“ Pick up a pathology/microbiology book, and add the diseases/syndroms to your game. Your players will freak out.
Coughed at? Diphteria. or tuberculosis?
Drunk from a muddy stream? Or just walked through? Well, let us introduce you to schistosomiasis...
Hit by a stream of energy? Too moch mana is ust like too much radioactivity - perhaps all mages could develop cancer early if too powerful...”
“ Your Pillow> This magic pillow is "+2" comfort and remains cool despite the temperature. It also shrinks to the size of a cigarette box for easy transportation. These are WILDLY popular wth those who have to travel(especially adventurers) . They command a huge price far outside it's true value , sometimes selling for thousands of gold pieces in a world where stating fighters are often equiped w +2 Swords. The method of creation is lost but sevral enterprising mages are trying to recreate this, with no success.”
“ Nearly every primitive culture has had rituals and celebrations to guarantee the proper passage of the seasons and to ensure the fertility of crops and animals. Oversight of these ceremonies was generally the provenance of local kings or priests.
Suppose that the adventurers dispatch one of these fellows. The local peasants may become hysterical, fearing famine and death will stalk the land. Alternatively, they may want one of the new heroes to become king. For a while, this can be a good thing, but the first time that the crops fail, the superstitious locals will want to sacrifice their new leader.”