Dangers - Item - Balance Of Powers: A5E

Particular items can be the cause of, or a direct link to, the **danger** in or near the destination. Magic is often involved; this does not necessarily mean that the item itself is magical, but it is likely that it is, at the very least, connected to magic. The effect it has on the destination depends on what the item is, who it affects, and in what way they are affected. Roll on the tables in this chapter if your **danger** is an item. # Item Details | Detail | Result | | ------------------------------- | --------------------------------- | | [[#Item Origin]] | `dice:[[Dangers - Item#^d330a2]]` | | [[#Item Status]] | `dice:[[Dangers - Item#^1fa063]]` | | [[#Item Type]] | `dice:[[Dangers - Item#^aa1bf4]]` | | [[#Item Condition]] | `dice:[[Dangers - Item#^ccaf94]]` | | [[#Item Notability]] | `dice:[[Dangers - Item#^e33877]]` | | [[#Item Link To Magic]] | `dice:[[Dangers - Item#^98594b]]` | | [[#Magic Activation]] | `dice:[[Dangers - Item#^2f946b]]` | | [[#Magic Category]] | `dice:[[Dangers - Item#^ab3d44]]` | | [[#Physically Targeted Magic]] | `dice:[[Dangers - Item#^efa254]]` | | [[#Mentally Targeted Magic]] | `dice:[[Dangers - Item#^f5a0ab]]` | | [[#Spiritually Targeted Magic]] | `dice:[[Dangers - Item#^d3c536]]` | | [[#Item Sentience]] | `dice:[[Dangers - Item#^e54100]]` | # Tables ## Item Origin How did the item come to be at the destination? | d12 | Item Origin | | --- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | 1-3 | **Original.** The item was made or put here by its rightful owners or creators. | | 4-6 | **Stolen.** The item was stolen, and then stashed here. | | 7-9 | **Hidden.** The item was hidden here. | | 10 | **Unknown.** The item was brought here without knowledge of what it really was. | | 11 | **Misunderstanding.** The item was brought here under the false impression that it was something more, or other, than it really was. | | 12 | **Otherworldly Decree.** The item was directed here by the will of a god or extra-planar entity | ^d330a2 ## Item Status Is the item in the possession of someone or something and, if so, what? | d4 | Item Status | | --- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | 1 | **Understanding Ownership.** Someone, or something, in the destination is in possession of the item, and understands what it is or does. The owner is… [1d6]: 1-4: A humanoid 5-6: An intelligent monster | | 2 | **Ignorant Ownership.** Someone,or something in the destination is in possession of the item, but doesn’t truly understand what it is or does. The owner is… [1d6]: 1: A beast 2-3: An unintelligent monster 4-5: A humanoid 6: An intelligent monster | | 3 | **Undisturbed.** The item is where it was last placed or discarded, and it has not been undisturbed, uncovered, or otherwise moved since. | | 4 | **Disturbed.** The item is where, or in the vicinity of where, it was last placed or discarded, but shows signs of being touched, uncovered, moved, or otherwise disturbed since then. | ^1fa063 ## Item Type What is the item? | d20 | Item Type | | --- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | 1 | **Armor (Piece).** The item is a piece of protective equipment. The armor piece is… [1d6]: 1: A breastplate 2: A gauntlet 3: A pair of gauntlets 4: A helm 5: A shield 6: Other | | 2 | **Armor (Suit).** The item is a full set of protective equipment. The armor is… [1d4]: 1: Chainmail 2: Leather 3: Plate 4: Scale mail | | 3 | **Artwork.** The item is a piece of visual art. The artwork is… [1d4]: 1: A carving 2: A drawing 3: A painting 4: A sculpture | | 4 | **Body.** The item is a body. The body is that of... [1d6]: 1: A beast 2-3: An unintelligent monster 4-5: A humanoid 6: An intelligent monster | | 5 | **Body Part.** The item is a part of a body. The body is that of... [1d6]: 1: A beast 2-3: An unintelligent monster 4-5: A humanoid 6: An intelligent monster The body part is… [1d10]: 1: An arm 2: An eye 3: A finger 4: A foot 5: A leg 6: A hand 7: A head 8: A toe 9: A tongue 10: A torso | | 6 | **Book.