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Post by hengest on Aug 2, 2021 20:32:10 GMT -5
Olga's Ring Much "taller" than a normal ring, it comes about halfway up to the next knuckle. Made of wrought iron, the ring does not look like much save for four milk-white gems set into the inner surface so that they are invisible but in contact with the wearer's skin. The ring grants +2 to WIS, a telekinetic earth-moving ability that can deal with about 3 cubic yards an hour, and a pyrokinetic ability that can set fire to any wooden structure in sight. The WIS bonus works for any wearer. The other abilities can be used only by women of childbearing age. The ring is an heirloom of a royal house, but its primary abilities have been forgotten. Two generations ago it was worn for nearly seventy years by Queen Lily. In her youth she rode with advance troops and roasted the enemy's halls and barns with a look. As enemies turned to vassals and allies, there was less call for Lily's fiery eyes. And as she aged, her ability to use the ring dwindled. By the time of her death, her youthful exploits were already passing into legend, and if anyone knew of the powers of the ring, they said nothing. Without the strength and foresight of Queen Lily, her old alliances are fading and the borders are unwatched. (Building off The Perilous Dreamer 's idea for presentation, which I like) Possible Questions/Hooks 1. Was it buried with her? Has she been buried or is she still lying in state in some way at present? 2. Did anyone know? 3. Did she leave it to an heir? 4. What did she say? 5. Did she herself know or remember its power? 6. If it was not buried with her, was it left to anyone in particular or simply among her personal effects? 7. Is there a meaningful distinction between vassal states that paid tribute to Queen Lily and true allies? What political history is generally known? 8. Until when was Queen Lily able to use the telekinetic and pyrokinetic powers of the ring? 9. What was her age when she inherited the ring or got it by some other means? 10. By what means does the wearer activate the kinetic powers? Simply by desire, or is a command word or something required as a trigger? Is strong emotion sufficient to trigger any of the kinetic powers if the user does not know of them? 11. Who made the ring and for what purpose? Does it function as designed or is this a "broken" set of powers? 12. What are the rules succession in this kingdom? Does Lily have an obvious heir? What sex is this person, what are they like? Is it this person who possesses the ring at present? 13. Who was Olga? 14. Under what tactical circumstances did Lily use the pyrokinetic power? Are you interested in gaming skirmish warfare during her prime? 15. Did her use of the pyrokinetic power cause any changes in local building habits? 16. Was Lily always queen when she used the ring, or was she a princess? Or was it her military prowess (don't forget her other personal characteristics) that made her queen? 17. What was Lily's natural WIS? Was she exceptional in any other way? Was she a figurehead or a confident ruler? 18. Did she marry? Did she marry a ruler of one of the neighboring kingdoms? Did he pre-decease her? 19. Is there a sister ring anywhere? Are there any other remarkable magic items in circulation? 20. How old are Lily's people as a distinct culture? (Edit: hmm...now I'm tempted to answer some of these myself. But I also like them just as questions...other questions, anyone? Or answers?) |
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Aug 2, 2021 21:21:28 GMT -5
Olga's Ring Much "taller" than a normal ring, it comes about halfway up to the next knuckle. Made of wrought iron, the ring does not look like much save for four milk-white gems set into the inner surface so that they are invisible but in contact with the wearer's skin. The ring grants +2 to WIS, a telekinetic earth-moving ability that can deal with about 3 cubic yards an hour, and a pyrokinetic ability that can set fire to any wooden structure in sight. The WIS bonus works for any wearer. The other abilities can be used only by women of childbearing age. The ring is an heirloom of a royal house, but its primary abilities have been forgotten. Two generations ago it was worn for nearly seventy years by Queen Lily. In her youth she rode with advance troops and roasted the enemy's halls and barns with a look. As enemies turned to vassals and allies, there was less call for Lily's fiery eyes. And as she aged, her ability to use the ring dwindled. By the time of her death, her youthful exploits were already passing into legend, and if anyone knew of the powers of the ring, they said nothing. Without the strength and foresight of Queen Lily, her old alliances are fading and the borders are unwatched. (Building off The Perilous Dreamer 's idea for presentation, which I like) Possible Questions/Hooks 1. Was it buried with her? Has she been buried or is she still lying in state in some way at present? 2. Did anyone know? 3. Did she leave it to an heir? 4. What did she say? 5. Did she herself know or remember its power? 6. If it was not buried with her, was it left to anyone in particular or simply among her personal effects? 