Incense of Reverent Passage 98

From: Insect 7 of Petalwing Flitter

Ingredients:

• One whole, naturally found Ephemeral Fallen Wing
• A small block of dried sandalwood
• A handful of dried lavender blossoms
• Three beads of frankincense resin
• A marble mortar and pestle

Preparation: This preparation is a ritual of transference, not consumption. In a quiet, consecrated space, grind the sandalwood, lavender, and frankincense into a fine, homogenous powder using the marble mortar and pestle. Form the powder into a neat, flattened pile on a wooden tray. Take the Ephemeral Fallen Wing and hold it by its base. Do not let your skin touch the main, iridescent part of the wing. Gently, and with a mind full of respect for the creature’s passed life, brush the surface of the incense powder with the wing seven times. Do not break or crush the wing. Its purpose is to impart its essence, its memory of peace, into the incense base. Once the transference is complete, store the wing safely in a cedar box. The incense powder is now charged and can be burned to release its calming, sacred aroma.

Lore of the Incense of Reverent Passage 98

This sacred incense is not for calming the living but for guiding the departing. Its origins lie with the death-priests of the ancient Saṃsāran tradition, the “Silent Guides,” whose sole purpose is to minister to the cycle of reincarnation. They believe that when a soul passes, it can be tormented by the chaotic, clinging memories and regrets of the life just lived, potentially corrupting the soul’s journey to its next incarnation. The Incense of Reverent Passage was formulated as the central component of their most sacred rite, designed to grant a soul a peaceful and clean transition.

The number 98 is deeply symbolic in their theology. It is believed that a mortal life is composed of 99 essential echoes or spiritual anchors. The first 98 are the experiences, emotions, and attachments formed during life. The 99th is the pure, essential self that reincarnates. The purpose of the incense is to burn away the turbulent residue of the first 98 echoes, purifying the soul so that only the final, unburdened essence makes the journey onward. The ritual of brushing the incense base with the Ephemeral Fallen Wing is a symbolic transference; the “memory” of the Flitter’s completed, peaceful life is imparted to the powder, teaching the departing soul, by example, how to let go with grace. Using this incense is a final, profound act of love for the departed.

Appearance

When prepared by a tier one avatar or a novice acolyte, the Incense of Reverent Passage lacks the profound uniformity of a master’s blend. The powder itself is not perfectly fine; its texture is somewhat coarse and uneven, with visible, distinct specks of dark sandalwood and chips of purple lavender blossom mixed in with the paler frankincense dust. The overall color is a mottled, heterogeneous mix of tan, grey, and lilac rather than a single, cohesive pale-purple hue. Due to the novice’s unsteady focus during the transference ritual, the magical essence of the Ephemeral Wing is infused unevenly. The powder may have faint, shimmering patches where the essence is strong, interspersed with dull areas where the blessing failed to take hold.

Cost

This incense is almost never sold on the open market and to attempt to do so would be considered a grave sacrilege. Its primary ingredient, a naturally found Ephemeral Fallen Wing, is a sacred relic that cannot be valued in coin. Therefore, the incense is not a product to be purchased but a holy service to be rendered by a trained death-priest or a member of their order. The “cost” is a significant tithe or donation to the temple or institution that performs the Rite of Reverent Passage. This donation, which covers the immense difficulty in sourcing the ingredients and the spiritual training required, is substantial, often equivalent to the full funerary expenses for a minor noble or a wealthy merchant. For the less fortunate, entire communities have been known to pool resources to afford the rite for a beloved elder.

Tags: Incense, Consumable (by burning), Ritualistic Component, Tier 1, Sacred, Consecrated, Spiritual, Psychopomp, Funerary, Purifying, Aromatic, Liminal, Ceremonial, Absolving, Compound, Situational, Anima, Ecclesiastical

How it is Served or Offered

The Incense of Reverent Passage is used exclusively during the final moments of a person’s life or in the period just after death, before the soul has fully departed its vessel. It is a central part of a solemn, quiet ceremony. A priest will place a small spoonful of the powder onto a block of glowing, magically-heated charcoal held within a special censer.

