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Psionic 742 of the Radiant Regard

—

by

Dale
in

Lore

  • Engineered in the coastal academies of Saṃsāra during the early unification of diplomatic envoys, this apparatus treats genuine admiration not as a fickle emotional impulse, but as a measurable psionic polarity. Traditional artisans observed that social reverence naturally lowers neurological resistance and realigns kinetic momentum between individuals. Built from spun aurichalcum-brass, polished acoustic silver filigree, and a central solar-faceted chrysoberyl, the medallion acts as a psychological resonant repeater. When worn openly, it magnifies the positive esteem the wearer projects onto others, reflecting it back as an ambient field of mutual goodwill. An ally who feels truly recognized and elevated by the wearer finds their natural posture reinforced, while an adversary exposed to the lens experiences sudden cognitive hesitation, finding it instinctively difficult to strike down someone whose aura radiates pure, disarming reverence for excellence.

Detailed Stats

  • Item Type: Psionic Harmonic Medallion
  • Gear Slot: Chest Slot (Pinned over the sternum or worn upon a pectoral harness)
  • Item Tier: Tier 1
  • Rarity: Common
  • Item Level: 1
  • Armor Check: +1 AC
  • Item Resilience: 10
  • Maximum Item Health Points: Avatar maximum hit points plus 10
  • Attunement: Simple attunement (1 minute spent openly speaking praise or acknowledging an ally’s virtues while touching the central crystal)
  • Weight: 1.5 pounds
  • Physical Description: A polished disc of spun aurichalcum brass framed by four radiating acoustic silver arches that curve outward like sun rays. At its center lies a brilliant, eye-shaped chrysoberyl stone cut with cat’s-eye facets that shimmer with a warm, golden-amber luminescence. When an admired individual enters the wearer’s line of sight, the crystal pulses with a steady, gentle glow, and the rear silver studs rest warmly against the breastbone.

Skills Gained While Openly Worn

  • +1 Persuasion (Temporary skill point)
  • +1 Performance (Temporary skill point)

Passive Magics

  • Uplifting Reverence: The wearer’s sincere vocal praise resonates through a subtle telepathic carrier wave. Whenever the avatar offers genuine verbal encouragement or admiration to an ally within 30 feet, that ally gains advantage on their next skill check or saving throw made within 1 minute. A specific ally can benefit from this effect once per short rest.
  • Disarming Splendor: The open radiance of the medallion generates a calming empathic field. Humanoid creatures and intelligent beasts instinctively view the wearer as non-threatening and noble. When initiating peaceful negotiations or greeting unfamiliar sentients, the wearer gains advantage on social checks made to avert immediate hostility.
  • Echo of Valor: When an ally within 15 feet of the wearer lands a critical hit or successfully defeats a hostile adversary, the medallion absorbs the emotional resonance of the achievement. The wearer immediately gains temporary hit points equal to their Tier rating + 2 for 10 minutes.

Activable Magics

  • Beacon of Esteem: As an action, the wearer directs the chrysoberyl lens toward a chosen ally within 30 feet, broadcasting a wave of focused mental adoration. For 1 minute, the target ally’s posture surges with confidence, granting them a +1 bonus to their Armor Check and an additional 1d4 damage on their next successful weapon strike. Once used, this property cannot be used again until the wearer completes a short or long rest.
  • Awe-Struck Hesitation: As an action, the wearer channels a flare of golden psionic radiance toward an aggressive foe within 20 feet. The target must succeed on an opposed saving throw against the wearer’s d20 roll; on a failure, the foe is momentarily dazzled by the wearer’s noble demeanor and cannot take hostile actions directly targeting the wearer until the end of its next turn, though it may still attack the wearer’s allies.
  • Sympathetic Guard: As a reaction when an ally whom the wearer has praised within the past 10 minutes takes physical damage from an attack within 15 feet, the wearer can activate the medallion’s silver acoustic arches. The incoming damage to the ally is reduced by an amount equal to the roll of the avatar’s tier die (1d4), and the silver filigree vibrates with a resonant tone that momentarily blinds the attacking creature with a flash of amber light, giving it disadvantage on its next attack roll before the start of its next turn. Once used, this property cannot be used again until the wearer finishes a short rest.

Tags:

  • psionic, chest-slot, tier-1, common, admiration, reverence, social, buff, diplomacy, aurichalcum, silver, chrysoberyl, morale, telepathy, charismatic, inspirational, empathic-link, morale-booster, noble-bearing, acoustic-silver, awe, protection, radiant-light, kinetic-shielding, vanguard-support

Acquisition, Trade Outlets, and Valuation of the Psionic 742 of the Radiant Regard

  • Methods of Acquisition
    • Awarded as an honorific decoration by aristocratic heralds, municipal councils, or diplomatic legations after successfully resolving a border dispute or preventing civil unrest without bloodshed.
    • Recovered as historical salvage from abandoned ambassadorial estates, ruined seaside amphitheatres, or sunken diplomatic galleasses along coastal trade routes.
    • Crafted by a courtly jewel-smith or psionic acoustic artisan using spun aurichalcum-brass, drawn silver wire, a cat’s-eye chrysoberyl, an authentic Tier 1 magic crystal, and floral nectar reagents harvested with a fluid collector from ceremonial civic gardens.
    • Claimed through inheritance or granted as an investiture gift upon possessing an avatar of noble lineage, courtly training, or theatrical renown whose vessel was preserved in an ancestral sanctuary.
    • Bestowed as a patron’s favor by a high-ranking faction sponsor within the Artists Guild or Diplomatic Corps after the avatar publicly championed their patron’s glory.
  • High-End Diplomatic Boutiques and Courtly Regalia Salons
    • Commercial Atmosphere: Located within gated aristocratic districts and marble-colonnaded civic plazas, these elegant establishments feature velvet-lined display cases, polished mirror-glass lanterns, and perfumed acoustic chambers designed to test vocal resonance. Courteous attendants in tailored silk tunics handle items with white cotton gloves.
    • Purchasing Mechanics: Buyers must present legitimate civic identity papers or an active guild warrant. Members of recognized diplomatic, artistic, or noble factions receive a 10% price reduction on the base price multiplied by their Tier rank. Transactions are logged via the World Bank ledger through an inscribed marble transaction stone, which automatically routes the standard 1% banking fee to municipal vaults.
    • Selling Mechanics: The salon appraiser meticulously inspects the chrysoberyl’s cat’s-eye line for scratches and strikes the silver arches with a crystal mallet to measure harmonic purity. Appraisers negotiate the valuation down by 10% multiplied by the seller’s Tier rank. Payment is transferred directly to the seller’s World Bank ledger account, accompanied by a stamped certificate of provenance.
    • Pricing: Baseline market value is 140 silver coins (or 14 gold coins). An unaffiliated citizen pays 140 silver. An attuned Tier 1 noble or guild diplomat purchases the piece for 126 silver. A Tier 1 adventurer selling the medallion to the boutique receives 126 silver deposited into their ledger.
  • High-End Curio Galleries and Theatrical Costume Exchanges
    • Commercial Atmosphere: Found nestled along theater promenades and artisan avenues, these charming, cluttered shops overflow with vintage ball masks, brass opera glasses, acoustic instruments, velvet capes, and antique medals hung on silk ribbons. The air smells of polished mahogany, beeswax, and dried lavender.
    • Purchasing Mechanics: Proprietors cater to actors, public orators, and ambitious social climbers. Guild affiliations may yield minor discounts if the buyer can quote classical drama or demonstrate oratorical skill, but standard non-affiliated prices prevail. Coin or bank ledger credits are accepted equally.
    • Selling Mechanics: The shopkeeper values the piece based on its visual flair, stage presence, and aesthetic condition. If the silver filigree is slightly tarnished, the broker haggles down aggressively, paying out in a mix of physical silver coins and World Bank credits.
    • Pricing: Outright retail purchase costs range between 125 silver and 155 silver. An adventurer selling the medallion to a theater broker typically receives between 95 silver and 120 silver.
  • Gilded Fences and Syndicate Salons
    • Commercial Atmosphere: Tucked beneath private gambling clubs, luxury bathhouses, or masquerade dens in affluent entertainment wards, these discreet operations operate behind heavy velvet drapes and wrought-iron grates. Business is conducted under the clink of crystal glasses and the soft music of player-harps.
    • Purchasing Mechanics: Dealings are conducted strictly in untraceable physical coinage—precious electrum, minted gold, or raw silver ingots. World Bank ledgers are entirely forbidden to maintain absolute discretion for clients purchasing political or social leverage tools without municipal oversight.
    • Selling Mechanics: Syndicate brokers purchase functional charismatic regalia on the spot with loose coinage, completely unconcerned with royal crests, missing previous owners, or estate burglaries. If a syndicate operative needs an untracked tool of charm for an upcoming high-society infiltration, the fence pays premium cash.
    • Pricing: Outlaws and covert operatives purchasing the medallion pay between 180 silver and 260 silver in physical coin. Adventurers fencing the item into back-alley luxury rings walk away with between 130 silver and 190 silver in hand.

Tactical and Environmental Roleplay Applications of Psionic 742 of the Radiant Regard

