Shadowweave Cloak 66

From: Enigmancers

Woven from the shadowy strands of the Void, this cloak grants the wearer the ability to blend seamlessly into darkness. It provides bonuses to stealth and grants limited invisibility when standing still.

The Shadowweave Cloak is a remarkable garment woven from the mysterious and elusive strands of the Void itself. Its fabric consists of intertwining shadowy fibers, lending it an ethereal and ever-shifting appearance.

Stats:

• Level: Tier 1
• Tags: Voidbound, Shadowmeld, Camouflage, Dimlight Adaptation, Ethereal Weave, Nightstalker, Stillness Cloak, Stealth Augmentation, Ambush Tool, Silent Passage

The primary ability of the Shadowweave Cloak is to allow the wearer to blend effortlessly into darkness. When the wearer is in dimly lit or shadowy environments, the cloak’s inherent magic enables them to become one with the shadows. This grants significant bonuses to stealth, allowing the wearer to move silently and remain unnoticed by both mundane and supernatural senses. They can traverse areas concealed in darkness with remarkable ease and grace, making it difficult for foes to detect their presence.

Furthermore, the Shadowweave Cloak bestows a limited form of invisibility when the wearer stands still. By activating the cloak’s dormant enchantment, the wearer becomes nearly invisible to the naked eye, camouflaging themselves completely within their surroundings. This ability is particularly effective when the wearer remains stationary, making it an excellent tactic for ambushes or observing situations undetected. However, any sudden movement or action breaks the invisibility, requiring careful maneuvering to maintain its effect.

The Shadowweave Cloak is highly sought after by rogues, assassins, and those who rely on stealth and subterfuge in their endeavors. It offers a distinct advantage in evading enemies, gathering intelligence, and executing covert operations. With its ability to seamlessly blend with darkness and provide limited invisibility, the cloak becomes an invaluable tool for those who prefer to operate in the shadows, maximizing their chances of success while minimizing the risk of detection.

In the world of Saṃsāra, the Shadowweave Cloak 66 is a rare and prized item, coveted by those who operate in secrecy and darkness, such as assassins, rogues, spies, and arcane practitioners. Its unique properties make it an item that is sold in specialized locations, often under mysterious or secretive circumstances. Below is a description of the types of shops and marketplaces where this cloak may be bought and sold, along with varying prices depending on location and reputation.