The resulting smoke is not thick or heavy; it is a thin, silvery-grey plume that is said to rise in a perfectly straight column, regardless of any drafts in the room, until it touches the ceiling where it disperses into nothingness. The aroma is profoundly calming, with the earthy base of sandalwood grounding the space, the lavender soothing the grief of the living mourners, and the frankincense elevating the spirit. For the dying, it is said to ease their passage, untangling their anxieties. For the dead, the smoke is believed to gently cleanse the soul, severing its unhealthy attachments to the life just lived and allowing it to proceed on its journey, unburdened and at peace.

When the Incense of Reverent Passage is burned during its sacred rite, its effects are atmospheric, influencing all who are present within the consecrated space.

Perception of Sight (Vision)

• What is perceived: A single, unwavering column of smoke and a softening of ambient light.
• Description: The most prominent visual effect is the thin, silvery-grey plume of smoke that rises from the censer. It ascends in a perfectly straight, undisturbed line toward the ceiling, regardless of any drafts or movement in the room. This unnatural stillness also seems to affect the light in the space; harsh glares soften, and deep shadows lose their sharp edges, making the entire room appear as if viewed through a subtle, calming haze.
• Positives: The unwavering column of smoke provides a powerful, mesmerizing focal point for meditation and prayer, helping to center the minds of those present. The softening of the light creates a serene, peaceful atmosphere, removing harsh visual stimuli and fostering a sense of tranquil solemnity.
• Negatives: The intense visual focus on the smoke can create a form of tunnel vision, making attendees less aware of their immediate surroundings. The subtle shimmer in the air, while calming, can be disorienting over long periods and may cause slight dizziness in sensitive individuals.

Perception of Hearing (Audition)

• What is perceived: A profound, unnatural quiet that dampens ambient sound.
• Description: The incense does not produce a sound but actively absorbs it. The magical properties of the smoke seem to have an acoustic-dampening effect, blanketing the room in a heavy, reverent silence. Sharp, sudden noises—a sob, a cough, a foot shuffling on the floor—are audibly muted, sounding distant and soft.
• Positives: This effect enforces an atmosphere of deep reverence and solemnity, preventing jarring noises from disturbing the rite or the focus of the attendees. It allows for a shared experience of profound quiet, which can be deeply comforting.
• Negatives: The sound-dampening is indiscriminate. A person crying out for help, a critical piece of equipment failing, or a warning from outside the room would be dangerously muffled. To some, this enforced silence can feel oppressive and isolating rather than peaceful.

Perception of Smell (Olfaction)

• What is perceived: A complex, layered, and holy aroma of woods, flowers, and resin.
• Description: This is the most direct sensory experience of the incense. The aroma is not overpowering but is pervasive and deeply pure. It has the grounding, earthy scent of sandalwood, the calming floral notes of lavender, and the elevating, sacred fragrance of frankincense. The combination smells ancient, clean, and holy.
• Positives: The aroma is specifically designed to soothe the grief of mourners and quiet the anxiety of the dying. It replaces the often unpleasant odors associated with sickness with a scent of purity and sanctity, which is a great comfort to everyone present.
• Negatives: Because the scent is so uniquely tied to funerary rites, encountering it outside of this context can become a powerful and involuntary trigger for sorrow and grief for anyone who has experienced the ceremony before.

Perception of Taste (Gustation)

• What is perceived: A clean, sterile, and mineralic quality on the tongue and palate.
• Description: Though the smoke is not meant to be directly inhaled, the purified air it creates has a distinct “taste.” It is a clean, almost ozonic flavor, similar to the air after a lightning storm. It leaves a faint but persistent sterile, mineralic sensation on the tongue.
• Positives: The sensation contributes to the overall feeling of ritual cleansing and purification. It leaves the mouth feeling clean and unburdened by mundane flavors, which can aid in focusing the mind.
• Negatives: The sterile flavor profile can make any food or drink consumed during or shortly after the rite seem bland, lifeless, and tasteless. This taste of sterility can be unsettling for the living, as it is a taste devoid of the vibrancy of life.

