Crowdsourcing for Codex – Decay!
We will have a Dungeon World feature in Codex – Decay called “Five Artifacts that Destroyed a Civilization.” Essentially, these are magic items or mundane items of historical significance that were each somehow responsible for causing a society to collapse. If you’d like to submit something, you can paste the text of your artifact here or send it to me at gauntletpodcast@gmail.com
We’ll be taking submissions until 08.20.17.
If you have any questions, you can ask them here. Thanks!
What sort of word count are you shooting for?
What sort of word count are you shooting for?
I think 250-300 is the upper limit, Michael G. Barford, but I’m flexible if the idea is good.
I think 250-300 is the upper limit, Michael G. Barford, but I’m flexible if the idea is good.
The Nightmare Catcher
Commissioned by the Emperor of La, the Nightmare Catcher was a device constructed to prevent his terrible dreams. Unfortunately, when it was completed and activated, it prevented all the citizens of the realm from dreaming. The madness and hallucinations that followed tore the empire apart.
The Nightmare Catcher
Commissioned by the Emperor of La, the Nightmare Catcher was a device constructed to prevent his terrible dreams. Unfortunately, when it was completed and activated, it prevented all the citizens of the realm from dreaming. The madness and hallucinations that followed tore the empire apart.
Logan Howard These don’t have to be the short bits like in the miscellany. You can open them up in terms of DW rules/moves, if you wish.
Logan Howard These don’t have to be the short bits like in the miscellany. You can open them up in terms of DW rules/moves, if you wish.
Word limits or recommended sizes? (for a second I thought this was a 2d6 thing so like: paragraph, but it looks more like the shrine contest in scope?)
Word limits or recommended sizes? (for a second I thought this was a 2d6 thing so like: paragraph, but it looks more like the shrine contest in scope?)
Tomer Gurantz 250 words or so is probably the upper limit
Tomer Gurantz 250 words or so is probably the upper limit
could they be more of a location with custom moves? like the ruined city surrounding Logan Howard’s machine which is still running?
could they be more of a location with custom moves? like the ruined city surrounding Logan Howard’s machine which is still running?
Daniel Fowlerxyz I want to stick to artifacts.
Daniel Fowlerxyz I want to stick to artifacts.
Thronekiller
When you bow before a lord or lady while holding the Thronekiller, you see in your mind’s eye the face of the person, the keystone, whose death would cause the most damage to the lands they rule and their hold over it. You will always know where that person is until either they die or the keystone changes because of political changes or significant shifts of power.
The Thronekiller is a legendary knife, cut from the stomach of the 666th peasant to die because of a specific case of royal neglect – anything from orc attacks to starvation to plague. It is said some assassin cults bring about this neglect in order to summon the Thronekiller into existence.
PROBLEM: I don’t think this would make the world worse or destroy it…
Thronekiller
When you bow before a lord or lady while holding the Thronekiller, you see in your mind’s eye the face of the person, the keystone, whose death would cause the most damage to the lands they rule and their hold over it. You will always know where that person is until either they die or the keystone changes because of political changes or significant shifts of power.
The Thronekiller is a legendary knife, cut from the stomach of the 666th peasant to die because of a specific case of royal neglect – anything from orc attacks to starvation to plague. It is said some assassin cults bring about this neglect in order to summon the Thronekiller into existence.
PROBLEM: I don’t think this would make the world worse or destroy it…
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The Ring of Truth
Not all wizards are wise: this apprentice project was initiated merely in order to pass a final exam, with the idea being that whoever wore the ring would be compelled to tell the truth. Serving no real purpose, it would merely have demonstrated the apprentices’ understanding of crafting magical objects.
Almost predictably, the apprentices got it wrong: the transposition of a few runes created a ring that caused everyone except the wearer to tell the truth. The power required to quicken the artifact drained the academy of all free-standing mana, causing several other projects to fail catastrophically, resulting in its virtual destruction. At the same time, everyone within a seven-league radius became unable to tell anything but the absolute truth.
Visitors to the abandoned ruins of the kingdom have occasionally sought the ring by sifting through the wreckage, but arguments rapidly tear such groups apart. The ring is still highly active, making it impossible for anyone within its baleful effect to tell even the smallest lie.
The Ring of Truth
Not all wizards are wise: this apprentice project was initiated merely in order to pass a final exam, with the idea being that whoever wore the ring would be compelled to tell the truth. Serving no real purpose, it would merely have demonstrated the apprentices’ understanding of crafting magical objects.
Almost predictably, the apprentices got it wrong: the transposition of a few runes created a ring that caused everyone except the wearer to tell the truth. The power required to quicken the artifact drained the academy of all free-standing mana, causing several other projects to fail catastrophically, resulting in its virtual destruction. At the same time, everyone within a seven-league radius became unable to tell anything but the absolute truth.
