Shadowbound Grappling Hook

From: Shroudheart Oni

Stats:

• Level: Tier 1
• Skill Bonus: Advantage on Athletics checks related to climbing or acrobatic maneuvers
• Cost: 200 gold pieces
• Tags: Utility Item, Acrobatics, Uncommon, Shadow-Tethered, Climbing Aid, Swift Maneuver, Ethereal Tool, Precision Attachment, Agile Navigation, Versatile Escape, Tactical Mobility, Light-Absorbing, Obstacle Evasion

Lore: The Shadowbound Grappling Hook is an intricately crafted tool forged from a blend of shadowy metals. Its origins are shrouded in mystery, with whispers of skilled artisans who harnessed the essence of shadows to create this remarkable device. Legends tell of thieves and shadowdancers who presented the Shroudheart Oni with this unique tool, enabling the creature to traverse vertical structures and overcome obstacles with unparalleled agility.

Use: When thrown, the Shadowbound Grappling Hook transforms into an ethereal, shadowy tendril that extends and latches onto surfaces. This tendril allows the Shroudheart Oni to scale vertical structures or swing across obstacles with remarkable agility, defying gravity and moving with incredible swiftness. The grappling hook’s shadowy nature grants the creature advantage on Athletics checks related to climbing or performing acrobatic maneuvers, enhancing its ability to overcome physical challenges.

The Shadowbound Grappling Hook is highly prized by thieves, scouts, and individuals who rely on speed and agility to navigate treacherous environments. Its versatility and the advantage it provides on athletic feats make it a valuable tool for both exploration and evasive maneuvers during encounters.

Due to its usefulness and specialized nature, the Shadowbound Grappling Hook is considered an uncommon item, typically fetching a price of around 200 gold pieces in markets where specialized tools and adventuring equipment are traded. Acquiring the Shadowbound Grappling Hook may involve dealing with shadowy guilds, exploring hidden enclaves, or undertaking daring heists to retrieve this prized artifact.

In the world of Saṃsāra, the Shadowbound Grappling Hook is a specialized, highly prized tool sought after by scouts, thieves, and adventurers who value agility and discretion. The grappling hook’s shadowy origin makes it a rare find, typically sold in secretive or niche markets catering to those who operate in the shadows. The cost and availability vary depending on the shop and its clientele.

• Nightwhisper’s Arsenal (Thieves’ Market)
  • Hidden within the sprawling underbelly of Valesky, the Nightwhisper’s Arsenal is a well-known black market frequented by rogues, thieves, and adventurers. The shop specializes in unique tools used for stealth, infiltration, and escape, making it the perfect place to find the Shadowbound Grappling Hook.
  • Cost: 175–225 gold pieces
  • Acquisition: Buyers will need a reputable connection or recommendation from a guild to enter this market, as access is restricted to those with underworld ties. Negotiation is common, and prices may vary depending on supply, demand, and the buyer’s ability to barter. Discretion is paramount, and transactions are often quick and quiet.
• The Wraith’s Hand (Guild Supplier)
  • In the shadowy corners of Blackwatch, the Wraith’s Hand serves as the outfitter for guilds specializing in covert operations and espionage. Run by a former master thief, the shop is renowned for providing high-quality equipment for guild members, including the Shadowbound Grappling Hook.
  • Cost: 200 gold pieces (guild rate)
  • Acquisition: Only members of specific thieves’ or assassin guilds can access the Wraith’s Hand. The price is standardized for guild members, though loyalty or completed missions may earn a discount. Non-guild members may acquire it through special arrangements or favors granted by guild leadership.
• Shadowveil Bazaar (Traveling Market)
  • The Shadowveil Bazaar is a traveling market known to appear only under specific circumstances—during the waxing crescent moon in isolated locations, such as deep forests or hidden caves near Zephyrstone Islands. The market is known for selling rare and mysterious tools tied to shadow magic.
  • Cost: 250 gold pieces or barter (rare materials or artifacts)
  • Acquisition: The Bazaar’s merchants prefer barter, valuing rare materials or magical artifacts over gold. Buyers must find the market, which is never in the same location twice, and negotiate with enigmatic vendors who trade in whispers and secrets. The price may fluctuate depending on what’s offered in exchange.
• Ironbranch Outfitters (Adventurers’ Guild)
  • In the city of Skyridge, Ironbranch Outfitters serves as the main supplier of equipment for adventurers and mercenaries. While not typically stocked in common stores, the Shadowbound Grappling Hook can be commissioned here by those who have earned favor with the guild or proven themselves capable.
  • Cost: 220 gold pieces
  • Acquisition: Adventurers who have proven their worth to the guild can place special orders for rare items like the Shadowbound Grappling Hook. Commissions take time (2–3 weeks) and often require an additional payment or completing a high-stakes quest to expedite delivery. The shop caters to those willing to pay a premium for quality and craftsmanship.
• Obsidian Moon Curio Shop (Arcane Market)
  • Located in the mystical city of Elderspire, Obsidian Moon deals in rare magical curiosities and enchanted equipment. Here, the Shadowbound Grappling Hook is viewed as more of an artifact than a tool, sold alongside other shadow-infused items.
  • Cost: 250–300 gold pieces
  • Acquisition: The item is displayed as a collector’s piece, with buyers often required to demonstrate knowledge of its craftsmanship or lore to purchase it. The shopkeeper values intellect and discernment, so those able to appreciate the grappling hook’s history and design may gain a slight discount or favor. Haggling is welcome but often revolves around showing respect for the shop’s rarities rather than just monetary negotiation.

