Cosmetic 19 of Veiled Menace – GearAscendancy.com

Lore: In the annals of Saṃsāra’s history, the Cosmetic 19 of Veiled Menace is a notorious tool that speaks to the darker aspects of enchantment. Crafted by a rogue alchemist known as Myrddin the Malevolent, this cosmetic was originally intended as a means to subvert the high courts of the realm. Its power lies not just in altering appearances, but in beguiling the minds of those who gaze upon the wearer.

Stats:

Charisma Modifier: +2
Deception Modifier: +3
Intimidation Modifier: +2

Roleplay: Utilizing the Cosmetic 19 of Veiled Menace requires a delicate touch, as its dark magic can be as dangerous to the wielder as it is to their adversaries. Characters might find themselves drawn into a web of their own deceit, or struggling with the morality of manipulating others through such underhanded means.

Costs: Due to its nefarious nature and the difficulty in procuring its rare ingredients, the Cosmetic 19 of Veiled Menace is both expensive and scarce. It often fetches high prices on the black market.

Magics:

Illusion: The wearer’s visage is subtly altered to appear more intimidating or trustworthy, depending on their intent.
Mind Clouding: Those who look upon the wearer have a harder time discerning lies from truth.

Tags: Dark Magic, Deception, Illusion, Manipulation

Defense and Offense in Different Environments:

In social environments, the Cosmetic 19 of Veiled Menace is a powerful tool for espionage and manipulation, allowing the wearer to deceive and intimidate with greater efficacy.
In combat, it can be used to demoralize opponents, cloud their judgment, or create openings by making the wearer seem less threatening than they truly are.
In wilderness or survival scenarios, it can be used to intimidate predators or negotiate with sentient creatures that the party might encounter.

Description: The Cosmetic 19 of Veiled Menace is contained within a small, obsidian glass vial, no larger than a thumb, sealed with a wax stamp bearing the sigil of Myrddin the Malevolent. The cosmetic itself is a thick, opalescent substance that shimmers with an array of dark hues, like oil upon water, yet emits a faint, ethereal glow. When opened, the vial releases a subtle, enchanting aroma, and one can almost hear the faintest whisper of hidden secrets emanating from within. Its very presence exudes an aura of mystery and latent power, hinting at its deceptive capabilities.

Activation:

Perception of Sight:
- What is perceived: The wearer’s features are subtly altered to appear more intimidating or trustworthy.
- Description: The cosmetic imbues the skin with an iridescent sheen that shimmers slightly, altering the perception of the wearer’s facial expressions and features.
- Positives: Enhanced ability to deceive, manipulate, and intimidate visually.
- Negatives: The shimmering effect can draw unwanted attention, making stealth more difficult.
Perception of Smell:
- What is perceived: The cosmetic emits a faint, alluring scent.
- Description: A complex aroma that is difficult to place but has an undeniably magnetic quality.
- Positives: The scent can make the wearer more memorable and can subtly influence the mood of those nearby.
- Negatives: The scent can be overwhelming in close quarters, potentially betraying the wearer’s presence or intentions.
Perception of Touch:
- What is perceived: A tingling sensation when applied.
- Description: The cosmetic feels cool to the touch and causes a gentle tingling sensation as it bonds with the wearer’s skin.
- Positives: The sensation is a reminder of the cosmetic’s activation and its mystical properties.
- Negatives: The tingling can be distracting, and some might find it uncomfortable.
Perception of Taste:
- What is perceived: A metallic aftertaste when the cosmetic is applied.
- Description: If some of the cosmetic enters the wearer’s mouth, it leaves a lingering taste reminiscent of copper.
- Positives: The taste can serve as an acute reminder of the deceptive nature of the cosmetic.
- Negatives: The metallic taste can be unpleasant and might linger longer than desired.
Perception of Hearing:
- What is perceived: Subtle whispers when applied.
- Description: When the cosmetic is applied, the wearer hears faint whispers, as if the cosmetic is murmuring its dark intentions.
- Positives: The whispers can reinforce the deceptive and intimidating nature of the cosmetic.
- Negatives: The whispers might be distracting or disconcerting, especially in quiet environments.
Extra-sensory Perception of Emotional State:
- What is perceived: A heightened awareness of others’ emotional states.
- Description: The cosmetic enhances the wearer’s ability to perceive subtle cues in others’ body language and tone, giving insight into their emotional state.
- Positives: This can aid in manipulation and deception, as the wearer can tailor their actions and words more effectively.
- Negatives: A constant influx of emotional information can be overwhelming and mentally exhausting.
Extra-sensory Perception of Intent:
- What is perceived: A vague sense of others’ intentions.
- Description: The wearer gains a primitive form of intuition, an ability to sense the intentions of those they interact with.
- Positives: This can be an advantage in negotiations, conflicts, and any situation where understanding another’s motives is beneficial.
- Negatives: False positives or negatives can occur, leading to misinterpretation and potential danger.

