Predator Gaze Spyglass – GearAscendancy.com

From: Aquavianthrope

This intricately crafted spyglass allows the Aquavianthrope to observe its surroundings with exceptional clarity. It is specifically designed to enhance its perception and tracking abilities.

Function: When looking through the Predator’s Gaze Spyglass, the Aquavianthrope gains advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made to spot or track creatures or objects in the distance.

Common (Tier 1)

Function: When looking through the Predator’s Gaze Spyglass, the Aquavianthrope gains advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made to spot or track creatures or objects in the distance.

Perception: (+2) The Aquavianthrope has keen senses, particularly when it comes to observation and spotting details in its environment. It can detect subtle cues, identify hidden objects, and notice changes in its surroundings.

Tracking: (+2) With its predatory instincts and enhanced perception, the Aquavianthrope excels in tracking creatures or objects. It can analyze tracks, follow trails, and discern patterns to locate targets or navigate through unfamiliar terrains.

Investigation: (+2) The Aquavianthrope’s curiosity and analytical mindset allow it to excel in investigating and examining clues, objects, and environments. It can discern hidden meanings, unravel mysteries, and make connections based on the information it gathers.

Cost: 100 gold

Tags: Tool, Adventuring Gear, Optics, Precision, Long-range, Observation, Enchanted

Lore: The Predator’s Gaze Spyglass is an intricately crafted tool designed specifically for the Aquavianthrope’s enhanced perception and tracking abilities. It is a highly sought-after item among explorers, scouts, and adventurers who rely on keen observation and tracking skills.

Use: When the Aquavianthrope looks through the Predator’s Gaze Spyglass, it gains advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made to spot or track creatures or objects in the distance. The spyglass is engineered with precision lenses and enchantments that enhance the Aquavianthrope’s natural visual acuity, allowing it to observe its surroundings with exceptional clarity.

The Predator’s Gaze Spyglass is an asset in various situations. Whether scanning the horizon for distant threats, tracking elusive prey, or searching for hidden clues or objects, the Aquavianthrope can rely on the spyglass to provide a distinct advantage in perception-based tasks.

Legends and tales often attribute the creation of the Predator’s Gaze Spyglass to master craftsmen with an affinity for avian and feline creatures. These artisans possess deep knowledge of optics, enchantments, and the intricacies of visual enhancement. It is said that they meticulously select materials and imbue the spyglass with magical properties to heighten the Aquavianthrope’s perception abilities.

In the world of Saṃsāra, the Predator’s Gaze Spyglass is a prized item, sought after by explorers, scouts, and adventurers who rely on keen observation and tracking skills. The shops and markets where this item can be found reflect the craftsmanship and specialized nature of the spyglass.

