Item Description: A small, dark, obsidian locket etched with intricate runes that glow faintly when activated. The locket has an engraving of a closed eye on its front, symbolizing the veiling of fear it can produce.
Lore: Crafted by the followers of Phobos, the ancient deity of fear, this locket has been passed down through generations as a relic meant to disorient and disturb enemies. Though it’s not as powerful as the artifacts used by higher-tier avatars, its magic is enough to give tier 1 characters a chance to tip the balance in their favor.
Stats:
- Range: 15 feet radius from point of activation
- Duration: 1 minute
- Activation Time: One standard action
- Senses Affected: Sight (due to being a tier 1 item)
- Charges: 3 per day
Slot: Necklace slot, worn around the neck
Roleplay: To activate the locket, the character must clutch it in their hand and whisper the phrase, “Veil their sight in my fright.” The character should express fear while activating this magic, shuddering as they speak, to enhance the power of the illusion.
Costs:
- Material: 10 gold pieces for obsidian, 5 gold pieces for enchantment
- Time: One week to craft
Magics:
- Illusion Type: Spatial Illusion
- Effect: Creates an illusion of a terrifying scene within the radius, affecting only the sense of sight. Enemies who fail a Mind’s Eye check are momentarily rooted in fear, losing their next action.
Tags: Common Rarity, Spatial Illusion, Emotion-based
Defensive Use: In defensive scenarios, the locket can be used to deter pursuers in various environments. In a forest, for example, the illusion could manifest as a horde of nightmarish creatures emerging from the trees, causing enemies to hesitate or even retreat. In an urban setting, the illusion could turn an alleyway into a terrifying labyrinth, confounding and frightening foes and buying the wearer time to escape.
Offensive Use: Offensively, the locket can be deployed to break enemy formations or create openings in combat. For example, in a desert environment, the illusion could conjure a massive, frightening sandstorm rushing toward the enemy, causing them to scatter and break formation, making them easier to pick off. In a dungeon or cave, the terrifying illusion of walls closing in could force enemies into a confined space, setting them up for area-of-effect attacks.
The item offers a strategic blend of offense and defense, giving a tier 1 character some leverage in both areas through the manipulation of fear.
Perception of Senses and Extra-Sensory Perceptions
- Sight
- What is Perceived: A nightmarish tableau, such as a horde of terrifying monsters, a chasm opening up, or walls closing in.
- Description: The illusion is vivid and disturbing, designed to paralyze enemies with fear.
- Positives: Can cause enemies to lose focus, scatter, or halt their actions.
- Negatives: If enemies pass their Mind’s Eye check, they can see through the illusion and it becomes ineffective.
- Sound
- What is Perceived: Haunting screams, growls, or other frightening sounds.
- Description: Sounds that complement the visual nightmare, heightening the fear effect.
- Positives: Can add an additional layer of realism to the illusion, making it more convincing.
- Negatives: Enemies familiar with the sound might recognize it as an illusion.
- Smell
- What is Perceived: The stench of decay, sulfur, or something similarly off-putting.
- Description: A smell that unsettles and nauseates.
- Positives: Can make the illusion more immersive and psychologically unsettling.
- Negatives: Strong winds or other environmental factors may dissipate the smell.
- Taste
- What is Perceived: A bitter or foul taste in the mouth.
- Description: The taste is brief but disturbing, aligning with the theme of the illusion.
- Positives: Adds another sensory layer to the illusion, deepening its impact.
- Negatives: May be too subtle to be noticed during the heat of combat.
- Touch
- What is Perceived: A sensation of extreme cold or heat.
- Description: A tactile illusion that makes enemies feel uncomfortable or pained.
- Positives: Can make the illusion feel more immediate and real.
- Negatives: Might not be effective against creatures that are resistant to temperature changes.
- Extra-Sensory Perceptions
- Aura Reading: A dark, malevolent aura.
- Description: Those who can perceive auras might see a dark cloud surrounding the illusion.
- Positives: Adds another convincing layer for those sensitive to auras.
- Negatives: Skilled aura readers may recognize the falseness of the projected aura.
- Telepathic Residue: Echoes of fear and dread.
- Description: The illusion leaves a psychic imprint of fear.
- Positives: Can make the illusion convincing to those with psychic sensitivity.
- Negatives: Psychically resistant beings may be unaffected.
- Aura Reading: A dark, malevolent aura.
