Lost for where your newest magic item came from? Have no fear, the IBG, Item Backstory Generator is here! It doesnt matter if your item is a sword or a spatula, potion or lotion, the IBG is safe for any item use!
Step 1. Who made the item?
1D6 roll
1. Created by a Wizard
2. Created by a divine or infernal power (Roll on table 1A)
3. Created by accident
4. Created by hard work and good luck
5. Created by another race (roll table 1B)
6. Created by unknown source (roll table 1C)
Step 2. Why Did they make the Item?
1D6 Roll
1. Felt like it/Because they Could
2. fur Sport/entertainment
3. For use in the Great War!
4. To Prevent the Great war
5. By product of another project
6. Commisioned by other (roll table 2A)
Step 3. Interesting Bits!
1D10 Roll
1. Item was used by someone else for a different purpose
2. Became very popular
3. Caused the death of its creator/commisioner
4. Started a social/cultural movement
5. romanticized in story and song
6. never worked correctly
7. Cursed cursed cursed!
8. condemned by the faith
9. socially ostracised
10. nothing of interest
Step 4. Where did it go?
Roll 1D6
1. Was lost, and later found again! (roll table 4A)
2. Left in a safe place for posterity
3. never went out of style
4. Family heirloom
5. Royal treasure
6. Loot of powerful Lich
Step 5. Plot Hooks
Hook 1 - how can the good guys use it for good?
Hook 2 - how can the bad guys use it for evil?
Hook 3 - how can merchants use it for profit?
Table 1A Celestial powers 1D6
1. Positive Divine power
2. Trickster Divine power
3. Negative Infernal Power
4. Lovecraftian Elder/Outsider God
5. Ghostly underworld power
6. Aliens
Table 1B Other Races 1D6
1. The Elves
2. The Dwarves
3. The Gnomes
4. The Orcs
5. A Dragon
6. Roll again, add Evil. Ignore 6 if rolled again
Table 1C Unknown 1D6
1. Atlantis
2. Utterly Destroyed civilization
3. Forgotten God or Legend
4. Purple Monkeys
5. Lich
6. Spirit of innovation and forgetfullness
Table 2A Commisions 1D6
1. Wealthy Knight/lesser Noble
2. The Guild
3. Mercenary faction
4. Heroes of Old
5. Villians of Old
6. Collector/enthusiast
Table 4A Lost and Found 1D6
1. Buried in a crypt
2. Lost in ruins
3. Hidden in vault
4. buried in the old well
5. In a dragon's hoard
6. hidden in building wall