Spirit Siphon

From: Admonishing Band Spirit Guardian

Lore: The Spirit Siphon is a mystical artifact that holds a fascinating history steeped in ancient rituals and the study of spiritual energies. Crafted by wise sages and alchemists, this handheld device was created in a time when the understanding of the spirit realm and its energies was at its zenith. The crystal vial at the core of the Spirit Siphon is believed to have been harvested from a sacred source, possessing the unique property of absorbing residual spiritual energy. Encased in intricate silver filigree, the device is adorned with symbols and runes that signify its connection to the ethereal realm. Legends speak of brave adventurers who sought out weakened spirits or magical phenomena to capture their essence, utilizing the Spirit Siphon to harness their power for various purposes.

Use: The Spirit Siphon allows the wielder to extract and store residual spiritual energy from the surrounding environment. By focusing their intent through the device, the wielder can draw upon weakened spirits or magical phenomena and absorb their essence. This stored energy can be harnessed later to enhance the creature’s own abilities or to fuel specialized spirit-based spells or rituals. The Spirit Siphon serves as a conduit, providing a means to tap into the ethereal realm and utilize its latent energies.

Stats:

• Level: Tier 1
• Function: Absorbs residual spiritual energy for later use

Skills gained:

• Spirit Extraction: The Spirit Siphon enables the creature to extract residual spiritual energy from weakened spirits or magical phenomena.
• Energy Storage: The device stores the absorbed energy for later use, allowing the creature to enhance their own abilities or fuel spirit-based spells or rituals.

Cost: The Spirit Siphon is a rare and valuable artifact due to its ability to harness spiritual energy. The craftsmanship, materials, and the inherent magical properties of the device contribute to its significant worth. At level 1, the estimated cost of the Spirit Siphon would be 800 gold pieces.

Tags:

• Ethereal: The Spirit Siphon is connected to the ethereal realm, enabling the extraction and storage of residual spiritual energy.
• Arcane: The device possesses magical properties, allowing the wielder to tap into and manipulate spiritual energies.
• Rare: Due to its unique nature and the rarity of the materials involved, the Spirit Siphon is considered a rare and sought-after artifact.
• Storage: The device serves as a means to store and contain absorbed spiritual energy, providing the creature with a reserve of power.
• Additional: Soulbound, Mystical Conduit, Energy Reservoir, Ritual Focus, Spirit Channeling, Empowerment, Alchemical Device, Spiritual Amplifier, Arcane Tether

In the world of Saṃsāra, the Spirit Siphon is an exceptionally rare and valuable artifact due to its ability to harness and store spiritual energy. This mystical device is highly sought after by scholars, alchemists, and adventurers looking to interact with the ethereal realm. The following are descriptions of the types of shops where the Spirit Siphon might be bought or sold, along with the cost in each setting:

• Spiritwalker’s Sanctum
  • Located in mystical cities or towns near areas of high spiritual activity, such as ancient ruins or places where the veil between worlds is thin, the Spiritwalker’s Sanctum specializes in items that connect to the ethereal realm. Here, the Spirit Siphon is treated as a powerful tool for those who study or work with spirits, making it a prized item in their inventory.
  • Cost: 800 to 1,000 gold pieces. The sanctum caters to spiritual scholars and practitioners, and the item’s price reflects its value to those seeking to unlock the mysteries of the spirit world.
• Arcane Curio Shop
  • In bustling cities, the Arcane Curio Shop is a place where rare magical items are traded, often in secretive corners of magical markets. The Spirit Siphon would be displayed alongside enchanted tomes and artifacts that deal with the manipulation of energy, making it a desirable item for adventurers, mages, and alchemists.
  • Cost: 900 gold pieces. While slightly more expensive than in other shops, buyers at an Arcane Curio Shop can expect the artifact to be genuine and in good condition. Haggling may bring the price down.
• Alchemist’s Guildhall
  • The Alchemist’s Guildhall is known for producing complex tools and artifacts related to the manipulation of energies, both magical and natural. The Spirit Siphon is a rare item in their repertoire, used by those seeking to incorporate spiritual energy into alchemical formulas. It is often sold to senior guild members or outsiders with enough influence or gold.
  • Cost: 850 to 1,100 gold pieces. The price can fluctuate depending on the demand for spiritual or arcane devices. Buyers may be required to complete an alchemical trial or offer rare materials in exchange for a discount.
• Enchanter’s Emporium
  • In wealthier districts, the Enchanter’s Emporium caters to high-end clientele looking for magical items of great power. The Spirit Siphon is presented as a luxurious artifact, highly coveted by collectors, noble spellcasters, and elite adventurers. The device may be sold with enhanced enchantments for additional costs.
  • Cost: 1,000 to 1,500 gold pieces. The Emporium offers enchanted versions of the Spirit Siphon or customized designs, raising the price for those looking for both functionality and exclusivity.
• Black Market Mystic
  • In hidden corners of cities, the Black Market Mystic deals in dangerous or restricted magical items. The Spirit Siphon might be sold here to those who need it for darker rituals or underground spirit-hunting expeditions. The risk of purchasing from these vendors comes from the lack of guarantees on authenticity or safety.
  • Cost: 600 to 750 gold pieces. The lower price comes with potential risks—such as the siphon being faulty or even cursed. Buyers should beware of the consequences of making deals with less-than-reputable dealers.
• Spirit Shrine Marketplace
  • Near ancient shrines dedicated to spirits or lost deities, small marketplaces run by spiritual guardians or temple caretakers occasionally sell rare artifacts. The Spirit Siphon could be found here as a tool blessed by the spirits to aid adventurers in communing with the ethereal. Those who purchase it here are often pilgrims or adventurers undertaking dangerous spirit-hunting quests.
  • Cost: 700 to 900 gold pieces. Buyers may be expected to perform a spiritual service or undergo a ritual before purchasing the Spirit Siphon. The item here may come with an added blessing from the spirits, raising its potential value.
• Scholar’s Antique Archive
  • In libraries or repositories run by magical scholars, the Spirit Siphon is seen as a research tool rather than a combat aid. It is often sold to academics or adventurers who wish to study spirits and magical phenomena. The Archive may only sell to trusted clients, often preferring to keep such rare items for research.
  • Cost: 800 gold pieces (fixed). The Archive prices items based on scholarly value, and while haggling is discouraged, providing rare magical knowledge or artifacts could result in a trade.
• Ghost Hunter’s Outpost
  • In frontier towns or settlements close to haunted locations, the Ghost Hunter’s Outpost is a shop that specializes in tools for dealing with supernatural creatures. The Spirit Siphon is highly valuable to hunters who face dangerous spirits and need a reliable way to capture and contain their energy.
  • Cost: 750 to 850 gold pieces. Here, the Spirit Siphon is seen as a survival tool. The price reflects the practicality and life-saving potential of the device, making it more affordable compared to high-end magical shops.

In each of these environments, the Spirit Siphon is valued for its ability to interact with the spiritual realm, and its price varies based on the location, demand, and quality of the item.

The Spirit Siphon is a versatile artifact that can be used for both defense and offense in a variety of environments, depending on the wielder’s creativity and mastery of spiritual energy. It can absorb and store spiritual essence, which can later be released or used to enhance abilities or rituals. Below is an exploration of how the Spirit Siphon can be roleplayed for both defensive and offensive purposes in different environments.

