Shimmercloak

From: Twisted Labyrinth of the Fae

This medium armor, woven from moonbeams and spider silk, grants the wearer increased dexterity and the ability to blend seamlessly with shadows. Its shimmering surface can deflect minor magical attacks and create illusions that confuse opponents.

Lore of the Shimmercloak: In the heart of the Whispering Woods, where moonbeams pierce through the canopy and dewdrops glisten like tiny jewels, a mystical arachnid known as the Shadow Weaver resides. This ancient creature, attuned to the lunar energies and the subtle magic of the forest, weaves shimmering cloaks from the ethereal threads of moonbeams and the finest spider silk.

The Shadow Weaver’s cloaks are not mere garments, but conduits of illusion and shadow magic. They are imbued with the power to bend light, distort perception, and manipulate the very fabric of reality. Those who don the Shimmercloak become one with the shadows, their movements fluid and silent, their presence masked by a veil of illusion.

These cloaks were once treasured by the faerie folk, used in their playful pranks and moonlit dances. However, as chaos corrupted the woods and its inhabitants, the Shimmercloaks became tools of deception and subterfuge, their magic twisted to serve darker purposes. Now, they are sought after by adventurers seeking to gain an edge in the treacherous labyrinth, their shimmering surfaces a beacon of hope in the darkness.

Use of the Shimmercloak: The Shimmercloak is a versatile and powerful tool for those who seek to navigate the dangers of the Twisted Labyrinth of the Fae. Its ability to blend seamlessly with shadows grants the wearer a significant advantage in stealth and infiltration, allowing them to move undetected through the labyrinth’s twisted corridors.

The cloak’s shimmering surface also provides a degree of protection against magical attacks, deflecting minor spells and creating illusions that can confuse and disorient opponents. It can be used to create decoys, to mask one’s true intentions, or to simply vanish from sight in a moment of need.

The Shimmercloak is not without its drawbacks, however. Its reliance on shadow magic means it is less effective in brightly lit areas or against foes who are resistant to illusions. Additionally, the cloak’s power can be addictive, its wearer becoming increasingly reliant on its magic to navigate the challenges of the labyrinth.

Shimmercloak

• Tier: 1
• Type: Medium Armor
• Cost: Rare (500 gp)
• Armor Class: 14 + Dexterity Modifier (max 2)
• Skills: Stealth +2
• Requirements: Dexterity 13
• Weight: 1 lb.

Properties:

• Shadow Blend: While wearing the Shimmercloak in dim light or darkness, you have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.
• Illusory Defense: When targeted by a spell attack, you can use your reaction to roll a d4. Add the number rolled to your AC against the triggering attack. If the attack still hits, you take half damage. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
• Minor Illusion: You can use the Shimmercloak to cast the Minor Illusion cantrip at will.

Tags: Magic, Illusion, Shadow

Given its rarity and the specialized nature of its enchantment, the Shimmercloak would not be found in common marketplaces or general goods stores. Instead, it is more likely to be found in the following locations:

• Hidden Enclaves: Secretive communities of fey creatures or those who deal in shadow magic may offer the Shimmercloak for a hefty price. These enclaves are often located in remote areas, hidden from prying eyes, and require specific knowledge or connections to access.
• Specialized Markets: Underground markets or black markets catering to adventurers and those seeking rare and dangerous magical items may occasionally have a Shimmercloak for sale. However, buyers should beware of fakes and scams in such unregulated environments.
• Direct from the Shadow Weaver: Those who are brave or foolish enough may seek out the Shadow Weaver in its lair within the Whispering Woods. The creature may be willing to part with one of its creations, but the price could be steep, involving dangerous tasks or rare ingredients.

Environment and End Results: The Shimmercloak is best suited for environments with dim lighting or shadows, where its ability to blend with the surroundings is most effective. It is ideal for infiltrating enemy strongholds, navigating treacherous dungeons, or escaping dangerous situations undetected. The cloak’s illusory properties can also be used to create distractions, sow confusion among enemies, or conceal one’s true intentions.

The end results of using the Shimmercloak are varied and depend on the wearer’s intentions. It can be used for good, aiding in covert operations to gather information or rescue hostages. It can also be used for ill, facilitating acts of espionage, theft, or assassination.

The Shimmercloak is a tool, its power neutral but its potential consequences vast. The choice of how to wield its magic lies solely with the wearer, and the consequences of that choice will shape their destiny in the world of Samsara.

Activation Perception of the Shimmercloak:

• Sight:
  • Perceived: A subtle shimmer and ripple across the cloak’s surface, as if the fabric itself were alive. Colors intensify and shift, creating an illusion of depth and movement.
  • Description: The patterns woven into the cloak seem to come alive, shifting and dancing like living shadows. The cloak’s overall appearance becomes more ethereal and otherworldly.
  • Positives: Visually stunning and mesmerizing, can be used to distract or intimidate opponents.
  • Negatives: May draw unwanted attention if used in brightly lit areas.
• Sound:
  • Perceived: A faint rustling sound, like the whisper of leaves in the wind. A soft crackling, like static electricity.
  • Description: The sounds are subtle and elusive, often masked by ambient noise. They may be perceived as a gentle breeze or the rustling of fabric.
  • Positives: Discreet and unlikely to attract unwanted attention.
  • Negatives: May be difficult to discern in noisy environments.
• Smell:
  • Perceived: A faint, sweet scent, like morning dew on flower petals. A subtle hint of ozone, like after a thunderstorm.
  • Description: The scent is delicate and fleeting, easily overpowered by stronger odors.
  • Positives: Pleasant and unlikely to cause discomfort.
  • Negatives: Difficult to detect and may be masked by other scents.
• Touch:
  • Perceived: A tingling sensation, like a gentle electric current passing through the skin. The fabric feels cool and smooth, but also slightly charged with energy.
  • Description: The sensation is subtle but noticeable, akin to the feeling of static electricity building up.
  • Positives: Provides a tactile confirmation of the cloak’s activation.
  • Negatives: May be distracting or uncomfortable for some individuals.
• Taste: (Not applicable as it would be inadvisable and potentially harmful to taste the Shimmercloak)
• Extrasensory Perceptions:
  • Empathy: A sense of calm and serenity washes over the wearer, a feeling of being one with the shadows.
  • Aura Sight: The cloak’s aura shimmers and expands, enveloping the wearer in a protective veil of energy.
  • Precognition: Some wearers may experience fleeting visions of potential dangers or hidden paths, guided by the cloak’s connection to the ethereal realm.

The activation of the Shimmercloak is a subtle but multi-sensory experience. While the visual and tactile cues are the most prominent, the other senses can also perceive subtle changes in the environment, confirming the cloak’s magical activation. The extrasensory perceptions, while more subjective, can provide valuable insights and guidance to the wearer.

Crafting a Shimmercloak: A Guide for the Aspiring Enchanter

• Materials Needed:
  • Moonbeam Essence: This ethereal substance can be collected during a full moon by focusing moonlight through a crystal prism onto a vial of purified water.
  • Shadow Weaver Silk: This rare and delicate silk is spun by the Shadow Weaver, a mystical arachnid dwelling in the deepest parts of the Whispering Woods.
  • Illusion Dust: This fine powder, created from ground moonstones and crushed pixie wings, enhances the cloak’s illusory properties.
  • Silver Thread: This fine thread, spun from pure silver, is used to reinforce the cloak’s delicate weave and imbue it with magical conductivity.
• Tools Required:
  • Enchanter’s Loom: A specialized loom imbued with enchantments to weave magical fabrics.
  • Silver Needle: A delicate needle crafted from pure silver, used for intricate embroidery and spellwork.
  • Crystal Vial: Used to hold and mix the various magical ingredients.
  • Mortar and Pestle: Used to grind moonstones and pixie wings into Illusion Dust.
• Skill Requirements:
  • Weaving: Proficiency in weaving is essential to create the intricate patterns and delicate fabric of the Shimmercloak.
  • Enchanting: A basic understanding of enchanting is required to imbue the cloak with its magical properties.
  • Alchemy: Knowledge of alchemical processes is necessary to prepare the Moonbeam Essence and Illusion Dust.
• Crafting Steps:
  • Prepare the Moonbeam Essence: Collect moonlight during a full moon using a crystal prism and focus it onto a vial of purified water. Chant the following incantation while holding the vial: “By the light of the moon, I call upon thee, essence of dreams and shadows, infuse this water with your ethereal power.”
  • Gather Shadow Weaver Silk: Venture into the Whispering Woods and seek out the Shadow Weaver’s lair. Offer a tribute of moonstones and sweet nectar to appease the creature and obtain its silk.
  • Create Illusion Dust: Grind moonstones and pixie wings into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle. Combine the powder with a pinch of crushed dreamleaf and a drop of moonlight-infused water.
  • Weave the Shimmercloak: On the Enchanter’s Loom, weave the Shadow Weaver Silk into a flowing cloak, incorporating silver thread for reinforcement. As you weave, visualize the cloak’s desired properties and chant the following incantation: “Weave of shadows, cloak of night, hide me from sight, bend the light.”
  • Enchant the Shimmercloak: Once the cloak is woven, carefully embroider the patterns with silver thread, imbuing each stitch with the Illusion Dust. Channel your magical energy into the cloak, focusing on its intended properties of shadow blending and illusion.

The completed Shimmercloak will shimmer and ripple with magical energy, ready to be worn by its creator or a worthy adventurer. Remember, the creation of a Shimmercloak is a delicate and intricate process, requiring patience, skill, and a touch of magic.

Fable of the Moon’s Embrace

In the before-time, when moon was bright and shadows danced, lived Weaver of Shadows, a spinner of dreams entranced. With silken threads of moonlight, a cloak it did weave, a garment of mystery, a trickster’s reprieve.

From gossamer web, spun in secret moonlight’s glow, a cloak shimmering, where secrets would flow. Whispers of shadows, a dancer’s delight, a veil of illusion, concealing from sight.

