Steve Jackson Games - Site Navigation
Home General Info Follow Us Search Illuminator Store Forums What's New Other Games Ogre GURPS Munchkin Our Games: Home

Go Back   Steve Jackson Games Forums > Roleplaying > Dungeon Fantasy Roleplaying Game

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-31-2023, 10:04 AM   #1
Dolarre
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Default Flavorfull Magic Items

Dungeon Fantasy, as a genre, often loses some of the sparkle of enchanted items - leaving most as nothing more than nouns of verbing that give an endless variety of numerical bonuses.

I'd love to see some counter examples - for inspiration in my own game.

I'll provide the first samples:

Overseers’ Strike – Silver plated with etched figures shown constructing a temple, this chakram, when touched, inflicts 1 point of burning lightning damage which bypasses armor (innate DR protects normally) each second held. The holder may concentrate for one second to generate a lightning aura over the chakram which will deal 2d+2 follow-up lightning damage (again, bypassing all armor) on the next successful attack. On a successful hit, a Thunderclap (as the spell) emanates from the spot of the strike.

Exceptional versions can be both fine and/or balanced. The rarest also include the returning enchantment.

These chakram, often worn around the neck, were used to punish (usually lethally) conscripted warm-bloods reptilian races used to construct their sprawling temple complexes. Usually one strike was enough to quell any disorder, and the minor electric damage was a precaution included to discourage the slaves from picking up a thrown chakram to use against their oppressors. Most reptilians’ natural DR made the minor damaging-effect inconsequential.


Overseers’ Watch – A silver-capped and intricately-carved horn, usually on a strap. The carvings are of dozens of intertwined snakes, with a raised bass-relief symbol formed by the bodies depicting the Nightmare patron worshipped by an ancient serpent-folk nation. The inside is perpetually damp with fresh blood. The horn serves two magical purposes. On command, three times per day, it fills with the blood of the horn’s source. For those creatures who can take sustenance from blood (most full carnivores), it serves as one full meal, food and water. When empty, holding the horn grants a +2 bonus to all perception rolls concerning hearing, and when held to the ear, provides the benefit of Far-Hearing (as the spell) at half energy cost – no roll needed. It can also be used as a mundane signaling horn.

Most such horns are carved from large beasts of burden. In exceptional versions the horn is instead taken from more exotic sources; the most prized are those taken from predators: basilisks, hydra, or even dragons. These horns increase the passive bonus to perception to +3 or +4, and consuming blood from these exceptional horns returns 1d+1 lost FP.

This horn was often issued to high-level overseers as a reward for exceptional service or in return for greater authority and responsibility. It allowed its wielder to watch over a considerably greater area and stay at post with fewer breaks.
Dolarre is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2023, 04:37 PM   #2
Dalin
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Saint Paul, MN
Default Re: Flavorfull Magic Items

Gold Scarab

These gleaming beetles are made from sacred gold. Whether or not “wild” gold scarabs exist is a matter of debate among scholars. They are usually found singly in ancient holy places as magically shrunken, dormant amulets. Rumors abound of pouches or even chests filled with these creations.

When a gold scarab amulet is thrown, it grows to full size and attacks as directed by the thrower for 1d minutes. The scarab vanishes if it is killed or when the time runs out.

ST: 15 HP: 15 Speed: 7.00
DX: 15 Will: 10 Move: 8
IQ: 8 Per: 12
HT: 13 FP: N/A SM: -1
Dodge: 10 Parry: N/A DR: 6

Mandibles (15): 2d+1(2) cutting. Treat as weapon, not as body part. Reach C, 1.

Traits: Automaton; Cannot Learn; Dark Vision; Dependency (Loses 1 HP per minute in no-sanctity areas); Doesn’t Breathe; Doesn’t Eat or Drink; Doesn’t Sleep; Extra Legs (Six Legs); High Pain Threshold; Homogeneous; Horizontal; Immunity to Disease; Immunity to Poison; Indomitable; No Blood; No Fine Manipulators; No Neck; Pressure Support; Reprogrammable; Striking ST 4; Unfazeable; Unhealing (Total); Unnatural.