Visitors to the abandoned ruins of the kingdom have occasionally sought the ring by sifting through the wreckage, but arguments rapidly tear such groups apart. The ring is still highly active, making it impossible for anyone within its baleful effect to tell even the smallest lie.
Undetonated rift bomb. This remnant of the forebears is a repository of intense eldritch power that can be handily tapped to provide aetheric power to a large town indefinitely. When the engine begins to break down roll. 10+ the bomb is easily repaired and yields a non cumulative +1 to the next check. On a 7-9 1d4+1 difficult to obtain components will be required and small rifts will begin to erupt around the artifact. On a 6- the countdown begins to audibly tick towards zero.
Undetonated rift bomb. This remnant of the forebears is a repository of intense eldritch power that can be handily tapped to provide aetheric power to a large town indefinitely. When the engine begins to break down roll. 10+ the bomb is easily repaired and yields a non cumulative +1 to the next check. On a 7-9 1d4+1 difficult to obtain components will be required and small rifts will begin to erupt around the artifact. On a 6- the countdown begins to audibly tick towards zero.
Ocean Drinker
An item almost too common amongst adventurers, the Bag of Holding can be very useful, fitting anything you put into it. But one poor dumb soul opened one under water or maybe someone threw it over board in the middle of the sea. Out of curiosity or malice. Now a whole ocean is contained within the bag. Ending generations of seatravel and leaving a wasteland of salt flats. Swallowing the ocean ended one civilisation, unleashing might doom another.
Ocean Drinker
An item almost too common amongst adventurers, the Bag of Holding can be very useful, fitting anything you put into it. But one poor dumb soul opened one under water or maybe someone threw it over board in the middle of the sea. Out of curiosity or malice. Now a whole ocean is contained within the bag. Ending generations of seatravel and leaving a wasteland of salt flats. Swallowing the ocean ended one civilisation, unleashing might doom another.
The Strongbox of Gorrgalorr:
This small ivory box is sealed shut by inscribed bands of copper. Its Hinges have been smashed flat to prevent their function. The seams of the lid and keyhole have been filled with molten silver. While it feels empty the box is home to a powerful spirit of greed bound into a single gold coin. Gorrgalorr lays claim to everything within its invisible reach. The box itself has a habit of finding the most unlikely of hiding spots wherever it is allowed to rest unattended. Once safely hidden its influence steadily grows in range and urgency. never seen, Garrgalorr hides things away, whispers accusations in their owner’s ears and subtly causes misfortune to anyone who threatens its hoardings. Any roll that brings wealth into its domain or drives people away receives +1 from Gorrgalorrs aid. Any roll to find or remove wealth from its domain receives -2 from Gorrgalorrs interference. The spirit goes dormant if found or tampered with, biding its time, hoping to be dismissed as a mundane treasure. But it never forgets or forgives anyone who takes what it has claimed.
The Strongbox of Gorrgalorr:
This small ivory box is sealed shut by inscribed bands of copper. Its Hinges have been smashed flat to prevent their function. The seams of the lid and keyhole have been filled with molten silver. While it feels empty the box is home to a powerful spirit of greed bound into a single gold coin. Gorrgalorr lays claim to everything within its invisible reach. The box itself has a habit of finding the most unlikely of hiding spots wherever it is allowed to rest unattended. Once safely hidden its influence steadily grows in range and urgency. never seen, Garrgalorr hides things away, whispers accusations in their owner’s ears and subtly causes misfortune to anyone who threatens its hoardings. Any roll that brings wealth into its domain or drives people away receives +1 from Gorrgalorrs aid. Any roll to find or remove wealth from its domain receives -2 from Gorrgalorrs interference. The spirit goes dormant if found or tampered with, biding its time, hoping to be dismissed as a mundane treasure. But it never forgets or forgives anyone who takes what it has claimed.
having trouble thinking of something that destroyed a civilization without making it all about the location under its influence.
having trouble thinking of something that destroyed a civilization without making it all about the location under its influence.
The Gold Mill
There is a seed of truth in every fairy-tale but the tale of Rumpelstiltskin was actually a cover story concocted to dissuade the curious from stumbling onto a dreadful secret. In truth, there was no miller’s daughter or wicked imp, just a pair of thaumaturges who stumbled onto the complex process for creating a mill that would transform anything run through it into gold. Being venal and petty, they went on a spree with their new found wealth, which brought them to the attention of a criminal syndicate who took the Gold Mill from them by force.
