Abyssal Plate Gauntlets

Level Requirement: 1

Stats Modifier: +1 to Constitution

Skills: None

Cost: 150 gold pieces (or the equivalent in your TTRPG currency)

Tags: Heavy Armor, Protection, Dark Magic, Curses

Lore: The Abyssal Plate Gauntlets are the result of a meticulous and complex forging process, combining darkened steel with carefully infused Abysium crystals. They were first created by skilled blacksmiths who sought to harness the protective properties of Abysium and fortify the hands of those who wield them.

Legend has it that the original gauntlets were forged by a legendary warrior seeking protection from the malevolent forces of dark magic and curses. The infused Abysium crystals embedded within the gauntlets act as a barrier against these forces, creating an aura of resilience and resistance.

Use: When worn, the Abyssal Plate Gauntlets provide enhanced protection for the creature’s hands. In addition, they grant a +1 bonus to Constitution, improving the wearer’s overall durability and fortitude. The infused Abysium crystals within the gauntlets act as a safeguard, providing enhanced resistance against dark magic or curses.

The gauntlets are particularly valuable for characters who frequently engage in combat or face adversaries who employ dark magic or curses. They offer both physical protection and an added layer of defense against malevolent supernatural influences. Whether facing off against dark sorcerers or exploring treacherous ruins filled with ancient curses, the Abyssal Plate Gauntlets provide both practical and mystical advantages.

In the world of Saṃsāra, Abyssal Plate Gauntlets, due to their unique properties and potential association with dark magic, would not be commonly found in typical armor shops or general marketplaces. Instead, they would likely be acquired through specialized channels and secretive establishments:

• Arcane Artifact Dealers: These enigmatic merchants deal in rare and powerful objects, often shrouded in mystery and whispered rumors. Their shops, hidden in secluded alleyways or disguised as unassuming storefronts, cater to those seeking unusual and potent artifacts. Abyssal Plate Gauntlets, with their dark allure and protective qualities, would be a prized item in their inventory. The price for such gauntlets would likely be steep, reflecting their rarity and power, perhaps even exceeding the standard 150 gold pieces.
• Specialized Armorers: Some blacksmiths specialize in crafting armor imbued with unique properties or catering to specific needs. These artisans, often sought after by adventurers and warriors, might possess the knowledge and skills to forge Abyssal Plate Gauntlets. Acquiring such gauntlets would likely involve a commission, requiring a significant investment of both time and resources. The cost would vary depending on the armorer’s reputation and the quality of materials used, but it would undoubtedly be a substantial sum.
• Shadow Markets: In the underbelly of major cities, hidden markets thrive, catering to those seeking illicit or unconventional goods. These shadow markets, operated by shadowy figures and frequented by rogues, adventurers, and those dabbling in darker arts, might offer Abyssal Plate Gauntlets as a rare and sought-after commodity. The price in these markets would fluctuate depending on supply and demand, but it would likely be higher than the standard price due to the gauntlets’ unique nature and the risks involved in acquiring them.
• Ancient Ruins and Treasure Troves: For the adventurous and daring, exploring ancient ruins or delving into hidden treasure troves might yield a pair of Abyssal Plate Gauntlets as a reward for their courage and perseverance. However, such endeavors are fraught with danger, and the gauntlets might be guarded by powerful creatures or protected by ancient curses, adding another layer of risk to their acquisition.

In the world of Saṃsāra, obtaining Abyssal Plate Gauntlets would require more than just a simple purchase. It would involve venturing into hidden corners of society, forging connections with specialized artisans, or braving dangerous expeditions. The cost, whether in gold pieces, favors, or personal risk, would reflect the gauntlets’ extraordinary nature and the challenges involved in acquiring them.

The Abyssal Plate Gauntlets, while primarily defensive in nature, can be employed in both offensive and defensive roles within the world of Saṃsāra:

• Offensive Use:
  • Unarmed Strikes: The gauntlets can be used to enhance unarmed strikes, delivering powerful blows that can stun or even injure opponents. The added protection afforded by the gauntlets allows the wearer to engage in close-quarters combat with greater confidence.
  • Grappling and Disarming: The gauntlets can be used to seize and control opponents, making it easier to disarm them or restrain their movements. The wearer’s enhanced strength and grip, combined with the gauntlets’ protective properties, give them an advantage in close-quarters struggles.
  • Shield Bash: While not technically a shield, the gauntlets can be used to deflect incoming attacks or deliver a stunning blow to an opponent’s weapon or shield. This can create openings for counterattacks or disrupt an enemy’s offensive momentum.
  • Intimidation: The gauntlets’ dark and menacing appearance can be used to intimidate opponents, making them hesitate or lose their resolve. This can be particularly effective against creatures vulnerable to dark magic or those who fear the abyss.
• Defensive Use:
  • Protection from Physical Attacks: The gauntlets’ primary function is to protect the wearer’s hands from physical harm. They can deflect blows from weapons, claws, or other sharp objects, reducing the risk of injury and allowing the wearer to continue fighting.
  • Resistance to Dark Magic and Curses: The infused Abysium crystals within the gauntlets provide a barrier against dark magic and curses. This can protect the wearer from harmful spells, debilitating effects, or even possession attempts by malevolent entities.
  • Enhanced Durability: The gauntlets grant a +1 bonus to Constitution, increasing the wearer’s overall resilience and ability to withstand damage. This can be crucial in prolonged battles or when facing particularly dangerous foes.
  • Symbol of Resilience: The gauntlets can serve as a symbol of the wearer’s resilience and determination, inspiring allies and discouraging enemies. This can be especially valuable in situations where morale plays a significant role.
• Roleplay Considerations:
  • Character Background: The gauntlets’ backstory can be woven into the character’s narrative, explaining how they acquired them and the significance they hold. This can add depth and meaning to the character’s motivations and actions.
  • Combat Style: The gauntlets can influence a character’s fighting style, encouraging them to adopt a more aggressive or defensive approach depending on their preferences and the situation.
  • Interactions: The gauntlets’ dark appearance and association with the abyss might elicit reactions from other characters, ranging from fear and suspicion to respect and admiration. This can create interesting social dynamics and roleplaying opportunities.
  • Drawbacks: While powerful, the gauntlets might also have drawbacks, such as attracting unwanted attention from creatures of the abyss or causing the wearer to become more susceptible to whispers of corruption. This can add an element of risk and temptation to their use, creating internal conflicts and moral dilemmas for the character.

By incorporating these considerations into roleplay scenarios, the Abyssal Plate Gauntlets can become more than just a piece of protective gear. They can be a catalyst for character development, a source of conflict and intrigue, and a powerful tool for both offense and defense in the world of Saṃsāra.

Perception of Activation: Abyssal Plate Gauntlets

• Sight:
  • Perceived: A subtle darkening of the metal, as if shadows were gathering around the gauntlets. The Abysium crystals embedded within might emit a faint, pulsating glow, barely visible in daylight.
  • Description: The change in appearance is subtle, more noticeable in low-light conditions. The glow from the crystals is not blinding but rather a soft luminescence that seems to shift and writhe.
  • Positives: The visual cues serve as confirmation that the gauntlets’ protective properties are active, providing a sense of reassurance and confidence to the wearer.
  • Negatives: The changes might be too subtle to notice in bright sunlight or for those with impaired vision.
• Sound:
  • Perceived: A low hum or vibration emanating from the gauntlets, barely audible to the wearer. The sound might be described as similar to the distant rumble of thunder or the whisper of wind through a cave.
  • Description: The sound is subtle and not easily distinguishable from ambient noise. It might be more noticeable in quiet environments or to those with acute hearing.
  • Positives: The auditory feedback can serve as a subtle reminder of the gauntlets’ power and connection to the abyss, reinforcing the wearer’s resolve.
  • Negatives: The sound might be distracting or unnerving to some individuals, especially those sensitive to low-frequency vibrations.
• Touch:
  • Perceived: A tingling sensation in the hands, as if a cold energy were flowing through the gauntlets. The metal might feel slightly heavier and more substantial than usual.
  • Description: The sensation is subtle and not unpleasant, akin to a gentle massage or the feeling of static electricity. It is most noticeable when the wearer focuses their attention on it.
  • Positives: The tactile feedback can provide a sense of connection to the gauntlets’ power, enhancing the wearer’s awareness and reflexes.
  • Negatives: The sensation might be distracting or even uncomfortable for some individuals, especially those with sensitive skin or sensory sensitivities.
• Smell:
  • Perceived: A faint, metallic scent with a hint of ozone, reminiscent of a thunderstorm or the air near a forge.
  • Description: The scent is subtle and not easily distinguishable from other odors. It might be more noticeable to those with a keen sense of smell.
  • Positives: The olfactory cue can serve as a reminder of the gauntlets’ connection to the abyss and their protective properties.
  • Negatives: The scent might be unpleasant or triggering for some individuals, especially those sensitive to metallic or ozone-like odors.
• Taste:
  • Perceived: No discernible taste.
  • Description: The gauntlets are not meant to be tasted and doing so could be harmful due to the unknown properties of Abysium.
  • Positives: None.
  • Negatives: Potential for harm if ingested.
• Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
  • Empathy: A sense of calm and resolve, as if the gauntlets were bolstering the wearer’s courage and determination.
  • Intuition: A heightened awareness of potential threats, as if the gauntlets were whispering warnings of impending danger.
  • Premonition: A fleeting vision or sense of foreboding when faced with dark magic or curses, giving the wearer a chance to prepare or react.
  • Psychometry: The ability to sense the history of the gauntlets, including past battles and the dark forces they have resisted.
  • Synesthesia: The perception of dark magic or curses as colors, sounds, or other sensory experiences, aiding in the identification and understanding of these threats.

These extra-sensory perceptions are often associated with individuals who have a strong connection to magic or possess innate psychic abilities. They can provide valuable insights and advantages when using the Abyssal Plate Gauntlets, but they are not guaranteed to occur for every wearer.

Forging the Abyssal Bulwark: A Recipe for Abyssal Plate Gauntlets

• Materials Needed:
  • Abysium Crystal Shards: Several small, carefully harvested shards of Abysium, the mystical substance associated with shadows and dark magic. These can be found in the depths of ancient ruins, shadowy grottos, or obtained from creatures attuned to the abyss.
  • Darkened Steel Plates: High-quality steel plates that have been treated with a special alloy to give them a darkened, almost black appearance. These can be obtained from skilled blacksmiths or found in abandoned workshops.
  • Void-Touched Leather Straps: Leather straps that have been treated with the essence of the void, granting them increased durability and resistance to wear and tear. These can be acquired from tanners specializing in exotic materials.
• Tools Required:
  • Forge: A high-temperature forge capable of melting and shaping metal.
  • Anvil: A sturdy surface for hammering and shaping the metal plates.
  • Hammer: A blacksmith’s hammer for forging the gauntlets.
  • Tongs: To handle the hot metal during the forging process.
  • Chisel: To carve intricate designs and patterns into the gauntlets.
  • Rivets: To secure the plates and straps together.
  • Enchanting Tools: A set of tools used for imbuing objects with magical properties, such as an enchanted hammer or a focusing crystal.
• Skill Requirements:
  • Armorsmithing (Master): The ability to craft and shape armor with exceptional skill and precision.
  • Enchanting (Journeyman): The ability to imbue objects with magical properties.
  • Mysticism (Apprentice): A basic understanding of dark magic and its properties.
• Crafting Steps:
  • Preparation: Gather all the required materials and tools in a well-lit and ventilated workspace. Ensure that the forge is heated to the appropriate temperature for working with steel.
  • Forging the Plates: Heat the darkened steel plates in the forge until they become malleable. Using the hammer and tongs, shape the plates into the desired form of the gauntlets, ensuring they fit the wearer’s hands comfortably and provide adequate protection.
  • Crystal Infusion: Carefully embed the Abysium crystal shards into pre-carved recesses within the gauntlets. Use the enchanting tools to channel magical energy into the crystals, activating their protective properties and binding them to the metal.
  • Strap Attachment: Attach the void-touched leather straps to the gauntlets using rivets, ensuring a secure and flexible fit. The straps should allow for a full range of motion while keeping the gauntlets firmly in place.
  • Refinement: Use the chisel to carve intricate designs and patterns into the gauntlets, enhancing their aesthetic appeal and imbuing them with additional symbolism or meaning.
  • Final Enchantment: Perform a final enchantment ritual to reinforce the gauntlets’ protective properties and bind the different components together. This may involve chanting incantations, drawing symbols, or offering a small sacrifice to the powers of the abyss.
  • Testing: Have the wearer test the gauntlets in a controlled environment, such as a training ground or sparring session. Ensure that the gauntlets fit comfortably, provide adequate protection, and do not hinder the wearer’s movements.

By following these steps and utilizing the required skills and materials, a skilled armorsmith can create a pair of Abyssal Plate Gauntlets, a powerful and protective artifact for those who dare to wield the power of the abyss.

Chronicle of the Abyssal Grasps

In the time before time, when the sun and moon were young and the world was veiled in mist, there lived a warrior named Kael. Kael, a champion of light and defender of the weak, sought to vanquish the encroaching darkness that threatened to engulf the land.

From the depths of the abyss, where shadows writhed and secrets festered, Kael retrieved shards of a strange, dark crystal. With the aid of a wise smith, they forged these shards into a pair of gauntlets, infused with the power of the abyss.

These gauntlets, cold to the touch yet radiating a subtle warmth, became known as the Abyssal Plate Gauntlets. They were a paradox, a weapon of darkness forged to serve the light.

Kael donned the gauntlets and faced the encroaching shadows, their hands becoming conduits of power. The gauntlets deflected the darkest spells, resisted the vilest curses, and empowered Kael’s strikes with the strength of the abyss itself.

Yet, as Kael wielded the gauntlets, they felt a growing darkness within their own heart. The whispers of the abyss, once distant murmurs, became a seductive symphony, tempting them to embrace the shadows they sought to vanquish.

In a moment of weakness, Kael succumbed to the abyss’ allure. They turned their back on the light, their gauntlets becoming instruments of destruction rather than protection. The land trembled under their reign of terror, the very shadows they once fought now bending to their will.

But the darkness consumed Kael, twisting their noble spirit into a grotesque mockery of its former self. The gauntlets, once a symbol of hope, became a chilling reminder of the warrior’s fall from grace.

The moral of the tale: Even the purest of intentions can be corrupted by the allure of power. Beware the tools you wield, for they may hold sway over your heart as much as your hand.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

    Name: Abyssal Plate Gauntlets

• Armor: 2 points to hands
• Special: Provides +1 to CON. Additionally, grants a +20% bonus to resist spells and effects with the Dark Magic tag.
• Drawback: If a wearer fails a Sanity roll against a dark magic effect while wearing the gauntlets, they suffer an additional 1D4 Sanity loss.

Blades in the Dark

    Name: Abyssal Plate Gauntlets

• Tier: II
• Armor: 2 (Hands)
• Effect: +1 to Constitution rolls when resisting harm. When facing magical threats or curses, roll +1d to resist or reduce their effect.
• Special: The gauntlets whisper dark promises, offering power in exchange for servitude. Beware their influence.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

    Abyssal Plate Gauntlets

• Armor (Heavy Gauntlets), rare (requires attunement)
• Armor Class: 14 + Dex modifier (max 2)
• Strength Requirement: 15
• Stealth Disadvantage:
• Properties:
  • Abyssal Protection: You have resistance to necrotic damage while wearing these gauntlets.
  • Dark Resilience: You have advantage on saving throws against spells and effects with the curse or necromancy tag.

Knave

    Abyssal Plate Gauntlets

• Armor: 2 (Hands)
• Effect: Grants +1 to Constitution. When facing dark magic or curses, the wearer gains +1 armor.
• Special: Gauntlets may whisper dark temptations or grant unsettling visions. The GM may ask for a Will save to resist these effects.

Fate (Accelerated/Core)

    Abyssal Plate Gauntlets

• Type: Armor
• Aspect: “Bulwark Against Darkness: +2 to resisting dark magic, curses, or unarmed attacks”
• Invoke: When facing threats related to the aspect, you may invoke this aspect to gain a +2 bonus.
• Compel: The GM may compel this aspect to introduce challenges or temptations related to the gauntlets’ dark power.

Numenera/Cypher System

    Abyssal Plate Gauntlets

• Level: 1
• Form: Artifact (Armor)
• Effect: When facing attacks or effects from dark magic or curses, reduce the level of the effect by one step. Additionally, gain +1 to Might Pool when making unarmed attacks.
• Depletion: 1 in 1d20

Pathfinder (Second Edition)

    Abyssal Plate Gauntlets

• Item Level: 1
• Price: 150 gp
• Usage: Worn gauntlets
• Armor Type: Heavy
• AC Bonus: +1
• Strength: 15
• Special: While wearing these gauntlets, you gain a +1 item bonus to saving throws against spells and effects with the curse or necromancy trait.

Savage Worlds

    Abyssal Plate Gauntlets

• Description: Heavy gauntlets forged with abyssal materials.
• Armor: +2
• Strength Requirement: d8
• Special: When facing dark magic or curses, the wearer gains a +2 bonus to resist the effect. Additionally, unarmed attacks made while wearing the gauntlets gain the AP 2 quality.
• Notes: The gauntlets may whisper dark thoughts or cause the wearer to experience disturbing visions.

Shadowrun (Sixth World)

    Abyssal Plate Gauntlets

• Category: Gear, Armor
• Rating: 6
• Availability: 14R
• Legality: Restricted
• Cost: 5,000 nuyen
• Armor: +2 (Hands)
• Special: Provides +1 to Body. When resisting drain or magical attacks, the wearer gains +2 dice.
• Notes: Prolonged use may result in nightmares or increased aggression.

Starfinder

    Abyssal Plate Gauntlets

• Level: 1
• Price: 150 credits
• EAC Bonus: +1
• KAC Bonus: +1
• Bulk: 1
• Special Properties:
  • Dark Energy Resistance 1
  • Grants a +1 item bonus to Fortitude saves against curses and necromantic effects.

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

    Abyssal Plate Gauntlets

• Armour: 2 (Hands)
• Encumbrance: 1
• Cost: 750 Credits
• Special: +1 END. When resisting psionic attacks or effects from strange energies, the character gains a +1 DM to their roll.

Warhammer 40,000: Wrath & Glory

    Abyssal Plate Gauntlets

• Type: Rare Item
• Tier: 2
• Armour: 1 (Hands)
• Effect: Grants +1 Toughness. When resisting psychic powers or daemonic attacks, the character gains +10 to their Resilience test.
• Warp Touch: The gauntlets are faintly tainted by the Warp, and prolonged use may lead to minor mutations or other adverse effects.