Quite nice - I like the idea that a mage's junk might actually be possibly useful but more likely just junk, just as is the case with the rest of us who hoard things and throw them away. It would be good if you provided some examples though, either in the main submission or in the form of a scroll. Go to Comment
I like this concept, especially the point about the PCs finding themselves in it. It would be most fun to actually create some of the pages (though this would take a lot of work), but would mean the PCs could actually puzzle out some of the intrigue in the world themselves.
However, one thing I personally don't like is the Evil Cultist tie. It's just that this is such an excellent item for webs of court/diplomatic intrigue that I feel it cheapens it to involve Evil Cults, rather than just the usual heady mix of personal ambition, lust for power or personal gain and Machiavellian machinations that are possessed by every self-respecting up-to-no-good ambitious noble, adviser or politician. Go to Comment
A very, very nice idea with a huge amount of potential. Would give it 4 or even 4.5 if it had a backstory. (I realise posts like this have been transferred from the threads and that's why they don't, but as they're in the main site now I'm voting by those standards). Go to Comment
I love this! Another good idea for use would be to instead of giving it to one of your PCs would be to gradually introduce THEM to the idea that these tokens are the mark of the evil cult (particularly if you have a "paranoid paladin" or similar in your group). Then spring a harmless guy who's just picked one up randomly on them. Even better if he's someone in a position of authority who they think they can blackmail or will get in big trouble if they kill.
Alternative: have them travel to a town where one in three people wears one of these trinkets (if it was a saint's medal, perhaps he's the patrol saint of that town). "Ah," say the PCs, "this is clearly the Evil Cult's Headquarters!". Go to Comment
Slightly weird, but weird enough to be interesting. Would give it an extra .5 if I could think of any way of using it.
Slight side note: "AND provides additional holy energies to any who believe who wield it." Who wield it?? PC: "I attack the zombie using the chamber pot." Go to Comment
It would be a 4 but the extra .5 is for the three posts taken as a whole. They're really starting to grow on me. Why are they called "Gryphon Knights"? Does the kingdom actually have gryphon allies as Zylithan suggested? If so, do they ever ride them? Go to Comment
A nice description and goes well with the swords. I particularly like the way they are trained in philosophy, law, dancing and courtly grace - clearly the Sovereign's Finest are more than just soldiers. The description of their duties also makes this clear. How is one selected to train for the Sovereign's Finest (in peace time that is)? Do you apply or are you picked? Go to Comment
Something else I thought of: a lot of stress is given to being "of the line of the original finest", both in this post and in the Gryphon Knights post. However, especially as they are quite numerous, many "of the line" people will not be in this guard. Some may be other soldiers, some nobles, but some perhaps have just become ordinary commoners. I could see being "of the line" to being something to be proud of and giving some status (similar to the way being descended from the Prophet is for Muslims). You could see a situation like this:
"Daniel was only an ordinary carpenter who had never held a sword in his life. However, he was of the line of the finest and he knew what to do when the marauders came." Being "of the line" would not only give him the courage he needed to act, it would also give him the status to inspire his fellow villagers to rally to put up stockades and defend their village. Go to Comment
It would. It would also be interesting, in a world where curses occurred, if people thought it was cursed but it wasn't: they might start blaming all kinds of things on the non-existent curse. Go to Comment
I very much like the concept of this: the explanation of why it would be mistaken for a holy artifact is perfect (and would apply to other evil artifacts that let one control undead too, if they were didn't appear evil). I've only given it 3.5 due to the lack of backstory (though I appreciate that this is probably because it's just been transferred from a thread). Go to Comment
I quite like this. Regarding the soul being trapped in the body (which incidentally is a really neat idea), could a powerful soul maybe affect those around it (i.e. making them uneasy or distressed) in its cries of madness or struggle for freedom? What if the ring is removed after death (which would seem quite likely)? Will the binding eventually fail? Of course, by this time, the soul might be insane. Go to Comment
A set of allegedly true stories about ghosts, hauntings, witches and supernatural creatures. Supposedly "well researched by the publishers", most are so implausible that it seems likely that the editors just made them up - or accepted at face value any tale that they heard. However, they are usually spine-chilling and often gripping and are lapped up by the general public. Published once a month. Go to Comment
Interesting. Personally, I don't like psionics, but it is still a good post. One major question: if both genders are raised in the same way (by the men till aged 10, then by the women), how come the women are so untrusting and the men so open and accepting? What do other people think about their culture - do they envy them for their fine minds, or do they treat them respect and come to the Olwyn for study or advice? Go to Comment
Lifeforms (Fauna) (Any)