Cosmetic 17 of Forgotten Elegance

Lore: Crafted by the Illustrious Artificers of Val’orian, this is a compact mirror imbued with enchantments focusing on the idea of abandonment. The mirror is etched with intricate designs of wilting roses and vines retracting into the soil, symbolizing the fading beauty of things left behind. Legends say that the mirror has the ability to reflect not just one’s physical appearance but the soul’s deepest fears of being forgotten or cast away.

Stats:

Tier: 1
Rarity: Common
Type: Utility Item (Tool)
Weight: 0.5 lbs
Cost: 10 Gold Pieces

Roleplay: The mirror is a point of fixation for role-playing elements related to abandonment. Characters holding it may feel a momentary sense of being forsaken but also an odd connection to the world around them, as if it’s urging them to see beyond the surface of things, both in themselves and others. The mirror can evoke strong emotions when looked into, and it’s not uncommon for characters to see fleeting images of people or places they have left behind.

Magic:

Abjuration: When held, the mirror casts a subtle magical barrier that grants the holder a +1 to AC, as the mirror’s enchantment tries to ‘abandon’ incoming attacks, causing them to miss.
Divination: Once per day, the holder can peer into the mirror and ask a single question related to abandonment or loss, and the mirror will show an enigmatic, symbolic answer.
Illusion: With a spoken command, the mirror can make the holder appear as someone they have abandoned or who has abandoned them for 1 minute.

Tags: Abandonment, Illusion, Abjuration, Divination, Utility

Usage:

Defense:
- Abjuration: The mirror can be used defensively by holding it in one hand, using its magic to subtly deflect or make incoming attacks miss.
- Illusion: In situations where the character needs to avoid conflict, using the mirror to take on the appearance of someone else can serve as a defensive tactic to mislead enemies.
Offense:
- Divination: Though not directly offensive, the mirror’s divination ability can provide crucial insights into the emotional vulnerabilities of foes, which can then be exploited.
- Illusion: If the character knows of someone the enemy has abandoned, taking on their appearance could emotionally disturb or distract them, providing an opening for attack.
Different Environments:
- Urban: In city settings, the illusion ability could help in infiltrating guarded places by appearing as someone who belongs there.
- Wilderness: In natural environments, the defensive abjuration magic would be more critical, offering protection against wild creatures.
- Social Gatherings: In situations that require social maneuvering, the mirror’s divination ability could provide insights into relationships and social dynamics.

The Cosmetic 17 of Forgotten Elegance is a versatile tool for those focused on the role-play aspects of abandonment, offering both defensive and offensive utilities in a variety of settings.

Perception of the Senses:

Sight:
- What is Perceived: A compact mirror with intricate etchings, containing an ethereal glow around its rim.
- Description: When looked at, the mirror appears to be made of high-quality materials, shimmering slightly in the light. The etchings seem to move subtly as if telling a story of abandonment.
- Positives: The aesthetic appeal can captivate those who look at it, drawing attention away from other objects or people.
- Negatives: The shifting etchings could be distracting, and the glow might make it difficult to keep the item hidden.
Touch:
- What is Perceived: The mirror feels colder than it should, almost as if absorbing warmth.
- Description: The surface of the mirror is incredibly smooth to the touch, but holding it gives a sensation similar to a slight chill.
- Positives: The unique cold sensation can be refreshing and might be a subject of interest or conversation.
- Negatives: The cold can become uncomfortable over time, especially in already cold environments.
Smell:
- What is Perceived: The faint aroma of wilted roses.
- Description: When held close, one can catch a whiff of a scent that is both floral and slightly decayed, a reminder of beauty abandoned.
- Positives: The subtle scent could evoke a sense of nostalgia or sentimentality.
- Negatives: Some might find the smell unsettling or associate it with decay.
Taste:
- What is Perceived: Not applicable as the item is not meant for consumption.
- Description: There should be no reason to taste the mirror, but if one were to, they’d likely find it tastes like cold metal.
- Positives: None.
- Negatives: Tasting the mirror is discouraged as it could reduce its magical efficacy and may be harmful.
Sound:
- What is Perceived: A soft whispering hum when using its magical properties.
- Description: Whenever the mirror’s magic is activated, it emits a low, almost inaudible hum, like a whispered secret.
- Positives: The hum could serve as a subtle alert to the user that the magic has been activated.
- Negatives: In quiet environments, the hum might be heard by others, giving away the user’s actions or intentions.
Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
- Emotional Perception:
  - What is Perceived: A sense of melancholy and abandonment.
  - Description: When holding the mirror, one might feel an empathic connection to feelings of being forgotten or left behind.
  - Positives: This could deepen role-playing experiences, allowing a better understanding of abandonment-related emotions.
  - Negatives: Prolonged exposure may result in a dampened mood or increased emotional vulnerability.
- Magical Perception:
  - What is Perceived: The flow of abjuration, divination, and illusion magics.
  - Description: Those with the ability to sense magical energies would feel a complex weave of various schools of magic intertwined within the mirror.
  - Positives: Magical characters could more easily identify the mirror’s utility and harness its power effectively.
  - Negatives: The diversity of magical energies could be overwhelming to some, and those sensitive to magic may find it disorienting.
- Temporal Perception:
  - What is Perceived: Fleeting glimpses of past abandonment or loss.
  - Description: In rare instances, the mirror may offer a brief vision of past events related to abandonment, either of the holder or those around them.
  - Positives: This provides another layer for role-playing and could reveal hidden plot elements or character backstories.
  - Negatives: The visions could be emotionally distressing and are not always controllable or predictable.