• Arcane Curio Shops
  • Description: Hidden in large cities, these shops are often owned by arcane practitioners or enchanters. They specialize in magical items and artifacts, from enchanted rings to powerful cloaks like the Shadowweave Cloak. The shop interiors are dimly lit, with shelves full of strange and mystical items, some of which may hum or glow faintly.
  • Cost: 400-500 gold pieces (depending on availability and the reputation of the enchanter).
  • How it’s bought/sold: These shops may cater to noble adventurers or those with enough gold and status to afford rare magical items. The cloak is usually kept in a back room or under protective enchantments, only shown to serious buyers who inquire directly. Haggling is common, and prices may be reduced if the buyer provides rare materials or valuable knowledge in exchange.
• Black Market Dealings
  • Description: Found in the hidden corners of large cities or remote hideouts, the black market is where items like the Shadowweave Cloak are sold to those with illicit connections. These underground markets are often guarded by shady dealers, and buyers may need passwords or recommendations to gain access.
  • Cost: 300-400 gold pieces (lower price due to illicit dealings).
  • How it’s bought/sold: Transactions are conducted in secret, often behind closed doors. Buyers need to prove their worth or loyalty to the black market to purchase such valuable goods. The cloak may be traded for gold or for equally valuable magical items, services, or information. Some sellers may demand favors or request future jobs in exchange for the cloak.
• Rogue Guild Outfitters
  • Description: Hidden within rogue or assassin guilds, these outfitters supply stealth-focused gear to members. These guilds are secretive organizations, and access to their wares is limited to trusted members or outsiders who have proven themselves to the guild.
  • Cost: 250-300 gold pieces (guild price); 450-500 gold pieces (outsider price).
  • How it’s bought/sold: Guild members receive discounts and can purchase the cloak after completing certain missions or earning favor with the guild leaders. Non-members may be able to buy the cloak if they’re on good terms with the guild or if they are able to bribe their way in. The cloak may also be offered as a reward for high-profile missions.
• Nomadic Shadow Traders
  • Description: Wandering merchants who specialize in rare magical artifacts, including items like the Shadowweave Cloak, can be found traveling across the world of Saṃsāra. These traders are elusive and may only appear at certain times, such as during eclipses, full moons, or magical festivals.
  • Cost: 350-450 gold pieces (prices vary based on scarcity and demand).
  • How it’s bought/sold: The cloak is traded to wealthy adventurers, rogues, or even noble clients who stumble upon these merchants during their travels. Buyers may need to barter with valuable goods, magical ingredients, or rare items to secure the cloak. Since these merchants often deal in mystical and dangerous goods, the price of the cloak can vary significantly based on the seller’s judgment of the buyer’s needs.
• Mystic Shadow Markets
  • Description: Rarely accessible to ordinary adventurers, these mystical markets appear only under certain conditions—such as during a lunar eclipse, in the hidden corners of ancient cities, or in realms linked to shadow magic. These markets are frequented by enigmancers, warlocks, and shadow priests who trade in items with ties to the Void.
  • Cost: 500-600 gold pieces (due to the rarity and high magical demand).
  • How it’s bought/sold: Access to the Shadowweave Cloak in these markets often requires magical credentials, sponsorship, or a deep understanding of shadow magic. The cloak may be sold as part of a larger bargain, such as in exchange for rare artifacts, powerful magical components, or secret knowledge. Transactions may also involve promises or oaths that bind the buyer to future shadow-related tasks.
• High-Society Noble Auctions
  • Description: High-society auctions, held in secretive venues or during grand noble gatherings, feature rare magical items like the Shadowweave Cloak. These auctions are exclusive events, attended by wealthy nobles, crime lords, and adventurers with deep pockets.
  • Cost: 600-700 gold pieces (driven up by bidding wars among elite buyers).
  • How it’s bought/sold: The cloak is presented as part of a collection of rare artifacts, and bidding wars are common. The cloak’s shadowy properties are described in great detail by auctioneers, with potential buyers competing for ownership. These auctions can result in steep prices due to the rarity and magical properties of the item, and it’s common for buyers to pay in gems, magical items, or future political favors.
• Summary of Costs:
  • Arcane Curio Shops: 400-500 gold pieces
  • Black Market Dealings: 300-400 gold pieces
  • Rogue Guild Outfitters: 250-300 gold (members), 450-500 gold (outsiders)
  • Nomadic Shadow Traders: 350-450 gold pieces
  • Mystic Shadow Markets: 500-600 gold pieces
  • High-Society Noble Auctions: 600-700 gold pieces

The Shadowweave Cloak 66 is highly sought after for its ability to blend the wearer into darkness, granting bonuses to stealth and limited invisibility when standing still. Whether purchased in the shadowy corners of a rogue’s guild, through a mystical market, or at a high-society auction, the cloak’s value reflects its rarity, power, and utility in the world of Saṃsāra.

The Shadowweave Cloak 66 is a versatile tool for those relying on stealth and evasion. It allows the wearer to blend into darkness and grants limited invisibility, making it ideal for ambushes, espionage, and defensive tactics. Here’s how it might be used in different environments for defense and offense in roleplay within the world of Saṃsāra.

