city, where the use of magic might draw unwanted attention, the Spectral Lupine could discreetly use the Essence Siphon to protect itself. Roleplaying this in an urban setting could involve the Lupine silently absorbing ambient ethereal energy from the city’s many haunted sites, like old battlefields, cemeteries, or forgotten crypts hidden beneath the streets. This energy can be stored and later used to heal or bolster the Lupine’s defenses in a conflict, perhaps when ambushed by enemies in a dark alley or while navigating a politically charged encounter.
  • Offense: The Lupine might use the siphon’s stored essence to temporarily enhance its abilities during an urban skirmish, such as a rooftop chase or a confrontation in a shadowy backstreet. Roleplaying this offensive use could involve the Lupine’s weapon or claws taking on a ghostly hue, allowing it to strike at foes hiding behind walls or using illusions. The ability to imbue a weapon with spectral damage could also be crucial in dealing with enemies who use magical wards or barriers for protection.
• Spectral Realm
  • Defense: In the spectral realm, where the very environment is suffused with ethereal energy, the Essence Siphon becomes a vital tool for survival. Roleplaying the siphon’s use here might involve the Lupine continuously absorbing and balancing the overwhelming energies that permeate this plane, using the siphon to maintain its form and prevent itself from dissipating into the ether. The siphon could also be used to mend spectral wounds inflicted by hostile spirits native to this realm.
  • Offense: In this environment, the Essence Siphon could be used to enhance the Lupine’s spectral form, making it more powerful or allowing it to manipulate the surrounding energies for offensive purposes. Roleplaying this could involve the Lupine drawing in vast amounts of essence, then unleashing it in a devastating attack that affects multiple spectral enemies. The attack could be described as a wave of ethereal energy, dispersing weaker spirits and damaging stronger ones, or as a focused beam of energy that tears through the fabric of the spectral realm.
• Battlefield
  • Defense: On a battlefield, especially one that has seen significant bloodshed, the air might be thick with the lingering spirits of the fallen. The Spectral Lupine could use the Essence Siphon to draw in this energy, roleplaying the process as an intense focus amid the chaos, fortifying its spectral form against the onslaught. The siphon could provide temporary hit points, allowing the Lupine to withstand a barrage of attacks that might otherwise overwhelm it.
  • Offense: Offensively, the Lupine could use the siphoned essence to imbue its weapon or claws, turning them into lethal tools against both living enemies and the undead that might rise from the fallen. Roleplaying this could include vivid descriptions of the weapon crackling with ghostly energy, cutting through armor and flesh with a supernatural sharpness, or the Lupine releasing a burst of stored essence to disrupt an enemy formation, causing confusion and fear among the ranks.
• Misty Swamps
  • Defense: In a misty swamp where the environment itself is hostile and full of hidden dangers, the Spectral Lupine might use the Essence Siphon to absorb ambient spectral energies, providing it with a shield against the malevolent spirits that inhabit the area. Roleplaying this could involve the Lupine silently drawing in the mist’s essence, which is thick with the memories of drowned souls, and using it to reinforce its own spectral form against attacks from unseen assailants.
  • Offense: The Lupine could use the siphon’s essence to enhance its attacks, perhaps by imbuing its weapon with properties that allow it to cut through the fog and strike at hidden enemies. Roleplaying this could involve the weapon glowing faintly, its blade slicing through the mist as if it were insubstantial, revealing and harming creatures that use the swamp’s natural concealment to their advantage.

In each environment, the roleplaying of the Essence Siphon’s usage can be tailored to the specific challenges and atmosphere of the setting, allowing the Spectral Lupine to adapt and thrive, whether defending against threats or launching a decisive offensive.