Elixir of Shadows: Myrddin’s Recipe for the Cosmetic 19 of Veiled Menace

Materials Needed:
- 1 vial of Shadow Essence (extracted from a place of deep darkness)
- 5 petals of the Deceiver’s Rose (a rare flower that blooms under the new moon)
- 3 drops of Basilisk’s Blood (to imbue the power of intimidation)
- 1 pinch of Silver Dust (to enhance reflection and illusion)
- 1 ounce of Ethereal Water (gathered from the mists of the Enchanted Forest)
- Obsidian Glass Vials (to contain and preserve the dark magic)
- Wax and Myrddin’s Sigil Stamp (for sealing)
Tools Required:
- Alchemist’s Crucible (enchanted to withstand dark energies)
- Silver Stirring Rod (for mixing the ingredients)
- Essence Distiller (for refining the Shadow Essence)
- Sigil Stamper (with Myrddin’s sigil)
Skill Requirements:
- Expertise in Dark Alchemy (to handle the volatile ingredients safely)
- Proficiency in Enchantment (to bind the magic within the cosmetic)
- Knowledge of Sigil Magic (to seal the vials with Myrddin’s protective sigil)
Crafting Steps:
- Begin by distilling the Shadow Essence in the Essence Distiller until it reaches a concentrated form.
- In the Alchemist’s Crucible, combine the concentrated Shadow Essence with the petals of the Deceiver’s Rose. Use the Silver Stirring Rod to mix them until the petals dissolve completely.
- Carefully add 3 drops of Basilisk’s Blood to the mixture, stirring counter-clockwise to invoke the power of intimidation.
- Sprinkle a pinch of Silver Dust into the crucible, stirring gently as the mixture begins to shimmer with an opalescent sheen.
- Gradually pour in the Ethereal Water, stirring continuously as the substance thickens into the Cosmetic 19 of Veiled Menace.
- Once the mixture is complete, pour it into the Obsidian Glass Vials using a small funnel to avoid spillage.
- Seal each vial with wax, and use the Sigil Stamper to imprint Myrddin’s sigil onto each seal, locking the magic within.
- Allow the sealed vials to rest under a new moon for one night to fully activate the cosmetic’s enchantments.
- Handle with care, for the Cosmetic 19 of Veiled Menace holds powers that are not to be trifled with. Its creation is a delicate art, one that requires both skill and a touch of audacity.

Veiled Whisper of Myrddin

In epochs long eclipsed, when the moon’s silver eye first gazed upon the world of Saṃsāra, there dwelt a mage of shadows named Myrddin. Cloaked in night, Myrddin wove spells most arcane, birthing an elixir of deception and allure, known but to a scant few as the Cosmetic 19 of Veiled Menace.

Legends murmur of a monarch, unjust and cruel, whose reign was as a tyrant’s fist upon the land. It was to this monarch that Myrddin, in shadows draped, did proffer the Cosmetic 19, whispering promises of power unending and foes vanquished.

Seduced by whispers, the monarch anointed his visage with the elixir, transforming not into a figure of dread might, but a wraith of shadows, veiled from all eyes, forevermore to wander unseen, unheard, unkinged.

So goes the tale, fragmented by time’s cruel hand, of Myrddin’s creation: an ensnarement of vanity and power’s lure.

Moral: Beware the gifts cloaked in shadows, for the price of power may be the very throne upon which one sits.

Suggested conversion to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu:

Name: Cosmetic 19 of Veiled Menace

Type: Artifact
Appearance: Thumb-sized obsidian vial with opalescent contents
Effects:
- Grants user the ability to cast “Cloak of Shadows” once per day, lasting for 1 hour.
- User gains a bonus of +20% to Stealth checks while under the effect.
- Prolonged use may induce Sanity loss (1D6).
- Initial Sanity Loss: 0/1D6

Blades in the Dark: