Spatial Illusion 31 of Affront

Appearance: The item is a palm-sized, metallic talisman, shaped like a distorted mask with a mocking expression. It has intricate etchings that seem to writhe when viewed peripherally.

Lore: Crafted by the enigmatic Illusionist Farath the Offended, this talisman embodies his spite and penchant for affronting those who crossed him. It is said that Farath was so incensed by the Council of Magi’s lack of recognition for his talents that he imbued this object with his ill-will before disappearing into obscurity.

Stats:

• Tier: 1
• Weight: 0.5 lbs
• Durability: 25/25
• Range: Up to 30 ft

Roleplay: Activating the talisman requires the utterance of an insult toward the intended target or location, the cruder, the better. The quality and creativity of the insult will influence the strength and duration of the illusion.

Costs:

• Gold: 50
• Mana: 10 per use

Magics:

• Illusion Type: Spatial
• Senses Affected: Visual and Auditory to start. Smell, touch, and taste can be added for higher tiers.
• Duration: 1 minute per tier level
• Damage: 1d4 psychic per tier level
• Activation Time: 1 Action

Tags: Illusion, Offense, Defense, Affront

Usage in Different Environments:

• Defense in Urban Settings: Can create illusions of menacing gangs or monstrous creatures lurking in alleys, deterring pursuers.
• Offense in Forests: Can cast an illusion over a pit trap, making it look like solid ground, luring enemies to their downfall.
• Defense in Dungeons: Illusions of walls or additional corridors can confuse and disorient invaders, giving the user time to escape.
• Offense in Open Fields: Can create an illusionary army or fearsome beast, scaring the enemy and causing disarray.

The item’s potential for affront is substantial. The affront isn’t just for the target but serves as a mechanism to activate the item’s capabilities. Therefore, the user often finds themselves pushed toward audacity, risking social consequences for magical potency.

Perception of Senses Caused by the Item

• Visual:
  • What is Perceived: Distorted landscapes, people, or objects.
  • Description: The illusion can make things appear menacing or harmless depending on the user’s intent.
  • Positives: Can be used to distract, deter or divert attention.
  • Negatives: If seen through, can reveal the user’s position or intent.
• Auditory:
  • What is Perceived: Sounds ranging from whispers to roars.
  • Description: Auditory illusions complement the visual, enhancing the believability of the scenario.
  • Positives: Adds depth to the illusion, making it more convincing.
  • Negatives: Incorrect or incongruent sounds can break the illusion.
• Olfactory:
  • What is Perceived: Smells like sulfur, roses, or fresh rain.
  • Description: Used less frequently but effective in specific circumstances.
  • Positives: Makes illusions notably more immersive.
  • Negatives: Strong smells may linger and give away the illusion.
• Tactile:
  • What is Perceived: Simulated physical contact.
  • Description: Feels like touching real objects or beings.
  • Positives: Highly convincing for traps or deterrents.
  • Negatives: Requires more concentration and therefore more mana.
• Gustatory:
  • What is Perceived: Tastes like sweet, sour, or any specific flavor.
  • Description: Least commonly used but highly specific.
  • Positives: Can be used in very specific illusion traps involving ingestion.
  • Negatives: Very situational, seldom practical.
• Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
  • What is Perceived: Emotional auras, sense of impending danger.
  • Description: Triggers a sixth sense or psychic feeling.
  • Positives: Adds a layer of realism rarely expected, making it highly convincing.
  • Negatives: Skilled magic users may recognize this as a sign of an illusion.