In each of these environments, the Shadowbound Grappling Hook is presented as a tool of utility and status, accessible only to those with the right connections, wealth, or determination. The price fluctuates based on availability, reputation, and the relationship with the seller. Whether in hidden markets, guild halls, or magical shops, acquiring the grappling hook is a mark of skill and subtlety.

The Shadowbound Grappling Hook is a versatile tool that excels in both offensive and defensive situations, especially in environments where agility, stealth, and rapid movement are key. Its ethereal, shadowy nature allows the user to navigate difficult terrain and escape danger or engage enemies from unexpected angles. Below are examples of how the Shadowbound Grappling Hook might be used in different environments, focusing on both defense and offense during roleplay.

• Urban Environment
  • Defense: In a crowded city like Valesky with narrow alleys and towering buildings, the Shadowbound Grappling Hook allows the user to quickly scale walls or leap across rooftops when pursued by guards or rival thieves. When the user is cornered or outnumbered, they can launch the grappling hook at a nearby building, instantly creating a shadowy tendril that pulls them to safety. This escape maneuver can be used to avoid capture or evade a dangerous confrontation. The hook’s ability to merge with shadows makes the user’s movements harder to track, especially at night or in shadowed alleys.
  • Offense: In urban environments, the grappling hook allows for quick, silent positioning on rooftops or ledges, ideal for ambushing a target. The user could swing from one rooftop to another, gaining an elevated vantage point to observe and attack unsuspecting enemies from above. Alternatively, the user might throw the hook to quickly close the distance between themselves and a target, descending silently to deliver a surprise strike. The agility granted by the grappling hook allows for hit-and-run tactics, where the user strikes from a height and escapes before enemies can retaliate.
• Dense Forests and Wilderness
  • Defense: In dense forests or jungle environments, the Shadowbound Grappling Hook provides an invaluable escape tool when pursued by predators or enemies. The user can quickly latch onto high branches or rocky outcroppings, pulling themselves to safety and avoiding ground-based threats like beasts or traps. The ability to move vertically and traverse the forest canopy provides a significant defensive advantage, allowing the user to move through the environment without leaving a trail or risking an ambush from the ground.
  • Offense: When hunting or tracking enemies in a forest, the grappling hook allows the user to silently climb trees or swing through the canopy, giving them a superior vantage point to scout for enemies or lay an ambush. By positioning themselves in the trees, the user can remain hidden and fire ranged weapons from above, then retreat using the hook before enemies can retaliate. This allows for a strategic offense, particularly in guerrilla-style combat where the user can attack from the treetops and escape before being detected.
• Caves, Dungeons, and Underground
  • Defense: In the twisting passages of caves and dungeons, the Shadowbound Grappling Hook can help the user escape traps or ambushes by moving quickly between ledges or scaling vertical shafts. If an enemy is blocking the path, the user can use the hook to climb to an elevated position, avoiding a direct confrontation. The hook’s ethereal tendrils also allow the user to bypass gaps, pits, or chasms that might otherwise trap or slow them down, providing quick and safe escape routes in dangerous situations.
  • Offense: The grappling hook’s versatility comes into play when navigating multi-level dungeon environments, where height can be used as an advantage. The user can quickly climb to hidden ledges or drop down on unsuspecting enemies from above. In a fight, they can use the hook to swing across gaps and flank enemies, taking advantage of the hook’s mobility to launch attacks from unconventional angles. The user might even use the hook to pull themselves into combat range with enemies using ranged weapons, turning the tide of battle by closing distances quickly.
