GearAscendancy.com

Haunted Sorbet

—

by

Dale
in

From: Accursed Rune of Desolation

Lore: Legend speaks of a forlorn sorcerer who, consumed by grief and despair, sought solace in the Accursed Rune of Desolation. Desperate to find a way to numb their pain, they created the Haunted Sorbet, a haunting delicacy that draws its power from the realm of spirits. As the sorcerer’s tears mingled with the phantomberry puree, and the chilling essence of lament infused the mixture, the Haunted Sorbet was born, forever carrying the weight of sorrow and spectral energy.

Use: The Haunted Sorbet serves as both a source of respite and a conduit to the ethereal realm. When consumed, it grants temporary resistance to cold damage, fortifying the imbiber against the frigid forces of nature. Additionally, the sorbet bestows a brief but potent ability to cloak oneself in an ethereal shroud, enhancing stealth abilities and allowing for a ghostly disappearance when needed.

However, the consumption of the Haunted Sorbet comes at a price. It opens a fragile connection to the spirit world, leaving the consumer vulnerable to eerie whispers and unsettling visions. The sorbet’s chilling effect extends beyond its physical temperature, inducing a sense of unease and haunting emotions. Those who partake in this spectral delicacy must be prepared to navigate the thin veil between the living and the ethereal plane.

Tier One Stats:

  • Temporary resistance to cold damage: Grants a +2 bonus to saving throws against cold damage for 1 hour.
  • Ethereal Cloak: Provides advantage on Stealth checks for 10 minutes and allows the user to use the Hide action as a free action once during that period.

Skills gained while holding:

  • Stealth: The Haunted Sorbet enhances the user’s stealth abilities, allowing them to move through shadows and remain undetected more effectively.

Preparation: The preparation of Haunted Sorbet requires precise craftsmanship and an understanding of the mystical properties of the Accursed Rune of Desolation. The ingredients, including the accursed rune itself, phantomberry puree, frosted tears, essence of lament, and whispering mint leaves, are carefully blended together. The mixture is then frozen using specialized enchantments to create the chilling sorbet. The process must be conducted with caution and reverence to maintain the delicate balance between the mortal realm and the realm of spirits.

Cost: Due to the rarity of some of the ingredients and the expertise required in its creation, Haunted Sorbet is considered a luxury item. It is often sold at exclusive magical confectioneries, mystical tea houses, or occult bazaars. The price for a serving of Haunted Sorbet can range from a few gold coins to a substantial sum, depending on the reputation of the establishment and the quality of the ingredients used.

Tags:

  • Cold Resistance: Grants temporary resistance to cold damage, making the consumer more resilient against icy attacks.
  • Stealth Enhancement: Enhances the user’s stealth abilities, allowing them to move silently and blend into shadows more effectively.
  • Eerie Whispers: Leaves the consumer susceptible to eerie whispers and unsettling visions, introducing a sense of unease and haunting emotions.
  • Additional: Spectral, Chilling, Ephemeral, Mystical, Otherworldly

Note: It is important to exercise caution when consuming Haunted Sorbet, as prolonged exposure to the spectral realm can have lasting effects on one’s sanity and well-being. Individuals with a weak disposition or vulnerability to spiritual influences should approach this delicacy with great care.

The Haunted Sorbet recipe is often sold in specialized establishments known as “Mystic Confectioneries.” These confectioneries are renowned for their expertise in crafting magical treats and delicacies, catering to a discerning clientele of wizards, sorcerers, and those with a taste for the mystical. These establishments can be found in mystical enclaves, hidden within bustling arcane marketplaces, or nestled in secluded locations where the boundaries between the mortal world and the supernatural are thin.

The environment within a Mystic Confectionery is often ethereal and enchanting. The air is tinged with a hint of mystery, and shelves are lined with glass cases showcasing an array of spell-infused confections. The lighting is dim, casting a soft glow upon the displays, and the gentle hum of arcane energy fills the air. Decorations may include hanging mist-filled orbs, floating candles, and tapestries depicting mystical scenes. The atmosphere invites patrons to immerse themselves in the magic that permeates the space.