Recipe for Crafting the Item

• Ingredients:
  • A talisman base made of Wyrmiron, a rare but tier-1 metal
  • Ink made from crushed Arcane Crystals for etching
  • Feather of a Mockingbird enchanted with a minor spirit
  • A vial of Embersap, liquid extracted from a Firethorn plant
• Steps:
  • Preliminary Cleansing: Purify the Wyrmiron talisman base using Embersap to remove any lingering magical impurities.
  • Spirit Binding: Attach the enchanted Mockingbird feather to the talisman, using a chant to bind its spirit to the metal.
  • Etching: Use the Arcane Crystal ink to inscribe the talisman with the necessary runes. The etching should be done under a crescent moon for optimal magical absorption.
  • Affinity Induction: Hold the talisman and insult it thoroughly, embedding it with the energy of affront.
  • Finalization: Immerse the talisman in a mixture of Embersap and Arcane Crystal particles while reciting the final incantation.
  • Testing: Test the talisman’s capabilities in a controlled environment before considering it complete.

Note that each step must be carried out meticulously, adhering to the listed sequence, to ensure that the Spatial Illusion magic is properly infused into the talisman.

Legend of the Talisman Illusionary Nine-Hundred-and-Twenty-One of Affront

In days long-gone, in epochs yore, a magic-forged trinket, it lay in the dwelling of Maelis, weaver of illusions. Peculiar, his life journey, of which lore-speakers murmur still. In hamlet small, folk scorned Maelis, for weaving fables and shades. Named they him trickster, deceiver of hearts and eyes. Yet, Maelis embraced insults, into his Talisman Nine-Hundred-and-Twenty-One, he the energy channeled.

Came day of great peril. Roaring beast of scales, fire-spitting, a dragon most vile, to hamlet flew. Feared they all, a future charcoal and ash. Yet, Maelis felt no dread. Carrying his talisman, to the field he went. Beast eyeing man, man eyeing beast. Uttered Maelis ancient chants, his talisman aglow, warped it senses. Dragon saw not man, but mirror of itself, fierce and daunting.

“Who be you to challenge me?” thought the dragon, yet no fire it spat, mirrored fierceness it saw, and match it found. A standoff timeless, or so it seemed. Then, withdrew Maelis talisman, dragon beheld emptiness, no enemy found. Confused and belittled, away it flew, hamlet sparing.

Maelis, once belittled, now venerated, hero he became. But Maelis, wise and humble, talisman buried he, saying, “Not all see illusions, yet illusions they live. Illusion not the enemy but mirror, for mirrors never lie.”

Moral of the Story: In scorn may lay our greatest might; mirrors we become of what we face, illusions shaping destiny.

Suggested conversion to other systems:

Dungeons & Dragons 5e

• Item Type: Wondrous Item, Common
• Requirements: Attunement
• Effects: Once per long rest, you can cast “Minor Illusion” with an intimidation factor. The illusion appears extra menacing, granting you advantage on Intimidation checks against creatures that can see it.

Call of Cthulhu

• Type: Magical Artifact
• SAN Loss: 0/1D4
• Spell: Causes illusion, requiring an opposed POW check for disbelieving the menace of the illusion.

Knave

• Type: Magical Talisman
• Effect: One use per day. Casts an illusion that intimidates, providing +2 to all intimidation attempts.

Numenera & Cypher System

• Type: Cypher
• Level: 1
• Effect: Create an illusion with an intimidation aspect that lasts for 10 minutes or until dismissed.

Pathfinder 2e

• Type: Wondrous Item
• Rarity: Common
• Requirement: Invested
• Effect: Once per day, allows the user to cast a low-level illusion spell with an intimidating visage. +1 to Intimidate skill checks for the duration.

Savage Worlds

• Type: Magical Item
• Effect: One charge. Casting illusion grants the “Intimidating” bonus to the user for the scene.

Shadowrun

• Type: Magical Talisman
• Force: 2
• Effect: Can cast a single illusion spell that is also intimidating, adding +2 to Intimidation rolls against anyone who sees it.

Starfinder

• Type: Mystical Item
• Level: 1
• Effect: Once per day, cast a minor illusion spell that also gives you a +1 circumstance bonus to Intimidate.

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay

• Type: Arcane Artefact
• Effect: Once per day, conjure an illusion that is especially menacing. This grants +10 to Intimidate checks for the next turn.