• Nighttime in Open Fields or Plains
  • Defense: In the open plains, where cover is scarce, the Shadowbound Grappling Hook’s ability to latch onto distant structures or tall natural formations becomes a key defensive tool. If the user is caught in the open and exposed to enemy fire, they can use the grappling hook to quickly reach higher ground, pulling themselves to safety or finding cover behind rocky outcroppings or trees. The speed and range provided by the hook make it a valuable tool for avoiding long-range attacks in open environments, allowing the user to reposition or retreat quickly.
  • Offense: In a nighttime setting, where visibility is low and shadows dominate, the grappling hook gives the user an offensive edge. They can quickly traverse the open ground by latching onto distant structures or rock formations, closing in on enemies before they realize they are under attack. The grappling hook allows for rapid movement across the battlefield, letting the user strike from the shadows, retreat, and reappear elsewhere to disorient and confuse their enemies. The shadowy tendrils blend into the night, making it harder for enemies to track the user’s movements, allowing them to execute ambushes with ease.
• Sailing and Coastal Environments
  • Defense: When navigating a ship or coastal cliffs, the grappling hook’s ethereal tendrils provide a swift means of escaping dangerous situations, such as boarding actions or ambushes by sea creatures. The user can throw the hook to climb up the rigging of a ship, avoiding enemy combatants during a pirate raid, or escape a coastal ambush by scaling cliffs or swinging from rocky ledges. The hook’s ability to latch onto moving or uneven surfaces gives the user a distinct advantage when navigating the unpredictable nature of coastal terrain.
  • Offense: The grappling hook’s versatility in an aquatic setting can be used offensively by enabling swift and stealthy boarding maneuvers. The user could silently grapple onto an enemy ship from a small boat or the water itself, climbing aboard undetected and setting the stage for an ambush. Alternatively, when fighting along the coast, the grappling hook allows the user to quickly scale cliffs or rocks to gain higher ground, giving them a vantage point to launch attacks on enemies below or harass ships from elevated positions.
• Battlefields or War Zones
  • Defense: On a chaotic battlefield, where movement is critical for survival, the Shadowbound Grappling Hook offers an essential escape mechanism. When under fire from archers or spellcasters, the user can quickly pull themselves to safety by latching onto structures like battlements, siege equipment, or tall natural formations. The ability to move vertically allows the user to avoid incoming projectiles or spells by quickly changing their position on the battlefield, escaping dangerous areas, and regrouping with allies.
  • Offense: In an offensive role, the grappling hook can be used to infiltrate enemy fortifications by scaling walls or siege towers without being detected. The user can reach high ground and launch ranged attacks or drop down behind enemy lines, disrupting the opposing force from within. The agility granted by the hook allows the user to traverse the battlefield with ease, flanking enemies or sabotaging key structures like siege engines. The hook’s speed and flexibility give the user the upper hand in environments where rapid movement can turn the tide of battle.

In all these environments, the Shadowbound Grappling Hook enables rapid movement and versatile use in both defense and offense. Whether escaping danger or launching surprise attacks, the hook’s unique properties allow its wielder to control the flow of the environment, making them an unpredictable and formidable presence.

Perception of Activation: When the Shadowbound Grappling Hook is activated, the user and those nearby experience a series of distinct sensations tied to its shadow-infused nature. These perceptions, both physical and extra-sensory, provide insight into the tool’s capabilities and the mysterious forces that power it.

• Sight
  • User’s View: As the hook is thrown, shadowy tendrils unfurl from its metallic body, stretching and writhing toward their target with unnatural speed. The shadows seem to blur, as if merging with the surrounding environment, causing the hook to almost disappear as it flies through the air. Once latched, the tendrils appear to solidify for an instant, becoming like dark ropes that pull the user effortlessly toward the surface.
    • Positive: The hook’s shadowy nature makes it blend seamlessly with its environment, providing subtle camouflage, especially in dimly lit areas.
    • Negative: The visual blurring of the tendrils can be disorienting in bright light, causing the user to briefly lose focus or misjudge distance during a fast-paced maneuver.
  • Observers’ View: To onlookers, the hook appears to transform into a fleeting shadowy mass, making its trajectory hard to track. The tendrils move swiftly and silently, leaving only a faint shimmer of darkness in their wake.
    • Positive: Opponents may struggle to follow the hook’s movement, giving the user a tactical advantage in staying concealed.
    • Negative: In combat or chaotic environments, allies may also have difficulty following the hook’s movement, making coordination challenging.
• Sound
  • User’s Perception: Upon activation, the world around the user seems to fall into an eerie silence. The hook itself makes no sound as it extends, the only noise being the faintest whisper of air disturbed by its movement. When it latches onto a surface, there is a quiet, almost imperceptible click as the shadows coil tightly.
    • Positive: The lack of noise enhances the user’s stealth, allowing for silent traversal through any terrain.
    • Negative: The abrupt silence can be unsettling, and it may leave the user unaware of nearby dangers, like approaching enemies or environmental hazards.
  • Observers’ Perception: The sound of the grappling hook is barely detectable, even to those standing nearby. Only the subtlest sounds accompany its launch, making it difficult for enemies to locate the user by sound alone.
    • Positive: The grappling hook’s stealthy sound profile ensures that the user remains undetected in most situations.
    • Negative: The lack of sound can confuse allies, making it hard for them to gauge where the user is going or what the hook is latching onto.
• Touch
  • User’s Perception: The moment the hook is activated, the user feels an odd, cool sensation spreading through their arm, as though the shadows themselves are flowing through the handle. The pull of the tendrils feels light yet firm, as though gravity has lessened for the duration of the motion. Upon latching onto the target surface, there is a slight resistance followed by a smooth, almost weightless ascent.
    • Positive: The light, effortless pull allows the user to traverse great heights or distances without feeling burdened, enhancing their agility.
    • Negative: The ethereal sensation can feel unnatural, and prolonged use may cause the user to feel disoriented or detached from their body, especially when pulling up rapidly.
  • Observers’ Perception: The user appears to move with an eerie smoothness as they ascend or swing. Their motions seem unencumbered by gravity, almost like they are gliding.
    • Positive: This otherworldly grace can make the user harder to predict or track in combat.
    • Negative: The unnatural smoothness may make the user stand out in environments where fluid movement seems out of place.
• Smell
  • User’s Perception: As the shadowy tendrils extend, a faint metallic tang fills the air, reminiscent of cold steel or damp earth after rainfall. It is subtle but noticeable, especially when the hook latches onto surfaces.
    • Positive: This faint scent can be a reassuring indicator that the hook is functioning properly and has successfully latched.
    • Negative: The metallic scent can become distracting, especially in tight quarters, where it may linger longer than expected.
  • Observers’ Perception: Nearby individuals might catch a faint whiff of this metallic scent, though it is subtle enough that most would not notice unless they are very close.
    • Positive: The scent is faint, ensuring it doesn’t give away the user’s position in most circumstances.
    • Negative: Creatures or beings with heightened senses of smell may detect the scent and become alerted to the grappling hook’s presence.
• Taste
  • User’s Perception: When the hook is activated, there is a slight metallic taste in the user’s mouth, as if they’ve licked a piece of iron or touched their tongue to cold metal. This sensation is fleeting but can be unsettling if unexpected.
  • Positive: The taste serves as a subtle cue that the grappling hook’s magic is engaged and functioning as intended.
  • Negative: The metallic taste may become unpleasant or distracting during prolonged use, especially if the user is already fatigued or stressed.
• Extra-Sensory Perception
  • Shadow Sense: When the grappling hook is activated, the user gains a heightened awareness of shadows and darkened spaces. They can instinctively sense where shadows are stronger and where the tendrils of the hook will best latch. This awareness helps the user quickly identify the most effective surfaces for traversal, even in complex or unfamiliar environments.
    • Positive: This extra-sensory perception enhances the user’s ability to navigate through dim environments, giving them an advantage when using the hook in shadowy areas.
    • Negative: The user may grow too reliant on this sense, finding themselves uncomfortable or disoriented in brightly lit or shadowless areas where their shadow sense is dulled.
  • Temporal Perception: In rare instances, the user may experience a slight distortion of time as the hook activates. Movements may feel slower or more deliberate, giving the user more control over their actions while the hook is engaged. This heightened focus can make it seem as though time stretches during the moment of ascent or swing.
    • Positive: This sensation gives the user a sense of increased precision and timing, allowing for more deliberate actions in fast-paced situations.
    • Negative: The time distortion can be disorienting once the hook’s effect ends, briefly throwing off the user’s sense of time and rhythm, especially in high-intensity situations.
• Positives:
  • Silent, stealthy activation ensures undetected use in most environments.
  • Light, effortless movement grants the user agility and speed, making escape or traversal simple.
  • Shadow sense enhances perception of darkened environments, improving the user’s ability to quickly find safe traversal paths.
  • Temporal perception allows for greater control during critical moments, offering precision in complex maneuvers.
• Negatives:
  • The unnatural sensations, such as the coolness or lightness during use, can cause discomfort or disorientation over time.
  • The metallic scent and taste, though subtle, may become distracting, especially in enclosed environments.
  • The brief temporal distortion can lead to disorientation once the effect ends, making rapid transitions more difficult.
  • Over-reliance on the hook’s shadow-based abilities can leave the user vulnerable in brightly lit or open areas where shadows are scarce.

