Lore: This enchanted item was created by the forsaken mage Alaric, who, after being abandoned by his comrades during a perilous expedition, tapped into the deep well of his despair to forge a curse. The item holds a piece of Alaric’s spirit, forever yearning for retribution against those who leave others behind.
Stats:
- Defense: +2
- Offense: +1
- Magic Flow Resistance: +3
Roleplay: Wearing this gear imbues the bearer with an aura of isolation. Characters may find themselves inadvertently shunned or ignored by others, mirroring the curse’s essence of abandonment. It’s perfect for scenarios where stealth or avoiding confrontation is key. However, in social interactions, it might pose a challenge, as it can unintentionally emanate a sense of desolation.
Slot:
- Accessory (can be worn as a bracelet, necklace, or ring)
Costs:
- 100 gold pieces
- Maintenance: Requires a monthly ritual under a waning moon to sustain its magic.
Magics:
- Passive Ability (Curse of Solitude): Enemies are less likely to target the wearer in battle, as the curse subtly influences their minds to overlook or underestimate them.
- Active Ability (Echo of Desolation): Once per day, the wearer can invoke the curse to make an enemy feel the weight of solitude, temporarily decreasing their allies’ willingness to aid them.
Tags: Enchanted, Cursed, Abandonment, Isolation
Use in Defense: In defense, the gear’s aura makes the wearer less noticeable, aiding in evasion or stealth. The active ability can be used to disrupt enemy formations by sowing discord and reluctance among their ranks.
Use in Offense: Offensively, the item can be strategically used to isolate key targets, making them vulnerable to attacks. The wearer can exploit the enemy’s momentary lapse in teamwork to strike or create advantageous situations for their allies.
Environments:
- Urban: Highly effective in crowded places where the wearer can blend in or cause chaos among groups.
- Wilderness: Useful for avoiding confrontations with wildlife or hostile entities, as the aura of abandonment makes the wearer seem inconsequential or invisible.
- Dungeons: In tight spaces, the ability to cause hesitation among enemies can turn the tide of battle.
The Curse 47 of Abandonment serves as a nuanced tool for a Tier 1 character, offering a blend of defensive subtlety and offensive strategy, woven with a rich lore that enhances role-playing depth.
Altered perceptions play a critical role in the item’s impact on both the wearer and those around them in the realm of Saṃsāra.
- Sight (Visual Perception)
- What is Perceived: The item gives off a faint, shadowy aura, noticeable only to those attuned to magical energies.
- Description: This aura can cause the wearer to appear slightly blurred or distant, as if partly removed from the present reality.
- Positives: This visual oddity can make the wearer less noticeable or memorable, aiding in stealth and evasion.
- Negatives: In social situations, this might lead to distrust or unease among others.
- Hearing (Auditory Perception)
- What is Perceived: The item emits a low, almost imperceptible whisper, reminiscent of forlorn sighs.
- Description: This whisper can induce a sense of unease or melancholy in those who hear it.
- Positives: The unsettling sound can distract or unnerve opponents in combat.
- Negatives: Prolonged exposure may cause the wearer to feel isolated or depressed.
- Touch (Tactile Perception)
- What is Perceived: The item feels colder than its surroundings, even in warm conditions.
- Description: This chill seems to seep into the wearer’s skin, creating a constant reminder of the curse’s presence.
- Positives: The cold touch can be a grounding sensation, keeping the wearer alert.
- Negatives: Over time, this can become uncomfortable, leading to distraction or irritability.
- Smell (Olfactory Perception)
- What is Perceived: The item has a faint scent of wilted flowers, a reminder of things once vibrant but now lost.
- Description: This scent is particularly noticeable when feelings of abandonment are strong.
- Positives: The unique smell can sometimes trigger wariness in enemies, giving the wearer a subtle advantage.
- Negatives: The constant reminder of loss can be emotionally taxing for the wearer.
- Taste (Gustatory Perception)
- What is Perceived: When wearing the item, foods and drinks may occasionally taste bland or stale.
- Description: This alteration in taste symbolizes the emptiness of abandonment.
- Positives: This can make the wearer less prone to indulgence or distraction by culinary pleasures.
- Negatives: It can diminish the enjoyment of meals, potentially affecting morale.
- Extra-Sensory Perceptions
- Emotional Perception
- What is Perceived: The wearer becomes more sensitive to feelings of loneliness and abandonment in others.
- Description: This heightened empathy can manifest as a subtle sense of connection to those experiencing similar emotions.
- Positives: This can aid in understanding and manipulating the emotions of others.
- Negatives: The constant influx of others’ emotions can be overwhelming and emotionally draining.
- Magical Perception
- What is Perceived: An increased awareness of magical flows related to curses and isolation.
- Description: The wearer can sense when similar magic is at work in their vicinity.
- Positives: This can provide advanced warning of cursed areas or beings.
- Negatives: Over-sensitivity to such magic can lead to paranoia or misinterpretation of magical environments.
