Baba Yaga 137 of Affinity – GearAscendancy.com

Lore: The “Baba Yaga 137 of Affinity” is a talisman infused with the essence of forest spirits, encapsulating the duplicitous nature of Baba Yaga herself. Crafted from the bark of the Whispering Willow, it is rumored to resonate with other natural elements and entities. This item is given by Baba Yaga to those who answer her riddles or complete her quests, particularly tasks that require an intuitive understanding of one’s environment.

Stats

Type: Talisman (Neck slot)
Rarity: Common
Weight: 1 lb
Tier Requirement: Tier 1

Roleplay: When worn, the talisman brings an uncanny sense of affinity for the surrounding environment. Trees might seem to whisper secrets, and the wind might guide your path. This is especially valuable in environments where understanding and blending into the surroundings are key to survival.

Costs

Market Value: 40 gold pieces
Crafting Cost: 20 gold pieces
Material Requirement: Bark of Whispering Willow, dew of a morning glory, and a feather of a raven.

Magics

Active: Once per day, the wearer can commune with the environment to gain insights (Advantage on Nature or Survival checks).
Passive: Constant awareness of the natural alignment or enmity of fauna within 30 feet (Advantage on Animal Handling checks).

Tags: Nature, Communion, Awareness, Affinity

Defense and Offense in Different Environments

Forested Areas: Enhances awareness of natural traps and safe paths. The talisman may resonate softly to indicate a natural ally or foe in the vicinity.
Urban Areas: Provides an affinity for understanding the layout of the land, making it easier to find safe places or shortcuts.
Dungeons/Caves: Helps the wearer sense natural formations that might indicate traps, hidden doors, or unstable walls.
Water Bodies: Offers a unique sense of communion with aquatic life, assisting in navigation and potentially avoiding aquatic threats.

In defensive scenarios, the talisman can alert the wearer to the approach of natural predators or aggressive entities, giving them an opportunity to prepare or flee. Offensively, the affinity it offers can be leveraged to gain tactical advantages, such as the optimal positioning in combat or exploiting an enemy’s natural weaknesses.

Perception of the Five Senses and Extra-Sensory Perceptions

Sight
- What is perceived: A wood-textured talisman with intricate engravings made from Whispering Willow bark and a dark feather.
- Description: Brownish-green with a slight shimmer, appearing as though it were a living part of the forest.
- Positives: Aesthetically pleasing, blends well with natural surroundings.
- Negatives: May appear unsophisticated or primitive in formal settings.
Sound
- What is perceived: A subtle, almost inaudible hum.
- Description: When listened to closely, it emits a sound like the wind rustling through leaves.
- Positives: Calming and focuses the mind.
- Negatives: Might be distracting in situations requiring utmost silence.
Smell
- What is perceived: Earthy, woody scent.
- Description: The smell of wet soil, moss, and decomposing leaves.
- Positives: Invokes a sense of being in nature.
- Negatives: Scent might be too strong for those sensitive to smells.
Taste
- What is perceived: Not applicable, as the item is not intended for oral use.
- Description: N/A
- Positives: N/A
- Negatives: N/A
Touch
- What is perceived: Slightly warm, textured surface.
- Description: The talisman feels like a piece of smoothed bark, with warmth emanating from its core.
- Positives: Comforting to hold, gives a sense of connection to nature.
- Negatives: May cause minor discomfort if worn against sensitive skin for extended periods.
Extra-Sensory Perceptions
- Intuition
  - What is perceived: A gentle pull or nudge in certain directions.
  - Description: A sense of ‘knowing’ when to move or act.
  - Positives: Useful for decision-making.
  - Negatives: Could be confusing if not interpreted correctly.
- Empathy
  - What is perceived: Emotional alignment or enmity from natural fauna.
  - Description: You can sense the general mood or intent of animals within a 30-foot radius.
  - Positives: Helps to avoid or engage with animals effectively.
  - Negatives: Overwhelming in areas with high animal population.

Recipe: How it is Made

Ingredients
- Bark of the Whispering Willow: A strip about 12 inches long.
- Dew of a morning glory: Collected in a vial.
- Feather of a raven: One feather, preferably one that has fallen naturally.
Steps
- Purification Ritual: Begin by purifying all ingredients in a bowl of saltwater, infused with a drop of your own blood.
- Engraving: Carefully engrave the bark with symbols and runes pertaining to affinity and nature. This is where the essence of magic will reside.
- Infusion: Lay the feather on top of the engraved bark and gently pour the morning glory dew over them.
- Chanting: Recite incantations invoking Baba Yaga and the spirits of the forest to imbue the talisman with magical properties.
- Assembly: Wrap the feather around the engraved bark and secure it tightly.
- Final Blessing: Hold the talisman up to the moonlight for one whole night to capture the moon’s energy.
- Activation: Speak the name “Baba Yaga” thrice to awaken the talisman’s powers.

Once the talisman is activated, it can be worn around the neck, and its powers of affinity will be at your disposal.

Tale of Affinitous Trinket by Yaga of Baba

Long yester, human of no-place wander in wood full of whispers. Spirits of wood hidey, yet curious, watch steps of wanderer. “Why here?” question put by Yaga of Baba, crone of potent magics, house on chicken-feet.

“Wish-see realms beyond realm, know wind-tongue, leaf-song,” human told Yaga. “Hunger for oneness with not-me.”

Yaga of Baba eyes lit like fire-fly in moon-night. “Heart pure, quest noble,” she voice, “Given you token, bark-weave and raven-feather, dawn-tears.” Token dangle by cord, glow like firefly in moonless night.

Wanderer wear given token, senses awake like never-before. Hear whispers of tree-souls, feel hug of wind, taste joy of rain. Even creatures, critter and beast, become like brothers, sisters. Spirits of wood find human less foreign, show secret path, hidden berry.

All not peace-joy. One dusk-time, token pull-warn towards swamp. Danger lurk, formless dread. Human scared, but token glow more. “Follow me,” it say, not in word but feel. Human follow. In swamp, find wounded beast-snake, deadly but in pain. Token glow most-bright. Human know, heal beast-snake. Beast-snake leave, not bite.

Token still wear, wanderer now more-than-wanderer. Many seasons pass, tale told and told again, token known as Baba Yaga 137 of Affinity.

Moral of Tale: Seek kin with world, world becomes kin with you. In affinity, find safety, wisdom, and power untold.

Suggested conversion to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu

Item: Baba Yaga 137 of Affinity

Type: Talisman
Effect: Grants the user a +10% bonus on Spot Hidden and Listen checks in natural environments.

Dungeons & Dragons 5e