Perception of Activation:

• Sight:
  • Perception: When the Essence Siphon is activated, the shimmering liquid within the vial begins to glow brighter, swirling faster as if stirred by an unseen force. The pale hues of blue and green intensify, creating a luminous aura around the siphon. The silver filigree pulses with a soft, white light, and ghostly tendrils of energy extend from the vial, seemingly reaching out to the environment.
  • Description: The visual display is mesmerizing and otherworldly, drawing the attention of those nearby. The swirling energies within the vial are almost hypnotic, evoking a sense of awe and curiosity.
  • Positives: The brilliant light can illuminate dark areas, revealing hidden objects or creatures. The visual spectacle may also serve as a deterrent to enemies, intimidating them with its eerie glow.
  • Negatives: The intense light can attract unwanted attention, making it difficult to remain hidden. Prolonged exposure to the swirling energies may cause visual disorientation or nausea.
• Sound:
  • Perception: A soft, haunting melody fills the air when the siphon is activated, akin to a distant choir or the echo of wind chimes. The sound is accompanied by a faint whispering, as if voices from another realm are communicating through the vial. Occasionally, there is a low hum, resonating with the rhythm of the swirling liquid.
  • Description: The sound is both beautiful and unsettling, creating an atmosphere of mystery. It seems to originate from the vial itself, though it reverberates through the surrounding area.
  • Positives: The melody can be calming, soothing the nerves of allies and providing focus in tense situations. The whispers might carry fragments of knowledge or warnings from the ethereal realm.
  • Negatives: The sound can be disorienting, especially for those not accustomed to dealing with the spectral. The whispers may distract or confuse, potentially causing paranoia or anxiety in some individuals.
• Touch:
  • Perception: The vial becomes cool to the touch, almost as if it’s drawing warmth from the hand that holds it. The surface of the vial vibrates gently, giving the sensation of holding something alive, with a pulse that matches the energy within. If the tendrils of energy make contact, they feel like a gentle, static charge that tingles the skin.
  • Description: The tactile experience is both soothing and unnerving, a mix of comfort from the coolness and an unsettling reminder of the siphon’s spectral nature.
  • Positives: The cool temperature can provide relief in hot environments or serve as a calming influence. The gentle vibration may enhance focus or serve as a physical reminder of the siphon’s power.
  • Negatives: The cold touch might be uncomfortable in already cold environments, potentially numbing the hand. The vibration could become unsettling over time, especially during prolonged use.
• Smell:
  • Perception: A faint, earthy scent reminiscent of damp moss and ancient wood wafts from the vial. Underlying this is a sharper, metallic tang, similar to ozone after a lightning strike, with occasional hints of lavender or other ethereal flowers.
  • Description: The scent is subtle yet pervasive, invoking memories of old forests and forgotten places. It carries a sense of age and mystery, blending the natural with the supernatural.
  • Positives: The earthy aroma can ground the user, providing a sense of connection to nature and history. The floral notes may have a calming effect, reducing stress or anxiety.
  • Negatives: The metallic tang can be unpleasant, especially in enclosed spaces, potentially causing discomfort or headaches. The scent might also linger, making it difficult to mask one’s presence.
• Taste:
  • Perception: If the energy from the siphon is drawn into the body, a sharp, bitter taste fills the mouth, followed by a cool, minty aftertaste. The initial bitterness can be overwhelming, but it quickly fades, leaving a refreshing sensation.
  • Description: The taste is intense and unusual, likely unfamiliar to most. It is akin to biting into a cold metal object, followed by a burst of icy freshness.
  • Positives: The minty aftertaste can refresh and invigorate, sharpening the senses and providing a momentary boost of energy or alertness.
  • Negatives: The initial bitterness can be unpleasant, possibly causing nausea or discomfort. The lingering taste might interfere with the enjoyment of food or drink consumed afterward.
• Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
  • Aura Detection:
    • Perception: When activated, the Essence Siphon emits a strong, glowing aura visible to those with magical or ethereal sight. This aura extends in all directions, resembling a ripple in a calm pond, and interacts with other auras in the vicinity.
    • Positives: The aura can reveal hidden magical energies or beings, allowing the user to detect invisible creatures or traps.
    • Negatives: The siphon’s aura might be overwhelming in areas with strong magical presence, potentially obscuring finer details or causing sensory overload.
  • Spiritual Resonance:
    • Perception: The siphon resonates with the spirits of the dead, allowing the user to feel their presence nearby. This connection manifests as a subtle pressure on the chest or a tingling sensation at the base of the spine.
    • Positives: The resonance can alert the user to the presence of spirits or undead entities, providing early warning of potential threats.
    • Negatives: The sensation can be unsettling, especially if the spirits are malevolent or numerous, potentially causing fear or distraction.
  • Temporal Distortion:
    • Perception: Time seems to slow down slightly when the siphon is activated, allowing the user to perceive events in greater detail. This distortion affects the user’s perception, making movements appear slower and sounds drawn out.
    • Positives: The temporal distortion can provide a tactical advantage, giving the user more time to react or make decisions in critical moments.
    • Negatives: The distortion can be disorienting, causing difficulty in gauging the passage of time or coordinating actions with others.