Artisan Optics Workshops:
- Location: Found in larger cities known for their skilled craftsmen, particularly in districts where artisans specializing in precision instruments and magical tools gather.
- Description: These workshops are run by master craftsmen who have dedicated their lives to perfecting the art of optics and enchantment. The Predator’s Gaze Spyglass is often a centerpiece in their collection, displayed with other finely crafted instruments like telescopes, magnifying lenses, and enchanted spectacles. The shopkeepers are usually knowledgeable artisans themselves, capable of explaining the intricate enchantments and craftsmanship that go into each spyglass.
- Cost: 120 gold pieces, reflecting the high level of skill and materials involved in its creation.
Alchemist and Enchanter Emporiums:
- Location: In bustling cities or towns with a strong presence of magic users and scholars, often near academies or guild halls.
- Description: These emporiums are filled with shelves of mystical items, potions, and enchanted tools. The Predator’s Gaze Spyglass is found among other magical instruments used for exploration, research, and investigation. The shopkeepers, often alchemists or enchanters themselves, understand the balance between science and magic, and they can provide detailed insights into how the spyglass enhances perception and tracking. Customers may also be able to request custom enchantments or modifications to the spyglass.
- Cost: 110 gold pieces, with the possibility of additional costs for custom enchantments.
Explorer’s Outfitters:
- Location: Found in frontier towns, ports, and trade hubs where adventurers and explorers gather before setting out on expeditions.
- Description: These shops specialize in gear for survival and exploration, offering a wide range of tools, weapons, and supplies. The Predator’s Gaze Spyglass is typically displayed alongside other essential items like maps, compasses, and survival kits. The shopkeepers, often retired explorers or adventurers, understand the value of such a tool in the field and are eager to equip others for their journeys. The atmosphere is practical, with a focus on functionality and reliability.
- Cost: 100 gold pieces, with a discount or package deal if purchased with other exploration gear.
Black Market Dealers:
- Location: In the shadowy parts of major cities, where rare and valuable items are traded discreetly.
- Description: For those who prefer to acquire the Predator’s Gaze Spyglass outside of conventional means, the black market offers an alternative. The spyglass might be found among other rare and sometimes illicit goods, sold by dealers who deal in the unusual and the forbidden. The shops are hidden behind false storefronts or in underground markets, accessible only to those who know the right contacts. Transactions are quick, and authenticity is not always guaranteed.
- Cost: 80 gold pieces, though there is a risk of counterfeit or stolen goods.
High-End Specialty Boutiques:
- Location: In the affluent districts of major cities, particularly near noble estates or the homes of wealthy merchants.
- Description: These boutiques cater to the elite, offering only the finest and most luxurious items. The Predator’s Gaze Spyglass is presented as a luxury item, with options for custom embellishments like gold inlays, rare materials, or personalized engravings. The shopkeepers are well-versed in catering to a discerning clientele, often offering exclusive pieces that cannot be found elsewhere.
- Cost: 150 gold pieces, with the option to increase the price based on customization and exclusivity.

The Predator’s Gaze Spyglass is a valuable and versatile tool in Saṃsāra, sought after by those who require enhanced perception and tracking abilities. Whether purchased from an artisan’s workshop, an alchemist’s emporium, or a black market dealer, the spyglass is recognized as a symbol of keen observation and strategic advantage. The price and availability may vary depending on the location and the reputation of the shop, but the quality and utility of the spyglass remain consistently high.

The Predator’s Gaze Spyglass is a powerful tool that enhances the Aquavianthrope’s perception and tracking abilities, making it an invaluable asset in both defensive and offensive scenarios. Below are examples of how the spyglass might be used in various environments, highlighting its versatility in roleplay.