The Shadowbound Grappling Hook offers a powerful, shadow-infused experience that enhances agility and stealth, but its use requires careful management of its disorienting and otherworldly effects.

Crafting Recipe: Shadowbound Grappling Hook

• Materials Needed
  • Ebonsteel Bar (1 unit) A dark, shadow-infused metal forged in the volcanic forges of Krakshara. This rare material gives the hook its durable, yet shadowy form.
  • Void Tendril Essence (1 vial) Harvested from Void Spirits found in the ethereal planes. This essence allows the grappling hook to manifest ethereal, shadowy tendrils.
  • Darkroot Leather (5 feet) Leather crafted from the Darkroot Trees of Ravenwood. This strong, shadow-aligned material is used to wrap the handle, providing both comfort and a magical connection to the shadows.
  • Shadowbind Rune (1) A magical rune that binds shadow magic into physical form. This rune must be enchanted by a master runesmith using the essence of twilight.
  • Silver Thread (10 feet) High-quality thread enchanted with Lunar Magic, used to stitch the leather and reinforce the hook’s shadowy tendrils.
• Tools Required
  • Shadowforge Anvil
    • A specially enchanted anvil that can handle shadow-infused metals like Ebonsteel, allowing the user to shape the material without dissipating its dark magic.
  • Void Engraver
    • A magical tool used to etch the Shadowbind Rune onto the grappling hook, channeling void energy into the hook’s tendrils.
  • Alchemical Distiller
    • Used to purify and infuse the Void Tendril Essence into the hook during the final stages of crafting.
  • Runesmith’s Hammer
    • An enchanted hammer used to activate and embed magical runes into objects.
  • Moonlit Needle
    • Crafted from Celestial Silver, this needle is essential for sewing the Silver Thread and Darkroot Leather, ensuring that the handle is magically connected to the hook’s abilities.
• Skill Requirements
  • Master Blacksmithing (Expert Level) The crafter must be highly skilled in working with rare metals, especially shadow-infused ones like Ebonsteel, to shape the hook properly.
  • Runesmithing (Advanced Level) Essential for binding the Shadowbind Rune and ensuring the hook channels the void energy effectively.
  • Alchemy (Intermediate Level) Needed to purify and handle Void Tendril Essence, as improper infusion can destabilize the tendrils.
  • Leatherworking (Intermediate Level) Required for preparing and stitching the Darkroot Leather to the hook handle, ensuring it is durable and well-bound.
• Crafting Steps
  • Forge the Ebonsteel Hook
    • Heat the Ebonsteel Bar on the Shadowforge Anvil until it glows a faint purple. Using the Runesmith’s Hammer, shape the steel into the desired hook form. Ensure the points are sharp and the hook structure is durable, as this will serve as the core of the item. Cool the hook by submerging it in a vat of shadow water, ensuring it retains its magical properties.
  • Engrave the Shadowbind Rune
    • Once the hook is cooled, use the Void Engraver to carefully carve the Shadowbind Rune into the center of the hook. This rune will act as the binding point for the Void Tendril Essence. Be precise, as any error will destabilize the hook’s magical connection.
  • Distill and Infuse Void Tendril Essence
    • Using the Alchemical Distiller, purify the Void Tendril Essence under the light of a waxing moon. Slowly pour the essence over the hook while chanting the incantation that activates the Shadowbind Rune. As the essence bonds to the rune, the tendrils will begin to form around the hook, attaching themselves to the metal.
  • Prepare and Stitch the Darkroot Leather
    • Cut the Darkroot Leather into strips and wrap it around the handle of the grappling hook. Using the Moonlit Needle and Silver Thread, carefully stitch the leather into place, reinforcing the handle and ensuring that the magic flows through the entirety of the grappling hook.
  • Final Enchanting
    • Place the grappling hook in a shadowy area under the light of a crescent moon. Recite the final enchantment ritual that binds the magic fully into the hook, ensuring the shadowy tendrils and runes remain stable. This process can take up to an hour, and the hook must not be disturbed during this period.
  • Inspection and Testing
    • After the enchanting process is complete, inspect the hook for any imperfections. Test the shadowy tendrils by throwing the hook at different surfaces, ensuring it latches securely and pulls the user without resistance. Confirm that the hook’s weight is balanced and that it functions as both a tool and a weapon.
• Crafting Time
  • Forging and Shaping: 3 days
  • Rune Engraving and Infusion: 2 days
  • Leatherworking and Stitching: 1 day
  • Final Enchanting and Testing: 1 day
  • Total Crafting Time: 7 days

