Lore: The Buddhist 417 of Afraid is a sacred trinket imbued with prayers of safety and caution. Crafted by Buddhist monks, this item’s purpose is to serve as a shield against both metaphysical and physical threats, particularly for those who are easily frightened. The trinket contains inscriptions that are believed to be a blend of powerful sutras and spells aimed at instilling a sense of caution while providing defense against ominous forces. Monks often give these to travelers or keep them in temples to ward off malevolent spirits.
Stats:
- Type: Wondrous Item
- Rarity: Common
- Tier: 1
- Slot: 1 (held or worn)
- Weight: 0.5 lbs
- Material: Sacred wood and engraved silver
Roleplay: This item is ideal for characters who are prone to fear or are entering environments that are highly dangerous or anxiety-inducing. Upon holding or wearing the Buddhist 417 of Afraid, the user may feel a sudden rush of caution, making them more alert to their surroundings. Roleplay opportunities may include characters choosing to act more defensively, or possibly having visions or premonitions of potential dangers.
Costs:
- Market Price: 50 gold pieces
- Components Required for Crafting: Sacred wood (5 gp), Engraved Silver (10 gp), Monk’s Blessing (Varies)
Magics:
- Activation: reaction or action equivalent
- Spell Effect: The item grants the user the ability to cast “Alarm” or “Shield” once before requiring a long rest.
- Limitations: Can only be activated once per long rest.
Tags: Defensive, Elemental (Spiritual), Emotional Magic
Use in Different Environments:
- Defensive in Urban Areas: Can be used to alert of incoming threats, enabling one to prepare or flee.
- Offensive in Wilderness: Could potentially be used to set traps, using the Alarm spell to notify when a creature has entered a predetermined area.
- Defensive in Dungeons: Use the Shield spell effect when ambushed or facing off against powerful foes.
- Offensive in Spiritual Planes: Utilize the Alarm spell to protect against ethereal intrusion, forcing spirits to reveal themselves.
The Buddhist 417 of Afraid is a versatile item, designed to be a valuable asset for those navigating both the physical and spiritual challenges they may encounter in Saṃsāra.
Perception of the Five Senses and Extra-sensory Perceptions
- Sight:
- What is Perceived: A small intricate trinket made of sacred wood and engraved silver.
- Description: The item emits a gentle glow that can be seen in dim light.
- Positives: The comforting light can help guide the way in dark environments.
- Negatives: The glow could potentially give away the user’s position.
- Smell:
- What is Perceived: A woody, slightly sweet aroma mixed with the smell of polished silver.
- Description: The smell is not overpowering but subtly fills the air when the item is in use.
- Positives: The aroma can have a calming effect.
- Negatives: Those with sensitive noses may find the smell distracting.
- Touch:
- What is Perceived: A smooth, but firm texture of the sacred wood, interspersed with the cold touch of silver.
- Description: When touched, the trinket feels slightly warm, as if imbued with inner energy.
- Positives: The warmth can be comforting.
- Negatives: The warmth might be unpleasant in already hot environments.
- Taste:
- What is Perceived: Not applicable, as the item is not intended for consumption.
- Description: N/A
- Positives: N/A
- Negatives: N/A
- Hearing:
- What is Perceived: A faint chant-like hum when activating its magical properties.
- Description: The hum resonates at a frequency that seems almost otherworldly.
- Positives: The sound can instill a sense of calm and focus.
- Negatives: The sound may alert enemies to the activation of the item.
- Extra-sensory Perception:
- What is Perceived: A psychic whisper indicating potential danger when the Alarm spell is triggered.
- Description: An internal alertness is heightened, focused on external threats.
- Positives: Provides an early warning system against threats.
- Negatives: Could create a heightened sense of paranoia or anxiety in sensitive individuals.
Recipe for Crafting the Buddhist 417 of Afraid
- Ingredients:
- Sacred Wood: 100 grams
- Engraved Silver: 50 grams
- Holy Water: 100 ml
- Monk’s Blessing: Special incantation and rituals performed by a qualified monk
- Incense Sticks: 3 sticks for ritual
- Steps:
- Purification Ritual: Begin by purifying the crafting area using incense sticks and holy water to remove any negative energies.
