Magical Hat

Ed the Coastie · 11-16-2004, 11:22 PM

Years ago, I played a transient magician character in a modern-day secret/low-magic campaign that had a wondrous magical item: a battered old top hat enchanted with Create Object, Create Animal, and enough Power to allow the production of a 20-pound object for zero energy cost (even in a low-mana environment). I had a lot of fun with that character, and pulled all sorts of interesting things from the hat -- everything from an aluminum extension ladder to a skunk.

These days I run a modern-day secret/low-magic campaign of my own, and have been giving some thought to subjecting one particulary deserving character (a Weirdness Magnet) with a similar item -- with a quirk. The hat will backfire occasionally, generating effects that are (usually) similar to what the PC had in mind, but not quite what he had intended. For example, an attempt to create a rope ladder may instead produce a rather annoyed anaconda, or a desired sword may turn out to be a plastic toy.

Does anyone have any ideas how to do this rather than just by "GM fiat"? I'd like to link the chance of backfire to a die roll, with the effects themselves left to my discretion.

Past_ · 11-17-2004, 12:46 AM

Have the character using the hat roll vs. IQ+Magery, or something similar.

On a success it works as he/she desires, maybe with an bit of something to the item summoned. Maybe the rope ladder looks like its made out of licorice rope, or wants a hammer, gets a toy hammer that works like a real hammer.

On a failure its something annoying but not deadly: Wanted a hammer, gets a toy hammer that squeaks really loudly, or squirts water back into the characters eyes.

On a critical failure its something not deadly, but...painfull : Wanted a hammer but gets a hammer +5 vs the users thumbs.........

Of course these are a bit silly ideas, but just examples I could pull out of a....hat

hjo3 · 11-17-2004, 02:08 AM

Reminds me of Presto's green wizard's hat from the Dungeons & Dragons cartoon. Only he had to say a little rhyme to get it to work.

scimon · 11-17-2004, 03:41 AM

Well either A) wait until magic comes out by it as an item. B) Buy snatcher with a gadget limitation, you're basically pulling stuff from an alternate dimension that's in your hat.

11-16-2004, 11:22 PM	#1
Ed the Coastie Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona	Magical Hat Years ago, I played a transient magician character in a modern-day secret/low-magic campaign that had a wondrous magical item: a battered old top hat enchanted with Create Object, Create Animal, and enough Power to allow the production of a 20-pound object for zero energy cost (even in a low-mana environment). I had a lot of fun with that character, and pulled all sorts of interesting things from the hat -- everything from an aluminum extension ladder to a skunk. These days I run a modern-day secret/low-magic campaign of my own, and have been giving some thought to subjecting one particulary deserving character (a Weirdness Magnet) with a similar item -- with a quirk. The hat will backfire occasionally, generating effects that are (usually) similar to what the PC had in mind, but not quite what he had intended. For example, an attempt to create a rope ladder may instead produce a rather annoyed anaconda, or a desired sword may turn out to be a plastic toy. Does anyone have any ideas how to do this rather than just by "GM fiat"? I'd like to link the chance of backfire to a die roll, with the effects themselves left to my discretion. __________________ "It's never to early to start beefing up your obituary." -- The Most Interesting Man in the World

11-17-2004, 12:46 AM	#2
Past_ Join Date: Nov 2004	Re: Magical Hat Have the character using the hat roll vs. IQ+Magery, or something similar. On a success it works as he/she desires, maybe with an bit of something to the item summoned. Maybe the rope ladder looks like its made out of licorice rope, or wants a hammer, gets a toy hammer that works like a real hammer. On a failure its something annoying but not deadly: Wanted a hammer, gets a toy hammer that squeaks really loudly, or squirts water back into the characters eyes. On a critical failure its something not deadly, but...painfull : Wanted a hammer but gets a hammer +5 vs the users thumbs......... Of course these are a bit silly ideas, but just examples I could pull out of a....hat

11-17-2004, 02:08 AM	#3
hjo3 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pasco, WA	Re: Magical Hat Reminds me of Presto's green wizard's hat from the Dungeons & Dragons cartoon. Only he had to say a little rhyme to get it to work.

11-17-2004, 03:41 AM	#4
scimon Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Scotland	Re: Magical Hat Well either A) wait until magic comes out by it as an item. B) Buy snatcher with a gadget limitation, you're basically pulling stuff from an alternate dimension that's in your hat. __________________ "If it's not broke... hit it again." "There's only so much Munchkin a man can demo." MIB #0366. Scotland.