Soulbound Anklets

From: Spectral Lupines

Stats:

• Level: Tier 1
• Saving Throw Bonus: Advantage on saving throws against banishing or forcing the Lupine out of its spectral form.
• Skills: No specific skills affected, but the advantage on saving throws can apply to various situations, such as resisting banishment spells or effects.
• Cost: The Soulbound Anklets are considered a valuable and rare magical item. Their cost could be approximately 600 gold pieces or equivalent value in your game system.
• Tags: Spectral, Banishment Resistance, Spiritbound, Ethereal Resilience, Supernatural Defense, Unity Symbol, Phantom, Soulforged, Planar Anchor, Ghostwalk
• Item Type: Accessory/Anklets
• Rarity: Rare
• Magical: Yes
• Ethereal/Spiritual: Yes

Lore: The Soulbound Anklets are believed to have been created by an ancient order of spectral guardians. These ethereal anklets were imbued with the essence of departed souls, allowing the Spectral Lupines to traverse the spirit realm with ease. Legends speak of the anklets as a symbol of unity between the living and the ethereal plane.

Use: The Soulbound Anklets provide the Spectral Lupines with enhanced resistance against banishment or forced expulsion from their spectral form. Here are their primary uses:

• Spirit Realm Traversal: The anklets enable the Spectral Lupines to move effortlessly through the spirit realm, allowing them to navigate and explore ethereal planes or areas infused with supernatural energies. This can be useful for uncovering hidden secrets, accessing ethereal locations, or interacting with spectral beings.
• Advantage on Saving Throws: The Soulbound Anklets grant advantage on saving throws against spells or effects that would banish or force the Spectral Lupine out of its spectral form. This includes banishment spells, effects that attempt to dispel the Lupine’s spectral nature, or other abilities that would forcibly return it to the material plane. This enhanced resistance increases the chances of maintaining its spectral form and continuing to operate as a supernatural entity.
• Ethereal Protection: The anklets offer protection against spiritual threats and supernatural attempts to expel or banish the Spectral Lupine. They provide a layer of defense against forces seeking to disrupt the Lupine’s spectral existence, granting it resilience in encounters with entities that have the power to manipulate or control spirits.
• Symbol of Unity: The Soulbound Anklets hold symbolic significance, representing the unity between the living and the ethereal plane. They can serve as a sign of the Spectral Lupine’s connection to the spectral realm, potentially leading to unique interactions with spectral creatures, spirits, or individuals knowledgeable about the ethereal plane.

Coveted Item: Given their rarity and the unique protection they provide, the Soulbound Anklets may draw the attention of those seeking to control or harness spectral energies. Adventurers, necromancers, or factions interested in the ethereal may be interested in obtaining the anklets. This can lead to quests, encounters, or rivalries centered around the Spectral Lupine and those who desire the anklets.

In the world of Saṃsāra, the Soulbound Anklets are a rare and coveted magical item, often found in specialized shops that deal with the ethereal, spiritual, or spectral arts. Their rarity and unique protection against banishment make them highly sought after by both adventurers and practitioners of the arcane. Here are different types of establishments where the Soulbound Anklets might be bought or sold, along with the cost in each:

• The Veil’s Edge Emporium
  • Location: A mysterious shop situated at the boundary between the material and ethereal planes, often hidden from plain sight and only accessible to those with knowledge of spectral magic. It is located in the shadowy corners of Saṃsāra’s Underworld, where spiritual and ethereal goods are traded.
  • How Sold: The shopkeeper, a ghostly figure, only sells the anklets to those who can demonstrate a connection to the spirit realm or those who have completed quests dealing with the ethereal plane. Transactions are done through whispered deals in exchange for rare ethereal materials, rather than traditional currency.
  • Cost: 800–1,000 gold pieces (or equivalent rare items). The cost reflects the spiritual and magical significance of the anklets.
• Spectral Curiosities
  • Location: A specialized shop in Saṃsāra’s capital, known for rare artifacts connected to the spirit world. The shop is run by an eccentric necromancer who deals in objects that bridge the gap between the living and the dead.
  • How Sold: The Soulbound Anklets are often sold alongside other relics connected to spirits and the ethereal plane. Customers interested in purchasing the anklets must engage in lengthy negotiations, often offering unique items or performing a task for the shopkeeper to secure the deal.
  • Cost: 600–800 gold pieces. Prices fluctuate depending on the demand for ethereal items and the current market for rare magical goods.
• The Celestial Market
  • Location: Located within one of the Floating Cities of the Zephyrstone Islands, this open-air market specializes in celestial and spiritual items. It is frequented by scholars of the spirit world and adventurers seeking knowledge of the afterlife.
  • How Sold: The anklets are displayed in glass cases, bathed in soft, ethereal light. Buyers must show they are aligned with the ethereal arts or have a strong connection to spectral beings. The merchant may require a test of worthiness before allowing the sale.
  • Cost: 700–900 gold pieces, depending on the buyer’s ability to negotiate and their reputation.
• Wraith’s Whisper Bazaar
  • Location: An underground marketplace located in the Shadow Caves, where shadowy and spectral items are sold to those who deal in spirits, necromancy, and the manipulation of the ethereal. This hidden market is known only to the most secretive of buyers.
  • How Sold: The Soulbound Anklets are a prized item, sold through hushed whispers and secret dealings. Buyers often must outbid other interested parties or trade rare ghostly materials in addition to gold.
  • Cost: 900–1,200 gold pieces, reflecting the illicit nature of the market and the difficulty in obtaining the anklets.
• Spiritualist’s Sanctum
  • Location: A tranquil shop near a sacred grove or a shrine devoted to the ethereal realm, located in one of Saṃsāra’s mystical forests. The shop is run by spiritualists and druids who deal in items that help communicate with spirits and protect from supernatural threats.
  • How Sold: The Soulbound Anklets are sold to those who prove they have good intentions when dealing with the spirit realm. Often, the shopkeeper may request a favor related to the spirits in exchange for the anklets, such as aiding a wandering soul or banishing a dark entity.
  • Cost: 600–800 gold pieces, with potential discounts for those who have shown respect to the spirits.
• Necromancer’s Vault
  • Location: A vault deep beneath one of Saṃsāra’s cities, where necromancers, sorcerers, and dark wizards trade in powerful spectral items. The vault is a place of shadows and secrets, frequented by those looking to gain control over spirits.
  • How Sold: The anklets are sold to those who seek power over the spirit world. Buyers must often prove their magical prowess or complete a dangerous quest for the necromancer in exchange for the anklets.
  • Cost: 1,000–1,500 gold pieces. The anklets are considered a rare item in these circles and are highly prized by those seeking to manipulate ethereal energies.
• The Eternal Bond Artisan’s Workshop
  • Location: A small workshop run by spiritual blacksmiths who specialize in crafting items that link the material and ethereal planes. Located near a holy site where spirits are known to wander freely.
  • How Sold: The workshop produces a few Soulbound Anklets each year. They are custom-made for adventurers or spectral guardians and are only sold to those who can demonstrate their connection to the spiritual realm.
  • Cost: 800–1,000 gold pieces, often requiring an additional ethereal essence or rare crafting material to complete the purchase.
• Ghostlight Auction
  • Location: An auction held once a year in the spectral ruins of a long-forgotten kingdom. Only those who deal with spirits, necromancy, or the ethereal plane know the location, and invitations are rare.
  • How Sold: The Soulbound Anklets are a featured item in the auction, attracting interest from necromancers, adventurers, and factions that deal with ethereal energies. The auctioneer ensures the item is sold to the highest bidder.
  • Cost: 1,200–2,000 gold pieces, depending on the competition between bidders. The price often spikes as interested parties compete to acquire the rare anklets.

Each of these establishments in Saṃsāra represents a unique opportunity for adventurers or scholars seeking to obtain the Soulbound Anklets, with prices ranging from moderate to high depending on the shop, the demand, and the rarity of the anklets in that particular market.

The Soulbound Anklets, with their ethereal protection and ability to resist banishment, provide both defensive and offensive capabilities in various environments across the world of Saṃsāra. Here’s how the anklets can be used in different settings:

• In an Ethereal or Spirit Realm
  • Defense: In ethereal planes or spirit realms, where spiritual threats abound, the Soulbound Anklets allow the wearer to maintain their spectral form and avoid being forcibly expelled or banished. The advantage on saving throws against effects that attempt to disrupt their form is crucial in this environment, where malevolent spirits or planar entities might try to sever their connection to the realm. The anklets also provide a sense of security against spiritual manipulation.
    • Roleplay: As the Spectral Lupine navigates the shifting mists of the spirit realm, they feel the pull of dark forces attempting to drag them back to the material world. With the Soulbound Anklets secured around their paws, the Lupine feels the ethereal forces repel the banishment magic, allowing them to continue their journey. The anklets glow faintly, a sign of the protection they offer in this plane.
  • Offense: In the spirit realm, the Soulbound Anklets allow the wearer to move freely and without hindrance, making them highly mobile in combat. They can use their connection to the ethereal plane to flank enemies or phase through spiritual barriers, striking at targets from unexpected angles. The anklets’ ability to enhance spectral traversal makes the wearer a dangerous and elusive combatant.
    • Roleplay: In a fight against vengeful spirits, the Spectral Lupine uses the anklets to shift in and out of visibility, bypassing the spirits’ defenses. The anklets enhance the Lupine’s mobility, allowing them to strike at vulnerable points before phasing back into the mists, leaving their spectral enemies bewildered and struggling to locate them.
• In a Dark Forest or Haunted Location
  • Defense: When traversing a haunted forest or cursed location, the Soulbound Anklets provide protection against supernatural forces attempting to banish or control the wearer. In environments where dark magic and spirit manipulation are common, the anklets grant the wearer resistance against the effects of necromancy, curses, or other supernatural attacks.
    • Roleplay: As the Lupine moves through the cursed forest, the malevolent spirits attempt to surround and expel them. The anklets pulse with energy, providing a shield against the ethereal forces trying to pull the Lupine out of their spectral form. The Lupine remains grounded in both worlds, continuing to press forward, undeterred by the dark magic swirling around them.
  • Offense: In such an environment, the anklets allow the wearer to use their spectral abilities to outmaneuver enemies and access areas that are otherwise hidden or guarded by supernatural means. They can phase through walls or barriers, using the ethereal realm to launch surprise attacks against their foes or gain tactical advantages.
    • Roleplay: Deep within the haunted woods, the Spectral Lupine phases through a ghostly barrier protecting a necromancer’s lair. Unseen and undetected, the Lupine uses their connection to the spirit realm to bypass the traps set by the necromancer. Once inside, they strike swiftly, catching the necromancer off-guard before returning to the shadows of the ethereal plane.
• In a High-Magic City or Arcane Fortress
  • Defense: In a city or fortress dominated by arcane forces, where powerful wizards or sorcerers might attempt to banish spectral beings, the Soulbound Anklets provide a critical defense. Spells or magical effects aimed at expelling the wearer from their spectral form or manipulating their ethereal nature are resisted by the anklets, giving the wearer a higher chance of withstanding banishment or magical control.
    • Roleplay: The Lupine enters an arcane stronghold, where magic runs thick through the air. Sensing the sorcerer’s attempt to banish them from their spectral form, the anklets shimmer with ethereal energy, deflecting the arcane force. The Lupine maintains their spectral shape, moving through the stronghold without fear of being forcibly returned to the material world.
  • Offense: The Soulbound Anklets allow the wearer to traverse arcane defenses and barriers that would otherwise be impossible to breach. By phasing into the ethereal plane, they can avoid traps, arcane wards, and magical surveillance, making them an excellent infiltrator or assassin in high-magic environments. The wearer can phase in and out of reality to strike at enemies before vanishing back into the spectral realm.
    • Roleplay: In the heart of an arcane tower, the Lupine phases through enchanted walls and bypasses magical wards. The anklets hum with spectral energy as the Lupine emerges behind an unsuspecting wizard, striking with precision before fading back into the ethereal, leaving no trace of their presence.
• In a Battlefield or Warzone
  • Defense: On a chaotic battlefield, especially one where magic or spiritual forces are involved, the Soulbound Anklets offer protection from mass dispelling or banishment effects that might otherwise target the wearer’s spectral abilities. The anklets can protect the Lupine from large-scale banishment spells that could be cast by enemy commanders or battlefield sorcerers, allowing the wearer to remain in their spectral form and continue to fight.
    • Roleplay: As the battle rages, a powerful general casts a spell designed to dispel all magical effects and force spectral entities out of existence. The Lupine feels the magic wash over them, but the Soulbound Anklets glow brightly, deflecting the spell’s power. The Lupine continues to dart across the battlefield, evading attacks and maintaining their spectral form even in the midst of the magical chaos.
  • Offense: On a battlefield, the Soulbound Anklets give the wearer the ability to traverse the field undetected. By moving through the ethereal plane, the Lupine can flank enemies, phase through obstacles, or sneak behind enemy lines to strike at high-value targets. The anklets give the wearer a distinct advantage in guerrilla-style tactics and hit-and-run combat.
    • Roleplay: The Lupine phases into the ethereal plane, using the cover of chaos to approach enemy archers undetected. As the archers prepare to fire, the Lupine reappears behind them, striking swiftly before phasing back out of reach. The anklets provide unparalleled mobility on the battlefield, allowing the Lupine to strike and retreat with ease.
• In a Social or Diplomatic Setting
  • Defense: In a diplomatic or social setting, where discussions with spiritual beings or those familiar with the ethereal are taking place, the Soulbound Anklets serve as a symbol of the wearer’s connection to the spirit world. The anklets can protect the wearer from magical or spiritual coercion, including subtle attempts to banish or manipulate them during negotiations. The anklets also enhance the wearer’s ability to resist enchantments or illusions related to spectral forces.
    • Roleplay: During a tense negotiation with a spirit-bound faction, the Lupine’s anklets glow softly, a sign of their connection to the ethereal plane. When a rival diplomat attempts to subtly weave magic into the conversation to banish the Lupine, the anklets react, deflecting the spell and allowing the Lupine to maintain their spectral form. The Lupine calmly continues the discussion, their spectral presence undisturbed.
  • Offense: While combat is less likely in a diplomatic setting, the Soulbound Anklets allow the wearer to subtly use their spectral abilities to gain an advantage. By phasing in and out of reality, the wearer can gather information, spy on conversations, or prepare for a potential ambush without being detected. The anklets provide a passive advantage in any situation where deception or stealth is required.
    • Roleplay: During a secret meeting between political rivals, the Lupine phases out of view, moving undetected through the room to gather critical information. The anklets keep their form stable, allowing them to observe without being noticed. Later, when the time comes to act, the Lupine uses their knowledge to outmaneuver the opposition, positioning themselves perfectly for either negotiation or battle.