When the Haunted Sorbet is served, it is presented with meticulous attention to detail. The sorbet is typically served in delicate, frosted glass bowls, each adorned with an intricate rune design. The sorbet itself has an otherworldly appearance, with a pale, translucent texture that shimmers in the light. Wisps of mist may swirl around the sorbet, adding to its mystique.

Customers who purchase the Haunted Sorbet may have various intentions for its use. Some may seek temporary cold resistance, finding it useful in traversing frozen landscapes or facing enemies who wield icy powers. The cold resistance granted by the sorbet allows them to endure and resist the numbing effects of frost and ice-based attacks.

The ethereal cloak bestowed by the Haunted Sorbet is often utilized by individuals who rely on stealth and subterfuge. Thieves, spies, or adventurers needing to infiltrate shadowy places find the enhanced stealth abilities invaluable. The sorbet allows them to blend seamlessly into the darkness, becoming elusive and difficult to detect.

In social settings, the Haunted Sorbet can become a conversation piece or a symbol of status. It is not uncommon for the sorbet to be served at prestigious magical gatherings, arcane balls, or high-profile events. It serves as both a culinary delight and a source of intrigue, sparking discussions among guests about its origin, effects, and the mysterious Accursed Rune of Desolation.

However, the unsettling side effects of the Haunted Sorbet, such as eerie whispers and unsettling visions, make it a delicacy that should be consumed with caution. Some individuals may intentionally seek out these experiences, finding inspiration in the haunting sensations and using them as a catalyst for creative endeavors or to explore the depths of their own emotions. Others may find the side effects disconcerting and prefer to avoid them altogether.

Due to its specialized nature and the rarity of its ingredients, the Haunted Sorbet is considered a luxury item, and its price reflects its exclusivity. Patrons should expect to pay a significant amount of gold for a serving, with the cost varying depending on the reputation of the Mystic Confectionery and the quality of the ingredients used.

It is important to note that Mystic Confectioneries and the Haunted Sorbet, in particular, attract a niche clientele, often consisting of individuals with a keen interest in the arcane arts, magical experimentation, or those seeking unique gustatory experiences. The confectioneries themselves may have an air of secrecy and exclusivity, requiring a certain level of knowledge or connection to gain access to their enchanting offerings.

A Cold-Sweet of Soul-Chill

Long ago, before time-count started, in land of mist-gray, lived man.  Man of… magic-do.  He called… uh… Sor-row-man. Yes.  He sad.  Much sad.  Lost… love-mate. Gone to… shadow-place. He try, try, try to make… happy-come-back.  No work. He find old, bad-writing.  Rune-Hurt-Make. He learn. He think, “Maybe… no happy, but… less hurt?”

He go to place where cold-wind always scream. He find… berry.  Ghost-fruit, they call.  Grow where… uh… spirits-walk. He pick many.  He cry.  Tears fall. He catch.  He find… sad-feeling place.  Where… much… lost-hope.  He take… piece of that.  Hard to… grab. Like smoke. He find plant.  Whisper-leaf.  Hear… sad voices when near. He take.

He go home.  He mix, mix, mix. Ghost-fruit. Tears of him. Lost-hope smoke. Whisper-leaf. He make… cold.  Very cold.  Like… soul-cold. He make… sweet.  Like… memory-happy, but… not.

He eat.

Cold.  So cold.  But… warm inside.  He… see things.  Hear things.  Spirits.  Whispers.  His love-mate… maybe? He… not see her. But… feel.  He… less sad. For… little time. He can… walk in shadow.  Hide good.  Cold-hurt… not hurt so much.

He make more.  Eat more. Always want… more.  He… change.  Eyes… glow-cold.  Skin… pale-like moon.  He… more spirit than man.  He… forget why he sad.  He only… want more cold-sweet.

He… gone now.  Some say… he still there.  In shadow-place.  Eating cold-sweet.  Waiting.  Whispering.  Others… they find… recipe. They make. They eat.  They… change, too.