Dense Forest or Jungle:
- Defense: In the dense foliage of a forest or jungle, the Predator’s Gaze Spyglass can be used to spot potential threats long before they become a danger. The Aquavianthrope can climb a tree or find a vantage point, using the spyglass to scan the area for hidden dangers, such as ambushes or predatory animals. The enhanced perception allows the user to identify subtle movements or disturbances in the vegetation, giving them the opportunity to avoid threats or prepare for an encounter.
- Offense: Offensively, the spyglass can be used to track prey through the thick underbrush. The Aquavianthrope can follow the movement of creatures from a distance, planning ambushes or setting traps based on the prey’s path. The ability to spot tracks or broken branches from afar allows the Aquavianthrope to predict where the prey will move next, enabling a swift and effective attack.
Urban Environment:
- Defense: In a bustling urban environment, the Predator’s Gaze Spyglass helps the Aquavianthrope monitor crowded streets, rooftops, and alleyways from a concealed location. The spyglass can be used to keep an eye on potential threats, such as approaching guards or rival operatives. The enhanced perception allows the user to spot hidden dangers, like a disguised assailant or a trap set in a dark corner, giving them the time to take evasive action or prepare a defensive strategy.
- Offense: Offensively, the spyglass is useful for tracking a target through a busy city. The Aquavianthrope can observe a target from a distance, following their movements through crowded marketplaces or narrow alleys. The spyglass enables the user to identify the target’s patterns and habits, setting up ambush points or planning the best route for pursuit. The ability to see clearly from a distance also allows the Aquavianthrope to plan precise strikes or sabotage from afar.
Mountainous or Rocky Terrain:
- Defense: In rugged, mountainous terrain, the Predator’s Gaze Spyglass is essential for monitoring the landscape and spotting potential threats from afar. The Aquavianthrope can use the spyglass to scan the horizon, watching for approaching enemies or dangerous wildlife. The ability to see far into the distance gives the user the advantage of time, allowing them to find cover or take a defensive position in the rocky landscape.
- Offense: Offensively, the spyglass can be used to plan attacks or track enemies across the uneven terrain. The Aquavianthrope can observe the movements of a target from a high vantage point, predicting their path and setting up ambushes in narrow passes or hidden valleys. The spyglass’s enhanced perception allows the user to see small details, like a loose rock or a narrow ledge, which can be used to the user’s advantage in an attack.
Desert or Open Plains:
- Defense: In the vast openness of deserts or plains, the Predator’s Gaze Spyglass is invaluable for spotting threats from a great distance. The Aquavianthrope can use the spyglass to monitor the horizon, watching for dust clouds that indicate the approach of enemies or observing the behavior of distant wildlife for signs of danger. The ability to see far and clearly helps the user avoid surprise attacks or ambushes in these open environments.
- Offense: Offensively, the spyglass allows the Aquavianthrope to track and stalk prey over long distances in the open plains. The user can observe the movement of herds or individual targets, predicting their movements and setting up ambushes at watering holes or narrow passes. The spyglass’s ability to enhance perception ensures that the user can maintain a visual on the target, even in the vast expanse of the desert, allowing for a precise and strategic approach.
Underground or Cave Systems:
- Defense: In the darkness of caves or underground tunnels, the Predator’s Gaze Spyglass is less effective due to the lack of light, but it can still be used to enhance perception in dimly lit areas. The Aquavianthrope can use the spyglass to peer into shadowy recesses or down long tunnels, spotting hidden threats like lurking predators or concealed traps. The enhanced vision helps the user navigate the treacherous underground environment, avoiding danger and finding safe paths.
- Offense: Offensively, the spyglass can be used to track movements in the dim light of underground environments. The Aquavianthrope can observe the faint glimmers of light or subtle movements in the distance, planning ambushes in narrow tunnels or hidden chambers. The spyglass’s ability to enhance perception in low light allows the user to strike with precision, taking advantage of the limited visibility to gain the upper hand.

Roleplaying Dynamics: The Predator’s Gaze Spyglass offers a wide range of roleplaying opportunities, emphasizing the Aquavianthrope’s keen observation skills and strategic thinking. In different environments, the spyglass enhances the user’s ability to spot threats, track targets, and plan both defensive and offensive actions. Whether used to avoid danger, set up ambushes, or pursue prey, the spyglass turns the environment into a strategic asset, allowing the Aquavianthrope to control the battlefield with superior vision and insight. The roleplay scenarios encourage creative use of the spyglass, making it a key tool in the Aquavianthrope’s arsenal.

Perception of Activation:

Sight:
- What’s Perceived: Upon activation, the lenses of the Predator’s Gaze Spyglass emit a faint, shimmering glow, which enhances the clarity and sharpness of the viewed image. The surroundings seen through the spyglass become more vivid, with colors appearing slightly more saturated and details sharper than with the naked eye.
- Description: The glow is subtle, focused on the interior of the lenses, and doesn’t project outward. The field of view through the spyglass appears to expand slightly, allowing the user to observe a wider area while still maintaining focus on distant objects.
- Positives: The enhanced clarity makes it easier to spot small details, track movement, and discern distant objects, even in low-light conditions.
- Negatives: The shimmering glow might draw attention if used in complete darkness, and prolonged use may cause slight eye strain due to the intensified visual input.
Sound:
- What’s Perceived: A soft, barely audible hum accompanies the activation, akin to the gentle rustling of leaves in the wind. This sound seems to resonate from within the spyglass itself.
- Description: The hum is calming and rhythmic, almost meditative, helping the user focus on the task at hand. It enhances concentration, allowing the user to filter out distracting noises and hone in on what they’re observing.
- Positives: The sound aids in focusing the mind, making it easier to concentrate on tracking or observation.
- Negatives: In complete silence, the hum might be detectable by others nearby, potentially compromising the user’s stealth.
Touch:
- What’s Perceived: The spyglass warms slightly in the user’s hand, providing a comforting sensation that spreads through the fingers. The metal feels smooth and responsive, almost as if it’s attuning itself to the user’s grip.
- Description: The warmth is mild and steady, enhancing the user’s grip on the spyglass. The slight vibration felt through the hand aligns with the hum, reinforcing the sense of connection between the user and the tool.
- Positives: The warmth and tactile feedback improve the user’s control over the spyglass, reducing hand tremors and enhancing precision.
- Negatives: The warmth might become uncomfortable in hot environments, and the subtle vibration could be distracting to users not accustomed to it.
Smell:
- What’s Perceived: A faint, earthy scent emanates from the spyglass upon activation, reminiscent of damp earth and fresh leaves.
- Description: The scent is subtle and grounding, evoking the feeling of being outdoors, even if the user is indoors or underground. It helps to heighten the user’s awareness of the natural environment, reinforcing the connection between the spyglass and the wild.
- Positives: The scent enhances the user’s focus on natural surroundings, making it easier to track or observe wildlife.
- Negatives: In enclosed spaces, the scent might become more noticeable, potentially drawing unwanted attention or causing slight discomfort.
Taste:
- What’s Perceived: Not directly applicable, but there is a slight metallic taste that may linger in the mouth when using the spyglass, likely due to the enhanced sensory perception.
- Description: The taste is faint and typically unnoticed unless the user is particularly sensitive to sensory changes.
- Positives: The taste is generally neutral and does not interfere with the user’s focus.
- Negatives: Sensitive users might find the metallic taste mildly distracting.
Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
- Magical Aura:
  - What’s Perceived: Magic users or those sensitive to mystical energies might perceive a faint, pulsing aura around the spyglass when activated, filled with a sense of heightened awareness and clarity.
  - Description: The aura is subtle, a barely visible shimmer that seems to enhance the user’s connection to the environment. It feels like a channeling of natural energies into the spyglass, sharpening the user’s instincts and perceptions.
  - Positives: The aura strengthens the user’s connection to their surroundings, improving their ability to detect hidden details and track elusive targets.
  - Negatives: The aura might be detectable by other magic users or creatures sensitive to mystical energies, potentially revealing the user’s position.
- Mind’s Eye Awareness:
  - What’s Perceived: The user experiences a heightened sense of spatial awareness, as if their mind’s eye is mapping out the area they are observing. They can intuitively understand distances, angles, and the movement of objects within their field of view.
  - Description: This awareness feels like a mental overlay, providing the user with a clearer understanding of their environment. It helps in predicting the movement of creatures or objects and in planning strategic actions.
  - Positives: The enhanced spatial awareness greatly improves the user’s ability to track and observe, making it easier to anticipate changes in the environment or the actions of others.
  - Negatives: The influx of detailed information might be overwhelming in complex environments, requiring the user to manage the additional sensory input carefully.

Positives of Activation Overall:

Enhanced Clarity and Precision: The spyglass’s activation significantly improves visual clarity, making it easier to spot and track distant objects or creatures.
Increased Focus: The subtle sounds, warmth, and scents help the user concentrate, reducing distractions and enhancing observation skills.
Heightened Awareness: The magical aura and mind’s eye awareness provide additional layers of perception, improving the user’s ability to understand and interact with their surroundings.

Negatives of Activation Overall:

Potential Detection: The slight glow, hum, and scent produced by the spyglass’s activation could potentially reveal the user’s position in certain environments, especially in complete darkness or silence.
Sensory Overload: The enhanced sensory input and spatial awareness might be overwhelming in complex or chaotic environments, requiring careful management to avoid distraction or confusion.
Environmental Dependency: The effectiveness of the spyglass is reduced in environments with little light or where the natural surroundings are obscured, such as in heavy fog, underground, or during storms.

Crafting Recipe: Predator’s Gaze Spyglass.
The Predator’s Gaze Spyglass is a finely crafted tool designed to enhance perception and tracking abilities. This crafting recipe details the materials, tools, skills, and steps required to create this intricate item.