• Dense Forests or Jungles
  • Defense:
    • In forests where shadows are abundant, the cloak enables the wearer to hide effortlessly among the trees and foliage. The user can move silently, using the shadows cast by the dense canopy to avoid detection by predators, hostile creatures, or enemy patrols. The cloak’s ability to provide limited invisibility when standing still allows the wearer to wait patiently without being seen, perfect for avoiding ambushes.
    • Example: The wearer, being chased by a group of bandits, finds cover under thick vines. Activating the cloak’s invisibility while standing still, they blend into the shadows of the forest floor, causing the bandits to pass by without noticing their presence.
  • Offense:
    • The jungle provides plenty of cover for setting ambushes. Using the cloak, the wearer can sneak up on targets or lie in wait, becoming nearly invisible when stationary. This allows them to strike from cover, making the cloak perfect for ambush attacks or tracking prey undetected.
    • Example: The wearer silently approaches a camp of rival adventurers. Using the cloak to blend with the jungle shadows, they strike swiftly with a surprise attack before retreating into the cover of the dense foliage.
• Urban Environments or Cities
  • Defense:
    • In busy urban settings, the wearer can use the cloak to blend into the shadowy corners of alleyways, narrow streets, or marketplaces. The cloak helps evade detection from city guards, bounty hunters, or rival thieves. By standing still in dark areas, the wearer can activate the invisibility property to avoid detection during intense searches.
    • Example: After a theft, the wearer slips into a dark alley, where city guards patrol nearby. Standing perfectly still, the cloak’s magic activates, rendering the wearer invisible until the guards move on.
  • Offense:
    • Urban areas often feature tight spaces, and the cloak’s stealth-enhancing abilities are perfect for sneaking up on targets in these environments. The wearer can use the cloak to avoid detection, break into guarded buildings, or prepare ambushes from shadowy rooftops or narrow alleyways.
    • Example: The wearer, tasked with eliminating a corrupt noble, scales the shadowed walls of a city mansion under the cover of darkness. They remain unseen thanks to the cloak’s ability to blend with shadows, slipping past guards and silently neutralizing the target.
• Caves, Dungeons, or Underground
  • Defense:
    • The Shadowweave Cloak excels in the deep shadows of caves or dungeons. In these environments, light is already scarce, and the cloak makes it nearly impossible for dungeon creatures, traps, or other adventurers to spot the wearer. By standing still in a shadowed corner, the cloak’s invisibility activates, allowing the wearer to bypass enemies or patrols.
    • Example: While exploring a dungeon, the wearer encounters a group of hostile cultists. They slip into the shadows of a nearby alcove and stand perfectly still, using the cloak’s magic to remain invisible until the cultists move on.
  • Offense:
    • In narrow dungeon corridors, the wearer can use the cloak to launch stealthy attacks from the shadows. Its ability to blend with darkness makes ambushes particularly effective, allowing the wearer to strike at enemies and retreat before being noticed.
    • Example: The wearer hides in the shadows of a dungeon, waiting for a band of goblins to pass. With the cloak’s invisibility, they remain unseen until the perfect moment, at which point they silently attack and quickly disappear into the darkness again.
• Open Fields or Plains
  • Defense:
    • In wide, open areas, the cloak’s effectiveness is limited in broad daylight but becomes useful during twilight, dusk, or night. The wearer can use the long shadows cast by rocks or tall grass to hide, and by standing still, they can vanish completely. The cloak also helps when sneaking past patrols or predators in the early morning or late evening.