** The item is a book. The book is... [1d12]: 1: A children's book 2: A cookbook 3: A diary or journal 4: A tome of eldritch lore 5: A religious text 6: A work of fiction 7: A selection of games or puzzles 8: A ledger 9: A collection of historical records 10: A work of nonfiction 11: A script 12: A collection of spells or rituals | | 7 | **Clothing.** The item is a piece of clothing. The clothing is… [1d6]: 1: An accessory 2: A cloak or coat 3: An item of footwear 4: A pair of gloves 5: A hat 6: Pants 7: A shirt 8: Something else | | 8 | **Document.** The item is a written document. The document(s) is/are… [1d6]: 1: A deed 2: A set of instructions 3: A letter 4: A map 5: A collection of notes 6: A prophecy 7: A collection of official records 8: A riddle | | 9 | **Holy Symbol.** The item is a physical object with holy (or unholy) significance. | | 10 | **Jewelry.** The item is an adornment, typically made of valuable metal, bone, wood, or other special material, and sometimes set with precious stones. The jewelry is… [1d6]: 1: A bracelet 2: A crown or tiara 3: An earring, or pair of earrings 4: A brooch 5: A necklace 6: A ring | | 11 | **Spellcasting focus.** The item is a length of wood, metal, or other material that is imbued with or otherwise contains magical properties. The focus is a... [1d6]: 1-2: Rod 3-4: Staff 5-6: Wand | | 12 | **Delicate Object.** The item is inherently fragile, or has multiple moving parts that make it easily breakable. The object is… [1d6]: 1: A decorative ornament 2: A mechanical device 3: A mirror 4: A tool or implement 5: A curiosity 6: Something else | | 13 | **Melee Weapon.** The item is a weapon intended to be used at close range for striking. The weapon is… [1d8]: 1: A club 2: A dagger 3: A flail 4: A hammer 5: A mace 6: A staff 7: A sword 8: Something else | | 14 | **Mixture.** The item is a substance, such as a chemical or compound, possibly contained within a vial, bottle, or other container. The mixture is a... [1d6]: 1-2: Potion 3-4: Poultice 5-6: Powder | | 15 | **Musical Instrument.** The item produces music when played. The instrument is... [1d4]: 1: Brass 2: Percussion 3: Strings 4: Woodwind | | 16 | **Ranged Weapon.** The item is a weapon intended to be used at a distance, typically to strike targets with projectiles. The weapon is... [1d10]: 1-2: A crossbow 3-4: A longbow 5-6: A shortbow 7-8: A sling 9-10: Something else | | 17 | **Symbol of Office.** The item is one used or worn to signify rank, authority, or rulership. The symbol is a... [1d6]: 1: Sash 2: Brooch 3: Chain 4: Crown 5: Scepter 6: Signet ring | | 18 | **Toy.** The item is one intended to be used for play. The toy is... [1d8]: 1: An animal 2: A fancy-dress costume 3: A ball 4: Construction-based (blocks, etc.) 5: A doll 6: A kaleidoscope 7: A musical instrument 8: A puzzle 9: An indoor game 10: An outdoor game 11: A vehicle 12: A weapon | | 19 | **Vehicle.** The item is one that is used to move about in various ways. The vehicle is designed for… [1d20]: 1-4: Air travel 5-12: Land travel 13-16: Water travel 17: Amphibious travel 18: Underwater travel 19: General planar travel 20: Travel within a specific plane The vehicle... [1d20]: 1-5: Can reach very high speeds 6-9: Is very oversized or undersized 10-14: Has a secondary function (ie. mobile base, vendor stall) 15-17: Is extremely tough 18: Has guided navigation 19: Has stealth capabilities 20: Is not designed for humanoid use | | 20 | **Vessel.** The item is some form of container, which may or may not have something in it (GM’s choice). The container is… [1d12]: 1: An amphora 2: A bowl 3: A jar 4: A tin 5: A bottle 6: A drinking vessel 7: A chest 8: A box 9: A vial 10: A tank 11: A safe 12: A pot or cauldron | ^aa1bf4 ## Item Condition What sort of shape is the item in? | d10 | Item Condition | | ---- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1-2 | **Awful.** The item is in the worst shape it could be; it may be broken, filthy, missing components, etc. | | 3-4 | **Poor.** The item has seen better days. It is likely dirty, damaged, or in an otherwise unappealing state. | | 5-6 | **Good.** The item seems to be in acceptable shape for whatever kind of item it is. | | 7-8 | **Excellent.