The Essence Siphon’s activation is a multi-sensory experience that blends beauty with danger, offering powerful benefits but also presenting risks to those who wield it.

Crafting Recipe: Ethereal Essence Siphon

• Materials Needed:
  • Translucent Spectral Glass (1 vial-sized piece)
    • Crafted from a mixture of crushed quartz, ghost orchid petals, and moonstone powder, melted together in a spectral forge.
  • Silver Filigree Wire (10 feet)
    • Pure silver, carefully crafted into thin, flexible wire and imbued with ethereal energy through a blessing ritual.
  • Ethereal Essence (1 vial’s worth)
    • Harvested from a spectral creature or collected in a haunted location using an ethereal siphon.
  • Binding Agent (1 ounce)
    • A mixture of ectoplasm and quicksilver, used to stabilize the ethereal essence within the vial.
  • Arcane Crystal Shard (1 small shard)
    • A shard from a crystal imbued with latent magical energy, typically found in arcane ruins or mined from magical caverns.
  • Spectral Ink (1 vial)
    • Made from the ichor of a banshee mixed with powdered graveyard soil, used to inscribe runes onto the vial.
• Tools Required:
  • Spectral Forge
    • A magical forge capable of melting and shaping spectral materials without damaging their ethereal properties.
  • Jeweler’s Kit
    • Includes fine tools such as pliers, cutters, and engraving tools for crafting the silver filigree and shaping the vial.
  • Runic Inscriber
    • A specialized tool for engraving runes into delicate surfaces like the Spectral Glass, allowing the infusion of magical properties.
  • Ethereal Siphon
    • A tool used to extract and contain Ethereal Essence from spectral creatures or environments.
  • Alchemical Workstation
    • Includes a mortar and pestle, mixing tools, and vials for creating the Binding Agent and Spectral Ink.
• Skill Requirements:
  • Arcana (Proficiency)
    • Required to properly infuse and bind ethereal energies into the crafting materials.
  • Jeweler’s Crafting (Proficiency)
    • Needed for the delicate work of shaping the Spectral Glass and crafting the silver filigree.
  • Alchemy (Proficiency)
    • Necessary for the preparation of the Binding Agent and Spectral Ink.
  • Runecrafting (Proficiency)
    • Essential for engraving the necessary runes onto the Spectral Glass and ensuring their magical properties are properly activated.
• Crafting Steps:
  • Prepare the Spectral Glass:
    • Melt the crushed quartz, ghost orchid petals, and moonstone powder in the Spectral Forge, shaping the mixture into a small vial while ensuring it retains its translucence and faint glow. Cool the glass slowly to avoid any fractures.
  • Craft the Silver Filigree:
    • Using the Jeweler’s Kit, carefully twist and shape the pure silver wire into intricate vine patterns. These should be designed to wrap around the Spectral Glass without obscuring the view of the contents. Once shaped, the filigree is enchanted by infusing it with ethereal energy through a blessing ritual.
  • Harvest Ethereal Essence:
    • Use the Ethereal Siphon to extract Ethereal Essence from a spectral creature or haunted location. This step requires careful handling, as the essence is unstable outside of its natural environment.
  • Mix the Binding Agent:
    • At the Alchemical Workstation, combine ectoplasm and quicksilver to create the Binding Agent. This mixture stabilizes the Ethereal Essence, allowing it to be safely stored in the vial.
  • Infuse the Spectral Glass:
    • Pour the Ethereal Essence into the Spectral Glass vial, using the Binding Agent to seal it. Ensure the essence remains stable within the vial by carefully applying the Binding Agent along the vial’s rim and stopper.
  • Engrave the Arcane Runes:
    • Use the Runic Inscriber to carve arcane runes onto the surface of the Spectral Glass. These runes are vital for channeling the vial’s powers, ensuring the Essence Siphon can absorb, store, and release ethereal energies as needed. After engraving, dip the inscribed runes in Spectral Ink to enhance their potency.
  • Assemble the Siphon:
    • Carefully attach the silver filigree to the Spectral Glass, securing it with tiny drops of Binding Agent at strategic points. Attach the Arcane Crystal Shard to the stopper of the vial to act as a focus, enhancing the siphon’s ability to channel energy.
  • Final Blessing and Activation:
    • Conduct a final ritual to bless the assembled Essence Siphon, activating its magical properties. This step requires a skilled practitioner to channel their energy into the vial, ensuring that it functions correctly.