    • Example: While crossing an open plain at dusk, the wearer notices a group of enemies on horseback approaching. By crouching in the tall grass and staying motionless, the cloak activates, rendering them nearly invisible until the danger passes.
  • Offense:
    • The wearer can use the shadows cast by natural features like hills or rocks to sneak up on enemies. Though the open environment presents challenges, the cloak’s magic offers significant advantages at dawn, dusk, or night. The wearer can set up ambushes under the cover of nightfall or strike unseen from behind natural cover.
    • Example: Under cover of night, the wearer stalks a group of enemy scouts camped on an open plain. Using the cloak to stay hidden, they silently approach and take out the scouts before vanishing into the night.
• Deserts or Wastelands
  • Defense:
    • In harsh desert environments, the cloak offers little protection during the day, but its magic comes alive at night. The vast stretches of desert create long shadows, allowing the wearer to blend in and evade enemies or desert predators. The invisibility function works best under the cool night sky, where the wearer can disappear entirely in the absence of light.
    • Example: After sunset, the wearer spots a nomadic raider group on the horizon. Using the cloak’s stealth properties, they slip into the shadows of a nearby rock formation, staying hidden until the raiders move away.
  • Offense:
    • In the desert at night, the cloak’s magic allows the wearer to carry out raids or ambushes on unsuspecting foes. The dark, open spaces of the desert provide plenty of opportunities to remain unseen, and the wearer can move silently between cover or disappear completely when standing still.
    • Example: The wearer sneaks up on a caravan under the moonlit desert sky, blending into the night shadows as they sabotage the caravan’s supplies and retreat without a trace.
• Swamps or Marshlands
  • Defense:
    • The shadowy, mist-filled environment of a swamp is perfect for the Shadowweave Cloak. The wearer can hide among the heavy fog and murky waters, using the cloak to avoid detection by swamp creatures or enemy scouts. The cloak’s invisibility allows the wearer to stay perfectly still in the mist, rendering them completely hidden from those passing by.
    • Example: The wearer, hiding from a band of swamp marauders, remains perfectly still among the thick fog, becoming invisible as the mist and cloak work together to conceal their presence.
  • Offense:
    • Swamps offer natural cover in the form of thick foliage, water, and fog, allowing the wearer to launch stealthy attacks. The cloak enhances the wearer’s ability to move silently through the murky terrain, setting ambushes or stalking prey while remaining undetected.
    • Example: The wearer stalks an enemy through the swamp, using the dense fog and the cloak’s magic to remain hidden. They strike from the shadows and disappear back into the swamp before the enemy has a chance to react.
• Overall Use in Roleplay for Defense and Offense:
  • Defense: The Shadowweave Cloak 66 is most effective in dark or shadowy environments, where its ability to blend into the surroundings helps the wearer avoid detection. In many settings, standing still activates the cloak’s invisibility feature, providing an even greater advantage. The cloak is ideal for escaping pursuit, avoiding detection, and lying in wait.
  • Offense: Offensively, the cloak enables the wearer to ambush targets, move silently through enemy territory, and strike without warning. Its camouflage properties make it invaluable for rogues, assassins, or scouts who rely on surprise attacks and stealth-based tactics.