7. Is there a meaningful distinction between vassal states that paid tribute to Queen Lily and true allies? What political history is generally known? 8. Until when was Queen Lily able to use the telekinetic and pyrokinetic powers of the ring? 9. What was her age when she inherited the ring or got it by some other means? 10. By what means does the wearer activate the kinetic powers? Simply by desire, or is a command word or something required as a trigger? Is strong emotion sufficient to trigger any of the kinetic powers if the user does not know of them? 11. Who made the ring and for what purpose? Does it function as designed or is this a "broken" set of powers? 12. What are the rules succession in this kingdom? Does Lily have an obvious heir? What sex is this person, what are they like? Is it this person who possesses the ring at present? 13. Who was Olga? 14. Under what tactical circumstances did Lily use the pyrokinetic power? Are you interested in gaming skirmish warfare during her prime? 15. Did her use of the pyrokinetic power cause any changes in local building habits? 16. Was Lily always queen when she used the ring, or was she a princess? Or was it her military prowess (don't forget her other personal characteristics) that made her queen? 17. What was Lily's natural WIS? Was she exceptional in any other way? Was she a figurehead or a confident ruler? 18. Did she marry? Did she marry a ruler of one of the neighboring kingdoms? Did he pre-decease her? 19. Is there a sister ring anywhere? Are there any other remarkable magic items in circulation? 20. How old are Lily's people as a distinct culture? (Edit: hmm...now I'm tempted to answer some of these myself. But I also like them just as questions...other questions, anyone? Or answers?) These are questions that can and should be asked of many magic items. This an awesome list and sometimes for referees to think about when they are creating unique original magic items. Have an Exalt! |
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Aug 2, 2021 21:22:11 GMT -5
Oh and I loved the question: "13. Who was Olga?"
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Post by mao on Aug 3, 2021 3:54:27 GMT -5
hengest , do you want us to answer some of these?
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Post by hengest on Aug 3, 2021 5:52:33 GMT -5
hengest , do you want us to answer some of these? If you feel like it, or I may solo |
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Post by mao on Aug 3, 2021 5:54:43 GMT -5
hengest , do you want us to answer some of these? If you feel like it, or I may solo Not really, just being nice! |
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Aug 3, 2021 9:13:12 GMT -5
(Edit: hmm...now I'm tempted to answer some of these myself. But I also like them just as questions...other questions, anyone? Or answers?) You can answer them if you want, but in a new thread.  I would love to see how you do it. |
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Aug 3, 2021 9:13:56 GMT -5
hengest , do you want us to answer some of these? If you feel like it, or I may solo Yes, and in new threads. Not here, I would think. |
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Post by mao on Aug 3, 2021 9:16:50 GMT -5
If you feel like it, or I may solo Yes, and in new threads. Not here, I would think. as I said above, I was just trying to be nice when I said that, that's why I asked, he might have been hinting that he wants input, that's all |
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Aug 3, 2021 9:22:17 GMT -5
Yes, and in new threads. Not here, I would think. as I said above, I was just trying to be nice when I said that, that's why I asked, he might have been hinting that he wants input, that's all I thought answering those questions in new threads and perhaps even similar questions for other items posted elsewhere on the forum, would be fun and spur ideas. |
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Post by mao on Aug 3, 2021 9:48:19 GMT -5
as I said above, I was just trying to be nice when I said that, that's why I asked, he might have been hinting that he wants input, that's all I thought answering those questions in new threads and perhaps even similar questions for other items posted elsewhere on the forum, would be fun and spur ideas. in general, that's a good idea but not on this, no real reason, just kinda wanted to see this all hengest, although taking like 5 of the questions and answering them in a thread, along w a more peeps, would be kinda cool. |
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Post by hengest on Aug 3, 2021 12:49:23 GMT -5
Anyone wants to answer any of the questions briefly or at length, I welcome it and thank you. Please start another thread for it and add a link to the post here, if convenient. Start it anywhere and we can categorize it later.
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Oct 12, 2022 17:46:05 GMT -5
I am bumping this thread, but for the content and the questions to help develop content.
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I would love to see how you do it.