Upon completion, the Ethereal Essence Siphon is ready to be used, capable of absorbing and utilizing ethereal energies in defense, offense, and other magical applications.

Tale of the Lost Guardian and the Siphon of Spirits

In the time when the world was but a breath in the mouth of the first wind, there lived a being, neither wholly spirit nor wholly beast, known to the ancients as Lupo Umbran. Lupo Umbran wandered the realms between light and shadow, a guardian not of this world nor of the next, but of the very spaces where life and death did mingle and dance.

In those days, the realms were untamed, and the spirits roamed free, their voices like the rustling of autumn leaves, their forms like smoke in the evening sky. Lupo Umbran, who held no master and bowed to no lord, carried a burden heavy as the mountain and as light as the evening breeze—a vial, small and delicate, said to be crafted from the tears of the moon and the breath of the stars. This vial was known as the Siphon of Spirits, a thing of great power and great sorrow.

It was told that the Siphon could draw into it the very essence of the restless dead, calming their wails and bringing them peace. Lupo Umbran, with eyes like twin moons, would travel to places where the earth cried out in pain, where the veil between life and death was torn asunder, and there would he offer his aid.

But such power was not without its price, and the Siphon, while a balm to the weary spirits, became a thorn in the heart of Lupo Umbran. For with each soul drawn into the vial, a piece of Lupo Umbran’s own spirit did wither, as the flame does grow dim when too many candles are lit from it. The ancient texts say that Lupo Umbran’s form became more and more like the spirits he sought to aid, until he was neither of the earth nor of the sky, but a shadow that walked between them.

The tale takes a turn in the deep forests of what was once called Shadar Hollow, where Lupo Umbran was drawn by the cries of a thousand lost souls, the remnants of a battle so fierce that the land itself bled shadows. Lupo Umbran knew that to draw so many spirits into the Siphon would mean his end, yet he went willingly, for his heart, though weary, was still bound by duty.

As Lupo Umbran opened the Siphon, the forest grew still, and the spirits, like a river of mist, flowed into the vial. The ancient texts tell that as the last of the souls entered the Siphon, Lupo Umbran fell to his knees, his form now fully shadow, his eyes dimmed to mere whispers of light. Yet, even as his body faded, his voice did speak one last truth—a truth so ancient and forgotten that only the wind remembers it now.

The Siphon, heavy with the weight of so many souls, was laid to rest in the roots of an ancient tree, where it was said to slumber until the time of need would come again. And Lupo Umbran? Some say his shadow still walks the places between, guiding the lost, though his form is no more.

Moral of the Story: To bear the burdens of others is noble, yet one must be wary, lest in the giving, one loses oneself entirely.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

Name: Essence Siphon

• Type: Mythos Artifact
• Description: The Essence Siphon is a vial crafted from strange, otherworldly glass. It is filled with a glowing, ghostly liquid capable of absorbing and storing the spiritual energies of the dead.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Sanity Loss: Using the Essence Siphon may cause Sanity loss. Each use requires a Sanity Roll (1/1d4).
  • Absorb Spirit: The user can absorb the essence of a ghost or spirit (provided the entity is weakened or willing). Power (POW) vs. Spirit’s POW roll. If successful, the spirit is absorbed into the vial.
  • Release Spirit: The user can release a stored spirit to perform a single task. Requires a Power (POW) x5 roll to control the spirit for a single round. Failure results in the spirit turning hostile.
  • Minor Healing: The user can release a small amount of the stored essence to heal 1d4 HP. Requires a Power (POW) x3 roll.
• Balance Considerations: The Essence Siphon should be rare and difficult to obtain, and its usage should come with potential risks, including Sanity loss and the possibility of hostile spirits.