The Shadowweave Cloak 66 truly shines in environments with natural shadows or cover, enhancing both defensive escapes and offensive strikes, allowing the wearer to be a master of stealth and subterfuge in the world of Saṃsāra.

Perception of Activation: Shadowweave Cloak 66

• User’s Perspective:
  • Sight:
    • As the cloak activates, shadows seem to thicken and wrap around your form. The world appears dimmer, as if a veil has fallen over your surroundings. The edges of your vision blur, and you notice that your body begins to fade, blending into the darkness. The cloak itself shifts and moves subtly, as though it is alive, responding to the shadows around you.
    • Positives: You feel hidden, nearly invisible in the dim light, confident that no one can see you.
    • Negatives: Your own vision is slightly impaired, especially in brighter areas where the cloak struggles to adjust.
  • Sound:
    • All noise seems to soften around you. The rustling of the cloak and your footsteps become almost imperceptible. The air feels thicker, muffling external sounds, making it harder to hear anything beyond a close range.
    • Positives: You move in near silence, perfect for sneaking or hiding from danger.
    • Negatives: The dampened soundscape can make it harder for you to hear threats or conversations in your immediate surroundings.
  • Touch:
    • The cloak feels weightless, barely brushing against your skin, yet it clings tightly to your body when you move. You feel a slight chill as if the shadows themselves have a cold, almost ghostly touch. There’s a sense of fluidity, as though the cloak is shifting to adapt to your movements, keeping you concealed.
    • Positives: You feel incredibly light, with full freedom of movement and agility.
    • Negatives: The constant coolness can become uncomfortable, especially in colder climates, and may feel unsettling over time.
  • Smell:
    • A faint, earthy aroma reminiscent of ancient stone and damp, forgotten places fills your senses. The scent is subtle but ever-present, reinforcing the connection between the cloak and the dark, shadowy realms from which it draws power.
    • Positives: This grounding scent adds to the sense of connection with the cloak’s magic.
    • Negatives: The musty smell may become distracting or unpleasant after long periods, especially in fresher environments.
  • Taste:
    • A faint metallic tang lingers on your tongue when the cloak’s magic activates, similar to the taste of cold iron. It is fleeting, but serves as a reminder that the cloak draws on arcane, shadowy forces.
    • Positives: The taste reinforces the arcane connection, heightening your focus on the magic.
    • Negatives: The metallic taste can be disorienting or unsettling, especially if it appears at inopportune moments.
• Observer’s Perspective:
  • Sight:
    • To an onlooker, the wearer of the cloak begins to fade, their form blending into the surrounding darkness. In dim light or shadows, the wearer appears to vanish completely, with only faint, shifting outlines betraying their presence. The cloak itself seems to ripple like liquid shadow, making it difficult for the observer to focus on the wearer’s precise location.
    • Positives: The wearer becomes nearly invisible, especially in low-light conditions, making them almost impossible to track or follow.
    • Negatives: In brighter environments, the distortion of light around the wearer may appear unnatural, drawing attention.
  • Sound:
    • From an observer’s perspective, the wearer’s movements are unnaturally quiet. Footsteps, rustling fabric, and even breathing are muffled, creating an eerie silence. In noisier environments, this could be overlooked, but in quieter areas, the sudden lack of sound may stand out.
    • Positives: The wearer is almost impossible to detect by sound, adding to their stealth and making it difficult to locate them.
    • Negatives: The absence of sound in expected situations could raise suspicion, especially in normally noisy environments like a marketplace or a busy street.
  • Touch (Perceived by Others):
    • If someone were to touch the wearer while the cloak is activated, the fabric would feel unusually cool and slick, almost like a thin layer of mist or liquid. The cloak resists firm contact, slipping away from any attempt to grab or hold it.
    • Positives: The wearer becomes difficult to grasp, adding a layer of physical defense.
    • Negatives: The strange, almost intangible feel of the cloak might alert others to its magical nature.
• Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
  • Magic Detection:
    • To those capable of detecting magic, the cloak radiates an aura of shadow magic. The energy feels slippery and elusive, as though it actively tries to avoid being noticed. It’s tied to ancient, void-like forces, with a deep, cold energy that feels both powerful and unsettling.
    • Positives: The cloak’s magic is subtle, making it hard for casual observers or low-level magic users to detect.
    • Negatives: Beings attuned to shadow magic or those with advanced magical senses may notice the cloak’s unique energy, potentially drawing unwanted attention.
  • Sense of Presence:
    • Those with heightened or supernatural senses would perceive the wearer’s presence as diminished or faint. The cloak masks the wearer’s life force, making them seem as though they are fading or less substantial than they truly are. This effect can confuse beings that rely on sensing life energy or psychic auras.
    • Positives: The wearer becomes harder to detect through supernatural means, such as life sense, telepathy, or magical tracking.
    • Negatives: Creatures or beings sensitive to the disruption of natural forces may be drawn to or disturbed by the wearer’s altered presence, which could lead to unwanted attention or aggression.
• Positives of Activation:
  • Visual Concealment: The wearer becomes nearly invisible in dim or shadowy environments, blending seamlessly into the darkness.
  • Sound Dampening: The cloak mutes the wearer’s movements, making them incredibly difficult to detect by sound.
  • Agility and Evasion: The cloak’s weightless nature enhances mobility, allowing the wearer to move swiftly and silently.
  • Supernatural Concealment: The wearer’s presence is diminished, making them harder to detect through magical or extra-sensory means.
• Negatives of Activation:
  • Limited Effectiveness in Bright Light: The cloak struggles to conceal the wearer in well-lit environments, and its shadow effects may draw attention if they appear unnatural.
  • Sensory Impairment: The wearer’s own senses, particularly sight and hearing, may be slightly dulled while the cloak is activated, affecting awareness.
  • Unsettling Sensations: The constant coolness, metallic taste, and muffled sounds can become disorienting or uncomfortable over time, especially during extended use.
  • Attention from Supernatural Beings: The cloak’s shadow magic may attract creatures or beings sensitive to dark, void-like forces, increasing the wearer’s risk of encountering dangerous entities.