Materials Needed:
- Polished Crystal Lenses:
  - Quantity: 2 lenses (primary and secondary)
  - Source: High-quality crystal, carefully shaped and polished to enhance visual clarity.
- Enchanted Metal Cylinder:
  - Quantity: 1 cylinder
  - Source: A lightweight, durable metal such as mithril or enchanted steel, engraved with avian and feline motifs to symbolize sharp vision and predatory instincts.
- Focusing Ring:
  - Quantity: 1 ring
  - Source: A ring of pure silver, enchanted to allow precise adjustments to the focus of the spyglass.
- Lens Housing:
  - Quantity: 2 housings
  - Source: Crafted from the same metal as the cylinder, designed to securely hold the lenses in place while allowing for smooth extension and retraction.
- Essence of Sharp Sight:
  - Quantity: 1 vial
  - Source: Distilled from the eyes of an eagle or hawk, mixed with magical herbs to enhance visual acuity.
- Magical Binding Thread:
  - Quantity: 1 spool
  - Source: Thread imbued with enchantments, used to bind the lenses and cylinder together while infusing the spyglass with its tracking properties.
- Polishing Oil:
  - Quantity: 1 bottle
  - Source: A blend of natural oils and enchanted ingredients, used to polish the lenses and metal, ensuring the spyglass remains clear and functional.
Tools Required:
- Precision Engraving Tools:
  - For carving the intricate motifs and enchantment glyphs into the metal cylinder.
- Lens Grinder and Polisher:
  - For shaping and polishing the crystal lenses to the required specifications.
- Enchanting Tools:
  - Includes glyph inscribers, ritual candles, and magical stabilizers for the enchanting process.
- Assembly Stand:
  - A specialized stand to hold the components in place during the assembly and enchanting process.
- Silver Soldering Kit:
  - For attaching the focusing ring and lens housings to the cylinder securely.
Skill Requirements:
- Optics Crafting (Expert Level):
  - Required to shape, polish, and assemble the lenses and ensure they provide clear and sharp vision.
- Metalworking (Advanced Level):
  - Necessary for engraving and shaping the metal cylinder and lens housings, as well as attaching the focusing ring.
- Enchanting (Skilled Level):
  - Essential for imbuing the spyglass with its perception-enhancing and tracking properties.
- Herbalism/Alchemy (Intermediate Level):
  - Needed to prepare and distill the Essence of Sharp Sight.
Crafting Steps:
- Prepare the Lenses:
  - Shaping: Use the lens grinder to shape the crystal lenses into the required convex and concave forms. Ensure that the lenses are perfectly smooth and free of imperfections.
  - Polishing: Use the lens polisher to buff the lenses until they are crystal clear, applying polishing oil to enhance their clarity.
- Engrave the Cylinder:
  - Design: Using the precision engraving tools, carefully carve the avian and feline motifs along the length of the metal cylinder. Ensure that the engravings are detailed and symmetrical.
  - Glyphs: Inscribe the necessary enchantment glyphs along the interior of the cylinder, focusing on symbols related to perception, clarity, and tracking.
- Assemble the Spyglass:
  - Attach the Lenses: Place the lenses into the lens housings, securing them with the magical binding thread. Ensure that the lenses are properly aligned to allow for smooth focus adjustments.
  - Cylinder Construction: Attach the lens housings to either end of the metal cylinder, using the silver soldering kit to secure them in place. Ensure that the cylinder extends and retracts smoothly.
  - Focusing Ring: Attach the focusing ring to the middle of the cylinder, ensuring that it rotates smoothly and allows for precise focus adjustments.
- Infuse with Essence of Sharp Sight:
  - Preparation: Using the enchanting tools, prepare the Essence of Sharp Sight by mixing it with a few drops of polishing oil.
  - Application: Carefully apply the mixture to the interior of the lens housings, allowing the essence to soak into the lenses and the metal. Perform a short enchanting ritual to bind the essence to the spyglass, ensuring that it enhances visual acuity and tracking abilities.
- Final Enchantment:
  - Ritual Setup: Place the assembled spyglass on the assembly stand within a ritual circle. Light the ritual candles and focus on the glyphs inscribed on the cylinder.
  - Chant and Bind: Perform the final enchanting ritual, chanting the words of binding and focusing on enhancing the spyglass’s connection to the user’s perception and tracking instincts. Continue until the spyglass emits a faint glow, indicating the successful binding of the enchantments.
- Final Inspection and Polishing:
  - Inspection: Check the spyglass for any imperfections or misalignments, ensuring that all components function smoothly.
  - Polishing: Apply the final layer of polishing oil to the exterior of the spyglass, buffing it to a high shine. This step ensures that the spyglass is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing.
- Attunement:
  - Usage: The creator or intended user must spend an hour attuning to the spyglass in a natural environment, using it to observe and track distant objects or creatures. This attunement process ensures that the spyglass’s enchantments are fully aligned with the user’s instincts and perception.