Blades in the Dark

Name: Essence Siphon

• Item Type: Arcane Implement (Fine)
• Description: A finely crafted vial of spectral glass, the Essence Siphon is used to capture and store the essence of spirits, providing power or influence over the ethereal.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Fine Item: Grants +1 effect when dealing with spirits or arcane matters.
  • Capture Spirit: When you confront a spirit, roll Attune. On a 6, you capture the spirit in the Siphon. On a 4-5, you capture it, but the process is unstable or dangerous (GM’s discretion). On a 1-3, the spirit resists, causing a consequence.
  • Release Spirit: You may release a spirit to aid you. It will follow one command before dissipating. Roll Attune. On a 6, the spirit follows the command flawlessly. On a 4-5, it does so with complications. On a 1-3, it rebels or causes unintended harm.
  • Minor Healing: You may use the stored essence for a minor healing effect, allowing you to remove 1 Harm level from yourself or another. The user gains 1 Stress when doing so.
• Balance Considerations: The item should be treated as a rare arcane implement, possibly requiring special circumstances to recharge or use effectively. Its use should be limited to specific story arcs or heists.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

Name: Essence Siphon

• Wondrous Item (Uncommon), Requires Attunement
• Description: This vial of translucent spectral glass can absorb and store the essence of spirits, allowing the user to harness their power for various effects.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Absorb Spirit: As an action, you can attempt to absorb the essence of a weakened or willing spirit within 30 feet. The spirit must succeed on a Charisma saving throw (DC 15) or be absorbed into the Siphon.
  • Release Spirit: As an action, you can release a stored spirit. The spirit remains for 1 minute, under your control. It can perform tasks as if under the effect of the Summon Undead spell (choose Ghostly form). The spirit acts on your initiative and obeys your verbal commands.
  • Minor Healing: As an action, you can expend a stored essence to heal yourself or a creature within 5 feet for 2d4 + 2 hit points.
  • Spectral Form Enhancement: As a bonus action, you can expend a stored essence to gain 1d10 temporary hit points that last for 1 hour or until depleted.
• Balance Considerations: Limit the number of spirits that can be stored (e.g., up to three at a time) and balance the item’s power by requiring attunement and possibly restricting its use to certain classes or backgrounds.

Knave

Name: Essence Siphon

• Type: Magic Item
• Description: A vial made of ghostly glass, the Essence Siphon can capture and store the souls of the dead, providing various effects when used.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Absorb Spirit: If you encounter a ghost or spirit, you can attempt to absorb it into the Siphon by rolling equal to or under your Wisdom on a d20. On success, the spirit is stored in the vial.
  • Release Spirit: You may release a stored spirit to perform one task before it fades. Roll equal to or under your Wisdom on a d20. On success, the spirit obeys. If you fail, the spirit may act unpredictably.
  • Minor Healing: You can use a stored spirit to restore 1d6 HP to yourself or another character. This consumes the spirit’s essence.
  • Spectral Form Enhancement: As an action, you can gain 1d4 temporary hit points by releasing part of the stored essence into yourself.
• Balance Considerations: In Knave’s system, consider the Essence Siphon a valuable but risky item. The simplicity of its mechanics should reflect the danger of dealing with spirits, with potential consequences for failure.

Fate Core

Name: Essence Siphon

• Type: Magical Artifact
• Aspects:
  • High Concept: A Vial of Bound Spirits
  • Trouble: Whispers of the Captured Souls
  • Aspect: Relic of the Ethereal Realm
• Game Mechanics:
  • Absorb Spirit (Overcome Action): You can use the Essence Siphon to absorb the spirit of a weakened or willing entity. Roll Arcane Lore (or another appropriate skill) against the spirit’s Will. Success captures the spirit inside the vial.
  • Release Spirit (Create an Advantage or Attack): You can release a spirit to perform a task or attack. Use the Arcane Lore skill to create an advantage or directly attack using the spirit’s powers. The spirit dissipates after one action.
  • Minor Healing (Create an Advantage): You can use the siphon to heal yourself or an ally. Spend a Fate point to create the Restored Essence aspect with a free invoke for a minor amount of healing (such as clearing a stress box or providing a boost).
  • Spectral Form Enhancement (Boost): Use the stored essence to gain a temporary Spectral Shield aspect that grants a +2 bonus to defend against physical or ethereal attacks for a single exchange.
• Balance Considerations: The Essence Siphon is powerful but comes with the risk of invoking negative aspects, like Whispers of the Captured Souls, where the spirits might resist control or cause complications.