By following these steps, a skilled crafter can recreate the Shadowbound Grappling Hook, a powerful and versatile tool infused with shadow magic, capable of ethereal climbing and swift maneuvers.

Tale of the Hook That Grasped Shadows

Long before the sky knew the stars and the earth held the rivers, there was a time when darkness was not a place, but a thing to be held. In those days, the Shroudheart Oni roamed the lands, unseen by those who walked under the sun. It was said that the Oni desired to climb the unreachable, to grasp the heights where even the winds could not venture. But though the Oni was swift and silent, even it could not touch the sky.

One night, beneath a moonless sky, the Oni met a shadow-weaver, a being who spun threads from the darkness between stars. The Oni, with words forgotten to time, asked for a tool that would let it climb the highest walls and swing across the deepest abysses. The weaver agreed but warned, “For every shadow grasped, a piece of your own shadow will be lost.”

And so, the Hook That Grasped Shadows was forged in the black fires of the night. It was made from metal not found in any land, but from the very essence of shadows, woven with tendrils of void. The hook could latch onto nothingness and pull the Oni through the air as if the sky itself bent to its will.

For many moons, the Oni used the hook to scale mountains unseen, cross rivers unheard, and escape those who sought its end. But with each throw, with each climb, the Oni’s own shadow grew thinner. The Oni became lighter, faster, but also colder, as if the shadows themselves were drawing it away.

One fateful day, the Oni stood at the edge of the world, where land and sky meet in an endless void. It threw the hook one last time, seeking to cross to the other side, where no being had ever ventured. The hook latched onto nothing, as it always did, and the tendrils pulled. But this time, the Oni had no shadow left to give. It vanished, pulled into the void, and was never seen again.

The Hook That Grasped Shadows was left behind, waiting in the place where the Oni disappeared, found only by those brave or foolish enough to seek it. Some say it still yearns to climb, to grasp the unreachable, but all who use it risk losing themselves to the shadows.

Moral of the Story: That which holds the shadows may find the shadows hold them in turn. For in seeking to reach what lies beyond, one may lose themselves in the grasp of what cannot be seen.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

Shadowbound Grappling Hook

• Item Type: Occult Artifact
• Description: A grappling hook forged from shadowy metals, allowing the user to scale impossible heights with unnerving silence. Whispers suggest it draws from dark, unknowable forces.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Climbing Bonus: +20% to Climb checks. This bonus applies when using the hook in low-light or shadowed environments.
  • Silent Ascent: When the grappling hook is used in darkness, it makes no noise, granting a +10% bonus to Stealth rolls.
  • Sanity Loss: Prolonged use (more than once in a scene) requires a 1D2 Sanity roll, as the user feels their own shadow pull away from them.
• Drawback: After each use, make a POW roll. Failure results in temporary disorientation (1D4 rounds), as the shadows tug on the user’s mind.
• Availability: Rare, found in ancient occult markets or shadowy organizations.

