Lore: The Ofuda of Tranquil Shielding is a revered artifact in Saṃsāra, known for its ability to soothe anxious souls and provide a protective barrier against malevolent forces. Crafted by ancient sages who understood the power of serenity in times of turmoil, these Ofuda are cherished for their dual purpose of calming anxiety and offering defense against evil.
Stats:
- Rarity: Common
- Required Level: Tier 1
- Cost: 10 gold pieces
Magics:
- Soothing Aura (Charges: 3):
- When activated, this Ofuda emanates a gentle, soothing aura that envelops the user.
- Effect: Grants the user advantage on saving throws against fear effects for 1 minute.
- Guardian Ward (Consumable):
- This Ofuda can be consumed to create a protective barrier around the user.
- Effect: Upon consumption, it grants the user temporary hit points equal to their level, protecting them from harm for a short duration. These temporary hit points last until depleted or for 1 minute, whichever comes first.
Tags:
- Consumable: Yes (for Guardian Ward)
- Ritual: No
- Religion: Shinto/Buddhist
- Additional: Protective, Calming, Spiritual, Defensive, Anxiety-Relief, Meditation, Barrier, Aura
Usage: To activate the Ofuda of Tranquil Shielding and benefit from its soothing aura, the user follows these steps:
- Hold the Ofuda with both hands and close your eyes.
- Take several deep breaths, focusing on the anxiety or fear that plagues your mind.
- While holding the Ofuda, visualize the calming aura expanding from it, enveloping you in a protective cocoon of serenity.
- Once activated, the aura remains for 1 minute, providing you with advantage on saving throws against fear effects.
The Guardian Ward aspect of this Ofuda can be activated when needed by consuming it. This creates a burst of protective energy around the user, granting temporary hit points equal to their level. These hit points act as a buffer against incoming damage and dissipate after 1 minute or when depleted.
Roleplay Emphasis: The Ofuda of Tranquil Shielding serves as a powerful tool for roleplay, emphasizing the importance of managing anxiety and finding strength in moments of fear. Characters can use this item not only to enhance their abilities in combat but also as a symbol of their inner resolve and determination. It encourages players to explore their characters’ emotions, fears, and coping mechanisms, fostering opportunities for character development and meaningful interactions with NPCs who may share their anxieties.
Perceptions:
- Perception of Sight:
- The Ofuda of Tranquil Shielding appears as a beautifully crafted, rectangular talisman made of fine parchment or polished wood. Intricate Shinto and Buddhist symbols and characters are elegantly inscribed in calming shades of blue and silver, radiating a faint, tranquil glow when activated.
- Perception of Touch:
- When touched, the Ofuda feels smooth to the fingers, with a slightly raised texture where the sacred characters are etched. Activating the Ofuda causes it to emit a gentle, warm vibration, offering a soothing tactile sensation that resonates with the user.
- Perception of Sound:
- While the Ofuda itself doesn’t produce sound, those in close proximity to it may perceive a subtle, melodic hum in the air when it’s activated. This delicate resonance evokes a sense of inner calm and tranquility.
- Perception of Smell:
- The Ofuda carries a faint, pleasant aroma of sandalwood and jasmine, reminiscent of the fragrant incenses commonly used in meditation and spiritual rituals. This subtle fragrance is released when the Ofuda is held or activated, further enhancing its aura of serenity.
- Perception of Nonstandard Senses (Emotional):
- Empathic individuals may sense a shift in the emotional energy surrounding the Ofuda when it’s activated. Anxiety and fear seem to dissipate, replaced by a wave of tranquility and assurance. This emotional perception reinforces the item’s reputation for calming the anxious soul.
Crafting and Procurement: The crafting of the Ofuda of Tranquil Shielding is a sacred and precise process, often undertaken by skilled artisans within Saṃsāra’s monastic communities. Here’s how it’s made:
- Materials:
- High-quality parchment made from specially chosen plant fibers or carefully selected wooden panels.
- Ink derived from rare herbs and minerals, meticulously mixed to create serene shades of blue and silver.
- Blessings and incantations performed by experienced monks or sages.
- Crafting Process:
- The parchment or wooden panel is prepared, ensuring it’s free from blemishes and imperfections.