Perception of Touch (Tactition)

• What is perceived: A noticeable drop in the room’s temperature and a complete stillness of the air.
• Description: The magical process of burning the incense draws latent heat from the immediate environment. All attendees will feel the air become distinctly cool, crisp, and heavy. The air also becomes perfectly still; there are no drafts, and even the fine motes of dust cease to dance in any beams of light.
• Positives: The cool, still air feels solemn and respectful, befitting a sacred rite. This lack of physical sensation discourages fidgeting and encourages quiet, motionless contemplation.
• Negatives: The unnatural chill can be physically uncomfortable and draining, particularly for the elderly or frail among the mourners. This deep, penetrating cold can sap the vitality of the living even as it is intended to soothe the transition of the dying.

Extra-sensory Perception of Emotional Catharsis

• What is perceived: For the living, a guided and peaceful release of grief and an acceptance of loss.
• Description: The incense’s aura facilitates a profound but controlled emotional release for the mourners. It does not erase their sorrow but transforms its quality from a sharp, chaotic pain into a deep, meaningful, and tranquil sense of loss. It encourages a state of peaceful acceptance, allowing for a healthier grieving process.
• Positives: This helps prevent the long-term emotional damage of traumatic or unresolved grief. It allows friends and family to be a peaceful, supportive presence during the final moments, and to begin their own healing with a sense of closure.
• Negatives: While beneficial, this is a form of subtle emotional influence. After the rite, some individuals may feel a sense of disconnect, as if their grieving experience was not entirely their own. This can lead to a delayed, secondary wave of more chaotic grief once the magical influence has faded.

Extra-sensory Perception of Soul-Tether Loosening

• What is perceived: For the dying, a gentle, painless, and systematic detachment from the physical world.
• Description: This is the incense’s ultimate purpose. For the departing soul, the smoke acts as a spiritual solvent. It gently loosens the metaphysical tethers that bind the soul to its mortal life: physical pain, burdensome memories, lingering regrets, and even deep attachments to loved ones. The soul feels a sensation of becoming lighter, of being unburdened, and of floating peacefully away from its vessel.
• Positives: This ensures the transition from life to death is as peaceful and non-traumatic as possible. According to the lore, this purification is essential for a favorable reincarnation, as it allows the soul to move forward without the karmic weight of its previous existence.
• Negatives: The process is absolute and cannot be controlled. It severs fond attachments just as surely as it severs painful ones. Should the rite be interrupted, or if the dying person’s will actively fights the process, the soul could be left in a state of profound spiritual disorientation, not fully anchored to life but not fully released into death.

The Incense of Reverent Passage is not typically stored or used later for personal gain. Its power is tied to the specific ritual of guiding a departing soul. However, a small portion of the blessed ash that remains after the incense has burned can, with a separate, lesser consecration ritual performed under a new moon, be imbued into an attuned item. This creates a single, temporary charge known as “Echo of Tranquility.” This charge lasts until the next dawn if not used.

• Aura of Stillness (Buff): By using an action and focusing their intent on the attuned item holding the Echo of Tranquility, the avatar can release a wave of calming energy in a 10-foot radius. For the next minute, all creatures within this aura (including the avatar) gain a +1 bonus to Willpower saving throws against fear, panic, and any effect that would cause strong emotional distress. This aura does not suppress emotions but creates a sense of inner peace that makes it easier to resist being overwhelmed by them.
• Moment of Release (Ability): As an action, the avatar can touch a willing creature and expend the Echo of Tranquility. The touched creature experiences a momentary sensation of profound release from emotional burdens. If the creature is currently suffering from a non-permanent negative mental or emotional condition (such as being Shaken, having a minor bout of melancholy, or being fixated on a single negative thought), this ability grants them an immediate attempt to overcome that condition with a significant bonus to their saving throw or skill check, as determined by the GM (typically a +4 bonus).
• Rebuke the Frayed (Attack): As an action, the avatar can present the attuned item towards a single undead creature within 30 feet and expend the Echo of Tranquility. The faint, residual energy of the Reverent Passage is anathema to beings that cling to the mortal coil beyond their time. The undead creature must make a Willpower saving throw (DC determined by the avatar’s spiritual potency, typically 13 for a tier one avatar). On a failed save, the undead creature is turned for one round, as if by a priest’s holy symbol. It must spend its turn moving as far away from the avatar as possible and cannot willingly move closer.

