Red Herrings
Are you a friend of adventures that bring you closer to the ultimate truth, that help you to learn your world, and teach you a valuable lesson? Or at least provide you with useful means upon your further journey? Then, my friend, better stay clear of the following things...
What is a red herring, you ask? It has several meanings, according to the Wikipedia, here a few selected ones:
- in detective work, mystery fiction, and puzzle-solving, a false clue which leads investigators, readers, or solvers towards an incorrect solution
- in literature, a plot device intended to distract the reader from a more important event in the plot, usually a twist ending.
- in adventure games, an item or object of no practical use; its purpose may be to frustrate the gamer who tries to find the intended use for it.
Shortly, it is something that misleads you, and leads further from truth. Alas for the poor players and game characters, sometimes it is these plots that have the greatest attraction for the stressed Game Master. But fear not too much, they can be great fun even for others.
Feel free to add other plots (and Items, even NPCs) of this kind.
Article Codex
Items • Art and Music • Magical
The Malachrite Falcon is one of those legendary treasures that people have been hunting for over the centuries. The Malachrite Falcon has a legendary past, mixed with the Great Orders of the Past. The Malachrite Cult, The Sethians, the Kings of Cronos, and just some of the great orders who have owned it. The last public owners were the Blades of the GoldenSun, a legendary order of warriors from the ancient Imperial days. The Blades were either the greatest warriors for Good or the most famous scam artists depending on who is writing the history. When the Blades were 'broken' by Emperor Coscious the Mad, their treasuries were looted. The Falcon was one of the treasures not accounted for. It was considered spirited away by some Blades.
Plots • Crisis • Mini-Campaign
I'll tell you something, there was a demon in Widow Suvar's Wine cellar. How do I know, 'cuz I seen it that's how I know.
Items • Melee Weapons • Combat
'So this is the sword of Crog, the legendary hero...right?' This weapon may prove that psychology can be better than magic.
Items • Other • Sentient
This small orb, perfectly spherical, a deep, but transparent red, and very reminiscent of a standard marble, but also holds and imp who can also speak to the mind of whoever holds it. It is one of a set.
Items • Other • Magical
A strange, mystical box, with many rumours attached, that does not want to reveal its secret...
Items • Other • Non-Magical
Found at the best cafes, and commanding the highest prices...
Items • Other • Magical
Well it's got to do something, but I'll be damned if I know what
NPCs • Mythic/ Historical • Knowledge/Lore
Yes, it's the wise old man you alway knew you'd meet.
Items • Books and Scrolls • Non-Magical
This millennia-old book is one of the most famous books of prophecy in all of the realms, second only to the Book of the Cannon itself, and takes the front seat in the minds of most as the quintessential book foretelling the future.
But all is not as it seems
Plots • Discovery • Single-Storyline
An ordinary seek-the-artifact scenario gives a valuable lesson why you should always check your employer.
Lifeforms • Flora • Swamp
A higly misunderstood flora.
Items • Books and Scrolls • Non-Magical
TOP SECRET! A Pickled Herring
Items • Jewelry • Non-Magical
Gauranteed to protect you from nightmares, hexes, and the diseases of the loins
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? Responses (13)
I think as a whole this codec is great. The idea of having useless information given to player to make them go nuts is perfect.
Great idea Manfred! All the herrings packed closely together in oil.
Golf clap!
BUMP! Anyone knows of other submissions that qualify for this Codex?
hmmm, there has to be another one somewhere around here.
found two! Snowflake by manfred and Red Erring by Agar.
Thanks a lot! There are never enough Red Herrings.
(Yay, found another!)
Oops - just noticed I'd already done this
Being only a lowly user, I do not have the ablity to correct the error
Can one of you guys with admin privileges sort it out for me please
Thanks
All seems to be fine, thank you for the concern.
There must some more red herrings out there! :)
Added another herring. There are usually 24 little herrings per can. We only have 15 here.
Great codex/scroll! HoH for usefulness and future additions.
A nice collection here. Good stuff!