The Soulbound Anklets excel in environments where the wearer’s spectral abilities are tested, offering crucial protection from banishment and expulsion, while enhancing mobility and offensive tactics through their connection to the ethereal plane. Whether in combat, exploration, or negotiation, these anklets provide a powerful blend of defensive resilience and offensive versatility, especially in magical or spirit-heavy settings.

Perception of Activation: Soulbound Anklets

• User’s Perspective: When the Soulbound Anklets are activated, the user feels an immediate shift in their connection to the ethereal plane.
  • Sight: The anklets emit a soft, spectral glow, pulsing with an otherworldly light that briefly envelops the user’s legs. The world around the user becomes slightly more transparent, as if a mist hangs over everything. Ethereal shapes and shadows of beings not normally visible in the material world begin to shimmer into view.
  • Sound: A faint whispering fills the user’s ears, as though distant voices from the spirit realm are calling out, not with words, but with soothing, harmonious tones. There is a sense of deep calm, with an echoing resonance that seems to come from both the anklets and the surrounding environment.
  • Touch: A cool sensation wraps around the user’s legs, as if a gentle wind from the spirit realm is brushing against their skin. The anklets feel weightless, as though the connection between the material and spiritual planes lightens the wearer’s physical form.
  • Taste: A subtle metallic tang fills the air, reminiscent of ancient iron and old magic. It is not unpleasant but evokes a feeling of antiquity and arcane energy.
  • Smell: The faint scent of incense and smoke, as if from an ancient shrine, lingers around the user, creating an aura of reverence and sacred space.
  • Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
    • Ethereal Awareness: The user becomes acutely aware of the boundary between the material and ethereal planes. They can feel the thin veil that separates the worlds, and sense spiritual beings moving through the area.
    • Connection to the Spectral: The anklets enhance the user’s ability to perceive and communicate with spectral entities. The user feels a deep, harmonious connection to the spirits, gaining an understanding of their presence and intentions.
  • Positives:
    • The user feels empowered with greater resilience against magical and spiritual forces, particularly those attempting to banish or disrupt their spectral form.
    • The ethereal awareness provides heightened sensitivity to invisible or hidden threats from the spirit realm.
    • Movement becomes fluid and light, making the user feel nimble and less bound by physical limitations.
  • Negatives:
    • The user’s heightened awareness of the spirit world can be overwhelming, particularly in areas heavily saturated with spiritual energy, potentially causing distraction.
    • The faint glow and ethereal presence may attract unwanted attention from spectral entities or beings sensitive to the spiritual plane.
    • Prolonged exposure to the effects can blur the line between material and ethereal, causing disorientation or a sense of detachment from the physical world.
• Observer’s Perspective: From the outside, the activation of the Soulbound Anklets is a mysterious and visually stunning event.
  • Sight: Observers see the anklets shimmer with a soft, spectral light, and a faint mist appears to cling to the wearer’s legs. The user’s movements become graceful and fluid, almost as if they are gliding. In dim light, the user seems to blur at the edges, as if fading slightly in and out of reality. Occasionally, ghostly figures or shapes may briefly flicker into view around the user.
  • Sound: A faint, otherworldly hum accompanies the activation. It is a soft, distant sound, like wind chimes or a distant choir, only audible when standing close to the wearer. The air feels heavy with magic, and spiritual energy seems to vibrate around the user.
  • Touch: Anyone standing close to the wearer feels a slight chill in the air, as if the boundary between the material world and the spirit realm has been momentarily thinned. The atmosphere around the wearer feels charged with energy, but not necessarily hostile.
  • Taste: There is a faint, metallic taste in the air for anyone nearby, like the taste of old, weathered steel or the remnants of magic hanging in the air.
  • Smell: A subtle, smoky scent, like incense or burning herbs, drifts from the wearer. It is barely perceptible but creates an air of ancient mystery.
  • Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
    • Spiritual Presence: Observers attuned to magic or the spirit realm may sense spectral beings near the wearer, drawn to the activation of the anklets. These entities may not be visible but can be felt as subtle shifts in the air.
    • Aura of Mystery: The anklets exude a sense of otherworldliness, making the wearer appear as though they are not entirely part of the material world. Observers may feel both intrigued and slightly unnerved by this shift in presence.
  • Positives:
    • Allies near the wearer feel a sense of calm and protection from spiritual forces, as though the anklets provide a shield against hostile ethereal entities.
    • The spectral glow enhances the wearer’s grace and mystique, making them appear more confident and in control, which can be useful in tense situations.
  • Negatives:
    • The user’s ghostly presence can be unsettling for those unfamiliar with spectral magic, causing fear or suspicion.
    • The glow and spectral energy may inadvertently attract attention from malevolent spirits or dark magic users who seek to control or manipulate ethereal energies.
    • Observers may feel slightly disoriented or cold in the wearer’s presence, as the anklets temporarily distort the boundary between the living and the dead.

