Post by hengest on Aug 3, 2021 22:33:18 GMT -5
A spinoff from this post here.
Item powers and backstory below, followed by brainstorming questions for refs. On this thread, if you like the item at all, feel free to answer as many questions as you like, in a set or separately. Discretely (numbering the responses) or just writing up something as a block of text. I felt pretty good about this list, so I hope to hear what others have to say (as much or as little as you like).
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?)
Item powers and backstory below, followed by brainstorming questions for refs. On this thread, if you like the item at all, feel free to answer as many questions as you like, in a set or separately. Discretely (numbering the responses) or just writing up something as a block of text. I felt pretty good about this list, so I hope to hear what others have to say (as much or as little as you like).
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.
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?)
