Legendary Artifact

The Arkmayj's Grimoire

Created and held by Iphus 'Arkmayj' Mekand.
The Arkmayj's Grimoire is a powerful book of legendary status, bound in fine leathers and masterfully engraved with runes of magical power, branded with gold.

With the turn of the page and some quick hand signs, a wicked bolt of necrotic force arcs towards the target like lightning.

Spend an Action. Select a Living target within 45 feet. Roll Charisma + Occult Difficulty 6. The target may contest by rolling Body, Difficulty 6.

If the Contested Outcome is positive, the target takes that much Damage plus 4. The target's material Armor is completely ignored.

The target suffers a -3 dice penalty for the next hour or until the Injury is healed. This dice penalty does not stack multiple times on the same target.

Anyone who witnesses you during this Effect's activation will almost certainly be disturbed to see The afflicted person begins to rot and decay from the inside out.

This Gift's Cost is capped at 2 and cannot be increased further.

  • "Material Armor" includes armor from equipment but not Armor from Mythic Brawn, barrier, or mystical armor.
  • When narrating disturbing content, be cognizant of your group's tone and accommodating to those who would like to "fast forward" through the description.
  • You can target yourself if you qualify as a valid target by the other requirements.
  • Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.

You draw forth a circle of magical energy, conjuring up a small grey creature to serve your beck and call. While mischievous, they're loyal to their master's orders, able to deal with most tasks easily enough.

Exert your Mind and spend an Action.

Summon up to 3 Sapient Small Little Imp at your location. They last until they are destroyed They are controlled by the GM but will follow any commands you give. This Artifact may have at most 3 minions active at a time.

  • Initiative: Minions act directly after you in Combat.
  • Combat: Minions roll 4 dice to dodge, Grapple, or make Magical Spear Attacks. Their unarmed Attacks are melee range and deal +2 Damage.
  • Body: Minions have 3 Body.
  • Armor: Minions have 1 Armor.
  • Movement: Minions can move 15 feet per Round as Free Movement and double that when performing an all-out Sprint.
  • Intelligence: Minions have human-level intelligence and can speak your language. They can use equipment, Artifacts, and Consumables. However, they cannot Exert their Mind.
  • Actions: Any Perception checks they make are rolled with 3 dice. Your minion is able to Hauling with a 7 dice pool. Any other roll is made with 3 dice. They can lift and haul as though they have 2 Brawn.
  • Unusual: Minions are obviously Alien to any observer.

  • Minions die if targeted with Energy Transfer or if an Artifact or Consumable they use would Injure them or cause them to roll Trauma.
  • Your minions may count as additional targeting types based on their flavor. For example: Living, Computer, Creature, etc.

The Grimoire is now bound to your very soul, gilded in heavy chains of gold, the pages drip blood as they are turned and chains rattle restlessly with every hefty thump of the cover.

This Artifact cannot be broken. If this Artifact is lost and in no one else’s possession, it finds its way back to its true owner during the next Downtime.

By default, the creator of this Artifact is its true owner. The true owner may formally bequeath this Artifact onto another person within arm’s reach, after which they are its true owner. If this Artifact has no living true owner, anyone may spend one day attuning to it to become its true owner.

If this Artifact is in no one else’s possession, its true owner may Exert their Mind and spend two Actions to bring it to themselves.

Whenever this Artifact is unattended and within 300 feet of its true owner, it will fly back to them. When not held or stowed, it floats beside its true owner, moving with them. While within 10 feet, the true owner does not need to touch it to use it.

This Artifact's true owner must have it with them to have restful sleep. They cannot regain Mind or Source while separated from this Artifact.

  • The Artifact can fly at a maximum speed of 100 feet per Round and only towards its true owner. This does not grant the Artifact its own Action or Reaction, and it moves at the same time as its true owner’s Movement.
  • "Cannot be broken" means that damage cannot render the Artifact's Effects unusable, nor can it cease to be used for its primary mundane purpose, if it has one.
Print / PDF
Learn about charlatans - Hide fake ads

Community Artifacts

Portable Moon

Created by Andromeda, given to Lina Montaigne.
The Moon Presence

"Please think carefully before you use this."