The Cosmetic 17 of Forgotten Elegance offers a multi-sensory experience that goes beyond the traditional five senses, engaging users emotionally and magically, as well as temporally. Each sensory perception contributes to the overall complexity and depth of the item, enhancing role-playing opportunities while also presenting certain challenges and risks.

Crafting Recipe for Cosmetic 17 of Forgotten Elegance

Materials Needed:
- 1 Compact Mirror of high-quality glass
- 2 oz of Moonstone Dust
- 1 oz of Wilted Rose Petals
- 3 Vials of Elemental Water
- 3 Vials of Elemental Fire
- 1 Enchanted Silver Thread (about 3 feet)
- 2 Enchanted Ink vials (one black, one glowing)
Tools Required:
- Alchemist’s Kit
- Jeweler’s Tools
- Enchanting Rod
- Inscribing Quill
- Cauldron or Brewing Pot
Skill Requirements:
- Alchemy skill of at least Level 3
- Enchanting skill of at least Level 2
- Jeweler’s or Artificer’s proficiency
Crafting Steps:
- Preparation of Mirror: Cleanse the compact mirror using a solution of Elemental Water and a pinch of Moonstone Dust. This will remove any impurities and prepare it for enchanting.
- Inscribing the Design: Use the Inscribing Quill and Enchanted Black Ink to etch the designs of wilting roses and retracting vines onto the back of the mirror.
- Infusion of Aesthetic Magic: Gently wave the Enchanting Rod over the inscriptions while chanting the incantation for aesthetic enhancement. This will magically embed the inscriptions into the mirror and initiate the process of imbuing it with abjuration, divination, and illusion magics.
- Alchemy for Emotional Connection: In the cauldron, mix the Wilted Rose Petals, the remaining Moonstone Dust, and a vial of Elemental Water. Bring the mixture to a simmer but not a full boil.
- Bathing the Mirror: Once the alchemical mixture is ready, carefully bathe the mirror in it, making sure the liquid covers all inscriptions. Remove the mirror and let it air dry.
- Elemental Infusion: Mix the vials of Elemental Fire and Elemental Water to create elemental steam. Use the Enchanting Rod to channel this steam through the mirror, focusing on imbuing it with the properties of both elements.
- Thread Binding: Take the Enchanted Silver Thread and wrap it around the mirror, knotting it in a complex pattern. This helps bind all the magical elements together.
- Final Enchantments: Dip the Inscribing Quill into the glowing enchanted ink and write the final incantations onto the mirror’s surface. These will seal the previous enchantments and empower the mirror with its final abilities.
- Activation: Hold the mirror and speak the command word to activate its magic. This is the final step and confirms that the crafting was successful. Test all of its magical properties to ensure they function as intended.

Upon completion of these crafting steps, you should have successfully recreated the Cosmetic 17 of Forgotten Elegance, a complex and multi-faceted magical item with unique properties related to the concept of abandonment.

Tale of the Forsaken Reflection

In times yonder, when the world was still a mystery and magic wove through the fabric of existence like a fabled thread, there lived a sorceress of unparalleled beauty and skill. She dwelled within a hidden glade, her heart brimming with love for a gallant knight. Their tale was one of fervent affection, a love that burned brighter than the most radiant star in the heavens.

However, fate, ever fickle, cast a shadow upon their devotion. The knight, called to a crusade of great import, vowed to return to his beloved. Days turned to years, and the knight’s promise became but a whisper carried by the winds. Abandoned and adrift in sorrow, the sorceress poured her essence into a mirror, a receptacle of her love and longing.

This mirror, known to the ages as Cosmetic 17 of Forgotten Elegance, became a vessel of her forsaken heart. It was said that the mirror held not only her visage but also the very soul of her yearning. The etchings upon its surface, a ballet of wilting roses and dying light, narrated her tale of love unfulfilled.

Centuries passed, and the mirror, through arcane means unknown, found its way into the hands of those who sought its magic. Each holder of the mirror found themselves entwined in a dance of emotions, glimpsing moments of abandonment and forgotten promises. Yet, in its reflective depths, there was beauty—a reminder of the sorceress’s undying love and the power of emotions etched in time.

Moral of the Story: In the echoes of the past lies a truth that time cannot erode: the deepest sorrows stem from love unreturned. The Cosmetic 17 of Forgotten Elegance stands as a testament to the enduring nature of the heart’s desires, even when faced with the void of abandonment. For in the reflection of our deepest yearnings, we find not only the pain of what was lost but also the beauty of what once was.

Suggested conversion to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)