- Skilled scribes inscribe the sacred symbols and characters onto the surface using the rare ink, focusing on infusing them with a calming energy.
- Monks or sages perform rituals, recite mantras, and imbue the Ofuda with their concentrated intentions of tranquility and protection.
- A final blessing ceremony is conducted to infuse the Ofuda with divine energies.
Shops: The Ofuda of Tranquil Shielding can be found in specialized spiritual and magical shops scattered throughout Saṃsāra. These shops are often located near temples, meditation centers, or in bustling marketplaces. Shopkeepers in these establishments are typically well-versed in the lore and usage of the Ofuda. They may also offer guidance on how to activate and use the item effectively. Prices can vary based on the age, craftsmanship, and potency of the Ofuda, making it accessible to a wide range of buyers, including adventurers and those seeking solace from anxiety.
Saga of the Tranquil Shield
In times immemorial, when the sky was yet to be named and the earth was but a dream of the gods, there existed a land swathed in the mists of Saṃsāra. Within this land, sages of old, wise beyond the count of stars, crafted an artifact of profound peace known as the Ofuda of Tranquil Shielding.
Legend tells that in an era when turmoil walked the earth like a giant, and fear was the shadow of every heart, these sages gathered under the moon’s silver gaze. They sought to weave serenity into the very fabric of the world, to offer respite to the anxious souls tormented by the malevolence that lurked in every shadow.
With hands that had tamed fire and bound the winds, they inscribed upon fine parchments or carved into polished wood the sacred sigils of Shinto and Buddhist wisdom. Their ink was the essence of rare herbs and minerals, blessed under the chanting of ancient mantras. As they worked, a fragrance of sandalwood and jasmine filled the air, a scent that would linger on the Ofuda, a silent promise of calm.
The Ofuda was not merely an item but a vessel of tranquility. When activated, it would emit an aura so gentle, so encompassing, that even the fiercest fear would find no place to dwell. It was said that when one held the Ofuda, they could feel the vibrations of peace, hear the subtle hum of harmony, and see the faint glow of protection that no evil could pierce.
In tales of old, warriors and wanderers alike would speak of the Ofuda’s power. They would tell of how it shielded them not only from physical harm but from the tempest of their own minds. In the heart of battles or within the silent chambers of introspection, the Ofuda was a beacon of stillness.
Yet, the Ofuda was more than a shield; it was a teacher. It taught that peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a state of being that one must cultivate within. It showed that even in the darkest times, serenity could be summoned like a light in the night, guiding one’s steps back to tranquility.
Thus, the Ofuda of Tranquil Shielding became a symbol revered across the lands, a reminder of the ancient wisdom that peace, once kindled, could ward off the most formidable of evils.
Moral of the Story: True strength lies not in the might of arms but in the serenity of the soul.
Suggested conversions to other systems:
Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)
Ofuda of Tranquil Shielding
- Artifact Type: Magical Item
- Sanity: 0/0 (No sanity cost or gain)
- Cost: 10 Gold Pieces
- Magical Properties:
- Soothing Aura: Once per day, the holder can activate this Ofuda by spending 1 Magic Point. For the next 1 minute, the user gains a bonus of +20% to their Willpower roll when resisting Fear or any sanity-draining effect.
- Guardian Ward: Consumable. When destroyed, provides the user with temporary hit points equal to their current POW stat. These hit points last for 1 minute or until lost.
Blades in the Dark (Latest Edition)
Ofuda of Tranquil Shielding
- Item Type: Fine, Consumable
- Load: 1
- Effect:
- Soothing Aura: Spend 1 stress to activate. Grants +1d to your next Resistance roll against Despair or Terror for the remainder of the scene.
- Guardian Ward: As an action, use this item to gain an armor rating of 2 for one harm (Light, Moderate, or Severe) until the end of the scene. The Ofuda is destroyed after use.
Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)
Ofuda of Tranquil Shielding
- Wondrous Item, Common
- Activation: Requires an action to activate either feature.
- Properties:
- Soothing Aura: Once per day, you can use this Ofuda to gain advantage on Wisdom saving throws against being frightened for 1 minute.
- Guardian Ward: This item can be consumed to grant temporary hit points equal to your level. These hit points last until the end of your next turn or until used.