• Haunted Forests or Spirit-Infested Woods
  • Defense: In areas teeming with restless spirits, the Spirit Siphon can be used defensively to absorb the residual energy from aggressive or malicious spirits. When confronted by an ethereal threat, the wielder can siphon energy from weaker spirits, rendering them powerless and neutralizing the threat. The absorbed energy can also be used to create temporary barriers or protective wards, allowing the wielder to shield themselves from further spiritual attacks.
  • Offense: The wielder can use the siphoned energy offensively by channeling it into spirit-based spells or rituals, creating powerful blasts of spiritual energy that can harm ghostly or magical foes. In a more aggressive approach, the wielder can capture the essence of hostile spirits, weakening them to the point where they can no longer fight back, making them vulnerable to banishment or destruction.
• Catacombs, Tombs, or Ancient Ruins
  • Defense: In environments where the dead are often restless, such as catacombs or tombs, the Spirit Siphon can be employed to drain the energy of revenants, phantoms, or wraiths before they become a danger. The stored spiritual energy can be used later to bolster the wielder’s defenses, perhaps creating an aura that deflects incoming attacks or protects against negative energy from traps or undead guardians.
  • Offense: When facing aggressive undead or powerful spirits, the Spirit Siphon can extract energy from the surrounding environment to fuel spirit-based attacks. The wielder can summon the stored energy to enhance offensive spells or rituals, disrupting the undead or banishing spirits entirely. Additionally, the wielder may channel siphoned energy into objects within the ruins, reactivating traps or protective wards to use against their enemies.
• Urban Environments or Cities
  • Defense: In an urban setting, the Spirit Siphon might be used to protect the wielder from magical or spiritual attacks by absorbing ambient residual energy found near old temples, shrines, or haunted buildings. By siphoning this energy, the wielder can create protective wards around themselves or their allies, safeguarding them from magical dangers or tracking hostile spirits haunting city streets.
  • Offense: If facing an opponent who uses magic or has connections to the spirit realm, the Spirit Siphon can disrupt their abilities. By drawing away spiritual energy from the environment or the opponent, the wielder can weaken their foe’s magical attacks or reduce their connection to their spiritual power. This leaves enemies vulnerable, allowing the wielder to strike with physical or magical attacks.
• Elemental or Magical Plains
  • Defense: In environments overflowing with magical or elemental forces, such as a magic-saturated field or a rift between dimensions, the Spirit Siphon can absorb chaotic spiritual energy to prevent harmful surges from overwhelming the party. This siphoned energy can then be channeled into defensive actions, such as reinforcing wards or boosting the wielder’s resistance to magical forces.
  • Offense: By tapping into the abundant spiritual energy in these areas, the wielder can unleash devastating spirit-based attacks. The Spirit Siphon might be used to disrupt magical phenomena, weaken elemental spirits, or harness energy to cast powerful offensive spells. The stored energy allows for sustained attacks that drain the magical reserves of the environment or other beings.
• Battlefield or Warzones
  • Defense: On the battlefield, especially in warzones where death and suffering have left behind lingering spiritual energy, the Spirit Siphon can absorb this residual power to enhance the wielder’s resilience. The stored energy can be used to heal minor wounds, boost physical abilities, or protect against psychic or magical attacks during intense combat situations.
  • Offense: The stored spiritual energy can also be unleashed on enemies in the form of bursts of ethereal power, disrupting their morale or overwhelming them with spectral force. If the wielder is battling opponents tied to dark magic or necromancy, the Spirit Siphon can weaken or incapacitate their abilities, draining the energies they rely on for their spells or rituals.
• Swamps or Marshlands
  • Defense: In swamps or marshes where spirits of the dead linger near burial sites or cursed waters, the Spirit Siphon can be used to capture lingering spirits that might otherwise harass or endanger the party. Absorbing these energies can create a calming effect on the environment, pacifying vengeful spirits or supernatural threats that dwell in the bogs.
  • Offense: In a cursed marshland or swamp, where spectral beings might control the mist and water, the wielder can channel the siphoned energy to disrupt these controls. The stored energy can be used to weaken spirits, giving the wielder an opportunity to fight back against beings that might otherwise be invincible in their natural element.
• Arcane Laboratories or Mage Towers
  • Defense: In a setting rich with magical experiments and arcane energies, such as a mage’s tower or a laboratory, the Spirit Siphon can be used to absorb the stray spiritual energy released from failed experiments or magic gone wrong. This absorbed energy can be repurposed to protect the wielder from magical hazards or traps, creating barriers against dangerous arcane forces.
  • Offense: The wielder can also use the Spirit Siphon offensively by harnessing the residual energies of failed spells or magical constructs. Capturing these energies allows the wielder to amplify their own spells, turning arcane residue into fuel for powerful offensive magic that can break through an opponent’s defenses.
• Dream Realms or Ethereal Planes
  • Defense: In dream realms or planes where spirits wander freely, the Spirit Siphon serves as an invaluable defense mechanism. The wielder can extract and store energy from roaming spirits, using it to shield their mind and body from invasive or harmful spiritual entities that might try to harm or influence them in the ethereal plane.
  • Offense: In such a setting, the wielder can also use the Spirit Siphon to dominate weaker spirits, absorbing their energy and turning it into potent attacks. This allows the wielder to manipulate the ethereal realm, turning spirit energy into blasts of power or using it to disrupt enemy forces that rely on spiritual entities or dreamlike manifestations.