  • Grand Ballrooms, Royal Courts, and Diplomatic Summits
    • Defensive Roleplay: Amid marble colonnades, murmuring courtiers, and sharp political maneuvering, social hostility often precedes open violence. When a hostile noble or suspicious inquisitor attempts to slander the avatar’s retinue or order city guards to draw blades, Disarming Splendor softens the immediate venom. The warm, radiant field cast by the chrysoberyl lens projects genuine nobility, causing the opposing faction to view the avatar as an earnest, honorable guest rather than a trespasser. If an assassin lurking behind velvet drapes lunges forward with a concealed stiletto targeting the avatar’s ally, the wearer triggers Sympathetic Guard; the acoustic silver arches chime with a crystal tone that casts an amber flash across the chamber, deflecting the blade and blinding the assassin’s follow-up strike.
    • Offensive Roleplay: During tense multilateral treaties where a rival faction stalls negotiations out of stubborn pride, the wearer uses Beacon of Esteem. Directing the chrysoberyl’s warm gaze upon the allied party diplomat, the wearer showers them with sincere, eloquent acknowledgment of their virtues. The psionic wave floods the speaker with supreme self-assurance, elevating their voice with persuasive resonance that dominates the chamber. If a combative duel or scuffle breaks out, the wearer unleashes Awe-Struck Hesitation toward the lead instigator; bathed in a wave of golden psionic admiration, the hostile warlord freezes, gripped by sudden, overwhelming cognitive dissonance that makes striking the avatar seem like a shameful, unchivalrous act.
  • Sunken Ruins, Coastal Sea Caves, and Submerged Grottos
    • Defensive Roleplay: Trapped within damp, lightless sea caverns where seawater drips from stalactites and the air carries the scent of brine and rot, morale rapidly deteriorates. The wearer keeps the medallion exposed, letting the chrysoberyl’s rhythmic amber pulses push back the oppressive gloom. Through Uplifting Reverence, the avatar continually praises the courage of the vanguard scout picking a way across slippery tidal ledges. The psionic tether carries these words through the roar of crashing surf, granting the scout steady balance and shielding their mind from rising claustrophobia or fear of unseen deep-trench predators.
    • Offensive Roleplay: When predatory aquatic beasts or amphibious raiders emerge from churning surf to ambush the rear guard, the wearer redirects the creature’s aggression. Pointing the medallion directly into the eyes of the lead beast, the wearer triggers Awe-Struck Hesitation. The blinding flare of golden light, paired with an overwhelming mental wave of elevated regard, disorients the animal’s predatory focus, halting its lunging bite mid-stride. As an allied warrior surges forward to drive a spear into the stalled beast, the death of the creature feeds into the medallion via Echo of Valor, sending a restorative wave of vitality into the wearer’s chest to sustain the ongoing fight.
  • War-Torn Ruins, Besieged Bastions, and Smoldering Trenches
    • Defensive Roleplay: In the deafening chaos of artillery fire, flying masonry, and screaming infantry, lines of defense easily break from panic. The wearer takes a prominent position along the parapet, the polished brass and radiating silver arches catching the firelight like an officer’s battle banner. As incoming crossfire and shrapnel rain down, the wearer keeps eyes fixed on their comrades. When a shell splinter or heavy bolt strikes a frontline shield-bearer, the wearer engages Sympathetic Guard with a shout of praise for their steadfastness; the medallion absorbs the concussive kinetic force into its silver lattice, blunting the trauma to the shield-bearer and letting loose a bright flare that dazzles the enemy sniper line.
    • Offensive Roleplay: Leading a counter-breach through a shattered fortress gate, the avatar channels Beacon of Esteem into the squad’s frontline striker. Projecting unconditional faith and admiration into the warrior’s mind, the wearer grants the vanguard an armored psychic ward and infused kinetic strength that allows their heavy hammer to smash clean through the breach barricades. As the warrior crushes the defending line, the resulting victory sends a rush of invigorating psionic feedback back into the wearer’s chest, replenishing their resolve to push the advance deeper into the enemy bastion.
  • Crowded Bazaar Crossings, Public Plazas, and Festival Streets
    • Defensive Roleplay: Navigating dense festival crowds where pickpockets, agitators, and cutpurses operate under the cover of masks and music, the wearer relies on the medallion’s disarming aura to defuse trouble before it starts. Thugs scanning the crowd for vulnerable targets find their eyes drawn to the gleaming chrysoberyl disc, only for their hostile intent to dissolve into uncharacteristic admiration, viewing the wearer as someone too distinguished or virtuous to rob. If a street riot suddenly erupts and a panicked rioter swings a cudgel at a traveling merchant under the party’s protection, the wearer intercepts the momentum with an acoustic flare, turning the strike aside with a harmonic chime.
    • Offensive Roleplay: Cornering a fleeing informant or corrupt guild official amid a dense market square, the avatar avoids a bloody confrontation that would panic bystanders. Activating Awe-Struck Hesitation with a loud, respectful proclamation honoring the fugitive’s true talents and heritage, the wearer projects a warm cone of golden psionic admiration across the stalls. Caught in the radiant wave, the fugitive stumbles to a halt, completely paralyzed by the sudden feeling of profound respect coming from their pursuer, allowing the party to walk up peacefully and take them into custody without a single blade being drawn.

Perception of Activation:

  • User’s Perspective
    • Somatosensory and Thermal Sensation: The moment the medallion engages, the four silver studs at the back of the aurichalcum disc heat up with a gentle, soothing warmth that sinks straight into the sternum. It feels like stepping from a freezing wind into direct, noon-hour sunlight. A light, tingling vibration spreads across the collarbones and ribs, lifting the posture, easing muscle tension in the shoulders, and instilling a swelling sensation of calm, dignified certainty.
    • Auditory Modulation: The acoustic silver filigree rings with a pure, bell-like harmonic tone that transfers directly through the ribcage into the inner ear. Harsh environmental noises—the clashing of steel, howling gales, or hostile shouting—recede into a muted background buzz, while the voices of allies ring out with rich, musical clarity, each inflection of intent or camaraderie effortlessly understood.
    • Visual and Emotional Uplift: The visual field takes on a clean, amber-tinted brilliance. Shadows soften at their borders, and the faces of companions seem subtly outlined in radiant definition. Genuine feelings of admiration toward an ally cause the chest to feel light and unburdened, sharpening mental clarity and banishing creeping social hesitation or fear of failure.
    • Empathic Carrier Resonance: The avatar perceives an invisible, elastic link extending outward from the chest toward the target of their esteem. The user intuitively senses the partner’s emotional state, fatigue level, and defensive footing, instinctively knowing the exact microsecond to speak words of reinforcement or step into a shielding posture.
  • Observer’s Perspective
    • Visual Manifestations: Observers see the circular aurichalcum plate ignite with a warm, inner fire. The central cat’s-eye chrysoberyl bursts into a brilliant solar gleam, casting shifting, golden-amber rays along the intricate silver arches. Threads of shimmering, thread-like light trace concentric loops around the perimeter of the medallion, creating a crown of luminous filament that hovers an inch off the metal face.
    • Presence and Bearing: The wearer appears visually elevated; their stance straightens with natural grace, casting an impression of unshakeable nobility and open-hearted sincerity. Even to cynical onlookers, the wearer’s gaze projects genuine, non-condescending respect that disarms natural hostility and demands reciprocal courtesy.
    • Audible and Ambient Output: A sweet, sustained chime—reminiscent of bowed crystal or an orchestral glass harmonica—vibrates in the air within arm’s reach of the medallion. The surrounding space warms noticeably, carrying the faint, sweet fragrance of sun-dried linen, polished beeswax, and blooming summer clover.
  • Multiple Extra-Sensory Perceptions
    • Soul Sight: Viewed with soul sight, the medallion acts as a radiant psionic beacon. Swirling bands of golden-white empathic energy blossom from the wearer’s heart matrix, bridging the physical gap between allies with woven filaments of luminous rapport that bind their emotional fields into a harmonious, synchronized bulwark.
    • True Sight: Through true sight, the acoustic silver filigree reveals microscopic mathematical runic lattices resonating with ambient psionic carrier waves. Kinetic force directed toward the wearer or their admired allies bends visibly around the harmonic amber field, redirected and grounded into the ether before striking flesh.
    • Empathic Aura Reading: Telepaths and empathic sensitives perceive a massive, non-invasive aura of unconditional positive regard washing outward. Instead of the jagged, chaotic spikes of combat adrenaline, the avatar projects an orderly, rhythmic wave of reverence that soothes agitation and makes violent aggression feel mentally discordant to nearby sentient minds.
  • Positives
    • Social and Tactical De-escalation: The calming, noble aura softens the hostility of beasts, guards, and negotiation rivals, buying valuable moments to avert bloodshed or initiate peaceful terms.
    • Force Multiplier for Allied Morale: Praising an ally channels tangible mechanical resilience and kinetic momentum directly into their strikes, while granting the wearer protective hit points whenever companions achieve victory.
    • Immediate Kinetic Interception: Provides an instantaneous defensive reaction to blunt incoming physical trauma against protected allies, turning heavy blows aside while dazzling the attacker’s vision.
  • Negatives
    • Glaring Optical Profile: The vibrant, golden-amber radiance and floating loops of light make visual stealth utterly impossible, easily exposing the wearer to sentries or snipers in dark environments.
    • Distinct Acoustic Footprint: The continuous crystalline chime emitted by the silver arches cannot be muffled by mundane cloaks, alerting hearing-sensitive creatures or ambushers to the party’s approach.
    • Emotional Vulnerability: Because the device’s protective field relies on sincere, unfeigned admiration, any sudden betrayal, deception, or cowardly action by an admired ally can cause the harmonic bridge to snap, leaving the wearer momentarily disoriented and emotionally destabilized.