Skills: Climbing-15; Stealth-15
Class: Construct.
Notes: Despite being shaped like a mundane creature, Animal spells won’t work. The beetle is powered by the divine, not conventional magic. Unwilling to negotiate.
Dalin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2023, 05:06 PM   #3
sjmdw45
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Default Re: Flavorfull Magic Items

I'm rather partial to the Infinity Rings: https://vulcanstev.wordpress.com/200...nfinity-rings/

For example, the Ring of Infinite Sidekicks:
Sidekicks – A young squire feels compelled to follow the PC at the beginning of the quest. He is destined to die horribly before the quest is over. There is nothing the PC can do to save him. A new one will follow after the squire dies.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dalin View Post
IQ: 8
...
Notes: Despite being shaped like a mundane creature, Animal spells won’t work. The beetle is powered by the divine, not conventional magic. Unwilling to negotiate.
Nitpick: Note in bold is redundant. Animal Spells already don't work anyway on creatures of IQ 6+.
sjmdw45 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2023, 06:07 AM   #4
Anders
 
Anders's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Default Re: Flavorfull Magic Items

Corpse Candles

These candles are made from corpse wax, a substance formed when dead bodies are buried under certain conditions. They are highly charged with necromantic energies. When lit, they augment the mana in around them, raising mana by one level for necromantic magic only.
__________________
“When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love ...” Marcus Aurelius
Anders is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2023, 07:24 PM   #5
tbone
 
tbone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Default Re: Flavorfull Magic Items

I think I'll borrow your term "flavorful". Some time back, I was at a loss for a word to describe magic items like those in Magic Items 2 or Companion 2: "Well, they're all magic items, but not the sort of simple 'it does this one thing' item you find on gear lists; they're more complex, often with back stories and involving special conditions and consequences, but not necessarily powerful and unique in the way implied by 'artifacts'; I guess you could describe them as 'detailed and interesting'..."

"Flavorful" does the job much more easily. : )
__________________
T Bone
GURPS stuff and more at the Games Diner: http://www.gamesdiner.com

Twitter: @Gamesdiner | RSS: here ⬅︎ Updated RSS link | This forum: Site updates thread (occasionally updated)

(Latest goods on site: GLAIVE Mini levels up to v2.4. Update to melee weapon design tool, with more example weapons and commentary.)

Last edited by tbone; 10-09-2023 at 09:18 AM.
tbone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2023, 01:24 AM   #6
corwyn
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Saskatoon, SK
Default Re: Flavorfull Magic Items

On that note, I would recommend Magic Items 1, 2, and 3 for flavorfull magic items easily ported to DF.
__________________
MiB 7704

Playing: GURPS Nordlond Dragons of Hosgarth
Running Savage Worlds Tour of Darkness (Vietnam + Mythos)
corwyn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2023, 04:51 AM   #7
Anders
 
Anders's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Default Re: Flavorfull Magic Items

Spices of Infinite Aggression

When added to a dish, it causes all those who partake of said dish go Berserk 15 minutes or so (2d7+8) after they've begun eating. Great for disturbing diplomatic dinners.
__________________
“When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love ...” Marcus Aurelius
Anders is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2023, 09:11 AM   #8
benz72
 
benz72's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Chagrin Falls
Default Re: Flavorfull Magic Items

Quote:
Originally Posted by Anders View Post
Spices of Infinite Aggression

When added to a dish, it causes all those who partake of said dish go Berserk 15 minutes or so (2d7+8) after they've begun eating. Great for disturbing diplomatic dinners.
Detectable as poison? Neutralized by Purify Food?
__________________
Benundefined
Life has a funny way of making sure you decide to leave the party just a few minutes too late to avoid trouble.
benz72 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2023, 10:01 AM   #9
Anders
 
Anders's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Default Re: Flavorfull Magic Items

Yes to both. It is effectively a poison, unless you're a warrior before battle and has a deathwish.
__________________
“When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love ...” Marcus Aurelius
Anders is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2023, 11:57 AM   #10
sjmdw45
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Default Re: Flavorfull Magic Items

Quote:
Originally Posted by Anders View Post
Yes to both. It is effectively a poison, unless you're a warrior before battle and has a deathwish.
Now I've got this great idea for a character: a Wizard with Berserk (9). Normally he does the typical wizard thing of buffing others, spinning off illusions, Blinking away from damage, Glueing enemies to the floor, etc.

But hit him hard enough and he might just lose his temper and start (rather stupidly) whacking away at you with his staff.

The entertainment value would be to see how long you can keep him alive.
sjmdw45 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Fnords are Off
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:05 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.