Roleplay Benefits of the Spirit Siphon

• Defensive Versatility: The Spirit Siphon can be used to absorb and store spiritual energy in a variety of environments, allowing the wielder to create temporary barriers, shields, or resistances to magical or spirit-based attacks.
  • Offensive Power: By siphoning energy from spirits or magical phenomena, the wielder can power their own spells or release the stored energy in powerful attacks, weakening their enemies or enhancing their own abilities.
  • Tactical Adaptability: In both defensive and offensive roles, the Spirit Siphon allows the wielder to manipulate the energy around them, making it a valuable tool in combat or exploration in spirit-rich or magical environments.

In each of these environments, the Spirit Siphon serves as a conduit between the material and ethereal realms, offering flexible strategies for defense and offense depending on how its stored spiritual energy is utilized.

Perception of Activation:

• User’s Perspective: When the Spirit Siphon is activated, the user feels an immediate connection to the spiritual energies around them. The device hums softly, growing warmer in their hand as it draws in ethereal forces.
  • Sight: The crystal vial begins to glow faintly, with swirling wisps of light gathering within, as if capturing unseen forces. The world around seems to dim slightly, as the siphon pulls energy from the environment.
  • Sound: A gentle, resonant hum fills the air, like distant chimes or echoes from another realm. This sound intensifies as more energy is drawn into the device, creating an almost hypnotic rhythm.
  • Touch: The silver filigree warms subtly in the wielder’s hand, the sensation comforting but with an underlying tingling, as if spiritual energy is flowing through their fingertips. The warmth radiates from the device, spreading a feeling of light pressure through the wielder’s arm.
  • Smell: The faint scent of incense or old parchment fills the air, a reminder of ancient rituals and forgotten places. The smell evokes a sense of reverence and calm, like standing in a temple long untouched by time.
  • Taste: A metallic tang touches the user’s tongue, almost like the taste of charged air before a storm. It signals the buildup of spiritual energy in the atmosphere.
  • Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
    • Spiritual Presence: The user feels a heightened awareness of lingering spirits or magical phenomena. They can sense the residual energy being drawn in, even if the spirits or sources are invisible.
    • Connection to the Ethereal Realm: There is a brief moment where the boundary between the physical and spiritual realms feels thinner. The user experiences a sensation of weightlessness, as if standing on the threshold of two worlds.
• Observer’s Perspective: To an outside observer, the activation of the Spirit Siphon is an ethereal spectacle, subtle yet mystical in its effects.
  • Sight: The crystal vial emits a soft glow, and ethereal strands of light seem to gather and spiral into the device. The wielder may appear slightly shadowed, as if the spiritual energy in the environment is drawn toward the siphon.
  • Sound: Observers can hear a faint humming, almost like a distant bell or a low, vibrating note. This sound is soft but persistent, growing louder as more energy is collected by the siphon.
  • Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
    • Energy Shift: Those attuned to spiritual energies may feel a slight pull, as if the air itself is being drained. The atmosphere around the siphon may feel “lighter” as spiritual energy is collected.
    • Spiritual Ripples: Sensitive individuals may feel a ripple in the spiritual realm, as if the siphon is causing slight disturbances in the ethereal plane, altering the balance of energy around it.
• Positives
  • Energy Harvest: The wielder gains access to spiritual energy that can be stored for later use, whether to fuel spells or enhance their own abilities.
  • Heightened Awareness: Activation of the Spirit Siphon grants the user increased perception of spiritual forces, allowing them to sense energies they might not have noticed otherwise.
  • Control Over Spirits: Weak spirits or magical phenomena are drawn toward the siphon, making it easier to neutralize or harness them.
• Negatives
  • Sensory Overload: Prolonged use can overwhelm the wielder’s senses, as the constant influx of spiritual energy may cause mental or emotional fatigue.
  • Attracting Spirits: The siphon’s activation may draw unwanted attention from more powerful or malevolent spirits, putting the wielder at risk of encountering hostile entities.
  • Environmental Effects: The siphon drains spiritual energy from its surroundings, which could have unforeseen consequences, such as disrupting local magical phenomena or upsetting the balance of the spirit realm.

