Non-traditional thieves tools
Just a little flavor to add to an item that generally does not get a lot of focus. We all know what lock picks look like and how they work. Mostly they are a single line in the inventory of one character and only mentioned when lost. These are some stranger variants that might be especially interesting to parties without a thief. Maybe a cool gift to searching characters when you had nothing specific planed. Feel free to post your own lock picks or other generally uninteresting bits of gear.
Elf-pick (DoF uses)
Apply this bulb to any wooden door and it will quickly take root and flower. The wood of the door shrinks rapidly as it feeds the new plant. Locks and hinges fall away and the door drops out of its frame. Roll a die, on a one the plant dies before producing another bulb.
Dwarf-pick (slow, reload)
When jammed into the stone frame of a locked doorway this device will begin to drill. It crumbling stone around the door until it falls free and the passage is opened. Rewinding the Dwarf-pick requires several hours of strenuous effort.
Orc-pick (loud, 1 use, dangerous)
In its inert state the orc-pick appears to be a pourase brick of clay. When moistened (traditionally with blood or spit) it can be molded into a sticky mass that becomes highly volatile. Carefully applied to a lock or thrown against a barricade it will explode on impact with a low thump. The sound is bound to draw attention unless covered by noise of combat or celebration.
Monster-pick (dof uses, dangerous)
A seemingly delicate feather-like appendage kept in a wooden box when not in use. Any metal lock, hinge, or door brushed by this device will quickly rust away. Extreme care must be taken to avoid unintentional contact and the effects eventually weaken.
Gnomish Precision Instinctive Clasp Knife (PICK)
The item is unassuming upon initial inspection and appears to be a typical brass bell. The automated mechanical wonder springs to life when introduced to any locking mechanism. Once in contact with a lock it’s actuated hook, rake and half-diamond arms are manipulated via levers protruding from its dome shaped back. The intuitive design anticipates the users next move and applies minute corrections granting them the benefit of the Aid or Help actions.
Gnomish Precision Instinctive Clasp Knife (PICK)
The item is unassuming upon initial inspection and appears to be a typical brass bell. The automated mechanical wonder springs to life when introduced to any locking mechanism. Once in contact with a lock it’s actuated hook, rake and half-diamond arms are manipulated via levers protruding from its dome shaped back. The intuitive design anticipates the users next move and applies minute corrections granting them the benefit of the Aid or Help actions.
Kurt Potts do you mean it gives you a +1 to your roll as if someone had aided you or it gives fictional justification that lets some non-thief character roll aid to help?
Kurt Potts do you mean it gives you a +1 to your roll as if someone had aided you or it gives fictional justification that lets some non-thief character roll aid to help?
Love these Daniel Fowler! Thanks!
Love these Daniel Fowler! Thanks!
Daniel Fowler The item aids the user so +1 or whatever the help action provides in the system you’re using.
Daniel Fowler The item aids the user so +1 or whatever the help action provides in the system you’re using.
Telekinetic lockpicks!
Telekinetic lockpicks!
Ellie Potts’ thief-nose:
They took Ellie Potts’ nose when they caught her in the castellan’s study but ha-ha to them if they think it learned her not to steal.
Her new one’s made of wood and fastened with a little cord around the back of her head, but unbuckle it and there’s an itty bitty false back with a clasp just reachable through the left nostril.
Inside? About a tablespoon of powdered rust-monster blood in an enamel tube, buffered with cotton to stop the rattling. Rub that on anything made of metal (a lock, maybe) and watch it corrode.
Ellie Potts’ thief-nose:
They took Ellie Potts’ nose when they caught her in the castellan’s study but ha-ha to them if they think it learned her not to steal.
Her new one’s made of wood and fastened with a little cord around the back of her head, but unbuckle it and there’s an itty bitty false back with a clasp just reachable through the left nostril.
Inside? About a tablespoon of powdered rust-monster blood in an enamel tube, buffered with cotton to stop the rattling. Rub that on anything made of metal (a lock, maybe) and watch it corrode.
Backpack monkey: agile, clever, small, easily distracted by shiny things, likes to be fed expensive fruits, and has been known to steal from other party members..
Backpack monkey: agile, clever, small, easily distracted by shiny things, likes to be fed expensive fruits, and has been known to steal from other party members..
Raider’s Bag (Slow, 6 uses, 5 weight)
SPOILS OF THE RAIDER
When you search and sift through your huge bag of hoarded supplies, roll+the number of expanded Uses.
On a 10+, You find the exact thing for the situation. Its in good condition and reliable.
On a 7-9, You don’t have exactly what you need, but this thing sort of fits, choose one:
■ It came from some past raid, it will attract unwanted attention.
■ It was scavenged or jury-rigged, you have -1 Forward using it.
■ It was looted from a corpse, Defy Danger when using it.
When you take some time to resupply your raider’s bag you gain…
..1 use if you only have a few minutes to look around.
..2 uses when you have plenty of time on your hands.
Inspired by Jan Petrykowski
Raider’s Bag (Slow, 6 uses, 5 weight)
SPOILS OF THE RAIDER
When you search and sift through your huge bag of hoarded supplies, roll+the number of expanded Uses.
On a 10+, You find the exact thing for the situation. Its in good condition and reliable.
On a 7-9, You don’t have exactly what you need, but this thing sort of fits, choose one:
■ It came from some past raid, it will attract unwanted attention.
■ It was scavenged or jury-rigged, you have -1 Forward using it.
■ It was looted from a corpse, Defy Danger when using it.
When you take some time to resupply your raider’s bag you gain…
..1 use if you only have a few minutes to look around.
..2 uses when you have plenty of time on your hands.
Inspired by Jan Petrykowski
The Lock Whisperer’s Mask: When this leather bandanna is worn and hummed through, in the presence of a locked door or mechanism, describe the tune or poem and roll +WIS: On a hit, the lock is undone. On a 10+, choose 1. On a 7-9, choose 3:
■ The lock is ruined, and cannot be re-locked.
■ The process calls unwanted attention.
■ It takes time.
■ The mask’s power is drained. (The first time this is chosen, take -1 forward when using the mask. The second time, the mask is now useless.)
The Lock Whisperer’s Mask: When this leather bandanna is worn and hummed through, in the presence of a locked door or mechanism, describe the tune or poem and roll +WIS: On a hit, the lock is undone. On a 10+, choose 1. On a 7-9, choose 3:
■ The lock is ruined, and cannot be re-locked.
■ The process calls unwanted attention.
■ It takes time.
■ The mask’s power is drained. (The first time this is chosen, take -1 forward when using the mask. The second time, the mask is now useless.)