Back 42 of Satin Whispers

Lore: In the bustling port cities of Saṃsāra, where cultures intermingle and secrets flow like wine, courtesans are more than mere companions; they are confidants, artists, and keepers of hidden knowledge. The Satin Whispers is a delicate yet intricate harness crafted from layers of shimmering fabric, each imbued with whispered stories and fragments of gossip. It is said that the first of these was woven by a legendary courtesan who could charm even the most tight-lipped of patrons, gleaning valuable information that shaped the political landscape of her era.

Detailed Tier 1 Stats:

• Slot: Back
• Rarity: Common
• Level Requirement: 1
• Durability: 30/30
• Weight: 2 lbs

Skills:

• Gossip Gathering +2
• Etiquette +1
• Performance (Dance) +1

Passive Magic:

• Whisper’s Embrace: When worn, the Satin Whispers adjusts to the wearer’s form, providing a +1 bonus to Charisma-based skill checks in social situations.
• Memory Weave: The fabric of the harness subtly records snippets of conversations heard while worn. Once per day, the wearer can attempt to recall a specific detail from these whispers with a DC 12 Intelligence check.

Active Magic:

• Charming Rustle (3 charges): As an action, the wearer can cause the fabric to shimmer and rustle softly, captivating the attention of a single target within 10 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed for 1 minute. This effect ends if the wearer or their allies do anything harmful to the target.
• Soothing Symphony (1 charge): By gently running their fingers across the fabric, the wearer can produce a calming melody. All allies within 15 feet gain temporary hit points equal to 1d4 + the wearer’s Charisma modifier (minimum of 1). These temporary hit points last for 1 hour.

The Satin Whispers regains 1d4 expended charges daily at dawn.

Tags: Courtesan, Gossip, Charm Magic, Social Influence, Fabric, Temporary Hit Points, Information Gathering

Additional Notes:

The Satin Whispers appears as an elegant harness with multiple silk ribbons that crisscross the wearer’s back. Small, ornate charms dangle from various points, each one rumored to hold a fragment of a secret. Despite its delicate appearance, the magic woven into its threads makes it surprisingly durable.

Wearers often find that the Satin Whispers changes color subtly to complement their attire, enhancing their overall appearance. This quality, combined with its magical properties, makes it a prized possession among those who navigate the intricate social webs of Saṃsāra’s high society.

The item’s emphasis on information gathering and social manipulation reflects the multifaceted role of courtesans in this world, where knowledge is as valuable as gold and secrets can topple empires. Its abilities encourage players to engage in roleplay, seeking out interactions and uncovering hidden truths rather than relying solely on brute force.

In the world of Saṃsāra, the Back 42 of Satin Whispers would be found in a variety of discreet and specialized establishments, each catering to a particular clientele and atmosphere. The methods of acquisition and the associated costs can vary widely depending on the location and circumstances.