Crafting Recipe: Spirit Siphon

• Materials Needed:
  • Crystal Vial (1): A rare, translucent crystal harvested from a sacred source, preferably near a spiritual nexus or ancient shrine. The crystal must be pure to contain spiritual energy.
  • Silver Filigree (2 meters): Fine silver wire, carefully crafted and enchanted. The wire must be pure and flexible enough to wrap around the crystal without breaking.
  • Arcane Runes (1 set): Inscribed on parchment and later transferred to the silver. These runes must be carefully researched and drawn to ensure proper connection to the ethereal realm.
  • Essence of Spirits (1 vial): Collected from a weakened spirit or captured magical phenomenon. This essence is what enables the siphon to draw energy.
  • Binding Gem (1 small gem): A small gemstone, typically a sapphire or moonstone, that serves as the core conduit for transferring spiritual energy.
  • Etheric Thread (1 spool): A magical thread woven from spiritual energy, used to tie the crystal and silver filigree together during the final phase.
• Tools Required:
  • Silver Engraver’s Kit: For inscribing runes into the silver filigree.
  • Arcane Forge: Used to heat and temper the silver wire, as well as infuse the crystal vial with magical properties.
  • Essence Containment Chamber: A specialized alchemical device that safely holds the essence of spirits during the crafting process.
  • Gem-Cutter’s Kit: For shaping the Binding Gem and setting it into the silver casing.
  • Enchanting Tools: Used to transfer the runes onto the silver wire and bind the magic into the artifact.
• Skill Requirements:
  • Arcane Knowledge (Advanced): The crafter must have an understanding of spiritual energies and ethereal magic, as well as the ability to harness those energies in crafting.
  • Alchemy (Intermediate): Knowledge of handling the spirit essence safely and infusing it into a physical object.
  • Runesmithing (Advanced): The ability to carve precise arcane runes into silver and transfer them onto a magical object.
  • Jewelry Crafting (Intermediate): Skill in shaping silver and setting gemstones to create the delicate, intricate structure of the Spirit Siphon.
• Crafting Steps:
  • Prepare the Crystal Vial:
    • Begin by preparing the Crystal Vial. Place the crystal within the Arcane Forge and subject it to a low, consistent heat. This process activates the crystal’s ability to contain spiritual energy. Once the crystal begins to faintly glow, it is ready to be incorporated into the siphon.
  • Engrave the Silver Filigree:
    • Using the Silver Engraver’s Kit, carefully inscribe the Arcane Runes along the length of the Silver Filigree. These runes should be precise, as any errors will disrupt the artifact’s ability to channel spiritual energy. The runes must represent the connection between the physical and ethereal planes.
    • After engraving, place the filigree back into the Arcane Forge to bind the runes into the metal. This step ensures the runes are permanent and functional.
  • Infuse the Spirit Essence:
    • Place the Essence of Spirits into the Essence Containment Chamber. Slowly draw the essence into the Crystal Vial while chanting a binding incantation. This infuses the crystal with the spirit essence, granting it the ability to absorb and store spiritual energy.
    • Be careful not to overfill the crystal, as too much spirit essence can cause the siphon to overload, making it unstable.
  • Shape the Binding Gem:
    • Use the Gem-Cutter’s Kit to shape the Binding Gem into a form that fits snugly at the base of the crystal vial. The gem should have facets that allow it to channel energy from the crystal and distribute it into the silver filigree.
    • Once shaped, set the gem into a small socket at the base of the silver wire. This ensures that the spiritual energy can flow from the crystal, through the gem, and into the device.
  • Assemble the Siphon:
    • Wrap the Silver Filigree around the Crystal Vial in a spiral pattern. The filigree must be tightly wound to provide both protection and aesthetic symmetry. Use Etheric Thread to bind the filigree in place. The thread is enchanted to strengthen the spiritual connection between the crystal and the filigree.
    • Ensure the filigree covers the vial evenly, with runes aligned to allow the energy to flow unobstructed. The Binding Gem should rest securely at the base, connecting the entire structure.
  • Final Enchantment:
    • Place the assembled siphon back into the Arcane Forge for the final phase. Heat the siphon while chanting an ancient incantation to awaken its spiritual properties. The essence inside the crystal will resonate with the runes, solidifying the artifact’s ability to absorb and store energy.
    • As the siphon reaches peak activation, sprinkle a small amount of Arcane Dust onto the filigree to bind the enchantment permanently.
  • Testing and Calibration:
    • Once the siphon cools, test its ability to absorb spiritual energy by exposing it to a low-level spiritual phenomenon. The siphon should glow as it absorbs the energy, and the Binding Gem should pulse faintly as it stores the energy for later use.
    • Ensure the device functions properly by activating its stored energy in a controlled spell or ritual. If successful, the Spirit Siphon is complete and ready for use.
• Completion Time: 5 to 7 days, depending on the availability of materials and the enchanter’s skill level.