It is important to note that using the residual ash in this way is seen by some traditions as a minor diversion of a sacred power, and repeated or frivolous use could be frowned upon by those who understand its true purpose.

Sorceress Who Held Too Tightly

It is written that in the Age of Intrigue, there was a Sorceress, Lady Anya, whose power was a great power. Her tower touched the clouds, and her love for her consort, the scholar Kaelen, was a great love, as large as her tower. But the scholar grew old, and his life-thread became thin. His time for the Reverent Passage was near.

Anya’s heart made a command to keep him. She would not lose him to the great cycle of Saṃsāra. So she sent for a Speaker for the Silent, a priest whose work was with the holy smoke that gives a clean journey to the departing soul. She made her plan. When the priest performed the rite, and Kaelen’s soul was loosened from its body-house, she would use her own strong magic to catch the soul-part and bind it to a perfect crystal. This, she thought, was the work of a great love.

The Speaker for the Silent, he arrived to the place of stone. The air in the tower was heavy, not only with sadness, but with the pressure of a secret magic. He began the making of the holy smoke. He took the marble mortar and the pestle. He ground the sandalwood, which is the memory of the earth, and the lavender, which is a blanket for sorrow. He did this work, and he felt the magic of the woman watching him. It was a rope to hold the soul-part.

The Speaker took from a cedar box the final thing. It was an Ephemeral Fallen Wing, a thing of great holiness, left behind by a creature that knew a good finish. He laid out the powder of the incense on a wooden tray. He turned to the Sorceress Anya and made words. “The heart of the living,” he said, “must be a quiet harbor for the departing. To perform this rite, there must be peace in the room, a wish for a good journey. A grasping hand makes the passage a hard one.”

Lady Anya gave a head-nod, but her own heart was a fist.

The Speaker began the rite of transference. He held the Wing by its base. He went to brush the powder seven times, to give the powder the memory of a good finish. But a strange thing was done. As the Wing passed over the powder, its beautiful colors of light did become dull. The shine went away. It became like a common moth’s wing. The magic would not transfer. The Speaker stopped his hand.

He looked at the Sorceress, and his eyes were sad. “The Wing,” he said, “will not do this work. It is a memory of letting go. It cannot be used for a bad keeping. Your magic, Lady, is a cage. You wish to trap the one you love. The holy smoke will not help you build a prison.”

The Sorceress’s face was a stone of anger and sadness. But then a voice, thin like a dry leaf, came from the bed. It was Kaelen. “Anya,” he said. “My journey is my own. A cage of crystal is not a home. Your love should be the wind that helps my sail, not the anchor that holds my ship.”

Hearing his words, the stone of Anya’s face was broken. A great weeping was made. The ropes of her magic, which she held so tight around the room, were broken by her tears. Her heart, which was a fist, became an open hand. She did not want a prison for her love. She wanted his peace.

The Speaker for the Silent saw this. He waited. When the great weeping was done, he looked at the Wing in his hand. Its colors had returned. The shine was a great shine once more. He then completed the rite. He brushed the powder seven times. The memory of a good finish went into the incense.

He put the powder on the hot coal. The smoke went up. It was a straight road for the soul to walk upon. The scholar Kaelen, his face now peaceful, did begin his Reverent Passage. The Sorceress held his hand, her tears now a true good-bye, a gift of love, not a demand.

Moral: True love is a key for a door, not a lock for a cage.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu

Ashen Compass Powder

A small, folded paper packet containing a coarse, grey-purple powder. Esoteric texts claim it is not for the living, but rather a tool to orient the dead, lest they lose their way on the path from which none return. Its use is a solemn, hour-long ritual that requires the burning of the powder on sanctified coals.