** The item seems to be in very good shape; relatively clean, well-maintained, and with no missing parts. | | 9-10 | **New.** The item is in perfect condition; it either is, or appears to be, new. | ^ccaf94 ## Item Notability Why is the item special? >[!note] Not Mutually Exclusive >Though the Item Notability table is intended to be rolled on once, the results need not necessarily be mutually exclusive. If you think your result would work well in combination with something else, feel free to pick or roll again to add an extra dimension to your item. | d8 | Item Notability | | --- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1 | **Creator.** The item was created by someone very important, influential, or powerful. | | 2 | **Owner.** The item belonged to someone very important, influential, or powerful. | | 3 | **False Power.** The item is rumored to possess powers, but actually does not. | | 4 | **True Power.** The item is rumored to possess powers, and lives up to the stories. | | 5 | **Material Value.** The item is made of, or embellished with, a very valuable material (such as a precious metal or gem). | | 6 | **Storied.** The item is mentioned in many beloved tales, inspiring adventurers and all kinds of intrepid folk to search for it. | | 7 | **Attraction.** The item draws those around to it; many have unwittingly found themselves in its vicinity for unexplained reasons. | | 8 | **Heirloom.** The item has been handed down from person to person throughout a span of time. This could be within a family, organization, etc. | ^e33877 ## Item Link To Magic How intrinsic are the magical properties of the item? >[!note] Non-Magical Items >Many items that are inherently dangerous in and of themselves have magical properties (such as mindcontrolling those who touch them), or utilize nearby magic to serve some purpose (such as a magical zone of protection in place around them). However, if you are running a lowmagic, or no-magic setting, or simply prefer your item to be mundane, that’s ok too. In such a case, skip this table, and the magic-related tables that follow. > >Non-magical items can still act as a major catalyst that drives the story or situation. Though their inherent danger may be less than that of a magical one, context can create an incredibly dangerous situation that affects the entire destination; your item could play some pivotal role in the events surrounding the location and current state of affairs. Perhaps, for example, the badge of office of a great ruler has been stolen, a national manhunt is taking place, and the thief is hiding out in the destination. Anyone linked to the item is in great danger, even if the item itself cannot cause harm to anyone. Perhaps, instead, the destination conceals an item that is the final clue to a great mystery. In any case, the final decision on whether or not your item has magical properties is down to you. | d6 | Item Link To Magic | | --- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1-3 | **Dependent Link.** The item is intrinsically linked to the magic. If the link is severed, either by destroying the item, dispelling the magic, or otherwise causing the two to become unbound, neither the item or magic can continue to exist in isolation. | | 4-5 | **Independent Link.** The item and magic share a conditional link, though both can exist without the other. Perhaps the magic fuels the item, or the item focuses or grounds the magic. If the magic is dispelled, the item is rendered mundane. If the item is destroyed, the magic is untethered from it - this may dispel it, or may cause it to surge or spiral out of control. | | 6 | **Location Link.