Tale of the Crystal That Holds Spirits in the Hollow Silver

Once in the old age, when the sky held no stars, there was much between the world and the otherworld, and it was told that there were those who could see the walking winds of spirits. The people who knew these walking winds were many, but the wisest of them was one called Aravus, a sage whose eyes did not look upon the living but the echoes of the dead. He wanted the winds to speak to him, to hold their stories, for he knew the power of such knowledge.

Aravus sought a way to keep the whispers of the spirit winds, to place their words and their strength into a thing of holding. Many days and nights passed, and he went to the Mountain of Hollow Echoes, where the winds of the dead gathered thick like mist. There, he called upon the eldest of the winds, known as the Whispering Cloud, and asked it for its knowledge.

The Whispering Cloud, being older than memory, told Aravus of a time when the spirit winds could be held, but only in a thing both of the world and not of the world. A crystal must be found, clear as water and light as thought, and wrapped in silver pulled from the moon’s shadow. With such a thing, said the Whispering Cloud, the winds may be drawn inside, kept for the knowing and the using.

Aravus, with no fear of such a task, traveled to the Shores Where Dreams Touch Waking, and there he found the crystal, hidden beneath the sands of long-forgotten time. He then went to the Moon’s Edge, where light turns to dark, and from there he pulled the silver thread that could wrap the crystal. With the crystal and silver, Aravus fashioned the Spirit Siphon, binding the magic of the winds into its heart.

It is said that when the Spirit Siphon was first made, the spirits sang. The device drew the winds into its hollow crystal, holding the power of the walking winds as Aravus had wished. With it, Aravus could call upon the strength of those who no longer walked the world, turning their whispers into words of power, their touch into unseen force. But the winds are not always kind, and it is told that sometimes, in the dark of night, the Whispering Cloud would whisper warnings that Aravus did not hear.

In time, the Spirit Siphon passed to others, and the winds within grew louder. Each who held it could hear the spirits clearer, but with each voice came the danger of forgetting the line between the living and the winds. It is said that the last who held it listened too long, and was taken by the very winds they sought to control, leaving behind only the sound of the wind and the hollow crystal.

Moral of the Story: Seek not to control the whispers of the wind, for that which you hold may hold you in turn.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

Item: Spirit Siphon

• Type: Magical Artifact
• Description: A delicate device made of crystal and silver filigree, used to extract and store spiritual energy for later use.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Spirit Extraction: Allows the wielder to absorb residual spiritual energy from spirits or magical phenomena. Roll Occult or POW x 5% to successfully extract spiritual energy from a weakened spirit or ethereal entity.
  • Energy Storage: The siphon can store up to 5 points of spiritual energy. Each point of stored energy can be used to enhance spells or rituals related to the spirit world.
  • Risk: Each time the Spirit Siphon is used, the wielder must roll SAN (1/1D4 loss) as they experience lingering spiritual presence or whispers from the trapped energies.

