Appearance of the Item: The “Minion 152 of Aethralis” is a palm-sized, multifaceted orb made from clouded glass with shimmering iridescent flecks. When held, an internal glow pulses gently, and one can perceive faint shadows moving inside.
Appearance of the Minion: The summoned being, known as a “Nebulite”, resembles a humanoid-shaped wisp of fog and light, standing around 5 feet tall. Its form constantly shifts, and it has two luminous points where eyes should be. Tendrils of mist trail behind it, giving it a spectral appearance.
Attributes of the Minion – Nebulite of Aethralis:
Stat Modifiers:
- Strength: -1
- Dexterity: +2
- Constitution: -1
- Intelligence: +3
- Wisdom: 0
- Charisma: +2
Skills:
- Stealth: +4
- Arcana: +6
- Performance (acting): +8
Size: Medium
Speed: 30 feet, Fly 20 feet
Armor: Ephemeral Robe – This “armor” is more of an aura that grants the Nebulite an Armor Class bonus of +2. The robe appears like flowing fabric made of morning mist and twinkling stars.
Gear: Ethereal Dagger: This weapon appears as a shard of starlight. It deals 1d4+2 radiant damage.
Magical Items: Aethral Ring: Allows the Nebulite to cast “Minor Illusion” once per summoning.
Tags: Ethereal, Flying, Spellcaster
Behavior: Nebulites are naturally curious and have a penchant for dramatic flair. They often communicate through elaborate gestures and movements, resembling actors on a stage. Their ephemeral nature makes them hard to pin down, both in combat and in conversation.
Magics They Can Use:
- Mistform: The Nebulite can become incorporeal for a short duration, allowing attacks to pass through them.
- Starflare: A ranged spell that deals 1d6 radiant damage.
- Aethral Echo: The Nebulite can replicate sounds or voices they’ve heard, perfect for creating diversions or communicating messages.
Roleplay Emphasis on Actor: The Nebulite thrives in situations where it can perform or mimic. When summoned, it might dramatically reenact its last moments in Aethralis or mimic the actions of those around it with theatrical exaggeration. Summoners might find themselves both entertained and exasperated by the Nebulite’s love for the spotlight. This flair for drama can be a double-edged sword: while the Nebulite can be an excellent distraction in sticky situations, it can also unintentionally draw attention when discretion is needed. Their ability to echo sounds can be used creatively in many role-playing scenarios, from mimicking a guard’s voice to “replaying” a snippet of overheard conversation.
Perception of Activation:
- Sight:
- Perceived: An ethereal glow emanating from the orb.
- Description: A radiant burst of bluish-white light that expands briefly before contracting to reveal the Nebulite.
- Positives: Can serve as a momentary source of illumination, potentially revealing hidden details or threats.
- Negatives: Its conspicuousness might attract unwanted attention or give away one’s position in stealth situations.
- Hearing:
- Perceived: A soft, haunting melody resembling wind chimes.
- Description: The harmonious sound seems to echo from distant realms, evoking a sense of wonder and mystery.
- Positives: The calming nature of the sound might soothe nerves or pacify potential threats.
- Negatives: Its distinctiveness could alert nearby enemies or creatures to the summoning act.
- Touch:
- Perceived: A sensation of cold mist enveloping the hands.
- Description: The sensation, akin to holding one’s hand within a gentle cloud, leaves a slight tingle as the Nebulite manifests.
- Positives: Can be invigorating and refreshingly cool in warm environments.
- Negatives: The sudden cold might be startling or uncomfortable, especially in already cold settings.
- Smell:
- Perceived: The faint aroma of fresh rain and ozone.
- Description: An olfactory hint of a world beyond, evoking sensations of open skies and boundless horizons.
- Positives: Refreshing and grounding, might help in focusing or clearing the mind.
- Negatives: Those unfamiliar with the scent might find it strange or off-putting.
- Taste:
- Perceived: A lingering taste of crisp mountain air.
- Description: As if one took a breath atop a high peak, where the world seems pure and untainted.