Moral of Story:  Run from hurt… only run to different hurt.  Cold-sweet… taste good… but make heart… more cold.  More empty.  Memory-happy… not real happy.  Better to… feel sad… than feel… nothing.  Nothing is… long, long time.  Longer than sad.  And cold-sweet… always want more.  Never enough.  Never enough to fill… empty. Beware the whispers. They tell the truth, but not the whole truth. Empty is worse than hurt. Empty is forever, and forever is a very long time to be alone. Do not seek solace in the rune of desolation, for it only amplifies what you wish to escape. The heart remembers what the mind forgets, and sometimes, the memory of pain is better than the absence of feeling. This is a story of warning!

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

Haunted Sorbet

  • Sanity Loss: 1/1d4
  • Effects: Upon consumption, the investigator gains resistance to cold damage (halves damage taken from cold sources) for 1 hour. They also gain a bonus die on Stealth rolls for 10 minutes and can use the Hide action without needing cover once during that time. However, they are also subjected to unsettling whispers and visions from the spirit world, resulting in the Sanity loss. If the user has the skill Occult above 50% they may make a hard (half value) POW roll to negate the sanity loss.
  • Dosage: The sorbet is a single-serving dessert.
  • Suggested Adaptation Notes: In Call of Cthulhu, the sorbet provides tangible benefits but at the cost of one’s sanity, reflecting the game’s focus on horror and the fragility of the human mind when confronted with the unknown. The resistance to cold and the Stealth bonus are useful, but the whispers and visions, and the associated Sanity loss, are a significant drawback.

Blades in the Dark

Haunted Sorbet

  • Item Type: Alchemical, Haunted
  • Effect: When you consume the Haunted Sorbet, you gain increased potency on Stealth rolls for one scene, and you can immediately Hide as a free action once during that scene, even under direct observation. You also gain resistance to cold-based consequences for the remainder of the score. However, you also attract the attention of nearby spirits. The GM will introduce a complication or consequence related to the spirit world during the score.
  • Usage: A single-serving dessert.
  • Quality: The quality of the sorbet can affect the magnitude of the bonuses or the severity of the spiritual complication, determined by the roll to acquire or concoct it.
  • Tier: Add the tier level to the number of free actions that can be used.
  • Suggested Adaptation Notes: In Blades in the Dark, the sorbet offers a powerful advantage to stealth and a degree of protection, but it comes with the risk of attracting unwanted spiritual attention. This fits well with the game’s themes of risk and reward. The increased potency on Stealth rolls and the free Hide action can be game-changing, but the GM’s ability to introduce a complication keeps players on their toes.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

Haunted Sorbet

  • Item Type: Wondrous Item, uncommon
  • Effect: When consumed, the imbiber gains resistance to cold damage for 1 hour. They also gain advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks for 10 minutes, and once during that time, they can use the Hide action even while being directly observed. After consuming the sorbet, the imbiber must make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, they are subjected to unsettling whispers and visions, suffering disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks for 1 hour.
  • Charges: The sorbet is a single-serving dessert.
  • Tier: Add the tier level to all saving throws.
  • Suggested Adaptation Notes: In D&D 5e, the sorbet provides clear mechanical benefits: resistance to cold damage, advantage on Stealth checks, and a powerful Hide action. The Wisdom saving throw represents the mental toll of connecting with the spirit world. The disadvantage on Perception checks is a significant drawback, representing the distracting whispers and visions.

Knave

Haunted Sorbet

  • Item Type: Consumable, Haunted
  • Effect: Upon consumption, the imbiber gains resistance to cold damage (counts as defense 4 against cold) for one hour. They also gain advantage on Stealth rolls for 10 minutes. Once during that time, they can use the Hide action even while being directly observed. However, after consuming the sorbet, the imbiber must make a WIL save at the start of each turn. On a failure, they are distracted by whispers and visions, losing their next action.
  • Charges: The sorbet is a single-serving dessert.
  • Tier: Add the tier level to all rolls.
  • Suggested Adaptation Notes: In Knave, the sorbet provides significant benefits, but with a recurring risk. The resistance to cold is a powerful defensive tool. The advantage on Stealth and the special Hide action are highly valuable for stealthy characters. However, the repeated WIL save to avoid losing actions represents the distracting and potentially debilitating nature of the whispers and visions. This creates a high-risk, high-reward dynamic that fits well with Knave’s design philosophy.

Fate (Core)

Haunted Sorbet

  • Aspect: Chilling Dessert of Ephemeral Shadows
  • Permission: Requires the Food aspect and a suitable narrative justification to consume.
  • Effect: When a character consumes the Haunted Sorbet, they may invoke the Chilling Dessert of Ephemeral Shadows aspect twice for free: once to gain a +2 bonus to any roll involving Stealth or resisting cold damage, and once to automatically succeed at a Hide action, even under direct observation. However, the GM can also compel this aspect to introduce complications related to the spirit world, such as attracting unwanted attention from ghosts or experiencing unsettling visions. After the scene, they must immediately take on a new aspect, such as Haunted by Whispers or Marked by the Spirit Realm, reflecting the sorbet’s lingering effects.
  • Tier: Add the tier level to the bonus.
  • Suggested Adaptation Notes: In Fate, the sorbet’s power is represented by the ability to invoke its aspect for significant bonuses. The free invokes reflect its potency, while the forced aspect represents the lasting connection to the spirit world and the potential for future complications.

Numenera & Cypher System

Haunted Sorbet

  • Type: Cypher (Consumable)
  • Level: 1d6+1 (adjust based on tier of the creator)
  • Form: A small, shimmering serving of sorbet in a frosted glass bowl.
  • Effect: Upon consumption, the imbiber gains +4 to their Speed Edge for the purpose of Stealth rolls and once during the next 10 minutes can automatically succeed on a Hide action, even while being observed. They also gain +4 to their Might defense when dealing with cold damage for one hour. However, they must also make an Intellect defense roll (difficulty equal to the cypher’s level). On a failure, they are haunted by whispers and visions, suffering a penalty to all actions equal to the cypher’s level for one round.
  • Tier: Add the tier level to their Speed Edge.
  • Suggested Adaptation Notes: In Numenera, the sorbet is a cypher that provides significant bonuses to Stealth and cold resistance. The Intellect defense roll represents the mental fortitude required to withstand the whispers and visions. The penalty on a failed roll reflects the distracting and potentially debilitating nature of the sorbet’s side effects.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

Haunted Sorbet

  • Item Type: Consumable, Alchemical Food
  • Level: 3 (adjust based on tier of the creator)
  • Usage: Held in 1 hand; Bulk L
  • Activate: Interact (Consumable)
  • Effect: Upon consuming the Haunted Sorbet, the imbiber gains a +2 status bonus to Stealth checks and saves against cold damage for 10 minutes. They can also use the Hide action as a free action once during this period, even while being observed. However, they must also make a DC 17 Will save or become distracted by eerie whispers and unsettling visions, taking a -2 status penalty to Perception checks for 1 hour.
  • Craft Requirements: Supply phantomberry puree, frosted tears, essence of lament, and magical inks, with a total value of at least 12 gp.
  • Tier: Add the tier level to the DC of the Will save.
  • Suggested Adaptation Notes: In Pathfinder 2e, the sorbet grants clear mechanical advantages: a status bonus to Stealth and cold saves, and a powerful Hide action. The Will save and the penalty to Perception represent the distracting and potentially debilitating nature of the whispers and visions.

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

Haunted Sorbet

  • Item Type: Consumable, Special
  • Effect: When a character consumes the Haunted Sorbet, they gain a +2 bonus to Stealth rolls and a +4 bonus to resist cold damage or effects for one hour. They can also immediately make a free Stealth roll to Hide, even if under direct observation. However, they must also make a Spirit roll at -2. On a failure, they are distracted by eerie whispers and visions, suffering a -2 penalty to Notice rolls for one hour.
  • Tier: Add the tier level to all rolls.
  • Suggested Adaptation Notes: In Savage Worlds, the sorbet provides a significant bonus to Stealth and cold resistance. The free Stealth roll to Hide is a powerful ability, especially in a system where facing modifiers can be significant. The Spirit roll and the penalty to Notice represent the distracting and potentially debilitating nature of the whispers and visions.