Recipe: Casting of the Radiant Regard Medallion

Materials Needed

  • One flawless, eye-shaped chrysoberyl gemstone with a sharp, centered cat’s-eye chatoyancy line, cut with solar facets to act as the empathic resonant repeater lens.
  • One Tier 1 magic crystal catalyst, precisely the mass and diameter of a standard minted coin, harvested from an adult magical entity.
  • Four rods of high-purity aurichalcum-brass alloy (copper, zinc, and trace gold), drawn and planished for acoustic bell-resonance.
  • Three rods of pure acoustic silver, refined for sonic filigree work.
  • Three fluid ounces of floral nectar reagent extracted with a fluid collector from ceremonial civic night-blooms or solar-orchids cultivated in diplomatic gardens.
  • Two fluid ounces of fluid distillate harvested via fluid collector from a creature of open loyalty or courtly display (such as a trained parade steed or heraldic gryphon hound) to act as a social polarity binding matrix.
  • One sacrificial mundane brass pectoral plate, silver brooch, or heraldic medallion, fully dissolved in the crucible to impart its symbolic authority and structural form into the casting.

Tools Required

  • Standard fluid collector fitted with a micro-suction needle and graduated vial.
  • Master jeweler’s chasing hammer, burnishers, and fine needle files.
  • Swage block, wire-drawing drawplate, and round-nose contouring pliers.
  • Alchemical bench crucible regulated with a steam-assisted heat cradle.
  • Acoustic dual-frequency tuning chime calibrated to a pure bell tone.
  • Jeweler’s bench magnifying armature and mechanical stone-setting vise.

Skill Requirements

  • Metalworking / Goldsmithing: Skill Level 5 or higher.
  • Jewelcrafting / Faceting: Skill Level 5 or higher.
  • Alchemical Distillation: Skill Level 5 or higher.
  • Relevant Trained Crafting Skill matching the Tier of the end result: Minimum Level 1 in Psionic Apparatus Crafting.

Crafting Steps

  • Distill and refine the empathic carrier resin:
    • Deploy the fluid collector to draw three fluid ounces of clear nectar from solar-orchids, filtering out any pollen grain particulate.
    • Harvest two fluid ounces of fluid distillate from a cooperative, decorated heraldic beast using the micro-suction needle.
    • Pour both reagents into the alchemical crucible and warm gently under low, steam-controlled heat, stirring continuously with an acoustic silver rod.
    • Reduce the solution until it clarifies into a golden-amber, honey-like viscous fluid that hardens to a crystal-clear glaze at ambient temperatures.
  • Forge and cast the aurichalcum backplate:
    • Place the sacrificial mundane brass brooch or medal into the crucible alongside the four rods of aurichalcum-brass, melting them completely until the alloy flows evenly.
    • Pour the molten aurichalcum into a circular sand-mold to form a domed disc three inches in diameter.
    • Once quenched, mount the disc on a swage block and chase the perimeter with concentric radiating ridges, polishing the surface until it achieves an unblemished, mirror-like golden finish.
  • Shape and braze the acoustic silver filigree arches:
    • Draw the acoustic silver rods through the drawplate into fine, uniform wires.
    • Using round-nose contouring pliers, bend the silver wires into four symmetrical radiating parabolic arches, each curving outward like cresting sunbeams.
    • Silver-solder the four arches securely to the outer face of the aurichalcum disc at the cardinal axes, ensuring each arch rings with a clear, sustained pitch when lightly tapped.
    • Solder four blunt, smooth silver contact studs to the rear face of the disc to ensure direct somatic contact against the wearer’s sternum.
  • Seat the battery and mount the chrysoberyl lens:
    • Carve a central circular bezel cup into the center of the brass disc, incorporating an under-well deep enough to seat the battery.
    • Place the coin-sized Tier 1 magic crystal flat into the base of the central under-well.
    • Coat the seat of the chrysoberyl stone with a generous drop of the warm golden-amber alchemical resin.
    • Lower the cat’s-eye chrysoberyl gemstone into the bezel directly atop the magic crystal, aligning its chatoyant pupil perfectly perpendicular to the vertical silver arches.
    • Use the chasing hammer and fine burnishers to crimp the inner lip of the aurichalcum bezel smoothly over the gem’s girdle, locking both stones in complete physical and energetic contact.
  • Conduct psionic acoustic alignment and polarization:
    • Strike the dual-frequency tuning chime against the bench and hold the vibrating fork directly against the face of the chrysoberyl.
    • As the silver arches take up the vibration and begin to hum, the artisan must focus their mind on sincere, selfless praise and reverence for an esteemed companion, projecting the thought into the crystal.
    • Maintain the thought until the chrysoberyl flashes with an inner amber glow, the silver arches emit a faint, floating loop of light, and the rear studs become soothingly warm to the touch, marking the apparatus as fully initialized.