Blades in the Dark

Item: Spirit Siphon

• Type: Fine Arcane Implement
• Description: A fragile crystal vial encased in silver filigree, used to capture and store spiritual energy.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Spirit Extraction: When in contact with a spirit or its essence, the wielder may use the siphon to capture its energy. Roll Attune to successfully absorb the energy. Gain +1D for any attempt to capture weakened or dissipating spirits.
  • Energy Storage: The siphon can store 3 uses of spiritual energy. Each use provides +1 effect to rituals or attuning to the ghost field.
  • Consequences: Using the siphon may draw unwanted attention from hostile spirits, triggering a complication or causing 2 stress due to the spirit’s resistance.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

Item: Spirit Siphon

• Type: Wondrous Item (Rare, requires attunement)
• Description: A crystalline vial surrounded by silver filigree, used to harness and store spiritual energy.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Spirit Extraction: As an action, the wielder can use the siphon to absorb spiritual energy from a spirit or magical phenomenon. The target must make a DC 14 Charisma saving throw or lose 1d4 spirit energy points, which are stored in the siphon.
  • Energy Storage: The siphon can store up to 5 charges of spiritual energy. Stored energy can be expended to:
    • Enhance Spells: Spend 1 charge to gain +1d6 to a spell’s damage or healing.
    • Fuel Spirit Spells: Spend 2 charges to cast a spell from the Necromancy or Divination school without using a spell slot (spell level up to 2).
  • Risk: Each time the siphon is used, the wielder must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or suffer a short-term madness effect due to the siphoned spirit’s influence.

Knave

Item: Spirit Siphon

• Type: Magical Device (Rare)
• Description: A vial made of enchanted crystal and silver, designed to absorb spiritual energy.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Spirit Extraction: The wielder can use the siphon to absorb residual spiritual energy from nearby spirits or magical forces. This takes 1 turn and allows the siphon to store up to 3 points of energy.
  • Energy Storage: Each stored energy point can be spent to:
    • Reroll one failed WIS check related to spirit communication or magical phenomena.
    • Add +1 damage to a magic-based attack.
  • Danger: When using the stored energy, roll 1d6: on a 1, the siphon absorbs too much spiritual force, causing the wielder to lose 1 WIS temporarily.

Fate Core

Item: Spirit Siphon

• Type: Arcane Tool
• Aspect: “Crystal of Bound Spirits”
• Game Mechanics:
  • Invoke: The user can invoke the Spirit Siphon to gain +2 to Lore or Create an Advantage when interacting with spirits or spiritual phenomena.
  • Stunt: Spirit Extraction: Once per session, the wielder can extract spiritual energy from a weakened spirit or magical source, allowing them to create a spirit-based aspect with 1 free invoke.
  • Compel: The spirits trapped within the siphon may exert influence over the user, compelling them toward reckless use or exposing them to spiritual dangers.
  • Drawback: Prolonged use may cause the spirits to disrupt the wielder’s concentration, causing a temporary consequence such as “Haunted by the Whispers.”

Numenera & Cypher System

Item: Spirit Siphon

• Type: Artifact (Level 5)
• Description: A crystalline vial encased in silver filigree, used to absorb and store spiritual energy for later use.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Effect: The wielder can use the Spirit Siphon to absorb spiritual energy from a nearby weakened spirit or residual magical energy. This provides an asset on any task related to interacting with spirits or enhancing spirit-based abilities.
  • Energy Storage: The siphon can store up to 5 points of energy, which can be spent to:
    • Add +3 to a single roll involving spirit-based abilities.
    • Automatically succeed on a Might defense roll against spiritual attacks or possession.
  • Depletion: 1 in 1d20: The siphon may lose its charge after use, requiring it to be recharged by absorbing more spiritual energy from a nearby source.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

Item: Spirit Siphon

• Type: Wondrous Item (Rare, requires attunement)
• Price: 1,200 gp
• Bulk: Light
• Description: A crystal vial encased in silver filigree, capable of storing spiritual energy and empowering the user with ethereal powers.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Spirit Extraction: As a 2-action activity, the user can attempt to absorb spiritual energy from a weakened or lingering spirit. The spirit must make a DC 18 Will saving throw or lose 1d4 spirit points, which are stored in the siphon.
  • Energy Storage: The siphon can store up to 5 spirit points. The user can expend these points to:
    • Gain a +2 item bonus to Will saves against spiritual or possession-based effects.
    • Cast Divination or Necromancy spells up to 3rd level without consuming a spell slot (spending 2 points per spell level).
  • Drawback: Each time the user absorbs energy, they must roll a DC 16 Will saving throw or suffer a -1 penalty to Wisdom-based checks for 10 minutes due to the influence of the trapped spirits.