Recipe for Crafting Phobos’ Veil
- Ingredients:
- 1 Obsidian gemstone, at least 2 inches in diameter
- Enchantment ink made from a mixture of nightshade and dragon’s blood
- 1 Silver chain, at least 18 inches long
- Elemental water and elemental fire for steam activation
- Steps:
- Gemstone Preparation: Cleanse the obsidian gemstone in a bath of saltwater for 24 hours.
- Rune Carving: Using a fine chisel, carefully etch the runes of fear and illusion onto the surface of the gemstone.
- Ink Application: Use the enchantment ink to trace over the runes, empowering them.
- Enchantment Sealing: Hold the gemstone over a source of elemental steam (created by combining elemental water and elemental fire) to seal the enchantment.
- Chain Attachment: Attach the silver chain to the gemstone, ensuring that it’s secure.
- Final Activation: Speak the words of power (“Veil their sight in my fright”) to activate the locket for the first time, tying your essence to the artifact.
Once these steps are completed, the Phobos’ Veil locket will be ready for use.
Fable of the Phobos’ Veil and the Cowardly Avatar
Once before times not remembered, Phobos’ Veil locket came into being, a thing of dark shiny stone and glowing rune. Folk say, it born by mage of lost lineage under eye of moon, handed down, handed down.
Time came, this locket reached a weak avatar, Althor by name. Althor of no courage, even rabbits make jump. Town ridiculed. Monsters at edge of forest mocked. Shame a heavy cloak, never removed.
Dark day came. Town by nameless horrors beset. Flame, claw, and dark laughter. Warriors fought, spellcasters weaved pattern of power, yet nothing. Althor watched. Cowardice tangled his legs, words of help stuck in throat. All hope seemed lost.
Eyes fallen upon Phobos’ Veil hanging limp around his neck, relic of forgotten ritual. “Veil their sight in my fright,” Althor’s lips trembled. The locket activated. Ground shifted, skies blackened, forest sprouted monstrous apparition, everything nightmarish tableau. Nameless horrors halted, entranced and disturbed by illusion sprung.
Gave time enough, the town warriors reassemble, spellcasters chant finishing words, and horrors banished. Althor became not hero, yet no longer mocked. The locket, it stayed around neck but also lived in tales. “Althor’s Locket” they called, forgetting Phobos, for history is a stream that washes clean the rock of fact, leaving but smooth stone of legend.
Moral of the Story: Even the smallest ripple can change the current of fate.
Suggested conversion to other systems:
Call of Cthulhu
Item: Phobos’ Veil Locket
- Type: Magical Item
- Usage: Single Use per day
- Effect:
- Requires a Power roll to activate.
- Causes enemies within a 15-foot radius to make a Sanity check or be paralyzed with fear, losing their next action.
Dungeons & Dragons 5e
Phobos’ Veil
- Wondrous item, common (requires attunement)
- Range: 15-foot radius
- Charges: 3/day
- Effect:
- Use an action to activate.
- Enemies must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw DC 13 or be frightened until the end of their next turn.
Knave
Item: Phobos’ Veil
- Type: Common Magical Item
- Slot: Neck
- Effect:
- Takes one turn to activate.
- Foes must pass a Will Save or be unable to act for one turn.
Numenera & Cypher System
Item: Phobos’ Veil
- Level: 1
- Form: Necklace
- Effect:
- One Action to activate.
- Enemies must make an Intellect defense roll or lose their next turn due to fear.
Pathfinder 2e
Phobos’ Veil
- Item 1
- Magical, Enchantment, Mental, Fear, Illusion
- Price: 20 gp
- Usage: Worn; Bulk: L
- Activate: [One Action] verbal
- Effect:
- Enemies within a 15-foot emanation must succeed at a Will save DC 17 or become frightened 1.
Savage Worlds
Phobos’ Veil
- Type: Magical Item
- Charges: 3/day
- Effect:
- Standard action to activate.
- Targets must pass a Spirit roll or be Shaken.
Shadowrun
Phobos’ Veil
- Type: Magical Focus
- Force: 3
- Activation: Simple Action
- Effect:
- Targets must resist with Willpower + Logic or be paralyzed for one turn.
Starfinder
Phobos’ Veil
- Item Level: 1
- Type: Magical Item
- Usage: 1/day
- Effect:
- Standard action to activate.
- Enemies within 15 feet must succeed at a Will save DC 11 or be staggered for one round.
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay
Phobos’ Veil
- Type: Talisman
- Rarity: Common
- Effect:
- Takes one half-action to activate.
- Enemies must pass a Willpower test or be stunned for one turn.