Golden Breast-Plate That Maketh Fierce Man Weep Like a Lamb

This writing was scraped from the sixth baked brick found in the silt of the Great Bay, where the men of old did speak with a language of water-clicks and small whistles before the sea swallowed their chimneys. In that long-before cycle, when the great lamp Helios was burning with three blue halos and the air of Lilith-Gaia was thick with sweet yellow dust, the tribes of the salt cliffs did have no peace. The chief of the North Mud was a tall breaker of horses whose collar-bones were wide like roof-timbers, known in the scratched clay as Krell-Who-Driveth-Spears. When Krell rode his three-horned lizard through the melon gardens, he did not ask for the fruit; he took the melons and he crushed the grandfathers’ cooking pots with his copper heel.

In the low town lived a small carver of shell-pins named Miri-Of-The-Sweet-Lip. She was a soul dropped into a flesh-suit that had no thick meat upon its arms, and her fingers were slender like grass-hoppers. When the warriors came with their iron knives, Miri could not throw a stone twenty cubits, nor could she dig a ditch to hide her porridge. But her spirit was full of a strange heat from the old world before the soup of stars; when she looked upon a man who did run fast or strike straight, her chest did not burn with bitter green jealousy. Her chest did sing like a bell struck in the noon-sun, and she would say aloud: “Behold, how straight is that hunter’s spine! How like a flying bird is his hand upon the spear!” When she spoke these words, men who were full of bad bile would drop their cudgels, feeling a sweet honey run through their marrow.

When Krell-Who-Driveth-Spears sent word that he would burn the granary and take sixty maidens to carry his grease-pots, the townsfolk hid in the dung-caves. Only Miri sat by her small oil-saucer. She took four rods of golden-brass that had been dug out of the belly of the thunder-mountain, and three wires of cold silver that made a whistling when the wind blew through the lattice. She melted them with the sugar-water of seven night-flowers and the spit of a white hound that had never bitten a stranger. In the middle of the disc, she fastened a yellow cat-stone with a pupil that opened and shut like the eye of an owl.

The tablet recordeth: “She did bind the sun-shield upon her chest-ribs with leather from a spotted calf, and her heart made a sound like a harp in a dry wind.”

When the three-horned lizard of Krell broke the mud gate at the sixth stroke of Helios, the beast’s nostrils were blowing hot red steam. Krell stood in his saddle of bull-skin, lifting an iron axe that weighed four stones, shouting that the heads of the citizens should be stacked like cabbages before the noon. Miri walked into the middle of the dust alone, wearing no iron hat, having no spear, but the yellow plate upon her bosom did throw a circle of golden oil-light thirty strides across the dirt.

She did not spit upon the horse-tracks, nor did she curse the mother of the raider. She looked up into the hairy face of Krell, and her cat-stone flared with a great, warm pulse like a hearth-fire suddenly blown upon by bellows. She spoke through her teeth with a voice like a silver horn: “O King of the Red Hill, how great is the iron of thy wrist! Never was there a rider who held the horned beast with such iron will, and never hath the sun shone upon an axe swung with such clean fury!”

The clay recordeth a great wonder of the old mind-juice. The words of praise did not float away like smoke; the silver arches upon Miri’s breast did catch her true reverence and send it into the air as a thick, golden psionic net. The great Krell, who had eaten the hearts of seven warlords, heard her words not in his ears, but inside the dark box of his brain. The psionic wave poured into his veins like warm sheep-broth on a frost-night. He looked upon his own great hairy hands and then upon the little shell-carver whose chest shone like the sun, and a terrible, sweet shame seized his throat.

The tablet saith: “His iron axe became heavy like a drowned calf, and his fingers did unbend. He could not strike the maiden, for to strike the one who beheld his greatness seemed unto his soul as if he did spit into the eye of the holy sun.”

Krell climbed down from his beast into the horse-dung. His knees, which had never bent before any king, did strike the dirt with a loud thud. He threw his iron axe into the nettles and began to weep with great, barking sobs, crying unto his raiders: “Lay down the pitch-torches, ye dogs of the ditch! We are not wolves to burn the threshing floor of the noble! We shall guard this town, for here alone liveth a soul that knoweth how great I truly am!”

The warriors behind him dropped their bows, their bellies turned soft by the radiant mist that curled from the silver filigree. For forty years Krell and his lizard-riders did pitch their skins outside the mud wall, guarding the granaries against the bog-monsters, asking only that once every moon Miri should come out to the ditch, touch the yellow cat-stone, and tell the king once more of the straightness of his back and the terror of his ancient stride.