• Courtesan Guildhalls: In the more refined districts of major cities, courtesan guilds maintain elegant salons where they train their apprentices and offer various services to discerning clients. These guildhalls often have small, private boutiques where items like the Satin Whispers are displayed on elegant mannequins or in glass cases. The purchase of such an item might be accompanied by a tea ceremony or a private performance. Here, the cost would be around 75-100 gold pieces, but the transaction is rarely just about the money. Potential buyers might need to prove their discretion, demonstrate a certain level of social grace, or even exchange a valuable piece of information.
• Midnight Markets: In port cities and trading hubs, there are markets that only come alive after the sun sets. Amidst the labyrinth of stalls selling exotic spices, forbidden tomes, and questionable elixirs, one might find a vendor specializing in “tools of persuasion.” Their booth, often draped in dark velvet, would display various enchanted accessories. The Satin Whispers might be hanging from a curved brass hook, its silk shimmering in the lamplight. Here, the haggling is expected, and the price could range from 50-80 gold pieces, depending on the buyer’s bargaining skills. Payment might be accepted in unusual forms: rare ingredients, favors, or even secrets.
• Auction Houses of Whispers: Some cities host clandestine auction houses where anonymity is prized above all. Attendees wear masks, and bidding is done through subtle gestures. Items like the Satin Whispers are presented with dramatic flair, their histories and properties narrated by a silver-tongued auctioneer. In such a setting, fueled by competition and intrigue, the price could soar to 150-200 gold pieces. The high cost is not just for the item itself but for the thrill of the acquisition and the status it confers.
• Wandering Merchants: Occasionally, a traveling merchant with a reputation for acquiring unusual items might visit smaller towns or noble estates. They arrive in ornate caravans, their wares hidden in secret compartments. To even be granted an audience, one might need a letter of introduction or to solve a riddle. The Satin Whispers could be nestled in a lacquered box, presented as a rare find. Prices here are fluid, often bartered in terms of trade goods or services rather than coin. A skilled artisan might exchange a season’s worth of crafted goods, while a noble could offer patronage or a valuable contact.
• The Lost and Found: In the shadier parts of Saṃsāra’s cities, there exist establishments that specialize in “unclaimed goods.” These dimly lit shops are filled with an eclectic array of items, their origins unspoken. A keen-eyed buyer might spot the Satin Whispers draped over a weathered mannequin, its true value unrecognized by the proprietor. In such places, the cost could be as low as 30-40 gold pieces, but the purchase comes with risks. Questions about provenance are discouraged, and buyers are expected to handle any complications that might arise from ownership.
• Courtly Exchanges: At times, items like the Satin Whispers change hands not in shops but in the corridors of power. A retiring courtesan might gift it to a promising protégé, or it could be part of a complex political maneuver, changing ownership as alliances shift. In these scenarios, the “cost” is measured in favors owed, secrets kept, or loyalties pledged.
• Academy Requisitions: Some of Saṃsāra’s more progressive magical academies maintain collections of practical enchanted items for their students to study. They might acquire a Satin Whispers for those specializing in diplomatic or espionage-focused curricula. Here, a student might “borrow” the item by trading temporary access to their own magical creations or by agreeing to undertake a research mission for the academy.

In all these venues, the transaction of acquiring a Satin Whispers is rarely straightforward. Its value fluctuates based on the current political climate, the latest fashion trends among the elite, and the ebb and flow of magical energies in different regions of Saṃsāra. Astute buyers know that the true worth of such an item lies not just in its enchantments, but in the stories woven into its fabric—stories that continue to accumulate with each new owner.

The Back 42 of Satin Whispers, despite its seemingly delicate nature, can be a potent tool for both defense and offense when wielded with cunning in various environments across Saṃsāra. Its strength lies not in brute force, but in the subtle manipulation of perceptions and the exploitation of social dynamics. Let’s explore how it might be used in different settings:

• Royal Courts and Noble Estates:
  • Defense: In the cutthroat world of aristocracy, reputation is everything. A courtesan wearing the Satin Whispers can use its Whisper’s Embrace to enhance their Charisma, deflecting malicious rumors with grace and poise. By activating Soothing Symphony, they might calm tensions during a heated political debate, preventing conflicts from escalating to violence.
  • Offense: The Memory Weave passive allows the wearer to recall specific details from overheard conversations. This information can be weaponized, leveraged to outmaneuver rivals or blackmail potential threats. The Charming Rustle ability could be used to enchant a guard, gaining access to restricted areas or sensitive documents that could topple a noble house.
• Bustling Marketplaces:
  • Defense: Markets are rife with pickpockets and scam artists. The wearer might use the harness’s shimmering appearance to draw attention, while actually using it to distract from their true valuables. If confronted, Charming Rustle could pacify an aggressor long enough to slip away into the crowd.
  • Offense: A savvy user could gather gossip about market trends, using Memory Weave to recall precise details about upcoming shortages or surpluses. This information, properly applied, could bankrupt rival merchants. Additionally, by charming key traders, they might secure advantageous deals, cornering the market on essential goods.
• Seedy Taverns and Underworld Dens:
  • Defense: In these rough environments, the Satin Whispers’ abilities shine in preemptive defense. By mingling and using Gossip Gathering, the wearer can learn of planned ambushes or brewing gang wars. Soothing Symphony, used discreetly, can take the edge off a room full of cutthroats, making them less likely to resort to violence.
  • Offense: Offensively, the wearer might charm low-ranking members of rival factions, sowing discord with well-placed rumors recalled via Memory Weave. They could orchestrate conflicts between enemies, letting them weaken each other while remaining above suspicion.
• Wilderness and Exploration:
  • Defense: Even in the wilds, social skills have their place. When encountering intelligent creatures or lost travelers, the wearer can use Charming Rustle to appear as a non-threat. The Etiquette bonus might help navigate complex tribal customs, avoiding offense that could lead to hostility.
  • Offense: Against bandits or territorial creatures, the wearer might use gathered gossip to exploit known fears or weaknesses. By charming a single member of a group, they could create confusion and division, or even turn the charmed individual against their companions temporarily.
• Magical Academies and Libraries:
  • Defense: Academic rivalry can be fierce. The Satin Whispers can be used to deflect unwanted attention from jealous peers or to soothe the irritation of a strict librarian, preserving access to valuable resources.
  • Offense: Offensively, it becomes a tool for intellectual property theft. Charming fellow students or junior faculty could grant access to restricted research. Memory Weave might allow the wearer to reconstruct complex formulae or rituals from snippets of overheard discussions, bypassing years of study.
• Festivals and Carnivals:
  • Defense: Large gatherings can be chaotic and dangerous. The wearer might use Soothing Symphony to calm a panicking crowd, preventing a stampede. The Performance (Dance) bonus can be used to blend in with entertainers, becoming invisible to those seeking them.
  • Offense: These events are rife with opportunities for social engineering. By charming key personnel—like security guards or event organizers—the wearer can manipulate the flow of the festival to their advantage. They might orchestrate “accidents” for rivals or set up situations where targets reveal compromising information amidst the revelry.
• Diplomatic Missions:
  • Defense: During tense negotiations, the Satin Whispers’ subtle magic can be a shield. Enhancing Charisma checks helps maintain composure under pressure. If talks sour, Charming Rustle used on an opposing diplomat could buy time for tempers to cool.
  • Offense: Skilled operatives can use the harness to undermine enemy delegations from within. By charming aides or advisors, they can indirectly influence the decisions of key figures. Remembered snippets of private conversations between foreign dignitaries can be strategically leaked, forcing them onto the defensive in negotiations.

In each of these scenarios, the true power of the Satin Whispers lies in the wearer’s ability to adapt its use to the social landscape. It’s a weapon of influence, turning the dynamics of interactions into advantages or pitfalls. The harness doesn’t win battles with steel and blood but with whispers and winks.

Its defensive capabilities often manifest as preemptive strikes against forming threats, dissolving tensions before they crystalize into danger. Offensively, it allows the wearer to orchestrate conflicts where they appear uninvolved, letting others unwittingly act as their agents.

In the hands of a skilled roleplayer, the Back 42 of Satin Whispers transforms the social arena into a battlefield where words are weapons, secrets are ammunition, and reputations are both armor and targets. Its use demands subtlety, foresight, and a deep understanding of the hearts and minds of those around them—making it a formidable tool in the complex world of Saṃsāra.

Perception of Activation:

• Visual Perception:
  • Perceived: A subtle, rippling shimmer across the fabric.
  • Description: When activated, the Satin Whispers seems to catch light that isn’t there, creating an iridescent effect that flows across its surface like liquid moonlight.
  • Positives: The effect is mesmerizing and draws the eye without being ostentatious.
  • Negatives: In dimly lit environments, the shimmer might be too subtle to notice.
• Auditory Perception:
  • Perceived: A soft, almost inaudible rustle accompanied by whispered fragments of words.
  • Description: The fabric produces a gentle sound, as if a breeze were passing through silk sheets. Intermittently, disembodied whispers emerge, speaking partial phrases or single words in various languages.
  • Positives: The sound is soothing and intriguing, often causing listeners to lean in closer.
  • Negatives: The whispers can be unsettling if one recognizes a voice or phrase from their own past.
• Olfactory Perception:
  • Perceived: A faint, ever-changing aroma.
  • Description: The scent emanating from the Satin Whispers shifts subtly, evoking memories or emotions unique to each individual who smells it. It might be reminiscent of a childhood garden, a lover’s perfume, or a favorite meal.
  • Positives: The personalized nature of the scent can evoke positive feelings or nostalgia.
  • Negatives: The aroma might trigger bittersweet or melancholic memories in some.
• Tactile Perception:
  • Perceived: A change in temperature and texture.
  • Description: When touched during activation, the fabric feels warmer than the surrounding air, almost alive. Its texture seems to alter slightly, becoming smoother or more intricate depending on the intent of the wearer.
  • Positives: The warmth is comforting, and the texture changes can be deeply fascinating.
  • Negatives: The sensation can be addictive, causing some to want to touch the fabric constantly.
• Gustatory Perception:
  • Perceived: A phantom taste on the tongue.
  • Description: Those in very close proximity might experience a fleeting taste, often described as a mix of honey and some unidentifiable spice.
  • Positives: The taste is generally pleasant and leaves no aftertaste.
  • Negatives: It may cause momentary distraction or confusion as individuals try to identify the source.
• Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
  • Empathic Sensing:
    • Perceived: An aura of emotional resonance.
    • Description: Empaths and those sensitive to emotions might feel waves of complex feelings emanating from the Satin Whispers—echoes of the emotions it has absorbed from past wearers and their encounters.
    • Positives: It can create a sense of depth and history, making the item feel significant.
    • Negatives: The jumble of emotions can be overwhelming or disorienting for the unprepared.
  • Magical Aura Perception:
    • Perceived: A pulsating, multilayered magical signature.
    • Description: To those capable of sensing magical auras, the Satin Whispers appears as a tapestry of intertwined enchantments, each thread glowing with its own hue and intensity.
    • Positives: The complexity of the aura hints at the item’s versatility and depth.
    • Negatives: The intricate aura can overshadow other magical items nearby, making them harder to analyze.
  • Temporal Sensitivity:
    • Perceived: Fleeting visions of past and potential futures.
    • Description: Individuals with a heightened sense of time might glimpse fractured images—snapshots of the harness’s history or possible destinies based on the current wearer’s actions.
    • Positives: These glimpses can provide valuable insights or warnings.
    • Negatives: The visions are often cryptic and can be misinterpreted.
  • Psychometric Impression:
    • Perceived: Lingering psychic imprints from previous owners.
    • Description: Psychometrics touching the activated Satin Whispers might receive flashes of memories, not their own—a courtesan’s triumph, a spy’s narrow escape, a diplomat’s moment of doubt.
    • Positives: These impressions can offer clues about the item’s capabilities and legacy.
    • Negatives: Strong or traumatic imprints can be jarring or even temporarily debilitating.
  • Spiritual Resonance:
    • Perceived: A subtle shift in the local spiritual energy.
    • Description: Shamans, priests, or those attuned to the spirit world might sense the Satin Whispers reaching out, as if attempting to commune with ambient spiritual forces. It doesn’t command these forces but rather entreats them, creating a gentle ebb and flow of mystical energy.
    • Positives: The resonance can make the wearer feel more connected to their surroundings.
    • Negatives: It may attract the attention of curious or mischievous spiritual entities.
  • Dream Influence:
    • Perceived: Altered dream states for those sleeping nearby.
    • Description: When activated near slumbering individuals, the Satin Whispers might influence their dreams, weaving in elements of its stored memories or reflecting the wearer’s current emotional state.
    • Positives: These dreams can sometimes provide symbolic guidance or insight.
    • Negatives: The dreams might be vivid enough to disrupt restful sleep, leaving individuals feeling as if they’ve been awake all night.

The multifaceted nature of the Satin Whispers’ activation ensures that its use rarely goes unnoticed, even if not everyone present is consciously aware of all its effects. This rich sensory and extra-sensory experience contributes to the item’s mystique, making it more than just a tool—it becomes an entity with a presence of its own, silently interacting with the world around it in myriad subtle ways.

Recipe: Weaving the Echoes – Crafting the Back 42 of Satin Whispers

• Materials Needed:
  • 1 yard of high-quality silk from shadow-dwelling silk moths
  • 3 ounces of spun moonlight threads
  • 5 brass charms, each engraved with a different secret
  • 1 vial of distilled whispers (collected from a busy tavern over the course of a month)
  • 2 ounces of powdered gemstones (mix of amethyst, rose quartz, and lapis lazuli)
  • 1 small pouch of dried herbs known for enhancing memory (rosemary, ginkgo biloba, and brahmi)
  • 3 drops of emotion-infused water (one each of joy, sorrow, and desire)
  • 1 lock of hair willingly given by a renowned courtesan
  • 1 feather from a creature capable of telepathy
  • Beeswax from hives tended by blind monks
• Tools Required:
  • A loom blessed by three different religious orders
  • Needles carved from the bones of a truth-telling bird
  • Scissors that have never cut a lie
  • A thimble worn by a master spy
  • A singing bowl made of harmonically balanced metals
  • Incense burner crafted from a former scrying mirror
  • Mortar and pestle used exclusively for grinding magical components
  • A set of jeweler’s tools that have created at least one royal crown
  • A small brush made from the tail hairs of a kitsune
• Skill Requirements:
  • Weaving: Journeyman level or higher
  • Enchantment: Adept level
  • Herbalism: Novice level
  • Tailoring: Apprentice level
  • Empathy: Natural talent or trained sensitivity
  • Languages: Fluency in at least three tongues
  • Performance (Singing or Chanting): Basic proficiency
• Crafting Steps:
  • Preparation:
    • Cleanse all tools with sage smoke and moonlight.
    • Meditate for one hour to clear the mind and set pure intentions.
    • Burn the memory-enhancing herbs in the incense burner, allowing the smoke to permeate the workspace.
  • Weaving the Base:
    • Set up the blessed loom with the silk as the warp.
    • Carefully intertwine the moonlight threads as the weft, weaving them in a pattern that resembles flowing water.
    • As you weave, softly chant in the three languages you know, alternating between them. The chant should be about secrets and revelations.
  • Infusion of Whispers:
    • Once the base fabric is complete, remove it from the loom and lay it flat.
    • Open the vial of distilled whispers and let them seep into the fabric. The material should absorb the whispers like a sponge.
    • While it’s absorbing, use the singing bowl to create a continuous, low hum. This vibration helps distribute the whispers evenly.
  • Charm Preparation:
    • Mix the powdered gemstones in the mortar, grinding them further while focusing on the qualities of charm, insight, and communication.
    • Heat the beeswax and combine it with the gemstone powder to create a paste.
    • Use this paste to coat each of the five brass charms, then affix them to specific points on the fabric where the moonlight threads intersect.
  • Emotional Imbuing:
    • Take the three drops of emotion-infused water and place one on your forehead, one on your heart, and one on your dominant hand.
    • Gently run your hands over the fabric, allowing the emotions to transfer. Visualize each emotion as a different color merging with the silk.
  • Tailoring:
    • With the fabric fully infused, begin cutting and shaping it into the harness design using the truth-telling scissors. Each cut should be made with deliberate intent.
    • Sew the pieces together using the bird-bone needles and the moonlight threads. As you sew, weave in the lock of hair and the telepathic creature’s feather at key junctures.
  • Finishing Touches:
    • Use the kitsune-hair brush to apply a light coat of the remaining gemstone-beeswax mixture along the seams and edges of the harness. This seals the magic and adds durability.
    • With the jeweler’s tools, secure each charm more permanently, whispering the secret engraved on each one as you work.
  • Activation Ritual:
    • Don the thimble worn by the master spy.
    • Prick your finger lightly and allow a single drop of blood to fall onto the center of the harness.
    • Speak aloud the true name of a secret you’ve never told anyone. This catalyzes the latent enchantments.
  • Resting Period:
    • Wrap the completed Satin Whispers in a clean, white silk cloth.
    • Place it in a quiet, dark room for three nights. Each night, enter the room and sing a lullaby, then leave without looking at the harness.
  • Awakening:
    • On the morning of the fourth day, unwrap the harness at first light.
    • Hold it up to catch the dawn’s rays. If crafted correctly, it should shimmer with an inner light, and you might hear the faintest whisper calling your name.

The crafting of such an item is as much an emotional and spiritual journey as it is a test of skill. Each Satin Whispers is unique, subtly shaped by the experiences and essence of its creator. The process demands patience, finesse, and a willingness to imbue a piece of oneself into the work. Upon completion, the crafter often feels a bittersweet sense of accomplishment, knowing that the harness will soon depart to gather new stories beyond their own.

Tale of the Whispering Silk and the Three-Faced Empress

In days of long past, when mountains were young and rivers flowed with song, there existed a garment of great renown, its true name lost to the grinding wheels of epochs. Our meager tongues call it the Satin Whispers, though such words capture but a shadow of its essence.

It came to pass that an empire sprawled across the lands, vast as the night sky and twice as riddled with secrets. At its heart sat the Three-Faced Empress, a sovereign whose visage changed with the waxing and waning of influence among her trio of advisors: the Owl of Wisdom, the Serpent of Cunning, and the Dove of Compassion.

In those times, a humble weaver, whose fingers danced with threads as a bard’s might strum a lyre, labored in anonymity. The threads, they say, were spun from the sighs of forgotten lovers and the last breaths of dying truths. The weaver toiled not for coin nor glory, but for the pure joy of creation.

Fate, that fickle mistress, saw fit that the woven work should find its way to the imperial court. Perhaps by the hand of a distracted merchant, or borne upon winds thick with intrigue—none can say with certainty.

The Three-Faced Empress, beholding the shimmering fabric, decreed it would be fashioned into a harness, a second skin to embrace royal shoulders. Little did she comprehend the whispers already nestled within its folds.

As moons chased suns across the firmament, strange tidings began to ripple through the palace halls. The Empress, they murmured, spoke with uncanny insight, as if the very walls divulged their secrets to her. Allies turned to rivals, rivals to dust, and still, she reigned, resplendent in her silken armor.

The Owl counseled prudence, urging reflection upon each whispered revelation. The Serpent hissed of opportunity, of striking while knowledge was ripe. The Dove cooed of mercy, of wielding secrets to heal rather than harm.

Yet the power of the harness knew no faction. It gathered unto itself the breath of plotting chamberlains, the fervent prayers of scullery maids, the drunken boasts of braggarts. All these it collected, sifting wisdom from chaff.

Seasons turned, and the Empress found her reflection changed in polished bronze mirrors. No longer three faces vied for dominance, but one—serene, knowing, infinite in its comprehension.

Word spread of her transfiguration. Pilgrims flocked from distant shores, supplicants crawled on bloodied knees, all seeking audience. For it was said that to kneel before the Empress was to be truly seen, one’s deepest heart laid bare.

But power, even power wrapped in silk, exacts its price. The harness grew heavy, not with physical weight, but with the gravity of a million untold tales. The Empress retreated from her court, from the clamor of need and greed.

In seclusion, she at last discerned the harness’s profoundest whisper: that to rule wisely is to know when to abdicate. Thus, on the eve of the longest night, when even stars held their breath, she removed the Satin Whispers and vanished from the annals of empire.

Some claim she wandered as a mendicant, dispensing the accrued wisdom of her reign in humble waypoints. Others insist she returned to the nameless weaver, bequeathing the harness for unraveling, that its composite sorrows and joys might be returned to the great loom of existence.

Of the Empire, the chronicles speak little. It fractured, as all things must. But it is said that in the years that followed, a peculiar phenomenon arose. Whenever strife threatened to consume a village or corruption gnawed at a city’s heart, there appeared an itinerant storyteller, clad in familiar shimmering fabric, bearing tales that changed the course of lives.

And so it goes, rippling through the ages, this echo of an echo—The Satin Whispers, forever gathering, forever imparting, as elusive as the line between history and legend.

Moral: The mightiest throne is but a seat without wisdom, and true power lies not in hoarding secrets, but in knowing when to whisper them to the wind.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition):

Artifact: The Whispering Silk Harness

• Description: An ancient silk harness that seems to absorb and whisper secrets. It grants the wearer insights but may slowly erode their sanity.
• Sanity Loss: 0/1D4 to see it; 1/1D6 to wear it for an extended period.
• Stats:
  • Idea roll to decode whispers: +20%
  • Psychology: +25% when dealing with targets wearing the harness
  • Gain 1D10 Cthulhu Mythos points after wearing for a month
  • Special: Once per day, make a Luck roll. Success allows the wearer to recall a relevant secret about a person or place. Failure causes vivid nightmares (lose 1D3 SAN).

Blades in the Dark:

Item: Satin Whispers

• (Wondrous)
• Description: A back harness woven from enchanted silk that gathers secrets.
• Use: When you Gather Information while wearing this harness, you get +1d. Additionally, you may absorb the stress cost of one failed roll during the gathering attempt.
• Drawback: After the operation, roll 1d6. On a 1-3, you’re haunted by the whispers and take 2 stress.
• Quirk: Sometimes whispers secrets at inopportune moments.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition):

Back 42 of Satin Whispers

• Wondrous item, uncommon (requires attunement)
• This shimmering silk harness adjusts to fit any humanoid. While wearing it, you gain the following benefits:
  • You have advantage on Charisma (Persuasion) and Charisma (Deception) checks.
  • You can cast the detect thoughts spell (save DC 13) once per day without using a spell slot. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for this spell.
  • Whenever you finish a long rest, roll a d20. On a 18-20, you recall a secret about a creature or location you’ve encountered in the last week. The DM determines the nature of this secret.
• Curse. This harness is cursed. Attuning to it extends the curse to you. Until the curse is broken with remove curse or similar magic, you are unwilling to part with the harness, keeping it on at all times. While attuned, you also have disadvantage on saving throws against scrying and mind-reading effects.

Knave:

The Satin Whispers

• Slot: Back
• Quality: d8
• Effect: When equipped, gain +2 to reaction rolls and saving throws vs. mind-affecting magic. Once per day, you may ask the Referee a yes-or-no question about any non-magical secret; they will answer truthfully.
• Drawback: Each day you wear it, there’s a 2-in-6 chance you’ll blurt out a compromising secret about yourself or an ally. The chance increases by 1 each consecutive day worn (maximum 5-in-6).

Fate Core:

The Satin Whispers

• (Artifact)
• Aspect: Seductive Whisperer of Secrets
• Stunts:
  • Gossipmonger: Once per session, you can declare that you know an important secret about an NPC or location, subject to GM approval.
  • Charming Aura: Gain a +2 to Create an Advantage using Rapport when trying to get someone to reveal information.
  • Burdensome Knowledge: You may take a mild consequence (Whispers Won’t Stop) to succeed with style on an Overcome action using Lore, relating to information you shouldn’t know.
  • Compel: The GM can offer you a fate point to have the harness reveal a secret at the worst possible moment, or to have its whispers lead you into a compromising situation.

Numenera & Cypher System:

Satin Whispers

• (Artifact – Back Slot)
• Level: 4
• Form: An iridescent silk harness that adjusts to fit the wearer.
• Effect: The difficulty of any task involving persuasion, deception, or information gathering is reduced by one step. Three times per day, the wearer can ask the GM a question about a secret or hidden information and the GM will provide a cryptic but truthful clue.
• Depletion: 1 in 1d20 (roll on each use)
• Quirk: The wearer occasionally speaks in riddles without realizing it.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition):

Back 42 of Satin Whispers

• Item 5
• Uncommon Magical Invested Divination
• Usage worn backpack; Bulk L
• Activate [one-action] Interact
• This shimmering silk harness molds itself to the wearer’s back. You gain a +1 item bonus to Diplomacy and Deception checks while wearing the Satin Whispers.
• Activate [one-action] Interact; Frequency once per day; Effect You hear indistinct whispers that grant you a clue about a secret related to your current situation. Attempt a DC 20 Occultism check. On a success, you gain a helpful hint. On a critical success, the information is detailed and immediately useful.
• Activate [two-actions] Interact; Frequency once per hour; Effect You can cast mind reading (DC 19 Will save) on an adjacent creature. On a critical failure of this save, the target is unaware you read their mind.
• Drawback When you invest the Satin Whispers, you become unwilling to remove it and take a –2 circumstance penalty to Will saves against scrying and mental effects.

Savage Worlds:

Satin Whispers

• Description: A silken back harness that absorbs secrets and whispers them to its wearer.
• Abilities:
  • Secrets of the Silk: The wearer gains a d6 Whispers die. This die can be added to any Persuasion, Streetwise, or Investigation roll, but is consumed for the day after use. A roll of 1 on the Whispers die (regardless of Wild Die) means the character blurts out a secret about themselves or an ally at an inopportune moment.
  • Mind Probe: Once per day, the wearer can attempt to read the surface thoughts of a target. Make a Smarts roll at -2, contested by the target’s Smarts. Success reveals the target’s immediate thoughts; a raise gives more detailed information.
• Handicap:
  • Corrupting Knowledge: Each week the harness is worn, the wearer must make a Spirit roll at -2. Failure means they gain a Minor Hindrance related to secrets or paranoia. This Hindrance lasts until the harness is removed for at least a week.
• Notes:
  • The Satin Whispers is a Legendary item and should be granted only after careful consideration by the GM.
  • The item cannot be voluntarily removed unless the wearer passes a Spirit roll at -4, or it is removed by someone else who succeeds an opposed Spirit roll against the wearer.

Shadowrun (6th World Edition):

SATIN WHISPERS

• A unique piece of bioware cleverly disguised as an antique silk harness.
• Essence Cost: 0.3
• Availability: 20R
• Cost: 120,000¥
• Effects:
  • Adds 2 dice to Etiquette, Con, and Negotiation skill tests.
  • Once per session, allows the user to make an Intuition + Charisma [Mental] Test (4) to gain a clue about a pertinent secret. Each hit provides more detailed information.
  • Passive: Continuously gathers ambient conversations. User can attempt to recall snippets with a Logic + Intuition [Mental] Test (3).
• Drawback: Every time the Satin Whispers is used for active information gathering, roll 2D6. If the result is 2 or 3, the user experiences sensory ghosts (auditory hallucinations) for 1D6 hours, suffering a -1 dice pool modifier to all actions.
• Note: This bioware requires regular “feeding” with new information to maintain functionality. Lack of input may cause withdrawal symptoms.

Starfinder:

Satin Whispers

• Tier 3
• Price 13,500 Credits; Bulk L
• This bio-adaptive mesh harness, crafted from an ancient synthetic fiber, attunes to the wearer’s nervous system when worn on the back.
• Capacity 10; Usage 1/day
• Abilities:
  • Gain +2 insight bonus to Bluff, Diplomacy, and Sense Motive checks.
  • As a move action, activate 1 charge to cast mind reading (DC = 15 + Character Level; Will save negates).
  • By spending 10 minutes in meditation and 1 charge, gain a cryptic hint about a secret relevant to your current mission (GM’s discretion).
• Special: Once attuned (requiring 24 hours of continuous wear), the Satin Whispers cannot be removed voluntarily unless the wearer succeeds a DC 20 Will save. Others may remove it without restriction.
• Critical Failure: When using any of the above abilities, a natural 1 on the d20 causes neural feedback. The user is dazed for 1d4 rounds and must succeed a DC 20 Will save or reveal a personal secret.

Traveller (Mongoose Traveller 2nd Edition):

Satin Whispers

• TL 15 (artifact)
• Cr250,000
• A chameleon-mesh backpack that collects and analyzes information from its surroundings.
• Effects:
  • Wearer gains Boon (DM+1) on Admin, Diplomat, Deception, and Investigate checks.
  • Once per day, can give a simple question to the Whispers about a person or place previously encountered. Referee rolls 2D in secret:
• 2-3: False information
• 4-6: Vague hint
• 7-9: Useful clue
• 10-12: Detailed insight
  • The mesh has Computer/1 and is capable of recording up to 168 hours of audio, which can be reviewed using Comms or Investigation.
• Drawback:
• Each week of continuous use, the wearer must make an END 8+ check. Failure indicates the character gains the Sixth Sense trait (sees/hears things that aren’t there) until they remove the Whispers for at least a week.
• Note: The Satin Whispers forms a strong psionic bond with its user. Removing it requires an opposed END check against the meshed END score of 9.

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (4th Edition):

Satin Whispers

• A daemonic artefact masquerading as an elegant back harness, said to be woven from the silk of Slaaneshi soul-spiders.
• Encumbrance: 5
• Availability: Unique
• Trappings:
  • Gossamer Insight: You gain +20% to Charm, Gossip, and Intuition Tests.
  • Secrets of the Silk: Once per session, you may ask the GM one yes-or-no question about any non-magical secret. They must answer truthfully, though the answer may be cryptic.
  • Whispers of Madness: Whenever you use Gossamer Insight or Secrets of the Silk, roll 1d10. On a 1, gain 1 Corruption point and roll on the Minor Mutation table (reroll physical mutations into mental ones).
• Curse: Once donned, the Satin Whispers can only be removed by another person, or if the wearer performs an act of selfless kindness without any ulterior motive (GM’s discretion). While worn, the harness constantly urges its wearer to uncover and exploit the secrets of others.
• Drawback: You suffer a -10% penalty to Willpower Tests to resist revealing secrets or to Charm and Deceive Tests when directly questioned about a secret you know.
• Note to GM: This is a potent Chaos artefact. Its presence should be used sparingly and can be the focus of an entire campaign. It might draw the attention of witch hunters, Chaos cultists, and even daemons.