Upon completion of these steps, the Predator’s Gaze Spyglass will be ready for use. This finely crafted tool enhances the user’s ability to observe and track, making it an invaluable asset for adventurers, scouts, and explorers. The combination of expert craftsmanship, precise optics, and powerful enchantments ensures that the spyglass functions at the highest level, providing clear and sharp vision even in challenging environments.

Tale of the All-Seeing Lens of the Hunter’s Eye

In the days of old, when the sun rose from the east and set in the west, there was a creature known as the Watchful One. The Watchful One was neither beast nor man, but something in between, with eyes that saw beyond the horizon and ears that heard the whispers of the wind. It lived in the high places, where the mountains kissed the sky, and it watched over the lands below with an unblinking gaze.

The Watchful One was a guardian, tasked by the spirits of the earth to keep the balance between the creatures of the land and those who walked on two legs. But as time passed, the world grew wider and the creatures more cunning, and even the Watchful One found it difficult to see all that needed to be seen.

One day, as the clouds gathered thick in the sky and the winds howled with a voice of warning, the Watchful One met a traveler on the mountain path. The traveler was old, with eyes like the stars and a cloak woven from the feathers of a thousand birds. The traveler spoke in a voice that was both a whisper and a roar, saying, “I have seen your struggle, Watchful One, and I bring you a gift to aid in your task.”

From the folds of the cloak, the traveler produced a small, shining object. It was a spyglass, crafted with the care of a thousand hands and imbued with the sight of the sharpest eyes. “This is the All-Seeing Lens,” said the traveler. “With it, you shall see far and clear, and nothing shall escape your gaze.”

The Watchful One took the spyglass and raised it to its eye. Instantly, the world became sharper, clearer, and every detail, no matter how small, was laid bare before its gaze. The Watchful One saw the trails of the smallest creatures in the grass, the flight of the birds in the sky, and even the hidden paths of the winds that carried the scent of faraway lands.

With the All-Seeing Lens, the Watchful One could now watch over the lands with a clarity never before known. It could spot danger long before it arrived, track the movements of the wild beasts, and keep the balance between all things. The creatures of the land grew to respect the Watchful One even more, for they knew that nothing could hide from its gaze.

But as the days turned into nights and the seasons passed, the Watchful One found itself using the All-Seeing Lens more and more. It became obsessed with seeing everything, with knowing everything. The world beyond the mountains, once a distant mystery, now lay open to its eye, and the Watchful One became consumed with the need to watch it all.

One day, the traveler returned, finding the Watchful One weary and strained. “Why do you look so troubled, Watchful One?” asked the traveler.

The Watchful One lowered the spyglass, its eyes tired and full of shadows. “I have seen too much,” it said. “The world is vast and full of secrets, but the more I see, the less I understand. My mind is filled with the sights of distant lands, but my heart is heavy with the burden of knowledge.”

The traveler nodded, a knowing look in their starry eyes. “The All-Seeing Lens was made to reveal, but not all things are meant to be seen, and not all knowledge is meant to be held. Remember, Watchful One, that there is wisdom in knowing when to look away, and strength in understanding that some things are best left hidden.”

With those words, the traveler vanished into the mist, leaving the Watchful One alone on the mountain path. The Watchful One, now understanding the weight of its burden, placed the spyglass in a safe place and returned to watching the land with its own eyes, content to see what was near and let the distant remain distant.

Moral of the Story: To see is to know, but to know is not always to understand. The All-Seeing Lens shows the world in its fullness, but not all knowledge brings peace. There is wisdom in the limits of sight and in the understanding that some things are best left unseen.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)