• Game Mechanics: The primary use of this powder is ritualistic.
  • Rite of Passage: When burned in the presence of a dying individual, the ritual ensures a peaceful death. All investigators present lose 0 Sanity points from witnessing the death, instead of the usual 0/1d6. Furthermore, the deceased cannot be animated by conventional means or Mythos spells to become a standard Zombie, Ghoul, or similar corporeal undead.
  • Sanctify Space: The ritual can be used to pacify a location haunted by mundane spirits or echoes of the past. For 24 hours after the ritual is completed in a single room, any spectral entity within that room is calmed. The Keeper should treat the entity’s disposition as friendly, and investigators gain one bonus die on Persuade or Occult rolls made to interact with it.
  • Risk: Performing the ritual thins the veil between worlds. The Keeper may call for a Luck roll from the person leading the ritual. On a fail, the rite attracts the attention of a predatory, non-corporeal entity (such as a Spectre) that feeds on souls.

Blades in the Dark

Passage-Smoke

A rare compound of ghost-ash, sandalwood, and other, more esoteric ingredients. It is not something bought, but a prize acquired through a score or by doing a great service for a cult or forgotten god. Using it requires the performance of a special ritual.

• Game Mechanics: A character who possesses the knowledge and ingredients for Passage-Smoke can perform a special Downtime Action: The Ashen Rite.
  • When you perform this rite, describe your goal: to cleanse a location of spiritual residue, to calm a vengeful spirit for a parley, or to help an ally recover from profound psychic trauma.
  • Make an Attune action roll. The outcome determines the effect.
    • Critical: You achieve your goal to great effect. Create a 6-segment clock labeled “Sanctuary.” The area is cleansed of all minor spectral phenomena, and even powerful ghosts are pacified as long as the clock has segments remaining. The GM ticks one segment every few hours.
    • 6: You achieve your goal. Create a 4-segment clock labeled “Sanctuary.”
    • 4/5: You achieve your goal, but with a consequence. Create a 4-segment “Sanctuary” clock, but the ritual attracts unwanted attention from another spectral faction, or you take 2 Stress from the psychic strain.
    • 1-3: The ritual goes wrong. The smoke agitates the spirits instead of calming them, or you suffer a Level 2 Harm, like “Soul-Chilled” or “Whispering Nightmares.”

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

Incense of Final Rest Wondrous item, rare

This block of compressed, granular powder is made from sandalwood, lavender, and other sacred components, including the magically transferred essence of a celestial creature’s wing. It comes in a sealed, engraved marble box.

• Game Mechanics: As an action, you can light this block of incense. It smolders for 8 hours, and its smoke fills a 30-foot-radius sphere centered on it. While within the sphere, a creature gains the following benefits:
  • The area is under the effects of a hallow spell (the specific effect is chosen by the incense’s creator, but is always one that is not harmful to any alignment or creature type, such as Courage or Hope).
  • Any creature that dies within the sphere cannot be turned into an undead creature by any means for the next 24 hours.
  • Once during the incense’s duration, a creature can use its action to meditate on the rising smoke. If it does so, it can spend up to two of its Hit Dice to regain hit points as if it had just completed a short rest. A creature can only benefit from this property once per day.
  • Any fiend or undead that enters the sphere for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there must succeed on a DC 15 Charisma saving throw or be unable to take hostile actions while inside the sphere.

Knave (2nd Edition)

Soul-Ash Incense Ritual Component, 1 Slot

A packet of finely ground, silvery-purple powder. It smells of old wood and dried flowers. A single packet is enough for one ritual use.

• Game Mechanics:
  • Preparation: Burning the incense takes 10 minutes and a brazier or fireproof bowl.
  • Effect: The smoke creates a 30ft zone of tranquility that lasts for 1 hour.
  • Inside the Zone:
    1. Sanctuary: Undead and fiendish creatures must make a Willpower save to enter the zone. If they are already inside, they must make a Willpower save or use their turn to leave.
    2. Peace: All creatures within the zone are immune to magical fear and cannot be forced to attack an ally against their will.
    3. Respite: Any character who rests within the zone for at least 10 minutes heals 1d4 HP and may remove one mental or emotional condition (like being frightened or demoralized) with the Referee’s approval.
    4. Final Rest: Any character who dies within the zone cannot be reanimated as an undead creature. Their soul is considered to have passed on peacefully.

Fate Core System

Smoke of the Final Passage

This is not an item a character typically carries, but a ritual component for which the knowledge is rare. Performing the rite allows a character to fundamentally alter the spiritual and emotional nature of a scene, creating a space for peace, reverence, or communication with the departed.