Blades in the Dark

Shadowbound Grappling Hook

• Item Type: Fine Climbing Gear (2 Load)
• Description: A grappling hook that extends ethereal tendrils to silently attach to surfaces, ideal for scaling difficult terrain or escaping unseen.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Fine Quality: Grants +1d to rolls involving climbing or acrobatics when used in shadow or darkness.
  • Shadowy Tendrils: The grappling hook can latch onto surfaces up to 20 feet away with a tendril that wraps silently around the target, allowing for quiet movement across walls or gaps.
  • Silent Movement: When used at night or in darkness, the user gains +1d to Stealth rolls while moving.
• Drawback: After extended use (multiple scores), a Clock may begin to track the user’s growing bond with the shadows, leading to strange or haunting encounters with spirits or entities tied to the void.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

Shadowbound Grappling Hook

• Wondrous Item (Uncommon, Requires Attunement)
• Description: A magical grappling hook forged from shadow-infused metal, capable of extending ethereal tendrils that help the user scale walls and traverse obstacles with ease.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Climbing Bonus: The wearer gains advantage on Strength (Athletics) checks made to climb or perform acrobatic maneuvers involving heights.
  • Shadowy Tendrils: When thrown, the hook can extend shadowy tendrils to latch onto surfaces up to 30 feet away. It can hold up to 500 pounds.
  • Silent Movement: The grappling hook creates no sound when used in dim light or darkness, providing advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made during use.
• Drawback: Prolonged use (more than three times per day) requires a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or the user becomes disoriented, suffering disadvantage on Wisdom-based skill checks for 1 hour.

Knave

Shadowbound Grappling Hook

• Item Type: Magical Tool
• Description: A grappling hook formed from dark, otherworldly metals that allows the user to traverse difficult terrain with ease, especially in dim light or shadows.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Climbing Bonus: Grants a +2 bonus to all climbing-related checks when used in darkness or low light.
  • Shadow Tendrils: Once per day, the hook’s tendrils can extend to latch onto a surface up to 20 feet away, allowing for an immediate climb or swing. The tendrils make no sound, allowing the user to remain stealthy.
• Drawback: After each use, roll a d20. On a 1, the tendrils become unstable, requiring 1 hour to regain full functionality.
• Encumbrance: 1 Slot

Fate Core System

Shadowbound Grappling Hook

• Aspect: “Tendrils of the Void”
• A grappling hook crafted from dark, ethereal metals that allows the user to traverse vertical obstacles with eerie silence and shadowy stealth.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Invoke: Use the aspect to gain +2 to overcome obstacles or create an advantage involving climbing or stealth.
  • Create an Advantage: The hook’s shadowy tendrils can create advantages like “Anchored in Shadows” or “Silent Ascent” when scaling walls or escaping through difficult terrain.
  • Compel: The GM may compel the aspect to have the user’s shadow-bound connection attract unwanted attention from entities or make the hook temporarily unreliable during tense situations.
  • Extras: Once per scene, the user may traverse an obstacle using the hook without needing to make a roll, provided shadows are present.

Numenera & Cypher System

Shadowbound Grappling Hook

• Level: 5
• Description: A grappling hook made from shadow-infused metal, capable of producing tendrils that latch onto surfaces, aiding in swift and stealthy traversal.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Climbing Asset: Grants an asset to Speed-based tasks involving climbing or swinging across gaps.
  • Shadowy Tendrils: By spending 3 Speed points, the user can extend the tendrils to climb or swing across surfaces up to 30 feet away. The tendrils make no sound, granting an additional asset to Stealth-related tasks while climbing.
  • Silent Movement: The hook muffles sound when used in dim light or shadows, ensuring the user remains undetected during its use.
• Depletion: After each use, roll a d20. On a 1, the hook’s magic fades and requires 24 hours to recharge.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

Shadowbound Grappling Hook

• Item Type: Wondrous Item, Uncommon (Requires Attunement)
• Level: 5
• Description: A shadow-infused grappling hook that enables the user to climb vertical surfaces and swing across gaps, its shadowy tendrils granting stealth and mobility.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Climbing Bonus: The user gains a +2 item bonus to Athletics checks to climb or swing across gaps.
  • Shadow Tendrils: Once per day, the hook extends shadowy tendrils, allowing the user to latch onto a surface up to 30 feet away. This grants the user a climb speed equal to their normal speed for 1 minute.
  • Silent Movement: In areas of dim light or darkness, the user gains a +2 item bonus to Stealth checks while using the hook.
• Drawback: If the hook is used more than twice in a day, the user must make a DC 14 Fortitude saving throw or become fatigued for 1 hour.