Crafting Recipe: Shadowweave Cloak 66

• Materials Needed:
  • Voidthread Spool (3 spools) Rare, enchanted thread spun from the essence of the Void. This material is necessary for binding shadow magic into the fabric.
  • Shadow Silk (4 yards) A rare, silky material harvested from shadow-dwelling spiders in the deepest caves. It is known for its ability to blend into darkness.
  • Essence of Night (2 vials) Distilled from the purest darkness, usually gathered from magical locations during a new moon. It serves to enhance the shadow-binding properties of the cloak.
  • Void Crystal Dust (1 vial) Powdered crystals mined from shadow-rich regions, used to strengthen the cloak’s connection to void magic and increase its stealth capabilities.
  • Phantom Feather (1 feather) A feather from a phantom bird, symbolizing silence and invisibility. Its magic helps to dampen sound and increase the cloak’s ethereal nature.
  • Nightshade Dye (1 batch) A deep, midnight-black dye made from nightshade flowers. It ensures the cloak’s appearance is completely dark and helps imbue it with its stealthy properties.
• Tools Required:
  • Enchanted Loom
    • A magical loom capable of handling delicate, shadow-infused materials without breaking their mystical properties.
  • Moonstone Needle
    • A needle crafted from enchanted moonstone, used for stitching magical fabrics and ensuring the enchantments remain intact during the weaving process.
  • Runescribe Stylus
    • A magical tool used to inscribe shadow runes along the edges of the cloak, locking in the magic needed to make the wearer blend into darkness.
  • Alchemist’s Kit
    • Necessary for distilling the Essence of Night and preparing the Nightshade Dye.
  • Void Infuser
    • A tool used to imbue the cloak with void energy, ensuring that it gains its limited invisibility and sound-dampening properties.
• Skill Requirements:
  • Weaving (Expert Level) The crafter must be an expert in handling enchanted threads and materials, ensuring that the Voidthread and Shadow Silk are woven without losing their magical potency.
  • Alchemy (Intermediate Level) Alchemical knowledge is required to prepare the Essence of Night and Nightshade Dye, as well as to properly mix and apply these materials during the crafting process.
  • Enchanting (Advanced Level) The cloak’s shadowy abilities require advanced enchanting skills, particularly in binding void energy and shadow magic to the physical fabric.
  • Runescribing (Basic Level) Basic knowledge of runes is needed to inscribe the necessary symbols on the cloak to activate its stealth and invisibility properties.
• Crafting Steps:
  • Prepare the Shadow Silk and Voidthread
    • Set up the Enchanted Loom with the Shadow Silk as the base material. Begin weaving the Voidthread through the silk, creating a flexible yet durable fabric. The threads must be woven tightly but not too stiffly, allowing the cloak to remain light and flowing.
  • Distill the Essence of Night and Prepare the Nightshade Dye
    • Using the Alchemist’s Kit, carefully distill the Essence of Night in total darkness. At the same time, prepare the Nightshade Dye by boiling nightshade flowers under the light of the new moon. Allow both substances to cool and settle before application.
  • Dye the Woven Fabric
    • Submerge the woven silk and thread fabric into the Nightshade Dye for at least 8 hours, ensuring it absorbs the deep black color. Once fully dyed, hang the fabric in a dark, dry space for 12 hours to allow the color to set.
  • Apply Void Crystal Dust and Stitch Phantom Feather
    • After the fabric has dried, sprinkle Void Crystal Dust evenly across the cloak. Use the Moonstone Needle to stitch the Phantom Feather into the inner lining, which will help enhance the cloak’s sound-dampening and invisibility properties.
  • Imbue the Cloak with Void Energy
    • Using the Void Infuser, channel the Essence of Night into the cloak. Slowly infuse the cloak with void energy, allowing the Essence of Night and the Void Crystal Dust to bind with the fabric. This step will ensure the cloak grants its wearer the ability to blend with shadows and become nearly invisible when standing still.
  • Inscribe the Shadow Runes
    • With the Runescribe Stylus, carefully inscribe runes along the inner edges of the cloak. These runes are critical for activating the cloak’s magical properties. As each rune is inscribed, apply a single drop of Essence of Night to lock the enchantments in place.
  • Seal the Enchantment
    • After the runes have been inscribed, apply the Void Infuser one final time to seal the cloak’s enchantments. Let the cloak rest in complete darkness for 24 hours to solidify the magic.

Final Touches: Once the process is complete, the Shadowweave Cloak 66 will grant the wearer enhanced stealth (+2 to Stealth checks), the ability to blend seamlessly into shadows, and limited invisibility when standing still. The cloak also dampens sound, making it ideal for those who wish to move undetected. The finished cloak will be a prized possession for rogues, assassins, and anyone who relies on stealth in the world of Saṃsāra.

Tale of the Cloak of Vanishing Dark

In the far times, when the sky was not yet born and the ground still dreamed, there was a shadow deep within the night. The shadow had no form, no name, but it desired greatly to walk among the living, to see with eyes and to speak with a voice. The shadow watched the world and learned of those who moved between the light and dark, the ones who sought secrets and hid in the spaces unseen. The shadow wanted to help them, to give them its gifts of darkness, and so it took the threads of the void and wove them into a cloak.