• Game Mechanics: A character with the knowledge and materials can perform the Rite of Final Passage. This requires a few minutes of quiet ritual and a successful Create an Advantage action using an appropriate skill like Lore, Empathy, or Will.
  • On a success, you create the powerful Situation Aspect Hallowed with a Spirit of Reverence on the current zone. This Aspect has two free invocations.
  • This Aspect can be invoked by anyone in the scene (player or GM) for a +2 bonus or a reroll on actions, such as:
    • An Overcome action to resist a terrifying supernatural presence.
    • A Create an Advantage action to respectfully parley with a ghost or spirit.
    • A Defend action against a psychic or spiritual attack.
  • The GM can also Compel this Aspect. For example, a character might hesitate to flee the Hallowed area, even in the face of danger, or a profane entity might be drawn to the Aspect with the intent to defile it.

Numenera & Cypher System

Anabatic Eschaton Smoke

This item is a cypher in the form of a hard, brittle cake of grey-purple, crystalline dust. When touched by flame, it does not burn but sublimates directly into a thin, silvery smoke that moves in a slow, impossibly straight column. Its synth-organic compounds are theorized to resonate at a frequency that pacifies living neural patterns and disrupts un-living ones.

• Level: 1d6+2
• Form: Internal (creates an area of effect upon use)
• Effect: The user can light the cake, which takes one action. It sublimates over one minute, filling an area up to a short radius with a thin, silvery smoke that lingers for one hour.
• All living creatures within the smoke find their tasks to resist fear or unwanted mental influence are eased by one step.
• Any creature with a descriptor of “undead,” “spectral,” or “demonic” finds the difficulty of all its tasks increased by one step while within the smoke, as the smoke’s harmonic frequency is anathema to their state of being.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

Incense of the Soul’s Departure | Item 5 Uncommon, Alchemical, Consumable, Divine, Incense Price 25 gp Usage held in 1 hand; Bulk L Activate [one-action] Interact

This block of granular powder is cool to the touch and smells of sandalwood and lavender. When burned, it releases a thin plume of silvery smoke and is used in funerary rites to ensure a soul’s peaceful transition.

• Game Mechanics: You activate the incense by lighting it, after which it burns for 10 minutes. It creates a 20-foot-radius emanation of sacred smoke.
  • Living creatures in the emanation gain a +1 item bonus to saving throws against death effects and effects with the negative trait.
  • An undead creature that enters the emanation for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there takes 1d4 positive damage.
  • Any humanoid creature that dies within the emanation is protected from effects that would transform its soul or body into an undead creature for 24 hours. The incense sanctifies its spirit for passage into the afterlife.

Savage Worlds Adventure Edition (SWADE)

Final Journey Incense

A rare, single-use ritual component consisting of a packet of blessed powders and herbs. It is not used for combat, but to prepare a space for dealing with the dead or ensuring their peaceful rest.

• Game Mechanics:
  • Preparation: It takes 1 minute of quiet reverence to light the incense.
  • Effect: The smoke creates a sacred space in a Large Burst Template for 10 minutes.
  • Sanctuary: While within the smoke, living characters are immune to Fear caused by supernatural sources (such as the Terror ability).
  • Repel the Dead: Undead creatures may not willingly enter the smoke. If forced to enter or if they start their turn in the smoke, they are automatically Distracted and must make a Spirit roll at -2. On a failure, they are Shaken and must use their turn to move out of the smoke.
  • Last Rites: Any Wild Card character who dies within the smoke’s area of effect passes on peacefully. Their body cannot be animated as a common zombie or skeleton, and their spirit cannot be raised as a vengeful ghost or spectre.

Shadowrun, Sixth World

Soul-Still Incense

A rare and potent alchemical compound, Soul-Still Incense is used by corporate wageslaves and shamans alike for its ability to create a zone of absolute spiritual tranquility. It is not a street drug, but a high-end ritual material used in memorial services, for sanctifying locations, or preparing for a deep astral quest. It appears as a block of compressed, grey-purple dust.