** The magic exists in the location of the item to serve a purpose, such as to protect or hide it, but is not linked to the item itself. If the item is destroyed, the magic persists, and vice versa. The item may serve as bait to attract targets into the path of the magic. | ^98594b ## Magic Activation How is the magic triggered? >[!note] Authorized Users >Given that items are most often designed to be used, we assume that there are individuals that can approach and use the item without triggering the magic. These individuals may be attuned to the item in some way, such as its creator, or current owner. We consider these individuals ‘authorized’ and, as such, they are never targeted by the magic (unless the GM decides otherwise). | d10 | Magic Activation | | --- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1-4 | **Physical Contact.** If the item is touched, the magic activates, targeting whoever or whatever touched it, or came into contact with it. | | 5-7 | **Action On Item.** If something is done to the item, or within a certain distance of it, the magic activates. The item is triggered when someone... [1d8]: 1: Attempts to break it 2: Breaks it 3: Brings something specific near it 4: Casts magic near it 5: Removes it from where it is 6: Says something specific near it 7: Touches it 8: Does something else | | 8-9 | **Line of Sight.** The magic targets individuals who have line of sight to the item. | | 10 | **Aura.** The magic activates when something, or someone, enters the aura that persistently surrounds, and is centered on, the item. This remains active until it is somehow deactivated. The aura’s radius... [1d12]: 1-5: Is 50 ft. 6-8: Is 100 ft. 9-10: Is 200 ft. 11: Encompasses the entire destination 12: Extends well beyond the destination | ^2f946b ## Magic Category What kind of magic affects the targets? | d6 | Magic Category | | --- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | 1-2 | **Physical.** Roll on the *Physically Targeted Magic* table to learn the magic’s effect. | | 3-4 | **Mental.** Roll on the *Mentally Targeted Magic* table to learn the magic’s effect. | | 5-6 | **Spiritual.** Roll on the *Spiritually Targeted Magic* table to learn the magic’s effect. | ^ab3d44 ## Physically Targeted Magic Physically targeted magic affects physical things (bodies, objects, etc.). The magic could simply harm the target, but could also physically move or transform it, change it’s position etc. | d10 | Physically Targeted Magic | | ---- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1-2 | **Transformation.** The target is physically changed in some way by the magic. The magic alters... [1d6]: 1: Something superficial or cosmetic 2-3: Something generally important, or specifically vital 4-5: The target’s entire body or structure into something with similar physical traits or biology 6: The target’s entire body or structure into something with different physical traits or biology | | 3-4 | **Element.** An element manifests. The element is... [1d12]: 1: Acid 2: Air 3: Dark 4: Earth 5: Fire 6: Force 7: Ice 8: Light 9: Necrotic 10: Psychic 11: Shadow 12: Water The element manifests... [1d12]: 1-5: Directly on the target 6-9: Immediately around the target 10-11: Widely around the target 12: As an elemental creature of the related element | | 5-6 | **Change Position.** The target is magically moved from its location to another. The target is... [1d6]: 1-3: Physically pushed (target’s movement can be seen) 4-6: Teleported (target disappears and appears somewhere else) The target is moved... [1d8]: 1-4: A short distance 5-6: A moderate distance 7: Far 8: Very far | | 7-8 | **Disease.** The target develops a physical sickness. Roll a d6 for each of the following questions: Contagious? 1-3: Yes 4-6: No Deadly? 1-2: Yes 3-6: No Time For Worst Symptoms To Show: 1: A minute 2: An hour 3: A day 4: A week 5-6: 2 weeks Impacted Body System: 1: Digestive 2: Circulatory 3: Respiratory 4: Immune 5: Nervous 6: Brain | | 9-10 | **Lethargy.** The target feels tired, lackadaisical, or listless. They suffer from some degree of exhaustion, or feel a decided lack of energy | ^efa254 ## Mentally Targeted Magic Mentally targeted magic affects the mind and senses. The effects tend to take the form of altering dreams, perception, or attitudes. | d10 | Mentally Targeted Magic | | --- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1 | **Hallucination (One Sense).