Ideas for a relic

[Landis]

My party has just found a relic sacred to the goddess of madness and are in the process of carrying it back to town for the archaeologist/collector they helped find it. None of them know what this thing is capable of, and they're only vaguely aware of the fact that it's magical.

What I need to figure out is what sorts of powers this thing has.

Thus far I've decided that it's primary power drives people completely insane while simultaneously exaggerating their true nature. By this, I mean that it makes bullies become psychopathic murders (or, alternatively, terrified little crybabies), crusaders turn into obsessive zealots who see the object of their animosity everywhere, and mothers change into paranoid souls who go so far as to lock up their own families lest they come to harm. Naturally the effect is different for each person.

Now what I need are two or three more powers to go along with this. They don't need to be as potent, they just need to be fitting.

[ed]

it should have the power to create illusions: either visual and/or auditory hallucinations in which the victim's object of dread is played out. it's a useful way to heighten paranoia, i would think.

what ruleset is this for?

ed

[Hitcher]

Physically touching the relic should cause a random event - anywhere from psychotic murderous rage to crying in a corner or even going catatonic.

Random thoughts and memories are pulled out of your head and shared with the others.

[BlueNinja]

As a quirky side effect, those who are already insane (I mean serious psychosis here, not a little bit of OCD) become sane around the device. They've already paid their dues. ;)

[ed]

hm...i'm not sold on that idea as a good one, esp if it's an artifact sacred to the goddess of madness...

ed

[Magnus Bergqvist]

As a quirky side effect, those who are already insane (I mean serious psychosis here, not a little bit of OCD) become sane around the device. They've already paid their dues. ;)

Nah, a better thing imo would be that either everyone within a certain distance got affected by the same insanity, or the insane persons worldview becomes real within a certain area.

/Magnus

[BlueNinja]

hm...i'm not sold on that idea as a good one, esp if it's an artifact sacred to the goddess of madness... It's a temporary effect, I was thinking. They're only sane when they're within x feet. It would make leaving it at an asylum the best thing. :D

[Mouser]

Changes their gender to female.

:D

[Cranky Dog]

Now what I need are two or three more powers to go along with this. They don't need to be as potent, they just need to be fitting.
A large aura of a god-level Calm Emotions spell centered on the relic that affects everyone *except* the wielder.

That way, anyone in the vicinity will be strangely accepting of the behavior of the insane wielder.


Cranky Dog
"I have an artifact level opinion, international!"

[happykat]

The relic should up the wielders charisma and give them the power to know the worst fear and/or desire of others around them.

[Landis]

ed - It's 3.5 but with my variant magic system, so the sky's the limit. Additionally, I'm using the sanity rules from Call of Cthulhu/Unearthed Arcana, so that makes things really interesting. Also, I dig the 'hallucinations of your worst fears' effect.

Hitcher - That should be easy enough. I'll just have whoever picks it up make a sanity check. If they fail, BOOM!, instant short-term insanity. That'll certainly make getting it back and securing it more difficult. ;)

Magnus - I like the thought of the person's insanity influencing reality, but it's a little powerful at this point. I'll definitely keep it in mind for another nasty item they'll be finding later on though.

CD - That's an excellent idea.

Good stuff all around. Keep 'em coming, and I'll try to get a final version of this thing worked up by tomorrow night (since the game's on Friday).