Numenera & Cypher System

Name: Essence Siphon

• Level: 5 (Rare)
• Type: Artifact
• Effect(s):
  • Absorb Spirit: When used on a ghost or spectral entity, the user can absorb the creature’s essence into the vial. Roll a Level 5 Intellect task (modified by abilities or assets related to the spirit or the Numenera). Success captures the spirit.
  • Release Spirit: The user can release the captured essence to perform a single action, such as attacking or defending. This action is treated as a Level 5 task based on the spirit’s capabilities.
  • Minor Healing: The user can release part of the stored essence to heal themselves or an ally for 5 points of Might or Speed. This uses up a portion of the essence.
  • Spectral Form Enhancement: The user can gain 5 temporary points in any pool (Might, Speed, or Intellect) by releasing part of the essence. These points last for 1 hour or until expended.
  • Depletion: 1 in 1d20—Each use of the Essence Siphon has a chance to deplete its power permanently.
• Balance Considerations: The artifact should be difficult to recharge and might require specific circumstances or additional resources to restore its power after depletion.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

Name: Essence Siphon

• Type: Wondrous Item (Uncommon), Price: 200 gp, Bulk: L
• Usage: Held in 1 hand; Activation: 1 action (Interact), 1 minute (Manipulate)
• Game Mechanics:
  • Absorb Spirit: As an Interact action, you can target a creature with the Incorporeal trait within 30 feet. The creature must succeed on a Will save (DC 20) or be absorbed into the Siphon. This ability only works on weakened or willing spirits.
  • Release Spirit: As a Manipulate action, you can release a stored spirit to perform a single task as if casting the spell Summon Construct at 3rd level, choosing the spirit’s form. The spirit remains for 1 minute or until dismissed.
  • Minor Healing: As an Interact action, you can release a portion of the stored essence to heal a creature within 30 feet for 3d6 hit points.
  • Spectral Form Enhancement: As a Free action, you can gain 5 temporary hit points by consuming part of the stored essence. These hit points last for 10 minutes.
• Balance Considerations: The Essence Siphon’s powers should be limited in daily uses (e.g., 3/day), and it should require attunement by a spellcaster or an individual with proficiency in Occultism or Religion.

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

Name: Essence Siphon

• Type: Magical Item (Relic)
• Description: The Essence Siphon is a small vial that can absorb and store the spirits of the dead, providing various powers when activated.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Absorb Spirit: When used on a weakened or willing spirit, the user makes an Arcane Skill (Occult) roll at -2. On success, the spirit is absorbed into the vial.
  • Release Spirit: The user may release a stored spirit to perform one task (such as attacking, scouting, or providing information). Roll Arcane Skill (Occult) to control the spirit. On a failure, the spirit may turn hostile or escape.
  • Minor Healing: The user can expend part of the stored essence to heal 1 wound (as per the Healing power) or recover 1 Fatigue level. This requires an Arcane Skill (Occult) roll.
  • Spectral Form Enhancement: The user can gain +2 Toughness for one encounter by expending part of the stored essence. This effect lasts until the end of the encounter.
• Balance Considerations: Treat the Essence Siphon as a powerful but risky relic. The Absorb Spirit ability should have significant consequences for failure, such as gaining a Fatigue level or attracting unwanted attention from the spirit world.

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

Name: Essence Siphon

• Type: Magical Artifact
• Availability: 10F
• Cost: 15,000¥
• Description: The Essence Siphon is a small, intricately designed vial crafted from rare materials, capable of capturing and storing the spiritual essence of metahuman and astral entities.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Absorb Spirit: The user can absorb a spirit or astral entity by rolling Magic + Willpower (Threshold 3). The spirit resists with its Force + Willpower. If successful, the spirit is absorbed into the vial.
  • Release Spirit: The user can release a stored spirit for a single task. Roll Magic + Summoning against the spirit’s Force. On a success, the spirit performs the task before dissipating. On a failure, the spirit may become hostile.
  • Minor Healing: The user can channel the stored essence to heal (Magic) Stun damage by spending a Complex Action and making a Magic + Body (Threshold 2) test.
  • Spectral Form Enhancement: The user can gain +2 Armor for (Magic) turns by releasing part of the stored essence. This effect stacks with existing armor but is treated as magical and can be countered by astral opposition.
• Balance Considerations: The Essence Siphon is a rare and valuable item, often sought after by both magical practitioners and corporate entities. Its use should be limited by its high cost and the difficulty of obtaining and maintaining it.