Knave (Latest Edition)
Ofuda of Tranquil Shielding
- Item Type: Magical, Consumable
- Weight: 1
- Activation: Requires an action to activate either feature.
- Effects:
- Soothing Aura: Once per day, roll your Wisdom; on a success, reduce any ongoing Fear effect by one die size (d6 to d4, etc.) for the next minute.
- Guardian Ward: Consume this item to gain temporary hit points equal to your current level. These hit points last until the end of your next turn or until depleted.
Fate (Core)
Ofuda of Tranquil Shielding
- Aspect: Soothes Anxiety and Shields from Harm
- Stunts:
- Soothing Aura: Once per session, when facing a fear-based challenge, you can spend a Fate Point to gain +2 to your roll or reroll the dice. This represents the calming influence of the Ofuda.
- Guardian Ward: Consumable. When used, you can declare that you have temporary extra Physical Stress boxes equal to your current Refresh value. This effect lasts until the end of the scene or until the stress is filled.
Numenera & Cypher System
Ofuda of Tranquil Shielding
- Level: 1
- Form: Artifact (Cypher)
- Effect:
- Soothing Aura: Once per day, you can activate this Ofuda to gain an asset (eases by one step) on all Intellect defense tasks against fear or mental attacks for 10 minutes.
- Guardian Ward: Consumable Cypher. When activated, grants you +1 Armor and +3 to your Speed Edge for one minute, providing a brief shield against physical and mental harm.
Pathfinder (2nd Edition)
Ofuda of Tranquil Shielding
- Item Level: 1
- Price: 10 gp
- Usage: Held in 1 hand; Bulk L
- Activate: Interact (Soothing Aura); Consume (Guardian Ward)
- Effects:
- Soothing Aura: You can activate this Ofuda for a soothing aura that grants you a +1 status bonus to Will saves against fear effects for 1 minute.
- Guardian Ward: When consumed, you gain temporary Hit Points equal to your level. These last for 1 minute or until lost.
Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)
Ofuda of Tranquil Shielding
- Item Type: Magical Artifact
- Cost: 10 gold
- Activation:
- Soothing Aura: Once per session, you can activate this to gain the “Serenity” Edge for a single encounter, providing +2 to Fear checks.
- Guardian Ward: Consumable. When used, the character gains +2 Toughness for one round, representing a protective barrier. This item is destroyed after use.
Shadowrun (6th Edition)
Ofuda of Tranquil Shielding
- Type: Magical Item
- Availability: Common
- Cost: 1,000 nuyen (reflects magical economy)
- Attributes:
- Soothing Aura: Edge Action (Minor): Once per run, spend 1 Edge to gain +2 dice to resist fear or stress-based effects for 1 Combat Turn.
- Guardian Ward: Consumable (Complex Action): Destroys the Ofuda to grant the user a barrier rating equal to their Magic Attribute for one Combat Turn, absorbing damage before it reaches the user.
Starfinder (1st Edition, with 2nd Edition considerations)
Ofuda of Tranquil Shielding
- Item Level: 1
- Price: 100 credits
- Hands: 1; Bulk: L
- Activation:
- Soothing Aura: Standard Action. Once per day, grants +2 bonus to Will saves against fear effects for 1 minute.
- Guardian Ward: Consumable (Standard Action). Provides temporary Hit Points equal to the user’s character level. These last for 1 minute or until depleted.
Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)
Ofuda of Tranquil Shielding
- Tech Level: TL2 (Primitive)
- Cost: Cr100
- Mass: 0.1 kg
- Effects:
- Soothing Aura: Once per week, the holder can make a Wisdom (or equivalent) check to gain a +2 DM to resist Intimidate or fear effects for the next hour.
- Guardian Ward: Consumable. When used, the character gains +2 Endurance DM for one encounter, representing the protective ward. The Ofuda is then destroyed.
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (4th Edition)
Ofuda of Tranquil Shielding
- Item Type: Magical Artifact
- Cost: 10 Silver Shillings
- Encumbrance: 0
- Effects:
- Soothing Aura: Once per session, by spending a Fortune Point, you can gain +10 to Willpower Tests against fear or terror for one round.
- Guardian Ward: Consumable. When consumed, the character gains 1+Willpower Bonus (WPB) temporary Wounds, which last until the end of the next combat round or until lost.