The cloak was woven from the threads of places where light feared to go. It was darker than the night, more silent than breath, and its wearer could disappear like mist at dawn. The first to find it was Xiru, a hunter of the lost places. He was cunning and swift, yet no matter how fast his feet, the dangers of the wilds would still follow him. When Xiru found the cloak, hidden beneath the stones of an ancient ruin, he felt the shadow’s whisper: “Wear me, and no eye shall see you.”

Xiru wrapped himself in the cloak, and as the shadow promised, he vanished from the sight of men, beasts, and spirits alike. He could walk unseen into the dens of monsters, steal from kings, and escape without a trace. For many seasons, Xiru became a legend—the hunter who could not be caught.

But as all stories go, there was a price. The cloak, though silent and hidden, had a hunger. Each time Xiru wore it, a piece of him faded. First, it was his name—spoken no longer even by his own tongue. Then, it was his shadow, for he cast none. In time, even his voice was swallowed, and when he stood still too long, not even his breath could be heard.

It is said that one day, Xiru vanished entirely, leaving behind only the cloak. No one knows where he went, though some say he became one with the shadow that created it, lost forever in the spaces where no light dares to touch.

Moral of the Story: The darkness may grant you safety, but its cost is always a part of yourself. To hide from the world is to slowly disappear from it, until nothing remains of the one who sought to vanish.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

Name: Shadowweave Cloak

• Type: Magical Item
• Effects:
  • Stealth Bonus: +20% to Stealth in dim light or darkness.
  • Invisibility: The wearer becomes nearly invisible when standing still in shadowy environments, granting a bonus die (1D10) to Stealth rolls.
  • Sanity Cost: Each use risks 1D3 Sanity loss as the cloak’s connection to the Void disturbs the user’s mind.
  • Drawback: Prolonged use leads to the user experiencing shadow-related hallucinations or a loss of identity.

Blades in the Dark

Name: Shadowweave Cloak

• Type: Fine Cloak (Tier III)
• Effect:
  • Stealth Bonus: +1D to Prowl rolls in darkness or low-light conditions.
  • Shadowmeld: When standing still in shadows, the wearer becomes nearly invisible for a short duration (1 scene), costing 2 Stress.
  • Drawback: If used multiple times in a score, the user risks attracting supernatural entities or the attention of the ghost field. The GM may increase the complication level for any subsequent actions.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

Name: Shadowweave Cloak

• Wondrous Item (Rare, requires attunement)
• Armor Class: +1 to AC
• Effect:
  • Stealth Bonus: The wearer gains a +2 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks in dim light or darkness.
  • Invisibility (1/day): The wearer can use an action to become invisible for 1 minute, as long as they remain stationary. The effect ends if the wearer moves, attacks, or casts a spell.
  • Shadow Affinity: The wearer has advantage on saving throws against spells that rely on sight or light-based effects.
  • Curse (Optional): Extended use of the cloak may cause the wearer to suffer from visions of the Void or lose their sense of self, resulting in a penalty to Wisdom saving throws after prolonged use.

Knave

Name: Shadowweave Cloak

• Armor Class: +1 bonus to Armor
• Effect:
  • Stealth Bonus: Grants advantage on Dexterity-based Stealth rolls in dim light or shadowed areas.
  • Invisibility (1/day): When the wearer stands still in shadows, they can become invisible for up to 10 minutes, or until they move or attack.
  • Drawback: If worn for more than 1 hour in bright light, the cloak loses its invisibility power for 24 hours and must be restored by resting in darkness.

Fate Core

Name: Shadowweave Cloak

• Aspect: “Cloaked in Shadows”
• Effect: Invoke the aspect to gain +2 on any stealth-related rolls in shadows or darkness.
• Stunt – Shadowmeld: Once per scene, spend 1 Fate point to become invisible when standing still in dim light or darkness. The effect lasts until the user moves or is directly attacked.
• Drawback: Shadows cling unnaturally to the wearer, allowing the GM to compel the cloak’s aspect, causing supernatural attention or difficulties when exposed to bright light.