Worn by the Fae, in their moonlit ballet, a flicker of mischief, a vanishing display. But darkness descended, a twisting of fate, the cloak’s magic turned, to a darker state.

No longer for joy, but for shadows to hide, a tool for deceit, where truth would abide. Yet, for the brave, who seek the unknown, the cloak whispers secrets, on pathways yet shown.

So heed this fable, of the Moon’s Embrace, for magic is fickle, in this shadowed space. And remember this well, as you walk in the night, that shadows can hide, both darkness and light.

The Moral: Let not illusion guide your way, for truth’s light shines brighter, in the light of day.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

Shimmercloak

• Type: Magical Artifact
• Description: A shimmering cloak that grants the wearer a +20% bonus to Stealth rolls in dim light or darkness. It also provides a one-time use per day ability to deflect a minor spell attack (Keeper’s discretion).
• Sanity Loss: 1/1D4 on first encountering the cloak’s magical properties.

Blades in the Dark

Shimmercloak

• Quality: Gear
• Effect:
  • +1 effect level to any action that benefits from stealth in dim light or darkness.
  • May be used once per score to resist a magical effect (GM discretion).

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

Shimmercloak

• Wondrous item, uncommon (requires attunement)
• Properties:
  • While wearing this cloak in dim light or darkness, you have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.
  • When targeted by a spell attack, you can use your reaction to roll a d4. Add the number rolled to your AC against the triggering attack. If the attack still hits, you take half damage. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
  • You can use the Shimmercloak to cast the Minor Illusion cantrip at will.

Knave

Shimmercloak

• Type: Armor
• Armor Rating: +1
• Special Qualities:
  • Advantage on Stealth rolls in dim light or darkness.
  • Once per day, may re-roll a failed save against a magical effect.
  • Can cast Minor Illusion at will (GM discretion).

Fate (Accelerated Edition)

Shimmercloak

• High Concept: Cloak of Shadow and Illusion
• Trouble: Ethereal Deception
• Aspects:
  • Moon-Kissed Illusion Weaver
  • Whispers of the Shadow Realm
  • Gossamer Touch of Deception
• Extra: When used to create an advantage related to stealth or illusion, grant a +2 bonus or reroll. May be invoked once per scene to create an advantage with a minor cost.

Numenera & The Cypher System

Shimmercloak

• Level: 1d6
• Form: Artifact (Clothing)
• Effect:
  • When worn, the user gains +1 to Speed Pool when sneaking or using subterfuge.
  • Once per day, the user can attempt a task related to deception or illusion with a +3 bonus.
  • The cloak provides an Armor rating of 1 against energy attacks.

Pathfinder (Second Edition)

Shimmercloak

• Wondrous item, uncommon (requires attunement)
• Properties:
  • While wearing this cloak in dim light or darkness, you have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.
  • When targeted by a spell attack, you can use your reaction to roll a d4. Add the number rolled to your AC against the triggering attack. If the attack still hits, you take half damage. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
  • You can use the Shimmercloak to cast the Minor Illusion cantrip at will.

Savage Worlds

Shimmercloak

• Type: Arcane Background (Supernatural)
• Trappings:
  • Shadow Blend: +2 to Stealth in dim light or darkness.
  • Illusory Defense: Soak +2 against magic attacks (once per session).
  • Minor Illusion: Cast Minor Illusion spell (Smarts roll required).

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

Shimmercloak

• Type: Armor Clothing (Light)
• Rating: 4
• Concealment: +2
• Special:
  • Shadow Blend: Provides a +2 dice pool modifier to Stealth tests in dim light or darkness.
  • Illusory Defense: Once per combat, the wearer can activate the cloak to create a distracting visual illusion, granting them a +3 dice pool modifier to their next Defense test.

Starfinder (First Edition)

Shimmercloak

• Level: 1
• Price: 1,000 credits
• Category: Armor (light)
• EAC Bonus: +1
• KAC Bonus: +1
• Max Dex Bonus: +2
• Armor Check Penalty: 0
• Special Properties:
  • Shadow Blend: The wearer gains a +2 circumstance bonus to Stealth checks in dim light or darkness.
  • Illusory Defense: Once per day as a reaction, the wearer can attempt a Bluff check against the triggering attack’s Will save DC. If successful, the attack automatically misses.

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

Shimmercloak

• Type: Armour
• Protection: 1
• Encumbrance: 1
• Price: Cr500
• Special:
  • Shadow Blend: Grants a +2 DM to Stealth skill checks in low-light conditions.
  • Illusory Defense: Once per day, the wearer can attempt a Deception skill check to create a distracting illusion, granting them a +2 DM to their next defense roll.

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (4th Edition)

Shimmercloak

• Type: Arcane Item
• Availability: Rare
• Effect:
  • Grants the wearer a +10 bonus to Stealth tests in areas of dim light or darkness.
  • Once per day, the wearer can use the cloak to create an illusionary distraction. The GM may allow the player to attempt a Challenging (+0) Deception test. If successful, the target of the illusion suffers a -10 penalty to their next action.