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

Shadowbound Grappling Hook

• Item Type: Magic Tool
• Description: A grappling hook made from dark, mystical metals, which produces shadowy tendrils for silent and swift traversal, perfect for sneaking across or climbing obstacles.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Stealth Bonus: The user gains a +2 bonus to Stealth rolls when using the hook in dim light or darkness.
  • Climbing Aid: The hook grants a +2 bonus to Athletics rolls for climbing. When used, it allows the user to scale vertical surfaces or swing across gaps up to 20 feet.
  • Shadow Tendrils: Once per session, the user can summon shadow tendrils from the hook to silently climb or swing across obstacles without making a sound, even if the surface would be impossible to climb normally.
• Drawback: After use, the user must roll Spirit (TN 4). On a failure, the user suffers Fatigue from the dark energy of the tendrils, which takes a toll on their body.

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

Shadowbound Grappling Hook

• Item Type: Magical Gear (Restricted)
• Description: The Shadowbound Grappling Hook is a stealthy, enchanted tool designed for rapid ascent and traversal, utilizing shadow-infused tendrils to latch onto surfaces silently.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Climbing Aid: Grants a +2 dice pool bonus to Athletics (Climbing) checks. The hook’s tendrils latch onto any surface within 20 meters.
  • Silent Ascent: The hook operates in complete silence, granting a +1 dice pool bonus to Sneaking checks while climbing.
  • Shadow Tendrils: Once per day, the hook can be used to climb surfaces without making any sound or leaving traces. Treat this as a magical effect (Force 4) that allows for stealthy traversal, even in areas with surveillance.
  • Drain: After using the tendrils, roll Body + Willpower (3). Failure causes the user to suffer 1 Stun Damage as the shadows drain their energy.
• Availability: 10F
• Cost: 20,000¥

Starfinder

Shadowbound Grappling Hook

• Item Type: Worn Magic Item
• Level: 5
• Description: A mystical grappling hook that extends shadowy tendrils to help the user silently climb and swing across surfaces.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Climbing Aid: Grants a +4 enhancement bonus to Athletics checks made to climb.
  • Shadow Tendrils: Once per day, the user can activate the grappling hook to extend ethereal tendrils that allow for climbing vertical surfaces up to 30 feet in height. The tendrils also grant the user a +2 circumstance bonus to Stealth checks while climbing in dim light or darkness.
  • Silent Movement: The user generates no sound while climbing in dim light or darkness, ensuring stealthy movement.
• Drawback: Using the Shadow Tendrils more than once in 24 hours requires a DC 16 Fortitude save or the user suffers 1d4 points of non-lethal damage as their connection to the shadow weakens.
• Cost: 3,500 credits
• Bulk: L (Light)

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

Shadowbound Grappling Hook

• Item Type: Tech-Level 14 Climbing Gear
• Description: A high-tech grappling hook enhanced by shadow technology, enabling the user to silently scale obstacles with ease and stealth.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Stealth Climbing: Grants a +2 DM to Athletics checks when climbing. The hook’s tendrils can extend up to 20 meters to latch onto surfaces, creating no sound.
  • Shadow Tendrils: Once per day, the user may activate the shadow tendrils, allowing them to climb or traverse obstacles without being seen or heard. Enemies take a -2 DM to any attempts to detect the user while the tendrils are active.
  • Silent Movement: The user generates no noise when climbing or swinging across obstacles while using the grappling hook.
  • Power Supply: The hook requires a power cell, with each charge allowing up to 12 hours of use. The tendrils’ magical properties are powered by this energy.
• Cost: 75,000 credits

Warhammer 40k (Wrath & Glory)

Shadowbound Grappling Hook

• Item Type: Rare Artefact (Tier 3)
• Keywords: Stealth, Relic, Shadow
• Description: A relic imbued with shadow energy, capable of producing tendrils that allow the user to climb silently and traverse great heights unseen.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Stealth Bonus: Grants a +2d bonus to Stealth rolls while using the grappling hook in darkness or dim light.
  • Shadow Tendrils: Once per session, the user can summon shadowy tendrils from the hook to climb or swing across gaps up to 10 meters. The tendrils allow the user to move without making a sound, and enemies must pass a DN 4 Awareness test to detect them.
  • Silent Ascent: While using the grappling hook, the user can move with absolute silence, imposing a +1 DN on enemies’ Perception tests to locate them.
  • Corruption: After using the Shadow Tendrils, the user must pass a DN 3 Corruption test. Failure results in gaining 1 Corruption Point due to the dark energies feeding into the user’s soul.
• Value: 5,000 Throne Gelt