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

Haunted Sorbet

  • Type: Magical Consumable (Fetish)
  • Effect: Upon consumption, the user gains a +3 dice pool bonus to Stealth tests for 10 minutes and can make a Simple Stealth + Agility test to Hide as a Free Action once during that period, even while being observed. They also gain a +2 dice pool bonus to resist cold damage for one hour. However, they must also make a Willpower + Intuition (3) Test. Failure imposes a -2 dice pool penalty to all Perception tests for one hour as they are distracted by whispers and visions from the spirit world.
  • Availability: 12R (Restricted)
  • Cost: 400¥
  • Street Index: x1.5
  • Tier: Add the tier level to the threshold of the Willpower + Intuition test.
  • Suggested Adaptation Notes: In Shadowrun, the sorbet is a magical fetish that provides bonuses to stealth and cold resistance. The ability to Hide as a Free Action is powerful, especially in a system where actions are limited. The Willpower + Intuition test and the Perception penalty represent the distracting whispers and visions. The availability, cost, and threshold can be adjusted for balance.

Starfinder (2nd Edition)

Haunted Sorbet

  • Item Type: Technological/Magical Item (Consumable)
  • Level: 3 (adjust based on tier of the creator)
  • Price: 100 credits
  • Effect: When consumed, the imbiber gains a +2 circumstance bonus to Stealth checks and a +2 resistance bonus against cold damage for one hour. They can also Hide as a move action once during that period, even while being observed. However, they must also succeed at a DC 14 Will saving throw or take a -2 penalty to Perception checks for one hour as they are distracted by whispers and visions.
  • Bulk: L
  • Capacity: 1 use
  • Tier: Add the tier level to the DC of the Will saving throw.
  • Suggested Adaptation Notes: In Starfinder, the sorbet provides bonuses to Stealth and cold resistance. The ability to Hide as a move action is valuable for repositioning or escaping. The Will save and Perception penalty represent the distracting whispers and visions. The DC, penalty, and price can be adjusted for balance.

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

Haunted Sorbet

  • Item Type: Consumable (Drug)
  • Effect: Upon consuming the Haunted Sorbet, the Traveller gains a +2 DM to all Stealth checks and a +2 DM to all Endurance checks made to resist the effects of cold for one hour. They can also immediately make a Stealth check to Hide as a minor action, even if under observation. However, they must also make an immediate Edu check with a DM -2. Failure means they are distracted by whispers and visions, suffering a -2 DM to all Perception checks for one hour.
  • Availability: 6+ (Uncommon)
  • Cost: Cr50
  • Legality Class: 2 (May be restricted in some jurisdictions)
  • Tier: Add the tier level to all DM checks.
  • Suggested Adaptation Notes: In Traveller, the sorbet provides bonuses to Stealth and cold resistance. The ability to Hide as a minor action is useful for avoiding detection. The Edu check and Perception penalty represent the distracting whispers and visions. The availability, cost, and legality class can be adjusted for balance.

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (4th Edition)

Haunted Sorbet

  • Item Type: Potion
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Effect: When consumed, the imbiber gains a +20 bonus to Stealth Tests and a +20 bonus to tests to resist cold-based damage or effects for one hour. They can also immediately make a Stealth Test to Hide, even if being observed. However, they must also make a Challenging (+0) Willpower Test. On a failure, they gain the Deafened condition for one hour as they are overwhelmed by whispers from the other side, but they may ignore the effects of being Prone.
  • Encumbrance: 0
  • Availability: Difficult (–20)
  • Tier: Add 10 times the tier level to all tests.
  • Suggested Adaptation Notes: In Warhammer, the sorbet provides significant bonuses to Stealth and cold resistance. The ability to Hide while being observed is powerful. The Willpower Test and Deafened condition represent the distracting whispers and visions, but they are less penalizing as they allow you to ignore being Prone. The rarity, availability, bonuses, and Test difficulty can be adjusted for balance.