- Emotional Perception
The Curse 47 of Abandonment thus offers a complex array of sensory and extra-sensory perceptions, each with its unique advantages and challenges, deeply enhancing the roleplay experience in the world of Saṃsāra.
Crafting Recipe: Echoes of the Forsaken – Curse 47 of Abandonment
- Materials Needed:
- Shadow Essence: Extracted from a place of deep sorrow or isolation.
- Wilted Blossoms: Preferably from a flower that once held significant emotional value.
- Ethereal Whisper Stone: A rare mineral that captures sounds from the spiritual realm.
- Frost Shard: A crystal imbued with the essence of perpetual cold.
- Silver of Mourning: Silver that has been bathed in the tears of those who have experienced abandonment.
- Ink of Desolation: Made from the ash of a lone tree that withered in solitude.
- Tools Required:
- Enchanter’s Crucible: For combining magical essences.
- Chisel of Sorrow: Specifically designed for inscribing symbols of isolation.
- Brazier of Remembrance: A special brazier that burns with a flame of remembrance and loss.
- Ethereal Tongs: Needed to handle Ethereal Whisper Stone without corrupting its essence.
- Skill Requirements:
- Advanced Enchantment Knowledge: Understanding of complex magical properties and their interactions.
- Expertise in Symbolism: Ability to inscribe powerful symbols that encapsulate the essence of abandonment and isolation.
- Emotional Resonance: The crafter must be able to empathize deeply with feelings of loss and solitude to imbue the item with the intended magic.
- Crafting Steps:
- Preparation of Materials:
- Purify the Shadow Essence at midnight during a new moon.
- Soak the Wilted Blossoms in the Silver of Mourning for seven nights.
- Imbue the Frost Shard with the cold of the deepest winter night.
- Grind the Ink of Desolation with a mortar and pestle of bone.
- Forging the Core:
- In the Enchanter’s Crucible, combine the Shadow Essence, the essence-infused Wilted Blossoms, and the Frost Shard. Heat with the Brazier of Remembrance until the mixture becomes homogenous.
- Inscribing Symbols:
- Using the Chisel of Sorrow, carefully inscribe symbols of isolation and abandonment onto the Ethereal Whisper Stone.
- Each symbol must be imbued with the crafter’s own sense of solitude to enhance its potency.
- Infusion of Essence:
- Place the Ethereal Whisper Stone in the center of the Crucible.
- Slowly pour the mixture over the stone, allowing it to absorb the combined essences fully.
- Chant the ancient words of binding to fuse the materials into a singular form.
- Final Assembly:
- Shape the now-infused Ethereal Whisper Stone into the desired form (necklace, bracelet, or ring) using the Ethereal Tongs.
- As the item cools, write the incantations of abandonment using the Ink of Desolation.
- Seal the magic with a final blessing under the light of a waning moon.
- Rest and Reflection:
- The item must rest on an altar of stone for three days, surrounded by remnants of forgotten places and things.
- The crafter should spend this time in contemplation of loss and recovery, to balance the heavy energy of the item.
- Preparation of Materials:
Creating the Curse 47 of Abandonment is a task that requires not only skill and precision but also a deep emotional connection to the theme of abandonment. This recipe ensures that the item is imbued with both the magical and emotional essence necessary for its intended use.
Lament of Alaric
Birth of the Curse 47 of Abandonment
In times long past, before the age of steam and magic circuits, there existed a mage named Alaric. His tale, translated from an ancient, forgotten language, speaks of sorrow and solitude.
Alaric, a mage of considerable skill, was known across the lands for his unwavering loyalty to his companions. His journey with his allies took them through realms of shadow and light, facing perils that forged unbreakable bonds—or so he believed. On a fateful expedition to the Caverns of Echoing Despair, a place where reality bent and twisted in sorrowful whispers, the group encountered an unspeakable terror.
In the cavern’s heart, amidst the chaos of a battle against formless shadows, Alaric was gravely wounded. His comrades, gripped by fear, fled, leaving him behind. Alone and betrayed, Alaric’s cries of anguish echoed through the caverns, unheard. As he lay there, the essence of abandonment seeped into his very soul.
In his darkest hour, Alaric’s magic, fueled by his pain and sense of betrayal, gave birth to a new form of enchantment. He poured his despair into an amulet he wore, the very amulet that had been a symbol of his camaraderie. The amulet absorbed his pain, transforming into the first Curse of Abandonment—later known as Curse 47.
The curse imbued the amulet with a shadowy aura, and it became a beacon of solitude and loss. Alaric eventually emerged from the cavern, a changed man. His trust in others was shattered, but the power of his curse grew. He wandered the lands, leaving behind tales of a mage who could bend the essence of abandonment to his will.
The amulet, passing from one bearer to another over the ages, became a legendary artifact, sought after for its unique powers. Yet, those who wielded it found themselves touched by Alaric’s initial despair. They were marked by an aura of solitude, becoming figures of both awe and pity.