The Soulbound Anklets create an ethereal experience for both the wearer and those around them, providing defense through spiritual connection while offering unique offensive opportunities by traversing the spirit realm. However, their activation can blur the lines between the material and spectral worlds, which may carry its own risks.

Crafting Recipe: Soulbound Anklets

• Materials Needed:
  • Spectral Silver (2 ingots): A rare metal infused with ethereal energy, typically found in mines located near spiritual nexus points or harvested from fallen spectral creatures. It has a faint, ghostly glow.
  • Ectoplasm (1 vial): A viscous, semi-transparent substance extracted from spirits or ethereal beings. It serves as a binding agent to merge the physical and spiritual components of the anklets.
  • Moonstone Shards (5 pieces): Crystalline fragments that naturally resonate with spiritual energy, gathered from high-altitude regions or areas of strong lunar influence.
  • Spiritwoven Cloth (1 yard): A rare, silken fabric that can be spun from spiritual threads harvested during celestial events, used to bind the anklets to the ethereal plane.
  • Binding Runes (3 scrolls): Ancient scrolls inscribed with runes that stabilize the connection between the wearer and the spirit realm. These must be copied from an ancient text or provided by a knowledgeable runecrafter.
  • Blessed Incense (3 sticks): Special incense that is consecrated by a spiritual guide, used to invoke protection during the crafting process and ensure the item’s harmony with the spirit world.
• Tools Required:
  • Ethereal Forge: A special forge that can temper spectral metals. It can be found in spiritual sanctuaries or consecrated areas where the veil between the material and ethereal planes is thin.
  • Silver Hammer & Anvil: Tools crafted from enchanted silver to shape and mold spectral materials without disrupting their ethereal properties.
  • Runic Etching Kit: A fine set of tools specifically designed for engraving delicate spiritual runes without breaking the connection between the material and spectral planes.
  • Spirit Vessel: A container used to hold ectoplasm and other spiritual substances during the crafting process, keeping them stable and preserving their magical properties.
  • Lunar Engraving Chisel: A tool specifically designed for carving moonstone with precision, ensuring the spiritual alignment of the stones.
• Skill Requirements:
  • Smithing (Adept level): Knowledge in working with magical or spectral metals like Spectral Silver.
  • Runecrafting (Proficient level): Required to inscribe and activate the binding runes on the anklets.
  • Enchanting (Proficient level): To merge spiritual essence into the anklets and ensure their proper attunement to the wearer’s ethereal form.
  • Spiritweaving (Adept level): A unique skill needed to handle spiritual materials and weave them into physical objects without losing their connection to the ethereal plane.
  • Lunar Magic (Basic level): Basic understanding of lunar cycles and their impact on spiritual energy, used when carving moonstone and timing the crafting process.
• Crafting Steps:
  • Prepare the Spectral Silver:
    • Melt the Spectral Silver Ingots in the Ethereal Forge, which is ignited using spiritual flame (often sourced from blessed oils). As the silver becomes molten, chant a simple incantation to call upon spirits for guidance and protection. The molten metal will glow faintly, signaling that the connection between the material and spectral planes has been activated.
    • Pour the molten Spectral Silver into the Silver Hammered Mold shaped to fit the form of anklets. Allow the silver to cool, still bathed in spiritual incense smoke, to maintain its ethereal properties.
  • Shape the Anklets:
    • Once cooled, use the Silver Hammer & Anvil to shape the anklets, tapping gently to maintain the delicate balance between the ethereal and material planes. Avoid over-striking the metal, as this can sever its connection to the spirit realm.
    • Hammer the silver into smooth, flowing forms that wrap around the wearer’s legs, allowing for flexibility and comfort while maintaining the spectral nature of the metal.
  • Infuse with Ectoplasm:
    • Dip the shaped anklets into a basin filled with the Ectoplasm stored in the Spirit Vessel. As you submerge the anklets, gently stir the ectoplasm using a blessed rod to ensure it adheres to the Spectral Silver. The ectoplasm will seep into the anklets, enhancing their connection to the spiritual realm.
    • Let the anklets sit in the ectoplasm overnight under moonlight, preferably during a waxing moon, to ensure the spectral properties bond completely.
  • Set the Moonstone Shards:
    • Carefully carve the Moonstone Shards using the Lunar Engraving Chisel, making sure to align the carvings with the wearer’s ethereal signature. These stones will amplify the wearer’s connection to the spirit realm.
    • Embed the moonstone shards into designated slots around the anklets. The moonstones should form a natural pattern, encouraging the flow of ethereal energy around the wearer. Use small amounts of ectoplasm to secure the stones without compromising their power.
  • Weave the Spiritwoven Cloth:
    • Take the Spiritwoven Cloth and cut it into thin strips. Wrap these strips around the anklets to enhance the bond between the spiritual and material. The cloth acts as a bridge, keeping the anklets stable in both planes.
    • Secure the cloth with an additional coating of ectoplasm to ensure durability without weakening the ethereal connection.
  • Engrave the Runes:
    • Using the Runic Etching Kit, inscribe the chosen Binding Runes along the surface of the anklets. These runes will protect the wearer from banishment and expulsion from their spectral form.
    • As you carve, recite the corresponding invocation for each rune, ensuring the runes bind correctly to the wearer’s ethereal signature. These runes must be precise, as even a slight error could destabilize the anklets.
  • Bless and Final Activation:
    • Place the anklets on a Consecrated Altar, surrounded by the Blessed Incense. Light the incense and allow the smoke to engulf the anklets, sealing their power and harmonizing them with the spiritual energies.
    • A spiritual guide or priest should bless the anklets, invoking protection and unity with the spirit realm. As the blessing is completed, the anklets will shimmer with an ethereal glow, signaling that they are now fully attuned.
  • Final Test:
    • Have the wearer don the anklets in a location near the boundary between the material and ethereal planes (such as a spiritual nexus or sacred grove). The anklets should activate automatically, forming a protective aura and allowing the wearer to shift between the planes without interference.

The Soulbound Anklets are now complete, ready to protect the wearer from banishment and enhance their connection to the ethereal realm. These anklets will offer defense against spiritual threats and allow the wearer to traverse between planes with ease.

Tale of the Spectral Chains of the Lupine Spirit

Long ago, in times before even the moon knew its name, there was a creature called Lupine-who-walks-between-worlds. This creature, neither of earth nor sky, was said to cross through realms as easily as wind crosses mountain. Lupine did not walk alone, for at Lupine’s paws were bound Anklets of the Soul, shining bright like moon in water, forged by hands long forgotten to time.

It was told, Lupine-who-walks-between-worlds would guide lost spirits from shadow to light, from dark places to home where rest could be found. But one day, the skies cracked and darkness spilled, and from the darkness came great creatures that would tear apart the veil between realms. The world trembled, as spirits were cast from the sky, torn from their places, wandering without guide.

The Lupine ran faster, from place to place, trying to hold the worlds together. But the forces of darkness were strong, and even the Lupine was pulled, nearly banished from the realm between. It was in this great time of struggle that Lupine spoke to the ancestors who had made the Anklets of Soul. “What must be done to hold fast the realm?” the Lupine asked, for even Lupine-who-walks-between-worlds could not stand forever.

The ancestors whispered in voices like rivers and winds. “Take the bonds of the departed and forge them anew. Let the spirits bind your paws, and no force shall pull you from between.” And so, Lupine did as was told. The Anklets of the Soul were reforged with the essence of those passed, the spirits weaving their own being into the chains that bound the Lupine’s feet.