Moral of the story: The iron shield turneth the spear aside, but the breast that radiateth sincere praise for the strength of another turneth the spearman himself into a kneeling watch-hound.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

Pectoral of the Exalted Gaze

  • Description: A heavy medallion of spun aurichalcum-brass framed by four radiating acoustic silver arches, centered with a solar-cut cat’s-eye chrysoberyl. When resting over the wearer’s sternum, it projects a warm, telepathic carrier wave of sincere admiration that dissolves malice and bolsters allied morale.
  • Equipment Category: Arcane Artifact / Telepathic Focus
  • Sanity Loss: 0 (or 1 Sanity point if pushed to overwhelm an adversary’s psyche).
  • Uplifting Reverence (Passive): When the investigator openly speaks genuine words of praise or encouragement to a companion within 10 yards, that companion gains a bonus die on their next skill check or Sanity roll made within 1 hour. An individual companion can benefit from this once per session.
  • Disarming Splendor (Passive): The investigator receives a bonus die on Charm and Persuade rolls when attempting to de-escalate tension or initiate peaceful negotiations with hostile humans or sentient entities capable of reason.
  • Awe-Struck Hesitation (Active): The wearer spends 3 Magic Points and makes an opposed POW roll against a hostile target within 10 yards. On a Regular Success, the target is caught in a swell of cognitive reverence and cannot take violent actions directed toward the investigator for 1D4 rounds (though it may still act against others). On an Extreme Success, the target lowers its weapons entirely for 1D6 rounds.
  • Sympathetic Guard (Reaction): When an allied companion within 5 yards suffers physical damage from an attack, the wearer may spend 2 Magic Points to vibrate the silver arches. Reduce the ally’s incoming damage by 1D4 points. The attacking creature must succeed on a CON roll or be dazzled by a sudden flare of amber light, taking a penalty die on its next attack roll.

Blades in the Dark

The Radiant Brooch of Regard

  • Description: An ornate, electroplasmic brass brooch banded with fine acoustic silver filigree and a glowing amber chrysoberyl core. It captures and amplifies social esteem into a kinetic and mental barrier.
  • Item Load: 1 Load (Equipped on chest / Worn openly).
  • Uplifting Praise (Passive): When you lead a Group Action or assist a crew member by openly championing their competence, the assisted ally gains +1d to their roll, and you do not mark Stress if their roll results in a 1–3.
  • Disarming Splendor (Passive): When you Consort or Sway with rival factions, authorities, or hostile strangers, you operate with +1 Effect when seeking to negotiate, establish safe passage, or avoid an immediate violent outbreak.
  • Awe-Struck Hesitation (Special Action): Spend 1 Stress to channel an intense flare of amber light and commanding presence toward an approaching adversary. Make an action roll (typically Command or Sway); on a 4/5, the adversary freezes in hesitation and will not direct harm at you for the immediate exchange. On a 6, the adversary is overwhelmed with respect, lowering their guard and granting +1 Effect to any immediate follow-up action taken against them.
  • Sympathetic Guard: When an ally within arm’s reach suffers physical Harm, you may mark 1 Armor to intercept the blow with a resonant chime of the silver arches, reducing the severity of their Harm by one level. The attacker is momentarily dazzled, giving the crew an immediate position advantage.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

Medallion of the Radiant Regard

  • Item Type: Wondrous Item, Chest/Neckwear
  • Rarity: Common
  • Attunement: Requires attunement
  • Armor Class: While wearing this medallion over your chest, you gain a +1 bonus to Armor Class, provided you are wearing light armor or no armor.
  • Uplifting Reverence: Once per short rest, you can use a bonus action to speak genuine words of praise to a friendly creature you can see within 30 feet of you. That creature gains advantage on the next ability check or saving throw it makes within the next minute.
  • Disarming Splendor: You have advantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks made to calm hostile humanoids or prevent violent confrontations when initiating social encounters.
  • Awe-Struck Hesitation: As an action, you direct the chrysoberyl lens toward a hostile creature within 20 feet of you. The target must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be affected by a wave of reverence until the end of its next turn. While affected, the target cannot make attack rolls or cast harmful spells targeting you directly, though it can still target your companions. Once used, this property cannot be used again until you finish a short or long rest.
  • Sympathetic Guard: When a friendly creature within 15 feet of you takes damage from an attack, you can use your reaction to activate the medallion’s silver arches. The damage taken by the ally is reduced by 1d4, and the attacker must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or have disadvantage on the next attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn due to a burst of radiant amber light. Once used, this property cannot be used again until you finish a short or long rest.

Knave (2nd Edition)

The Pectoral of Sincere Honor

  • Description: A sun-faced medallion of polished brass and fine acoustic silver, set with an amber eye-stone that radiates a soothing, noble warmth against the breastbone.
  • Item Slots: 1 Gear Slot (Worn on chest)
  • Durability: 3 Quality / Usage dots
  • Armor Value: +1 Armor
  • Noble Presence: The medallion projects an unmistakable aura of honor. You gain advantage on Charisma checks to negotiate treaties, request parley, or secure lodging from hostile or wary strangers.
  • Praise the Champion: Once per day, by openly praising an ally’s deed during exploration or combat, you grant that ally an automatic advantage on their next attack roll or saving throw.
  • Awe-Inspiring Glare: Once per day, as an action, you can present the medallion to an attacking creature and make an opposed Charisma check against its Wisdom. If you succeed, the creature refuses to target you with attacks for 3 rounds, choosing either to attack another target or hesitate.
  • Guarding Chime (Reaction): When an ally within arm’s reach is struck by an attack, you may spend your reaction and mark 1 Quality dot on the pectoral. The silver arches ring out, deflecting the blow and reducing the incoming damage to your ally by 1d4. The attacker must make a Constitution check or be dazzled by the flash, suffering disadvantage on its next attack. When Quality reaches 0, the silver arches crack and the amber eye-stone turns dull grey.