• Type: Alchemical Compound (Ritual Material)
• Effect: The incense must be burned over a period of 10 minutes in a well-ventilated area. Once burned, it creates a temporary, positive mana aspect in the area (a single large room) called Tranquility with a rating equal to the creator’s Magic attribute. This aspect lasts for one hour.
• Aspect Effects:
  • Spiritual Static: Any spirit attempting to manifest or use its powers within the Tranquility aspect suffers a dice pool penalty equal to the aspect’s rating.
  • Soothing Presence: Any living character making a Composure test while within the aspect gains a dice pool bonus equal to half the aspect’s rating (rounded up).
  • Hallowed Ground: A character whose body remains within the aspect for its full duration after death cannot have their spirit captured, summoned, or manipulated, nor can their body be used to create corporeal undead.

Starfinder

Psychopomp Smoke | Level 6 Price 650 credits Type Magic Item (Consumable); Bulk L

This item is a small, crystalline brick of pressed powder that glimmers with faint, internal light. When ignited, it doesn’t burn with a flame but sublimates into a silvery smoke that smells of sandalwood and ozone. It is used in funerary rites across the Pact Worlds to ensure a soul’s journey is not interrupted by unholy forces.

• Game Mechanics: As a full action, you can ignite the incense. It burns for 1 minute, filling a 20-foot-radius spread with a thin, silvery smoke that lingers for 10 minutes.
• The smoke creates an area of consecrated ground. Any undead creature or evil outsider that starts its turn in the area takes 1d8 positive energy damage.
• Any creature that dies within the smoke is protected from effects that would reanimate it as an undead creature for 24 hours.
• Any living creature can spend 1 minute meditating within the smoke. If they do, they feel a sense of profound peace and can spend 1 Resolve Point to regain Stamina Points equal to 1d6 + their character level. A creature can only benefit from this effect once per day.

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

K’kree Mourning-Spore Pod

An extremely rare piece of alien biotechnology, these pods are used by the herbivorous K’kree in their complex and deeply-held funerary traditions. The pod is a brittle, fist-sized biological artifact that, when cracked, releases a cloud of harmless, psychoactive spores. To use them outside of a K’kree rite is considered a grave insult.

• Tech Level: 15 (as alien biotechnology)
• Legality: Restricted (Legality 11). Possession by non-K’kree is viewed with deep suspicion.
• Effect: When the pod is cracked open (a single action), it releases its spores over the next minute. These spores create a zone 10 meters in diameter that persists for one hour. The spores are not inhaled but create a psionically-dampening field.
• Field Effects:
  • All characters within the zone gain a Boon on any Willpower or Endurance check made to resist fear, panic, or effects that would cause psychic distress.
  • Any character attempting to use an aggressive psionic talent (such as Telekinesis for an attack or an aggressive Telepathy scan) suffers one Bane on their Psionics skill check.
  • The spores are calming to the dying. A character may choose to die in this zone. If they do, their final moments are peaceful, and this may have narrative consequences determined by the Referee (e.g., preventing a vengeful ghost, fulfilling a cultural requirement for a “good death”).

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (4th Edition)

Morr’s Gate Incense

This is not a common apothecary’s creation, but the sacred incense blended and consecrated by the priests of Morr, the god of death, dreams, and prophecy. It is used exclusively during funerary rites to ensure the souls of the departed are guided safely into Morr’s realm and protected from the predations of necromancers and daemons.

• Type: Ritual Component
• Effects: The incense must be burned for at least 10 minutes as part of a proper funerary rite. This consecrates the ground in a 10-yard radius around the censer.
  • Sanctified Ground: For the next 8 hours, this area is holy to Morr. No spell with the Necromantic lore may be cast within this area or targeted into it.
  • Turn the Abomination: Any creature with the Undead or Daemon trait that attempts to enter the area must first pass a Difficult (–10) Cool Test. On a failure, it cannot bring itself to enter the sacred space. If already inside when the incense is lit, it must pass the Test or immediately use its turn to flee.
  • Peace for the Living: All characters who participate in the full rite may remove one Broken Condition they are currently suffering from, as Morr grants them a sense of closure and acceptance.
  • The Soul is Protected: The soul of the deceased individual for whom the rite was performed is protected by Morr and cannot be summoned, bound, or turned into a Restless Dead (e.g., Ghost, Spectre, Banshee).