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

Item: Spirit Siphon

• Type: Magical Device
• Game Mechanics:
  • Armor: N/A
  • Power Points: The siphon can store up to 5 Power Points absorbed from nearby spirits or spiritual phenomena.
  • Spirit Extraction: As an action, the user can attempt to absorb spiritual energy from a spirit or magical phenomenon by making a Spirit roll. Success transfers 1 Power Point into the siphon (max 5 points stored).
  • Power Use: Stored Power Points can be used to:
    • Fuel a power without spending the caster’s own points.
    • Add +1 to a spellcasting roll for each point spent.
  • Danger: Each time the siphon is used, there is a chance (roll a d6, on a 1 the user suffers a level of Fatigue) that the spirits’ influence affects the wielder’s mind, causing temporary disorientation or madness.

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

Item: Spirit Siphon

• Type: Magical Artifact
• Description: A crystalline vial encased in silver filigree, capable of storing spiritual energy for future use or to fuel magical spells.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Spirit Extraction: The user can attempt to extract energy from a nearby spirit by rolling Magic + Willpower vs. the spirit’s Force x 2. On success, the siphon captures 1D6 points of spirit energy.
  • Energy Storage: The siphon can store up to 5 points of spiritual energy. Each point can be used to:
    • Boost Spellcasting: Add +2 dice to any magic-related test.
    • Spirit Banishing: Spend 2 points to gain +2 dice to banish a spirit.
  • Drain: Using the stored energy has a mental toll. The wielder must roll Willpower + Logic (Threshold 2) to avoid suffering 1 Stun Damage due to spiritual overload.

Starfinder

Item: Spirit Siphon

• Level: 6
• Type: Hybrid Item
• Description: A delicate artifact designed to extract and store spiritual energy, which can be used to fuel spells or enhance magic-based abilities.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Spirit Extraction: As a standard action, the wielder can use the siphon to absorb spiritual energy from a nearby spirit or magical phenomenon. The target must make a DC 15 Will save or lose 1d4 spiritual energy points.
  • Energy Storage: The siphon can hold up to 5 charges. Each charge can be used to:
    • Cast a spell of 1st level or lower without using a spell slot (1 charge per spell level).
    • Gain +1 to attack rolls for a spell or spell-like ability.
  • Overload Risk: Using more than 3 charges in a single round requires a DC 14 Fortitude save or the wielder suffers 1d6 damage from spiritual backlash.
• Price: 3,500 credits
• Bulk: Light

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

Item: Spirit Siphon

• Type: Tech Level 13 Artifact
• Description: A powerful device capable of extracting and storing spiritual energy for later use in rituals, spellcasting, or other mystical applications.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Spirit Extraction: The wielder can attempt to draw spiritual energy from a weakened entity by succeeding in a Mystics check (8+). If successful, the siphon absorbs 1d6 Energy Points.
  • Energy Storage: The siphon can store up to 6 Energy Points. The stored energy can be used to:
    • Add +1 DM to any Psionics, Mysticism, or Charisma check.
    • Boost healing or regeneration, restoring 1 Endurance point per Energy Point spent.
  • Risk: If more than 3 Energy Points are used in one action, the wielder must make an Endurance check (10+) or suffer 1D6 Fatigue as the energy takes a toll on their body.
• Cost: 20,000 Credits
• Weight: 1 kg

Warhammer 40,000 (Wrath & Glory)

Item: Spirit Siphon

• Type: Archeotech (Relic)
• Description: A relic from a forgotten age, the Spirit Siphon draws energy from the Warp or lingering spirits, storing it for later use by psykers or mystics.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Spirit Extraction: The wielder can siphon energy from the Warp or spirits by passing a DN 3 Psychic Mastery test. Each success transfers 1d3 points of Warp Energy to the siphon.
  • Energy Storage: The siphon can hold up to 5 Warp Points. These points can be spent to:
    • Reduce Perils of the Warp: Spend 1 Warp Point to reduce the severity of a Perils of the Warp result by one tier.
    • Boost Psychic Powers: Spend 1 Warp Point to gain +1 bonus dice on a Psychic Mastery roll.
  • Perils of the Warp: Each time energy is extracted, roll a DN 4 Willpower test or trigger a minor Perils of the Warp event.
• Availability: Unique (can only be acquired through narrative events or as a relic)