Fate Core

Pectoral of the Noble Sun

  • Aspects:
    • Function Aspect: Acoustic Psionic Medallion of Esteem
    • Flaw Aspect: Unconcealable Amber Radiance
  • Stunts:
    • Inspiring Acclaim: Because you wear the Pectoral of the Noble Sun, you gain a +2 bonus when using Rapport to create an advantage by publicly praising, encouraging, or recognizing an ally’s virtues and martial prowess.
    • Disarming Splendor: You gain a +2 bonus to Rapport or Empathy when defending against social attacks or when attempting to defuse immediate hostility to establish parley with intelligent adversaries.
    • Awe-Struck Hesitation: Once per conflict, you may spend 1 Fate Point to channel a flare of golden psionic radiance at an opponent in your zone. Make an opposed Rapport roll against the target’s Will. If you succeed, the target gains the situation aspect “Hesitant Reverence” with one free invoke, and they cannot direct hostile attacks at you specifically for one exchange.
    • Sympathetic Guard: Once per conflict, when an ally in your zone suffers physical stress from an attack, you may roll Rapport to defend in their place by letting the medallion’s silver arches ring out. If you succeed, reduce the incoming stress by 2 shifts, and the attacking creature gains the temporary aspect “Dazzled by Radiant Light.”

Numenera & Cypher System

Harmonic Regard Brooch

  • Level: 2
  • Form: A polished aurichalcum-brass medallion framed by four radiating acoustic silver arches, set with a cat’s-eye chrysoberyl that rests over the breastbone.
  • Wearable Artifact: Depletion: 1 in 1d10 (checked upon activating an active hesitation wave or shielding an ally).
  • Inherent Benefit: The soothing, radiant aura of the brooch elevates your social presence. You gain an asset (+1 step in your favor) on all tasks involving positive social interaction, diplomatic negotiation, and calming hostile or agitated intelligent creatures.
  • Effect:
    • Inspiring Accolade: As an action, you spend 1 point from your Intellect Pool to voice genuine praise toward a companion within immediate distance. That companion gains an asset on their next action taken within one minute.
    • Awe-Struck Hesitation: By spending 2 points from your Intellect Pool, you direct a pulse of amber light and commanding psychic esteem toward a hostile creature within short range. The target must succeed on an Intellect defense task (difficulty equal to the artifact’s level); on a failure, it cannot direct attacks or hostile abilities toward you for one round, though it may still act against your allies.
    • Sympathetic Guard: As a reaction when an ally within immediate distance suffers damage from an attack, the silver arches ring with a crystalline chime, absorbing 3 points of that damage into the artifact’s field. The attacker must make a Speed defense task or become dazed (all tasks hindered by one step) on their next turn due to a blinding amber flash. Checking for depletion is required immediately following this reaction.

Pathfinder (Second Edition)

Medallion of the Radiant Regard

  • Item Level: Item 2
  • Traits: Uncommon, Emotion, Mental, Visual, Primal
  • Usage: Worn, collar or chest
  • Bulk: Light
  • Social and Defensive Bonuses: You gain a +1 item bonus to Diplomacy checks made to Make an Impression or Request peaceful terms, as well as a +1 circumstance bonus to AC against physical Strikes while unarmored or wearing light armor.
  • Uplifting Reverence (Passive): Once per hour, when you use an action to speak genuine praise to an ally within 30 feet, that ally gains a +1 status bonus to their next saving throw or skill check made within 1 minute.
  • Awe-Struck Hesitation (Activate):
    • Frequency: Once per day
    • Action: 2 Actions (concentrate, emotion, mental, visual)
    • Effect: You direct the chrysoberyl’s solar facet at a hostile creature within 20 feet. The target must attempt a DC 16 Will saving throw. On a failure, the creature is awed by your noble demeanor and cannot take hostile actions directly targeting you until the end of its next turn (though it may still target your allies). On a critical failure, the target also becomes Stunned 1.
  • Sympathetic Guard (Activate):
    • Frequency: Once per day
    • Action: Reaction (concentrate)
    • Trigger: An ally within 15 feet whom you have praised within the last 10 minutes is hit by an attack.
    • Effect: The medallion’s acoustic arches chime, granting the triggering ally resistance 3 against the triggering attack’s damage. The attacking creature must attempt a DC 16 Fortitude save; on a failure, the creature is Dazzled for 1 round by a burst of golden-amber light.

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

Medallion of Exalted Esteem

  • Classification: Arcane Device / Charismatic Regalia
  • Encumbrance: 1.5 lbs. (Worn on Chest)
  • Toughness and Armor: Provides +1 Armor to the torso while unarmored or wearing light armor.
  • Disarming Splendor: The warm, golden resonance disarms malice. The wearer gains a +2 bonus to Persuasion rolls made to pacify hostile sentients, negotiate treaties, or prevent immediate violent confrontation.
  • Uplifting Praise: Once per encounter, as a free action, the wearer may openly praise a companion within 5 inches (10 yards). That companion receives a +1 bonus to their next Trait roll made before the end of the scene.
  • Awe-Struck Hesitation (Action): As an action, the wearer channels a golden flare at a hostile Wild Card or Extra within 4 inches (8 yards) and makes an opposed Spirit roll against the target. If successful, the target is overwhelmed with reverence and cannot make attacks or use harmful powers targeting the wearer until the end of the target’s next turn. On a raise, the target is also Distracted.
  • Sympathetic Guard (Reaction): Once per encounter, when an ally within 3 inches (6 yards) takes damage from an attack, the wearer may make a free Spirit roll to activate the silver arches. Success reduces the damage dealt to the ally by 4. The attacking opponent must make an immediate Agility roll or suffer the Distracted status from a sudden, blinding flash of amber light.