- Wood Preparation: Take the sacred wood and carve it into the desired shape, often circular or oval, about the size of a palm.
- Silver Engraving: Carefully engrave the silver with the selected sutras and spells. These engravings should be concise but intricate.
- Wood and Silver Fusion: Attach the engraved silver onto the carved sacred wood using a special adhesive made from the holy water and a small amount of sacred wood shavings.
- Monk’s Blessing: Have a qualified monk perform a ritual to imbue the item with spiritual energies. This includes chanting specific sutras and sprinkling the item with more holy water.
- Activation Ritual: The monk will complete the process by using a focused meditative state to activate the trinket, establishing its magical properties.
- Final Cleansing: End the crafting process with another round of purification, ensuring that the item is free of any impurities.
- Quality Check: Test the trinket’s magical effects to make sure it is working as intended before use.
Whispering Amulet of Many Fears
Long time ago, faraway place, there woodcutter and monk. Woodcutter every day chop wood, bring home. One day, no wood, no fire. Monk see sadness, give strange amulet. “Buddhist 417 of Afraid,” monk say.
Amulet in hand, woodcutter feel warmth. But also, whisper, hum. Whisper tell woodcutter, “Watch out, tree fall!” Woodcutter jump. Tree fall, not hit. Thank amulet.
Next day, woodcutter hear more whisper. “Careful, snake!” Woodcutter see snake, walk away. Thank again.
Days many, whispers not stop. “Careful, rain!” “Careful, dark!” Woodcutter listen always, but whispers loud, not hear family laugh, bird sing, wind whisper. Woodcutter feel alone, even amulet warn, help.
Finally, woodcutter return monk. “Help too much, hear nothing else.” Monk nod. “Buddhist 417 of Afraid useful, but not only voice listen. Your choice.”
Moral: Help sometimes good, but listen only warning, lose hear life’s other voice.
Suggested conversion to other systems:
Call of Cthulhu
Buddhist 417 of Afraid
- Type: Amulet
- Skill Bonus: +10% to Spot Hidden and Listen
- Special: The wearer gains disadvantage on Sanity checks
- Use Limit: Can be used once per session
Dungeons & Dragons 5e
Buddhist 417 of Afraid
- Wondrous Item, common (requires attunement)
- Passive Perception +5
- Special: Disadvantage on Wisdom Saving Throws
- Use Limit: Activated as a reaction
Knave
Buddhist 417 of Afraid
- Slot: Necklace
- Bonus: +2 to perception tests
- Drawback: -1 to morale checks
- Use: Unlimited, but must be worn to function
Numenera & Cypher System
Buddhist 417 of Afraid
- Type: Cypher
- Level: 1
- Effect: +2 to Perception based tasks
- Depletion: Wearer suffers -1 to Intellect Pool
- Use Limit: 1 use per day
Pathfinder 2e
Buddhist 417 of Afraid
- Item 1
- Invested, Magical, Talisman
- Passive Perception +2
- Drawback: -1 penalty to Will Saves
- Activation: Free Action
Savage Worlds
Buddhist 417 of Afraid
- Gear Type: Necklace
- Skill Bonus: +2 Notice
- Drawback: -1 to Spirit checks
- Uses: Unlimited as long as worn
Shadowrun
Buddhist 417 of Afraid
- Type: Talisman
- Bonus: +2 to Perception Tests
- Negative: -1 to Willpower Tests
- Use: Constant while worn
Starfinder
Buddhist 417 of Afraid
- Type: Equipment, Magical
- Perception: +2
- Special: -1 to Will saves
- Usage: Unlimited, constant while worn
Warhammer
Buddhist 417 of Afraid
- Type: Talisman
- Passive Perception: +10%
- Drawback: -5% to Willpower Tests
- Uses: No limit, constant effect when worn