The value of gold crashed soon thereafter: banks could not offer security on loans and investments, the gold coins in people’s pockets devalued to almost nothing and neighbouring kingdoms closed their borders for fear that the flood of cheap gold would impact their economies in the same way. Then the Gold Plague came: it’s a simple truth that you can’t change one element into another without destablising it fundamentally. Over time, those who handled the magical gold weakened and grew sick, with their hair falling out and sores appearing on their bodies. Rumours spread of a curse on the kingdom and the population crashed even faster than the economy had: the economic depression, gold plague and flood of refugees began a domino effect that sent half the continent into a downward spiral. Even one hundred years later, this is a haunted kingdom of ill-fortune and the gold-capped towers have long since toppled.
The Gold Mill
There is a seed of truth in every fairy-tale but the tale of Rumpelstiltskin was actually a cover story concocted to dissuade the curious from stumbling onto a dreadful secret. In truth, there was no miller’s daughter or wicked imp, just a pair of thaumaturges who stumbled onto the complex process for creating a mill that would transform anything run through it into gold. Being venal and petty, they went on a spree with their new found wealth, which brought them to the attention of a criminal syndicate who took the Gold Mill from them by force.
The value of gold crashed soon thereafter: banks could not offer security on loans and investments, the gold coins in people’s pockets devalued to almost nothing and neighbouring kingdoms closed their borders for fear that the flood of cheap gold would impact their economies in the same way. Then the Gold Plague came: it’s a simple truth that you can’t change one element into another without destablising it fundamentally. Over time, those who handled the magical gold weakened and grew sick, with their hair falling out and sores appearing on their bodies. Rumours spread of a curse on the kingdom and the population crashed even faster than the economy had: the economic depression, gold plague and flood of refugees began a domino effect that sent half the continent into a downward spiral. Even one hundred years later, this is a haunted kingdom of ill-fortune and the gold-capped towers have long since toppled.
Julika’s Knife
Just a simple knife, forged by a village blacksmith, used to cut vegetables for most of it’s life. But this knife is what a brave farmer used to show the world a Godking could die, like any man. Stabbed with a slightly rusty but reasonably sharp kitchen knife. The first to shed divine blood.
This deed started a rebellion and spelled the end of the Pantheon.
Julika’s Knife
Just a simple knife, forged by a village blacksmith, used to cut vegetables for most of it’s life. But this knife is what a brave farmer used to show the world a Godking could die, like any man. Stabbed with a slightly rusty but reasonably sharp kitchen knife. The first to shed divine blood.
This deed started a rebellion and spelled the end of the Pantheon.
The Bell of Awakening (2 weight)
No record exists of the origin of this bell and some believe it to be a tool of the gods. Used during the creation of the world and left behind. Its body is indestructible and far denser than iron. It has no clapper and spouts a bone handle at the top sized for two hands of a large man.
When rung its tone is not heard but can be “felt” for many leagues. The first ring instantly and fully awakens every living creature in the surrounding lands. The second ring awakens the nearby dead, returning their souls to their bodies no matter their age or condition. The third ring awakens the local elemental spirits, bringing consciousness to nature and inanimate objects. The fourth ring awakens the titans that slumber deep underground. No one has ever rung the bell a fifth time.
The order of Silence took it upon themselves to hide the bell in a secret cavern below their most remote mountaintop monastery. Three dozen of their order were entombed in the same cave along with scores of workmen and laborers. All trusted to seek out and stop anyone who used the bell to awaken them. The temple was abandoned and partially demolished. Left to crumble and be inhabited by wild animals. The order believes that all knowledge of its location has been destroyed.
The Bell of Awakening (2 weight)
No record exists of the origin of this bell and some believe it to be a tool of the gods. Used during the creation of the world and left behind. Its body is indestructible and far denser than iron. It has no clapper and spouts a bone handle at the top sized for two hands of a large man.
When rung its tone is not heard but can be “felt” for many leagues. The first ring instantly and fully awakens every living creature in the surrounding lands. The second ring awakens the nearby dead, returning their souls to their bodies no matter their age or condition. The third ring awakens the local elemental spirits, bringing consciousness to nature and inanimate objects. The fourth ring awakens the titans that slumber deep underground. No one has ever rung the bell a fifth time.
The order of Silence took it upon themselves to hide the bell in a secret cavern below their most remote mountaintop monastery. Three dozen of their order were entombed in the same cave along with scores of workmen and laborers. All trusted to seek out and stop anyone who used the bell to awaken them. The temple was abandoned and partially demolished. Left to crumble and be inhabited by wild animals. The order believes that all knowledge of its location has been destroyed.
The Quill of Mirva
This was the quill of the great spymaster Mirva, and is identified by her name elegantly etched into the shaft. With it she penned the most beautiful lies and horrible truths. No collector will admit to possessing it, for even rumors of its location attract ambitious thieves.
The Quill of Mirva
This was the quill of the great spymaster Mirva, and is identified by her name elegantly etched into the shaft. With it she penned the most beautiful lies and horrible truths. No collector will admit to possessing it, for even rumors of its location attract ambitious thieves.
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