The Portable Sun appears to be a small sphere (slightly larger than a tennis ball) that resembles a miniature sun. The artifact emits a faint light and is warm to the touch. The Portable Sun's texture is weirdly fuzzy and glass-like, feeling similar to how one would expect television static to feel.

When activated, the artifact will glow brighter for a moment, before quickly launching a fiery solar flare at the target. The flames dance through the open air, fizzling out into nothing if they fail to find a suitable target. Upon colliding with a target, the solar flare sets it ablaze.

Having learned about the possibility of crafting magical items during the events of Don't Look Up, Andromeda sought to craft something of her own. By channelling her mind, magic, and passion, she was able to create the first Portable Sun.

Spend an Action. Select a target within 20 feet which has both fuel and oxygen available (if you are starting a new fire).

You may start a new fire as large as a torch's flame at your target. Your fires require fuel and oxygen in order to continue burning.

Lighting a target on fire deals 2 Damage each Round on your turn, starting in the Round after the one in which they caught fire. This Damage is reduced by Armor, but the target’s Armor rating will be shredded by any Damage dealt, destroying material Armor once it reaches 0.

You may extinguish flames as a Reaction. This does not extend to explosives.

This Gift cannot have more than 3 Drawbacks, and its Gift Cost is capped at 2.

  • Your fires may be extinguished with appropriate Actions and materials. Stop, drop, and rolling to extinguish requires spending an Action and making a Dexterity + Athletics roll, with an Outcome of 2 putting out the flames.
  • If the target is larger than your flame size, the Armor destruction creates a weak point instead of applying to the entire target.
  • You can target yourself if you qualify as a valid target by the other requirements.
  • Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.

The Public's Illuminator

Created and held by Dominic West.
Scrubbed of all identifying marks, this pen was crafted on an offshore oil rig belonging to drug smugglers, this red pen functions as a locus for one of the most powerful mobile observational networks imaginable.

Dominic has learned to tap into the bugs, cameras so tiny as to be microscopic, in the world around him. Proving that he was right yet again! The Illuminati does indeed have eyes, ears, and all other manners of things everywhere! He doesn't know how or when they started planting them, but they did and they are even within the deepest sanctum and within your most trusted devices. Yet, now he needs to worry no longer for through the wondrous enlightenment he was granted he has figured out their subroutines and gained the ability to co-opt this technology most foul for the resistance!

Expend a point of Battery and spend an Action. Select a target within 10 feet.

You place a ward, which is fixed to a target Object that can be moved and repositioned. You can perceive with all your senses through the ward as though you were standing at its location. Your wards last 3 hours. This Artifact may have at most 3 wards active at once.

The ward requires Concentration to monitor, though it will remain active until you deactivate it. It can be detected with a roll and destroyed through mundane means.

You may destroy the Ward to activate one Investigate Individual, Object, or Area Effect as though you were standing at its location.

You may declare a condition to watch for on an active Ward. If it occurs, you may roll Perception + Alertness, Difficulty 6, to notice it, even if you are not actively monitoring that ward.

Your Ward records all activity it observes, regardless of whether or not you are actively monitoring it. This recording can be played back and referenced later.

You may communicate through your ward, though doing so will reveal its presence.

  • Full Spectrum: This investigation Effect is as obvious as it would normally be. The Effect is targeted as though you were standing at the location of the Ward. You must pay all activation costs and satisfy all activation requirements of the Effect.
  • Your ward's recording is maintained even if your Ward is destroyed.
  • Your ward cannot be used to satisfy the line of sight requirement for targeted Effects.
  • You can target yourself if you qualify as a valid target by the other requirements.
  • Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.

Not foolproof yet, but the silvery metal implant is placed along the back of the neck and runs up toward the base of the skull. Encoding data constantly from the brain via its connection, the implant is ready at all times to provide all data required to recreate the user. So long as the implant is taken to a suitable computing device, it can process the information and, using Dominic's patented energy into matter technology, create a new body for the subject on the spot. Though it does leave the question unanswered as to whether or not it's the same person or an entirely new person created in the image of the person who came before.

You gain the following benefits as long as you are wearing this Artifact.

If you would take an Injury that would kill you, you don’t die. Instead, you survive in an Incapacitated state, though you appear dead to any means of detecting life. Your body leaves behind a token. You remain incapacitated until the following ritual is performed with the token: A cortical stack chip in the implant located at the base of the skull, and it must be uploaded to a computer wherein you are digitally copied.

While Incapacitated, your only weakness is An electrical shock to the cortical stack, and if you take Damage from it, you will die. Damage from other sources will still be dealt and can cause Battle Scars, but will only kill you if your body is destroyed completely. If your weakness is not immediately obvious, attackers may roll to discover it. After you return, the Injury that would have killed you, as well as any Injuries sustained while Incapacitated, are healed. Battle scars obtained during this time remain.

New Age 001

Created and held by Russ.
A Series of 19 connected metal plates about half an inch in thickness, reaching from the neck down to the bottom of the torso, following the spinal column. On the second plate is the numbers 001

Every three hours the device restarts a process, as the final red light on it dims to nothingness, a slight hiss is heard if one listens closely. As over the course of thirty seconds the three lights regain their glow, first the red, followed by the yellow and green lights, ten, twenty and thirty seconds respectively, before the lights dim back down to their normal passive brightness such that only those looking closely can notice the three lights.

Within the first ruin that Russ found that contained the documents that sent him down the path that he is currently on, was the diagram for a device that is meant to connect to the spaces between the C1 to T12 vertebra. the device serves a three-fold purpose. The first being that it powers the rest of the planned augmentations to the human body through intercepting the signals that the body sends related to pain and stress. The second is that it forces the body and mind to always operate at peak performance regardless of physical or mental damage, Finally the device is the interface for future enhancements and allows those that undergo such complete transitions to maintain a sense of "humanity" or "wholeness" through sanitizing incoming and outgoing signals such that the mechanical enhancements and the fragile and erratic biological mind don't become adversarial and work together as a complete whole. Unfortunately, those who created the blueprints for this device made it far too good at its job with it attempting to prevent any signs of injury from reaching the brain, thus requiring an immense willpower to even recognize when one is beginning to bleed out. With the device even going so far as to change the information that is coming from one's own senses such that they can't even perceive the injury in themselves should it be pointed out to them. While the device is attached to the spinal column it can be removed through a delicate and time-consuming process of unlinking the parts from the body, but should one violently be ripped out of a user's body the damage could prove to be debilitating.

You gain the following benefits as long as you are wearing this Artifact.

Your Stress from Injuries and Mind Damage is reduced to 0.

Anyone who touches this Artifact will notice it warping their mind and may drop it. If they choose to hold or use it, they immediately receive the following Trauma: Delusion: Unbreakable (When this character receives an injury, they must roll self control to become aware of it. This character may not take actions to stabilize or heal any injury they are unaware of and must roll self-control to accept treatment of such injuries from others). If they lose possession of this Artifact, the Trauma heals over the course of the next day.

Volchitsa (The She-Wolf)

Created and held by Harry Johnson.

She looks like a wolf-dog. Not some beast from storybooks—just a huge, quiet animal with thick gray-black fur, watchful eyes, and a soldier’s stillness. People see her and think “guard dog,” not “war mount.” No one expects what happens next.

But when you climb onto her back and give the silent signal, she moves. The world blurs. Wind howls. The pavement cracks behind her. She runs faster than any motorcycle, leaps impossible distances, and, when needed, takes to the skies without wings. And only then do people realize: she is not what she seems.

She does not tolerate passengers. She follows only one rider. She can think, act, and hunt on her own. If left behind for more than two days, she will lie down like a faithful hound—and never rise again.

She is no machine. She is no myth.
She is your companion.
She is the last steed of the old ways.
She is Volchitsa.

This Artifact can be used as a Kawasaki. It is roughly the same size as a Kawasaki but can be collapsed into Collapses into A Wolf Pendant made of wolf bones and concealed. Collapsing or expanding it costs a Quick Action.

This Kawasaki has Looks Like A Large Wolf Dog. Any roll to pilot this vehicle receives +2 dice.

You also gain the following effects:

  • Flying Car: Your vehicle may also fly at its normal speed. Taking off takes a full Action.
  • Force Field: You may Exert your Mind and spend an Action or Reaction to ignore all Damage and destructive Effects against your vehicle this Round.
  • Jump: If going off a ramp, your jumps bring you twice as far and twice as high. If not, you may Exert your Mind to jump a minimum of 5 feet vertical and 15 feet horizontal.
  • Mind of its Own: This vehicle can move and take Actions without you driving it. It has seven dice for all Drive rolls.
  • Flying Solo: Your vehicle cannot have any passengers.

This item is a living thing. When targeted, it counts as a Living Creature in addition to its other target types. If destroyed or abandoned for more than two days, it dies and becomes unusable.

  • If there is not enough free space to expand the object, it cannot be expanded. You cannot expand this Object as an attack.

Tenebrae Magnus Gladius

Created by Haerin Yun, given to Gaia, The Ashen One.
A large, buster blade with a pitch black pulsating core with a red outline, with a deep and ravenous hunger.

A hulking, large, pulsating shapeless sword of pure darkness that leaks with a ravenous hunger, changing into any weapon that suits the user. It tears into the soul of those it harms, no matter how meagre or light the damage it gives, it tears into the soul.... You want it?

This Artifact can be used as a great sword / giant axe. It is roughly at least twice as large as a great sword / giant axe and cannot be concealed on your person or disassembled for storage.

Attack by rolling Brawn + Melee, Difficulty 6. Successful attacks deal Contested Outcome +5 Weapon Damage.

This item is a living thing. When targeted, it counts as a Living Creature in addition to its other target types. If destroyed or abandoned for more than two days, it dies and becomes unusable.

You also gain the following effects:

  • Bastard: You may spend a Free Action to change this melee weapon’s base stats into those of any other basic melee weapon. Changing this weapon's base type affects its size, range, Weapon Damage, and roll.
  • Blade Breaker: If you successfully Defend against a melee attack or if an opponent is unsuccessful at Defending against your melee attack, you may break your opponent's weapon.
  • Extend-o-blade: This melee weapon may extend up to 50 feet for a single Attack, Defense, or Clash. Retracting back into its usable size is a Quick Action.
  • Shredder: If you successfully hit your target, the value of any Armor they are wearing is reduced by 2. For material armor, this penalty lasts until it is repaired. For intrinsic armor, it lasts until the end of Combat and any relevant wound is healed.

  • This Artifact cannot be disguised or morphed with other Effects like Shape-Changing object.
  • Reminder: additional Weapon Damage granted by this Effect does not stack with any other bonus to Weapon Damage. Instead the largest bonus is used.

Stock Legendary Artifacts

The Bug-out Bag

No hiker would bat an eye if they saw someone wearing this 80 liter backpacking pack in the backcountry. Those who look closer find it's made of a curious mix of modern materials and what appears to be rawhide stitching.

This Artifact holds 5 times what it normally could inside of it. Objects stored inside are weightless.

Living things can be stored in this Artifact. They will have access to anything else inside and may attempt to break free, damaging or destroying the Artifact in the process.

If this Artifact is destroyed, things inside may get out, and it will cease to function until it is repaired.

When scanned or investigated without opening, the contents of this container appear normal and unremarkable.

If anyone other than you opens the container, it appears empty. Others can still destroy it to get at the contents.

  • A container of holding cannot be placed inside another created by the same Gift.
  • There is no cost to use this container.

This Artifact cannot be broken. If this Artifact is lost and in no one else’s possession, it finds its way back to its true owner during the next Downtime.

By default, the creator of this Artifact is its true owner. The true owner may formally bequeath this Artifact onto another person within arm’s reach, after which they are its true owner. If the true owner dies or is destroyed, their ownership ends. If this Artifact has no true owner, anyone may spend one day attuning to it to become its true owner.

This Artifact's true owner is always aware of the direction and distance to this Artifact.

  • "Cannot be broken" means that damage cannot render the Artifact's Effects unusable, nor can it cease to be used for its primary mundane purpose, if it has one.

Umbrella Identification

This Artifact can change its appearance. When not transformed, it is roughly the same size as a passport but can be collapsed into a wallet and concealed. Collapsing or expanding it costs a Quick Action.

Spend a Quick Action to activate. This Artifact changes its appearance into a chosen Object. This lasts until you decide to end the Effect, which may be done as a Free Action.

The new object's appearance can mimic specific items (such as a particular painting, a certain person’s ID, etc), but must be of a similar size and weight to this Artifact.

The new appearance is illusory; it will hold up to scrutiny, but its composition is not altered and it gains no new functionality. Any attempt to use it for a function which it cannot perform (for instance, making bread look like a knife and then trying to stab someone) will cause the illusion to fail or allow a Perception check to see through the illusion, at the GM's discretion.

When used as identification and scanned, the scanner will act appropriately and bring up appropriate generic information. Further searches for the identity in the computer will turn up no results. This will not open security doors on its own.

  • If there is not enough free space to expand the object, it cannot be expanded. You cannot expand this Object as an attack.
  • Changing the Artifact’s appearance does not allow you to conceal its Alien nature while any of its other Effects are in use.

The Skeleton Key

At first glance, this appears to be a standard, modern house key made of ivory. A close observer might compliment its skull-shaped head or usual material. No one would suspect it to be one of the Thief's most prized possessions: The Skeleton Key.

Spend an Action.

You may lock, unlock, and/or open any number of doors, containers, knots, or locks within arm's reach of you. Cannot be used on Alien technology.

If you successfully operate a lock, you may choose to destroy it, rendering it inoperable.

  • Operating some locking mechanisms through this Effect may have a secondary effect, such as a turn-key ignition on an older or cheaper car causing it to start or stop. Note that the locking mechanism itself must satisfy the standard targeting requirements (including line of sight), not just the vehicle.
  • Any mechanism that requires a key, keycard, key fob, or combination may be considered locked, at the GM's discretion. This Effect may be used on doors and containers secured with control panels or other electronic locks, but not computer security systems at large.
  • You can target yourself if you qualify as a valid target by the other requirements.
  • Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.

Winter Fang

A massive bow made of solid ice.

This Artifact can be used as a bow. It is roughly at least twice as large as a bow and cannot be concealed on your person or disassembled for storage.

Attack by rolling Dexterity + Athletics, Difficulty 6. Successful attacks deal Contested Outcome +3 Weapon Damage. Attacks do not require a successful called shot to do damage.

You also gain the following effects:

  • Infinite Ammo: This weapon never runs out of its standard ammunition.
  • Leave No Trace: Your projectiles crumble or vanish after impact, leaving no meaningful trace of your assault beyond the wounds they leave. If your attack would kill or incapacitate your target, they make no sound, even incidentally, for the next Round.

  • This Artifact cannot be disguised or morphed with other Effects like Shape-Changing object.
  • Reminder: additional Weapon Damage granted by this Effect does not stack with any other bonus to Weapon Damage. Instead the largest bonus is used.

Personal Shield Generator

The device itself is a metal hexagon that is worn on the belt and glows when active.

Expend a point of Battery and spend an Action or Reaction.

You phase out of reality for up to 4 Rounds. During this time, you cannot perceive or affect the outside world or take any Actions. You cannot move. Nothing can interact with you in any way.

When you activate this Effect, you may limit its duration to a period of your choosing. If you are able, you may also end it as a Free Action on your initiative.

You leave a golden glow shaped like yourself at your location.

  • If you use this Effect to dodge as a Reaction, it succeeds without the need for a roll. Cannot be used as a Desperate Defense.
  • You may use your Free Movement on the Round you phase back in, but you cannot take an Action.