Starfinder

Name: Essence Siphon

• Item Level: 7
• Price: 6,500 credits
• Bulk: L
• Capacity: 3 uses
• Usage: 1 use
• Type: Hybrid Item (Magic/Technology)
• Description: The Essence Siphon is a sleek, high-tech vial with magical inscriptions, capable of capturing and storing spiritual essence for various uses.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Absorb Spirit: As a Standard Action, the user can target a creature with the Incorporeal subtype within 30 feet. The target must succeed on a Will save (DC 18) or be absorbed into the siphon. The siphon can store up to 3 spirits.
  • Release Spirit: As a Standard Action, the user can release a stored spirit to perform a task or attack, as per the Summon Creature spell (4th level, incorporeal form). The spirit remains for 1 minute or until dismissed.
  • Minor Healing: As a Move Action, the user can expend 1 use of stored essence to heal a creature within 30 feet for 3d8 hit points.
  • Spectral Form Enhancement: As a Swift Action, the user can gain 15 temporary Stamina Points by expending 1 use of stored essence. These points last for 10 minutes or until depleted.
• Balance Considerations: The item should have limited capacity and require significant resources or skill to recharge. Its rarity and high-level capabilities should make it a valuable asset for experienced adventurers.

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

Name: Essence Siphon

• Type: Artifact
• Tech Level: 15
• Price: 1,000,000 Credits
• Encumbrance: 1 kg
• Description: The Essence Siphon is an ancient artifact of unknown origin, capable of capturing and storing the essence of sentient beings, believed to be a relic from a long-forgotten civilization.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Absorb Spirit: The user can target an incorporeal or psychic entity within 10 meters. Make a Psionic Strength check (2D vs. 12+). If successful, the entity is absorbed into the siphon. The siphon can store up to 3 spirits.
  • Release Spirit: The user can release a stored spirit to perform a task. Roll 2D + Psionic Strength against the spirit’s Willpower. On a success, the spirit obeys for a short duration (typically 1D rounds). Failure results in the spirit rebelling or escaping.
  • Minor Healing: The user can expend a stored essence to recover 1D6 Endurance or 1D6 Psionic Strength points. This requires 1 combat round to perform.
  • Spectral Form Enhancement: The user can gain a temporary +2 bonus to Endurance for 10 minutes by releasing part of the stored essence.
• Balance Considerations: The Essence Siphon is extremely rare and possibly unique, making it a sought-after artifact with potentially significant consequences for its use. It should be a major plot element in a campaign.

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (4th Edition)

Name: Essence Siphon

• Type: Magical Item
• Encumbrance: 0
• Availability: Very Rare
• Value: 300 Gold Crowns
• Description: The Essence Siphon is a mystical vial capable of absorbing and controlling spirits, crafted by ancient elven mages in the distant past.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Absorb Spirit: As an Extended Action (2 rounds), the user can absorb a spirit within 20 yards. The spirit must succeed on a Willpower Test (Hard -20%) or be absorbed. The siphon can hold up to 3 spirits.
  • Release Spirit: The user can release a stored spirit for a single action. This can involve attacking, scouting, or guarding, depending on the spirit’s nature. The user must make a Willpower Test (Challenging -10%) to control the spirit.
  • Minor Healing: By releasing a portion of the spirit’s essence, the user can heal 1d10 Wounds. This takes 1 Action to perform.
  • Spectral Form Enhancement: The user can gain +2 Toughness for (2d10) rounds by releasing part of the stored essence.
• Balance Considerations: The Essence Siphon should be a prized possession, possibly cursed or attracting the attention of malevolent spirits. Its powers should come with risks, such as corruption or unwanted attention from dark forces.