** The target senses something that is not physically there in the surrounding environment. The affected sense is... [1d10]: 1-2: Sight 3-4: Sound 5-6: Smell 7-8: Taste 9-10: Touch | | 2 | **Hallucination (Multiple Senses).** The target senses something that is not physically there in the surrounding environment in multiple (1d4 + 1) ways. The affected senses are... [1d10]: 1-2: Sight 3-4: Sound 5-6: Smell 7-8: Taste 9-10: Touch | | 3 | **Disorientation.** The target constantly loses their sense of direction, or rarely seems to find a clear path or trajectory. | | 4 | **Frightening Dreams.** The target is plagued with terrifying dreams that disturb their rest and may put them on edge in their waking hours. | | 5 | **Pleasant Dreams.** The target experiences wonderful dreams, which may aid their rest, or may lead them astray, alter their opinions, create a false narrative, or cause other various problems on awakening. | | 6 | **Strange Dreams.** The target is beset by dreams that confuse or unsettle, possibly prompting misleading thoughts or misguided suspicions. | | 7 | **Heightened Emotions.** The target experiences their emotions in more extreme ways. Anger becomes intense rage, happiness becomes hysteria, sadness becomes deep melancholy or depression. | | 8 | **Dampened Emotions.** The target experiences their emotions in more subdued ways. Things they would otherwise react strongly to don’t seem to prompt the same reaction, and emotions seem to blur into each other and become indistinguishable. | | 9 | **Combative.** The target experiences increased aggression. When affected, the target... [1d6]: 1-2: Is more prone to aggressive responses 3-5: Immediately lashes out at anyone they consider an enemy 6: Immediately lashes out at enemies and allies alike, at the slightest provocation or disagreement | | 10 | **Friendly.** The target experiences increased good feeling towards others. When affected, the target... [1d6]: 1-2: Is more prone to friendly responses 3-5: Gives the benefit of the doubt to all allies, and to those they usually consider an enemy 6: Goes out of their way to help enemies and allies alike, regardless of the risk to their own safety | ^f5a0ab ## Spiritually Targeted Magic Spiritually targeted magic aims to affect the soul, either by testing, warping, or weakening the target’s convictions and spiritual fortitude. | d10 | Spiritually Targeted Magic | | ---- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1-2 | **Corruption.** The target's good qualities are twisted to ill, and flaws or faults seem to appear in them where they once did not. | | 3-4 | **Temptation.** The target has an overwhelming desire to possess something that they shouldn’t, or that is unobtainable, often at a dire or hidden cost that is in opposition to their usual principles. | | 5-6 | **Hopelessness.** The target seems lost, and lacks hope and a sense of purpose. | | 7-8 | **Loss of conviction.** The target’s drive to press on, to complete important tasks, and accomplish the things that matter dwindles. Things that were previously important to the target don’t seem to matter so much any more. | | 9-10 | **Distraction.** The target is easily diverted by new and interesting things, losing the attention and focus that they would normally devote to major goals and tasks. | ^d3c536 ## Item Sentience Does the item have awareness or personality? | d20 | Item Sentience | | ----- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1-17 | **None.** The item does not possess awareness, personality, or any other form of consciousness or agency. | | 18-19 | **Simple Personality.** The item has some elements of consciousness, but they are simple. It may want, or be drawn to, a certain thing or behavior. If it speaks, it may only use single words or short phrases. It may appear dormant until appropriate moments, and is unlikely to be able to form opinions. | | 20 | **Fully-Formed Personality.** The item has a full personality and is able to communicate with whomever is using it (or, possibly, anyone within a certain range). It has complex thoughts, feelings, desires, likes, and dislikes, and likely has its own ambitions and makes its own plans. | ^e54100