- Positives: Invigorating and can momentarily relieve thirst or dryness.
- Negatives: Its fleeting nature might leave one yearning for more, possibly causing a momentary distraction.
- Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
- Temporal Dissonance:
- Perceived: A fleeting sensation that time has momentarily paused.
- Description: Everything seems to stand still, amplifying the moment of the Nebulite’s emergence.
- Positives: Enhances the grandeur and importance of the summoning ritual.
- Negatives: Can be momentarily disorienting, leading to potential miscalculations in timing-based scenarios.
- Astral Resonance:
- Perceived: An ephemeral connection to the realm of Aethralis.
- Description: The summoner might perceive glimpses of vast starlit landscapes and feel the vastness of the cosmos.
- Positives: Offers insights into the realm of the Nebulite, potentially aiding in understanding or communication.
- Negatives: The overwhelming beauty and allure of Aethralis might create a sense of longing or distraction.
- Empathic Link:
- Perceived: The emotions and memories of the summoned Nebulite.
- Description: A brief mingling of consciousness, where feelings and experiences are shared between summoner and summoned.
- Positives: Fosters a deeper bond and understanding, aiding in cooperation and synergy.
- Negatives: Intense or traumatic emotions from the Nebulite might momentarily overwhelm or distress the summoner.
- Temporal Dissonance:
Recipe: Crafting the “Minion 152 of Aethralis” Orb
- Materials Needed:
- Iridescent Flecks (sourced from the wings of bioluminescent insects).
- Clouded Glass Sphere (roughly the size of an adult’s palm).
- Aethral Essence (a rare ethereal liquid that captures the essence of the realm of Aethralis).
- Nebula Dust (a powdery substance collected from astral meteorites).
- Binding Resin (a sticky substance harvested from ancient, magic-infused trees).
- Tools Required:
- Celestial Furnace (to meld the materials with astral precision).
- Astral Grinder (a tool designed to grind nebula dust and iridescent flecks).
- Binding Mold (a mold shaped in the desired orb design).
- Ethereal Pipette (for transferring precise amounts of Aethral Essence).
- Cosmic Sealant (to finalize the orb’s crafting and seal the essence within).
- Skill Requirements:
- Astral Alchemy (to blend and bind the ethereal materials).
- Celestial Craftsmanship (for the intricate process of molding and sealing the orb).
- Nebula Knowledge (to understand and handle nebula dust properly).
- Crafting Steps:
- Prepare the Materials:
- Use the Astral Grinder to grind the Iridescent Flecks into a fine powder.
- Combine this powder with the Nebula Dust until they’re thoroughly mixed.
- Glass Infusion:
- Heat the Clouded Glass Sphere in the Celestial Furnace until it reaches a malleable state.
- Sprinkle the iridescent and nebula mixture onto the heated sphere. The heat will cause the powder to adhere and infuse into the glass, giving it its unique shimmering properties.
- Essence Imbuement:
- Place the infused Clouded Glass Sphere into the Binding Mold.
- Carefully use the Ethereal Pipette to introduce the Aethral Essence into the sphere, ensuring it fills and bonds with the iridescent and nebula infused material.
- Once filled, allow the orb to cool slightly, so it retains its shape but remains slightly malleable.
- Sealing Process:
- Apply the Binding Resin around the orb’s opening, ensuring it’s evenly covered.
- Using the Cosmic Sealant, press and seal the opening, ensuring the Aethral Essence remains contained within the orb.
- Finalization:
- Remove the orb from the Binding Mold and place it back into the Celestial Furnace for a brief period. This final heating will ensure the orb’s integrity and finalize the bonding of all materials and essences.
- Once heated, remove and allow the “Minion 152 of Aethralis” orb to cool and set for a full day and night cycle under a starlit sky.
- Prepare the Materials:
Upon completion of these steps, with attention to detail and respect for the rare and ethereal materials involved, the “Minion 152 of Aethralis” orb will be ready to use, capturing the essence and beauty of the realm of Aethralis and its Nebulite inhabitants.
