Wanted to share the item I posted on DW Tavern with you guys. In case some of you don’t frequent the Tavern 🙂
Wizard’s Spectacles
Everyone knows the life of a Wizard is full of books, tomes, scrolls, journals and any other object that can be written upon. So was the life of Zorandus the Shortsighted. He was well known for his less than adequate vision, so he took it upon himself to craft some magical glasses that would give him vision as sharp as an eagle! Unfortunately his vision was so bad that he misread the instructions for enchanting them and fell down the stairs during testing. But fortunately for anyone who finds these glasses, their magical properties might still be of use!
The Wizard’s Spectacles gain 3 hold at the beginning of each day, replacing any hold they had the previous day. Anyone who wears the glasses may spend the hold. You may use the hold to perform any of the following actions:
• Detect Magic as the Wizard spell.
• Read magical writing as if it was in your native tongue.
• Identify a magical item.
The spectacles will only function if both lenses are intact and they are only as durable as a normal pair of glasses. They also seem to have the adverse side effect of causing gradual degradation in vision over time. Any hold you use causes you to gain 1 hold. If you gain 3 hold your vision becomes impaired . If you gain 6 hold you are effectively blind. You lose a hold for every day you go without using the Wizard’s Spectacles.
Love this effect and the backstory. Given the story, it would be cool if there was some sort of “blindness” when wearing it.
Ex. When wearing the glasses, depth perception is impaired.
Love this effect and the backstory. Given the story, it would be cool if there was some sort of “blindness” when wearing it.
Ex. When wearing the glasses, depth perception is impaired.
I’ve been getting on board with the “consequences”. I first saw it used to great affect with “drugs” and have been extrapolating it to nearly everything I use. Gives plainly written downsides to the use of the item/drug without a need for a roll (though some may still use one).
Your glasses could cause blindness with use. Perhaps come grim portents and danger
I’ve been getting on board with the “consequences”. I first saw it used to great affect with “drugs” and have been extrapolating it to nearly everything I use. Gives plainly written downsides to the use of the item/drug without a need for a roll (though some may still use one).
Your glasses could cause blindness with use. Perhaps come grim portents and danger
Whoa, that’s powerful. The party really has to earn that one. But, yeah, could break easily. One failed roll…
Whoa, that’s powerful. The party really has to earn that one. But, yeah, could break easily. One failed roll…
Yeah, the fragile nature was the major downside. I had considered putting in that they function as normal glasses also and will make anyone who doesn’t need them unable to see well and can lead to dependency on them.
Yeah, the fragile nature was the major downside. I had considered putting in that they function as normal glasses also and will make anyone who doesn’t need them unable to see well and can lead to dependency on them.
I made an edit at the end of the item to reflect loss of vision with use. Let me know what you all think.
I made an edit at the end of the item to reflect loss of vision with use. Let me know what you all think.
I like that effect and gradual buildup. Lots of hold to track. Need to think more about it over today.
I like that effect and gradual buildup. Lots of hold to track. Need to think more about it over today.
How about something like: if all 3 hold are spent, the glasses are stuck to your face. Gradually things get darker and less clear except magical things you have previously identified – those shine like beacons. This effect lasts until you fail a move that requires sight. At which point the glasses fall right off your face. Better look sharp to make sure you catch them before they fall to the ground and get crushed underfoot!
How about something like: if all 3 hold are spent, the glasses are stuck to your face. Gradually things get darker and less clear except magical things you have previously identified – those shine like beacons. This effect lasts until you fail a move that requires sight. At which point the glasses fall right off your face. Better look sharp to make sure you catch them before they fall to the ground and get crushed underfoot!
That could be good for a version of them. I like my version, but I could cut back on the hold…
How about this edit to the last part: Any hold you use causes you to gain 1 impairment. At 1 impairment you have trouble seeing nonmagical things at Near or Far distance. At 2 impairment you have trouble seeing nonmagical things from Reach or farther. At 3 impairment you can only see nonmagical things that are adjacent to you. Any magical creature, item, spell or writing are seen as normal, if not slightly better. You lose an impairment for every day you go without using the Wizard’s Spectacles.
That could be good for a version of them. I like my version, but I could cut back on the hold…
How about this edit to the last part: Any hold you use causes you to gain 1 impairment. At 1 impairment you have trouble seeing nonmagical things at Near or Far distance. At 2 impairment you have trouble seeing nonmagical things from Reach or farther. At 3 impairment you can only see nonmagical things that are adjacent to you. Any magical creature, item, spell or writing are seen as normal, if not slightly better. You lose an impairment for every day you go without using the Wizard’s Spectacles.
Some of my players would like that version – particularly my wizard player. Others are not as “excited” by resource management. So depending on the player I may use a different version.
Some of my players would like that version – particularly my wizard player. Others are not as “excited” by resource management. So depending on the player I may use a different version.
I like that version allot
I like that version allot
I was playing with this, because I think it’s an interesting idea. I like yours, Scott Selvidge. I thought I’d try something a bit different with the same item. What do you think?
When you don The Wizard’s Spectacles and attempt to Detect Magic, Identify a Magical Item, or Read Magical Writing, roll + WIS. On a hit, the spectacles work well enough. You’ve done magic! On a 7-9, choose one from below. On a miss, the spectacles have become unpredictable, perhaps even dangerous. The GM will tell you how.
+ The spectacles have blurred your vision, leaving you Confused.
+ The spectacles will not allow themselves to be removed from your face! They’re odd enough that being taken seriously is going to be difficult. (You’re Scarred.)
+ This was supposed to be passive magic, but it has taken a more active turn. Ask the GM about it.
Not completely sold on the three options, yet. They might need further ruminating.
I was playing with this, because I think it’s an interesting idea. I like yours, Scott Selvidge. I thought I’d try something a bit different with the same item. What do you think?
When you don The Wizard’s Spectacles and attempt to Detect Magic, Identify a Magical Item, or Read Magical Writing, roll + WIS. On a hit, the spectacles work well enough. You’ve done magic! On a 7-9, choose one from below. On a miss, the spectacles have become unpredictable, perhaps even dangerous. The GM will tell you how.
+ The spectacles have blurred your vision, leaving you Confused.
+ The spectacles will not allow themselves to be removed from your face! They’re odd enough that being taken seriously is going to be difficult. (You’re Scarred.)
+ This was supposed to be passive magic, but it has taken a more active turn. Ask the GM about it.
Not completely sold on the three options, yet. They might need further ruminating.
That’s a nice variation. Good for a bit more of a cursed magic item.
That’s a nice variation. Good for a bit more of a cursed magic item.