Moral of the Story: The tale of Alaric and the Curse 47 of Abandonment serves as a solemn reminder that the deepest wounds are those of the heart. Betrayal and abandonment can forge powerful forces, but at the cost of one’s connection to others. In seeking to wield the power of such pain, one must remember that the weight of solitude can be as much a curse as a blessing.
Suggested adaptions to other systems:
Call of Cthulhu (Latest Edition)
Name: Curse 47 of Abandonment
- Type: Artifact
- Effects:
- Sanity Loss: 1D4/1D8 (initial viewing/use)
- Special: Wearer gains a bonus to Stealth rolls but suffers a penalty to social interactions. Once per game session, can induce feelings of isolation in a target, impacting their sanity.
- Usage: Wearable (ring, necklace, or bracelet)
Blades in the Dark
Name: Curse 47 of Abandonment
- Type: Arcane Implement
- Effect:
- Adds +1d to Prowl rolls due to its aura of solitude but incurs -1d to Consort or Sway rolls. Can be activated to make an NPC less likely to receive aid or cooperation from their allies for the duration of a score.
- Usage: Attune to the item to activate its effects.
Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)
Name: Curse 47 of Abandonment
- Type: Wondrous Item, rare (requires attunement)
- Properties:
- Defense: +1 to AC
- Stealth Advantage: Grants advantage on Stealth checks.
- Social Disadvantage: Disadvantage on Persuasion and Charisma checks.
- Curse of Isolation: Once per long rest, can cast “Cause Fear” (Save DC 15) without using a spell slot.
- Usage: Attunement required by a spellcaster.
Knave
Name: Curse 47 of Abandonment
- Type: Cursed Item
- Effect:
- +1 bonus to Defense rolls, but -1 penalty to Charisma tests.
- Once per day, the user can make themselves ignored or unnoticed by others for a short duration.
- Usage: Worn as a piece of jewelry.
Fate Core System
Name: Curse 47 of Abandonment
- Type: Aspect (Cursed Item)
- Effect:
- Grants the aspect “Shrouded in Solitude” with a free invoke for stealthy actions.
- Compel: “Aura of Desolation” to represent social challenges or emotional isolation.
- Stunt: “Echo of Loneliness” – Once per session, force an opponent to make a mental defense roll against a +2 difficulty or become temporarily isolated from allies.
- Usage: Must be worn and invoked as an aspect.
Numenera & Cypher System
Name: Curse 47 of Abandonment
- Type: Artifact
- Level: 4
- Effect:
- User gains an asset in stealth tasks but has an increased difficulty in social interaction tasks.
- Can be activated to create a zone of desolation: enemies within immediate range are hindered in their actions for one round.
- Depletion: 1 in 1d20 (roll after each use)
Pathfinder (Latest Edition)
Name: Curse 47 of Abandonment
- Type: Magic Item (Accessory)
- Effects:
- Bonus: +1 to Stealth checks.
- Penalty: -2 on all Diplomacy checks.
- Special Ability: Once per day, the wearer can cast “Cause Fear” as a 2nd-level spellcaster.
- Aura: Faint necromancy.
- Usage: Equipped as an accessory.
Savage Worlds
Name: Curse 47 of Abandonment
- Type: Magic Item
- Effects:
- Bonus: +2 to Stealth rolls.
- Drawback: -2 Charisma when interacting in social situations.
- Special: Once per session, the wearer can make a target feel isolated, imposing a -2 penalty to their cooperation or support rolls for a limited time.
- Usage: Worn as an accessory.
Shadowrun (Latest Edition)
Name: Curse 47 of Abandonment
- Type: Magical Gear
- Effects:
- Stealth Bonus: +2 dice pool bonus to Sneaking tests.
- Social Penalty: -1 to all Social tests.
- Active Ability: Once per run, can use a version of “Confusion” spell targeting a single individual, making them feel isolated and less likely to receive help.
- Usage: Worn, requires attunement.
Starfinder
Name: Curse 47 of Abandonment
- Type: Hybrid Item
- Level: 3
- Effects:
- Bonus: Adds +1 to Stealth skill checks.
- Penalty: -1 to Diplomacy.
- Special: Once per day, user can cast “Fear” as a spell-like ability (caster level equal to the user’s level).
- Usage: Worn as an accessory, requires attunement.
Traveller (Mongoose Edition)
Name: Curse 47 of Abandonment
- Type: Ancillary Device
- Effects:
- Bonus: +1 to Stealth checks.
- Penalty: -1 to all Social interactions.
- Special Feature: Can induce a sense of fear or unease in an individual once per game session, requiring a successful Social check against a difficulty of 8+.
- Usage: Carried or worn.
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (Latest Edition)
Name: Curse 47 of Abandonment
- Type: Enchanted Object
- Effects:
- Bonus: Gain a bonus success level on Concealment and Stealth tests.
- Penalty: Minus 10 to Fellowship tests.
- Special Ability: Once per session, the wearer can cast a minor curse causing an NPC to feel abandoned, resulting in a penalty to their Fellowship tests for a short duration.
- Usage: Worn as a piece of jewelry.