Numenera & Cypher System

Name: Shadowweave Cloak

• Level: 5
• Effect:
  • Stealth Bonus: The wearer gains 2 levels of Effort on stealth-related tasks in dim light or darkness.
  • Invisibility: Once per day, the wearer can become invisible for up to 10 minutes, as long as they remain stationary. Moving or taking action cancels the effect.
  • Void Aura: The wearer is harder to detect by creatures or devices that sense light or heat, gaining an asset on defense rolls against perception-based effects.
  • Depletion: 1 in 1D20 after each use of invisibility.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

Name: Shadowweave Cloak

• Item Level: 7
• Price: 450 gp
• Usage: Worn, cloak; requires attunement
• Armor Class: +1 item bonus to AC
• Effect:
  • Stealth Bonus: Grants a +2 item bonus to Stealth checks in dim light or darkness.
  • Invisibility (1/day): The wearer can use the Invisibility spell (2nd level, innate spell) for 1 minute, as long as they remain still. The effect ends if the wearer moves or takes any action.
  • Shadowmeld: When in shadows or dim light, the wearer gains advantage on saving throws against spells that rely on sight or light.
  • Drawback: Wearing the cloak continuously for more than a week imposes a -1 penalty on Will saving throws, due to creeping shadow-related paranoia.

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

Name: Shadowweave Cloak

• Type: Magical Item
• Armor Bonus: +1 Toughness
• Effect:
  • Stealth Bonus: +2 to Stealth rolls when in dim light or shadows.
  • Invisibility: Once per day, the wearer can activate Invisibility for 3 rounds, as long as they remain stationary (costs 5 Power Points if using Power rules).
  • Shadowmeld: The wearer gains a -4 penalty to Notice rolls made to detect them when they are in shadowy environments.
  • Drawback: Prolonged use of the cloak may cause supernatural entities to take interest in the wearer, resulting in corruption or hallucinations (GM’s discretion).

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

Name: Shadowweave Cloak

• Type: Magical Gear (Light Armor)
• Armor Rating: +1 vs. magical attacks
• Effect:
  • Stealth Bonus: +2 dice to Sneaking rolls in dim light or darkness.
  • Invisibility: Once per day, the wearer can become invisible for 1D6 combat turns while stationary. This is a Major Action and ends if the user moves or takes another action.
  • Side Effect: Prolonged use may attract the attention of astral entities. After each use, roll 1D6; on a result of 1, the user experiences minor astral disturbances (GM’s discretion).
  • Availability: 12F
  • Cost: 12,000¥

Starfinder

Name: Shadowweave Cloak

• Type: Hybrid Item, Level 6
• Price: 4,500 credits
• Bulk: Light
• Effect:
  • Stealth Bonus: +3 insight bonus to Stealth checks in dim light or darkness.
  • Invisibility (1/day): As a standard action, the wearer can become invisible for 1 minute while remaining stationary. The invisibility ends if the wearer moves or takes an action.
  • Shadowmeld: The wearer gains a +2 bonus to Reflex saves when in dim light or shadows.
  • Drawback: Prolonged exposure to bright light renders the cloak’s invisibility inactive for 24 hours.
  • Slots: Shoulders

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

Name: Shadowweave Cloak

• Tech Level: 14
• Armor: +1 against physical and energy attacks
• Effect:
  • Stealth Bonus: DM+2 to Stealth checks in low-light environments, such as starship interiors or nighttime operations.
  • Invisibility: Once per day, the wearer can activate a cloaking field, becoming invisible for 1D6 rounds while remaining stationary.
  • Power Source: Requires 1 Power Unit per use of invisibility.
  • Drawback: Using the cloak repeatedly increases visibility to infrared sensors, imposing a DM-1 penalty to future Stealth rolls after prolonged use.
  • Cost: Cr15,000
  • Encumbrance: 0.5 kg

Warhammer Fantasy (4th Edition)

Name: Shadowweave Cloak

• Type: Magical Armor (Light)
• Effect:
  • Armor Bonus: +1 Toughness against magical attacks
  • Stealth Bonus: +15 bonus to Stealth (Urban or Rural) rolls in shadowy environments.
  • Invisibility (1/day): The wearer becomes invisible for 1D10 rounds while remaining stationary. Any movement cancels the invisibility.
  • Drawback: Prolonged use may cause the wearer to suffer 1 Corruption Point for every extended use, as they become more attuned to the void’s darkness.
  • Encumbrance: 1
  • Cost: 100 gold crowns