With these new Anklets, no force, not even the dark winds of banishment, could tear Lupine from between worlds. The Lupine-who-walks-between-worlds continued to guide the lost spirits, and in time, the skies healed, and the darkness was pushed away.

It is said that even now, in places where the veils are thin, the Lupine runs still, paws never fully touching the earth, always moving between. And those who wear the Soulbound Anklets may find that the Lupine’s spirit guides them too, their feet never bound by the limits of the world.

Moral of the Story: Only with the bonds of those who have passed, those who give willingly, can one hold fast against the forces that seek to pull them away. In unity with the spirits, no force of darkness can banish those who walk between worlds.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

Soulbound Anklets

• Type: Artifact
• Effects:
  • Advantage on Banishment Resistance: The wearer gains a +20% bonus to POW rolls to resist any banishment or forced expulsion from the ethereal or spirit realms.
  • Ethereal Traversal: The anklets allow the wearer to move between the material and spirit worlds at will, avoiding physical obstacles. This ability can be used for up to 10 minutes per day.
  • Drawback: Prolonged use (more than once per day) causes a 1D4 Sanity loss, as the wearer becomes more attuned to the ethereal plane, blurring the line between life and death.

Blades in the Dark

Soulbound Anklets

• Item Load: 1 (Light)
• Description: Ethereal anklets that provide protection against spiritual forces and the ability to traverse the ghost field.
• Effects:
  • Ghost Form Defense: When in ghost form or interacting with the ghost field, the wearer gains +1d to resist attempts to banish or dispel their form.
  • Ethereal Movement: The wearer can use 1 Stress to move through walls or barriers as if passing through the ghost field, avoiding physical obstructions for a short distance.
  • Downside: Each time the anklets are used for ethereal movement, there is a chance of drawing the attention of spiritual entities (GM’s discretion).

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

Soulbound Anklets

• Wondrous Item, rare (requires attunement)
• Armor Class Bonus: None
• Advantage on Saving Throws: The wearer gains advantage on saving throws against banishment, dispel magic, or any effect that would force them out of their spectral or ethereal form.
• Ethereal Step: Once per short rest, the wearer can cast Etherealness (as a bonus action, duration: 1 minute).
• Spirit Walker: The wearer can move through walls and objects as if they were in the ethereal plane, but only for up to 30 feet per day.
• Drawback: Prolonged use (more than 1 minute) risks the wearer becoming detached from the material plane. The wearer must succeed on a DC 15 Charisma saving throw or take 1d6 psychic damage and suffer from disadvantage on Wisdom checks for 1 hour.

Knave

Soulbound Anklets

• Type: Magic Item
• Effect:
  • The wearer gains advantage on saving throws to resist banishment or any effect that would remove them from the ethereal or spirit realm.
  • Ethereal Step: Once per day, the wearer can move through solid objects for up to 10 minutes as if traveling through the spirit realm.
  • Spirit Sense: While wearing the anklets, the wearer can sense nearby ethereal entities or spirits within a 50-foot radius.
  • Drawback: If the wearer uses the anklets’ ability more than once per day, they suffer disadvantage on all checks until they take a long rest, as their connection to the material plane weakens.

Fate Core

Soulbound Anklets

• Aspects:
  • Bound to the Spirit Realm
  • Ethereal Protection
  • Guide of Lost Souls
• Mechanical Effects:
  • Banishment Resistance: The wearer gains a +2 bonus to rolls when defending against banishment, magical expulsion, or any attempts to sever their connection to the ethereal plane.
  • Ethereal Movement: Once per session, the wearer can create a free aspect called Ethereal Step with one free invoke, allowing them to move through walls or barriers, effectively bypassing obstacles.
  • Compel: The GM may compel Bound to the Spirit Realm, attracting the attention of hostile or curious spirits whenever the anklets are used, leading to complications.

