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This cube is about 1 feet large, dark red in colour, with veins of both light and still darker red. It feels like wood, gives off no scent. A fine line indicates it is really openable, and a keyhole suggests in what way. No hinges are visible. If shaken, something can be felt to hit on the inside, but no sound is heard. If magic is detected for, it is there, but it cannot be made certain of what kind, and in what amount.
The box can be found anywhere, it can be given as a gift, it could be sold, stolen, whatever.
The box can not be opened. No usual or unusual way works. A key is not present, and no other will not work. Picking the lock is a nightmare for the thief, and some have really gone crazy trying to achieve this. No tool can force the lock, nor can any force even scratch the box at all. Indeed, it is likely the frustrated owner will throw it from a very high place one day, to find the damned box be in perfect condition. Its colour cannot be changed, nor its surface.
Just right, it cannot be opened.
Throughout the centuries, the box had countless owners, and many rumours and almost myths have arisen around it.
- It comes from the Devil (or substitute with other evil deity/demon/whatever). If you buy it, you must sell it for a smaller price, or you are horribly cursed/your soul belongs to him/you will die in a month/etc.
- It is a prison for a horrible demon/a pure being/powerful wizard/... Or it will simply end the world if it is ever opened. That’s why it came into that dungeon…
- It is a godly gift, and the gods themselves will grant one wish to the mortal that manages to open it.
- A great heap of gold/the secret of immortality/the greatest diamond ever/the cure for all diseases is locked inside, awaiting the lucky one.
- A terrible disease is hidden in it, waiting to be released.
- The true king shall open the box, and find some royal insignia to confirm his claim on the throne.
Magical Properties:
The truth?
...and thus spoke the godly———- and the common ******* for a long time. But in time the mighty god was greatly annoyed by this low creature, and as found no other (non-violent…) way to get rid of him, he presented the box as a gift and puzzle, so he finds out how to open it, and then enjoys the gift. But they shall not speak again, until it happens.
(Or any prankster god will do.)
The Box is a godly artifact, indestructible and unopenable, unless you are a god yourself. It is empty.
November 4, 2003, 11:08
November 4, 2003, 16:58
November 5, 2003, 2:05
Even if the player gives up on opening the box, they still have a one foot cube of unbreakable stuff. That could be put to use in remakable ways. They can't work it into anything more useful, mind you, but it has a purpose.
Some unintended uses could be:
Battering Ram head.
Jam the mechanism of a crushing trap.
Trebuche stone - if it's heavy enough.
Chopping block.
Millstone.
Anvil.
Maul head. -mauls are big mallets
November 5, 2003, 21:41
This is the kinda thing i love to see. An item that will have the PCs confused as a duck in an airplane for hours and even days after the game stops. It also has uses as a adventure hook (Ex. This common man comes to the PCs asking for help). Good job you truly deserve a cookie.
December 3, 2003, 7:24
*High five*
January 11, 2004, 17:47
January 12, 2004, 5:15
Its sheer uselessness coupled with its mythological significance is a beautiful touch of irony.
ephe!
August 19, 2004, 4:58
March 19, 2005, 14:25
March 22, 2005, 5:02
September 30, 2005, 1:16
November 12, 2005, 4:58
November 17, 2005, 12:13
A good bit of wonder there manfred. I like it and always have.
November 17, 2005, 13:33
January 7, 2006, 17:21
February 28, 2006, 14:45
October 14, 2007, 0:45
October 14, 2007, 6:09
October 14, 2007, 10:50
October 14, 2007, 15:49
October 14, 2007, 17:07
An inspired piece of madness.
I was always fond of this epic red herring, but I hadn't voted.
Until now.
October 14, 2007, 21:25
January 24, 2008, 16:30
January 24, 2008, 18:05
Thanks, Kinslayer!
January 24, 2008, 18:54
January 24, 2008, 20:19
(Also, hehe, BH, an orange!) :)
April 10, 2008, 13:07
April 10, 2008, 14:04
Thanks for waking up this monster.
April 10, 2008, 15:00
April 10, 2008, 16:44
I still view this box, in my mind, as the Hellblazer box.
May 20, 2008, 20:09
The Box That Can Never Be Closed!
Once, long ago, there was a God of Mages known as Tehfayl. He was the God of the young bumbling adepts. He was quite powerful, untill banished from the Godly Realms for causing too much chaos and upsetting the natural balance of things. He was petty and lazy, and liked to use magic for everything.
Once he created this artifact, and possibly The Box That Can Not Be Opened as well, Tehfayl did not mean to create this box. He didn't even create the box itself, it was a gift from one of his worshippers. The worshipper placed the box at his feet. Tehfayl cast a simple Open/Close Object type spell, but... he kinda over did it... The Box sprung open, launching its contents (Rare spell ingredients and such) everywhere!
He was so embarrassed that he blasted the Box from his Godly Realm towards the unsuspecting world below. He has since departed out world, but his magic is still with us. This Box is a cursed artifact. It looks like a normal wooden box, put can not be kept closed, it will spring open at the worst of times. And, even worse, it infects other containers (such as backpacks and potion vials) that it comes close to.
Let your imaginations run wild!
May 21, 2008, 7:12
And I like the nasty little effect of your box, too!
May 20, 2008, 21:48
Oh and Pieh, do me a little favor and put your idea up as a sub linking back to this one so I can give it a proper vote and comment (+1 is too little for the idea). It's good enough it it's own right to stand alone.
5/5
Edit: One little question, Why isn't this a golden submission yet? It certainly deserves to be one.
May 21, 2008, 16:10
I like it. It is well done. Yet, I hate it. I have never seen the point of frustrating players. It makes them grumpy (well other words are applicable). They begin to think that you, as the GM, are personally out to get them. That route simply leads to difficulties.
March 10, 2009, 17:39
June 7, 2008, 16:57
October 7, 2008, 11:35
March 9, 2009, 17:48
August 15, 2011, 4:12
A fun idea. Not sure it's a great one, but certainly a good one.
May 12, 2013, 22:21
May 13, 2013, 7:26
Deserving of HoH as well.
I can see PC's frustration. *Grins with manic intent*
May 13, 2013, 7:27
??
May 13, 2013, 23:16
The were searching his tower for information regarding a particular issue they were having when they came across his lab. Pocketing a few items, the thief of the group tossed the box in his satchel hoping it contained riches or items of magic. He has broken four of his lock picking tool kits and is attempting to find more. He swears that the fact I am not letting him, open it means there is something in it I don't want him to have. It's fun.
Thank you for creating this pleasurable tool of torture.