Whispered Chronicle of The Luminous Orb
In days of dim past, before the sky-hold of stars became mystery, and before Saṃsāra’s heart found its rhythm, tales spoke of the celestial dance between two realms. Aethralis, a realm of ever-night and twinkling luminance, crossed paths with our world, not in war, but in soft embrace.
In Aethralis, lived Liora, she with hair of night’s depth and eyes echoing cosmic stories. On Saṃsāra, Elandor stood, a seeker of stars, always gazing up, dreaming of the night’s embrace. The veil between realms, though thin, was unyielding. They could sense, but never touch.
Guided by yearning, Elandor, with ancient craft and whispered spells, birthed an orb. The “Minion 152”, named after stardust count, was a vessel, a dream-catcher, hoping to bring the far close. And so, within this orb, Liora sent her essence, her Nebulite form, a wisp of her soul’s song, to dance with Elandor.
But as with all dances, the song would end. The Nebulite faded with dawn, leaving Elandor holding the orb, tears mingling with morning dew. Time, in its cruel march, saw Elandor’s form turn to earth, but the orb, his love’s testament, remained, whispered of in tales by fireside.
Moral of the Story: Love, in its truest form, defies bounds and realms, leaving echoes that time cannot silence.
Suggested conversion to other systems:
Call of Cthulhu:
Minion 152 of Aethralis Orb
- Type: Arcane Object
- Effects: Once per day, investigator can summon a Nebulite entity to provide knowledge on cosmic mysteries, granting a +10% to Cthulhu Mythos skill for 1 hour.
- SAN Cost: Lose 1D6 SAN upon successful summoning.
Dungeons & Dragons 5e:
Minion 152 of Aethralis
- Wondrous item, legendary (requires attunement)
- Once per day, as an action, you can summon a Nebulite of Aethralis to aid you for 3 rounds. The Nebulite provides advantage on Arcana checks and can cast the spell “Comprehend Languages” once before it vanishes.
Knave:
Minion 152 of Aethralis
- Type: Orb
- Usage: Once per day
- Effect: Summons a Nebulite entity for 10 minutes. The Nebulite grants a +2 bonus on rolls related to cosmic and arcane knowledge.
Numenera & Cypher System:
Minion 152 of Aethralis
- Type: Artifact
- Level: 5
- Effect: Activation of this orb summons a Nebulite from Aethralis for 28 minutes. While active, the user gains an asset on tasks related to understanding ancient mysteries and deciphering languages.
Pathfinder 2e:
Minion 152 of Aethralis
- Aura: Strong conjuration
- Slot: Held
- CL: 17th
- Weight: 1 lb.
- Activation: Use Activated (1/day)
- Effect: Summons a Nebulite from Aethralis to assist in deciphering arcane symbols and languages for 3 rounds. Grants a +4 circumstance bonus to related checks.
Savage Worlds:
Minion 152 of Aethralis
- Type: Mystical Orb
- Effects: Once per session, the user can summon a Nebulite ally for three rounds. The Nebulite grants a +2 bonus to rolls related to arcane knowledge and understanding foreign languages.
Shadowrun:
Minion 152 of Aethralis
- Type: Magical Orb
- Activation: Complex Action
- Duration: 3 Combat Rounds
- Effect: Summons a Nebulite spirit that provides a +2 dice pool bonus to Astral and Arcane skill checks.
Starfinder:
Minion 152 of Aethralis
- Type: Mystical item
- Level: 6
- Effect: Once per day, as a standard action, you can summon a Nebulite from Aethralis for three rounds. The Nebulite provides a +2 insight bonus to checks related to deciphering ancient symbols and understanding foreign languages.
Warhammer:
Minion 152 of Aethralis
- Type: Arcane Relic
- Effects:
- Whispers of Aethralis: Once per battle, during your hero phase, you can call upon the wisdom of the Nebulite, granting a +2 bonus to casting or dispelling for that turn.