Numenera & Cypher System

Soulbound Anklets

• Level: 4
• Type: Artifact
• Effect:
  • Banishment Resistance: Grants an Asset on any defense roll against effects that would banish or dispel the wearer’s form from the ethereal or spirit realm.
  • Ethereal Step: Once per day, the wearer can phase through solid matter for up to 10 minutes, allowing them to bypass physical barriers.
  • Spirit Awareness: The wearer gains the ability to sense nearby spirits or ethereal entities within a 50-foot radius for 1 hour per day.
  • Depletion: Roll 1d20; on a 1, the anklets lose their power and require a full day of exposure to a spirit nexus or a lunar event to recharge.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

Soulbound Anklets

• Item Level: 8
• Price: 4,000 gp
• Type: Magic Wondrous Item (Anklets)
• Armor Class Bonus: None
• Banishment Resistance: The wearer gains advantage on saving throws against banishment or dispel magic effects that would remove them from the spirit or ethereal plane.
• Ethereal Step: Once per day, the wearer can activate the anklets to cast Ethereal Jaunt (as the spell), lasting for up to 10 minutes.
• Spirit Sense: While wearing the anklets, the user can detect the presence of spirits or ethereal beings within a 30-foot radius, functioning as Detect Magic but specific to the ethereal realm.
• Drawback: If used more than once per day, the wearer must succeed on a DC 20 Will save or take 2d6 mental damage and become fatigued.

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

Soulbound Anklets

• Type: Magic Item (Anklets, Artifact)
• Effects:
  • Banishment Defense: The wearer gains a +2 bonus to Spirit rolls when resisting banishment, spiritual attacks, or forced expulsion from the ethereal plane.
  • Ethereal Movement: The wearer can use the anklets to move through solid objects for up to 3 rounds, once per day. Treat this as a Phase power with no Power Points required.
  • Spirit Awareness: The wearer can sense spirits or ethereal entities within a 10-inch radius (equivalent to 20 feet) as a Notice roll with a +2 bonus.
  • Drawback: Prolonged exposure to the ethereal world leaves the wearer vulnerable. After using the anklets’ power, they suffer –1 penalty to Spirit rolls for the next 24 hours due to the strain on their connection between realms.

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

Soulbound Anklets

• Type: Magical Gear
• Effects:
  • Banishment Resistance: The wearer gains +2 dice to resist spells or effects that would forcibly banish or disrupt their connection to the astral plane or ethereal entities.
  • Ethereal Step: Once per day, the wearer can move through solid objects as if astrally projecting, for up to 10 meters in distance. This requires a Complex Action and lasts for a few seconds.
  • Spirit Sense: The wearer gains the Astral Perception ability for up to 10 minutes per day, allowing them to see into the astral plane and sense nearby spirits.
  • Drawback: Prolonged use increases the risk of astral interference. After each use, the wearer must roll 1D6: on a 1, they attract unwanted attention from astral entities for the next hour.

Starfinder

Soulbound Anklets

• Item Level: 8
• Price: 6,500 credits
• Type: Magic Item (Worn)
• Armor Class Bonus: None
• Banishment Resistance: The wearer gains +2 to Will saves against banishment spells, dispel magic, or any effect that attempts to remove them from the ethereal plane.
• Ethereal Movement: Once per day, the wearer can activate the anklets to move through solid objects as if using Ethereal Jaunt for up to 5 rounds.
• Spirit Sense: The wearer can sense nearby incorporeal or ethereal creatures within a 60-foot radius, functioning similarly to Life Sense but for spirits. This ability lasts for 10 minutes per day.
• Drawback: After using the ethereal movement ability, the wearer suffers 1d6 Stamina damage due to the strain of traversing between planes.

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

Soulbound Anklets

• Tech Level: 13
• Armor: None
• Effect:
  • Banishment Resistance: Grants a +2 DM to all rolls resisting banishment or expulsion effects that would sever the wearer’s connection to the spirit or ethereal planes.
  • Ethereal Shift: The wearer may pass through solid objects or barriers for up to 10 meters once per day. Treat this as a temporary phase shift into a parallel dimension, usable for 30 seconds.
  • Spiritual Awareness: The wearer can detect nearby spirits, anomalies, or incorporeal beings within a 30-meter radius for up to 5 minutes once per day.
  • Drawback: Each time the ethereal shift is used, there is a 1 in 6 chance that the wearer will suffer from fatigue (reducing all physical stats by 1D for 1 hour).

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (4th Edition)

Soulbound Anklets

• Type: Magical Item
• Encumbrance: 0
• Effects:
  • Banishment Resistance: The wearer gains +20% bonus to Willpower Tests to resist banishment, expulsion, or magical severance from ethereal forms or spirit-bound states.
  • Ethereal Passage: Once per day, the wearer can activate the anklets to move through solid walls or barriers as if ethereal, for up to 10 yards. This effect lasts for one round.
  • Spirit Detection: The wearer can sense the presence of spirits, ethereal beings, or undead within a 30-yard radius for 10 minutes, functioning similarly to the Second Sight talent.
  • Drawback: Using the anklets more than once per day risks a Challenging (+0) Willpower Test. On failure, the wearer suffers 1d10 Corruption points, as their connection to the ethereal plane becomes unstable.