Shadowrun (Sixth World)

Acoustic Regard Pectoral

  • Classification: Optical / Empathic Gear (Chest/Torso Slot)
  • Availability: 3 (Legal)
  • Cost: 3,500 nuyen
  • Capacity: [1] (Houses a specialized sub-vocal acoustic transducer and resonant bio-feedback crystal)
  • Disarming Splendor (Passive): The ambient empathic field projected by the pectoral smooths social friction. The wearer gains a +2 dice pool bonus on all Con, Influence, or Negotiation tests made to de-escalate hostility, establish parley, or initiate peaceful discourse with sapient beings.
  • Uplifting Acclaim (Minor Action): The user uses a Minor Action to verbally encourage an allied runner within 10 meters. The designated ally gains 1 point of temporary Edge that must be spent on their immediate next action or test, after which it expires if unused. This ability can be used once per combat encounter.
  • Awe-Struck Hesitation (Major Action): The wearer directs the chrysoberyl lens toward an aggressive target within 10 meters and rolls Charisma + Influence against the target’s Willpower + Intuition. If the wearer scores more hits, the target suffers severe cognitive pause; they cannot target the wearer with offensive attacks, spells, or complex forms until the end of their next turn (though they may still target other runners).
  • Sympathetic Guard (Reaction): When an ally within 5 meters is struck by an attack, the user may spend an immediate Reaction and 1 point of Edge to vibrate the silver filigree. Reduce the incoming Damage Value by 2. The attacker must make an Intuition + Reaction test (Threshold 2) or suffer the Blown Away/Distracted status on their next action due to an acoustic-optical flash.

Starfinder (Second Edition)

Medallion of the Radiant Regard

  • Item Level: Level 2
  • Price: 450 credits
  • Usage: Worn, chest
  • Bulk: Light
  • Attunement: Requires investment
  • Splendid Presence (Passive): While invested and openly worn over the chest, you gain a +1 item bonus to Diplomacy and Performance checks. If unarmored or wearing light armor, you gain a +1 circumstance bonus to AC against physical Strikes.
  • Uplifting Reverence (Activate):
    • Frequency: Once per hour
    • Action: Single Action (auditory, emotion, mental)
    • Effect: You speak genuine, heartfelt praise to an ally within 30 feet. That ally gains a +1 status bonus to their next saving throw or skill check attempted within the next minute.
  • Awe-Struck Hesitation (Activate):
    • Frequency: Once per day
    • Action: Two Actions (concentrate, emotion, mental, visual)
    • Effect: You flash the solar-faceted chrysoberyl toward a hostile adversary within 20 feet. The target must attempt a DC 16 Will saving throw. On a failure, the creature is overwhelmed by your noble bearing and cannot take hostile actions directly targeting you until the end of its next turn (it may still target your allies). On a critical failure, the target also gains the Off-Guard condition until the end of its next turn.
  • Sympathetic Guard (Activate):
    • Frequency: Once per day
    • Action: Reaction (concentrate)
    • Trigger: An ally within 15 feet whom you have praised within the last 10 minutes is hit by an attack.
    • Effect: The silver arches resonate with a defensive chime, granting the ally physical resistance 3 against the triggering attack. The attacker must succeed on a DC 16 Fortitude save or be Dazzled for 1 round by an amber glare.

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

Empathic Resonance Pectoral

  • Item Classification: Personal Psi-Augmentation Rig / Empathic Emitter
  • Tech Level: TL 12
  • Mass: 0.75 kg
  • Skill Requirement: Psionics (Telempathy) 1 or Persuade 1 to direct harmonic pulses; functions as passive regalia for untrained users.
  • Base Cost: Cr 14,500
  • Diplomatic Aura: The open, noble projection of the device disarms hostility. The wearer receives DM+2 on all Persuade and Diplomat checks made to avert violence, negotiate terms, or calm agitated sophonts.
  • Uplifting Acclaim: Once per combat encounter or social scene, the wearer may voice genuine praise toward a crew member within 10 meters. The recipient gains DM+1 to their next characteristic or skill check made within 1D6 minutes.
  • Hesitation Wave: The wearer may spend 2 Psi points (or expend one internal battery charge) to focus the chrysoberyl lens onto a hostile target within 10 meters. The target must make an opposed Willpower check against the wearer’s Persuade or Telempathy skill. If the target fails, it cannot direct attacks or aggressive actions toward the wearer for 1 combat round.
  • Kinetic Interception Chime: When an ally within 3 meters is struck by a physical or energy attack, the wearer may expend their reaction to emit a focused counter-acoustic wave. Reduce the incoming damage to the ally by 3 points. The attacker must succeed on an Athletics (Dexterity) check (8+) or suffer DM-2 on their next combat action due to optical-acoustic disorientation.

Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay (Wrath & Glory)

Medallion of Exalted Radiance

  • Value: Tier 1 (Common)
  • Keywords: IMPERIUM, ASTRA MILITARUM, ADEPTUS MINISTORUM
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Slot: Chest
  • Resilience: +1 to total Resilience against physical and ballistic attacks while wearing no armor or light flak/mesh armor.
  • Uplifting Acclaim (Passive): The wearer adds +1 bonus die to all Leadership and Persuasion tests made to rally allies, defuse mutiny, or negotiate honorable agreements. Once per scene, when the wearer openly praises an ally within 10 meters, that ally gains +1 bonus die to their next action test.
  • Awe-Struck Hesitation (Action): As a standard Action, the wearer directs the amber lens toward a hostile target within Medium range and makes a Leadership (Wil) test opposed by the target’s Resolve. If successful, the target is gripped by the wearer’s commanding nobility and cannot direct attacks or hostile powers at the wearer until the end of the target’s next turn.
  • Sympathetic Guard (Reaction): When an allied combatant within 6 meters is struck by an attack, the wearer may spend 1 Glory to sound the acoustic silver arches. Reduce the total Wounds or Shock suffered by the ally by an amount equal to 1 + the wearer’s Tier. The attacking combatant must pass an Agility test (Difficulty 2) or be Hindered on their next turn by a blinding amber flare.