In the clandestine world of espionage, where shadows whisper secrets and the line between ally and adversary blurs, there exists a lawyer turned spy, a master of subterfuge with a power as unique as their dual life. This individual, known only to a select few, possesses an extraordinary ability to infuse mundane spy equipment with unparalleled capabilities, transforming them into artifacts of immense tactical value.
On a night draped in secrecy, our spy enters a nondescript room, the air thick with anticipation. Around them, an array of common espionage tools lay scattered across a workbench—each item a silent witness to missions past and yet to unfold. With a practiced eye, the spy selects a compact surveillance device, its appearance unremarkable, its potential untapped.
As their hands envelop the device, a faint glow emanates from their fingertips, casting an ethereal light in the dimly lit room. The air hums with unseen energy as the spy focuses their will, channeling their unique power into the heart of the gadget. Under their touch, the device begins to transform, its form becoming sleeker, its essence imbued with a power that defies conventional understanding.
This Artifact has been upgraded.
This Artifact receives 2 extra dice to all actions taken for its intended use. Attacking with an upgraded weapon grants +2 Weapon Damage instead of additional dice. While it is upgraded, the item cannot be destroyed.
Upgraded weapons count as any material your opponent might be particularly vulnerable to. Upgraded Armor cannot be circumvented by called shots. Upgraded Devices do not run out of fuel or energy.
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: I plead The Fifth -Roll a mind to speak to the police. If they lose possession of this Artifact, the Trauma heals over the course of the next day.
The Cape is a dramatic, flowing garment made from a mysterious fabric that appears to be a blend of deep, shadowy black and dark crimson. The outer surface is silky smooth and reflective, glinting ominously in the light, while the inner lining is a rich, blood-red velvet that feels both warm and comforting to the touch. The collar is high and stiff, reminiscent of classic vampire attire, and it clasps at the neck with an ornate, silver brooch shaped like a bat with ruby eyes.
This Artifact cannot be broken.
If this Artifact is lost and in no one’s possession, it finds its way back to its creator during the next Downtime.
This Artifact's creator is always aware of the direction and distance to this Artifact.
This Artifact's creator must have it with them to have restful sleep. They cannot regain Mind or Source while separated from this Artifact.
When Lucas activates the barrier, the cape undergoes a dramatic transformation. The outer fabric darkens significantly, absorbing surrounding light and casting a shadowy aura around Lucas. Spectral, gnashing teeth appear along the edges of the cape, moving and clamping as if eager to bite. A faint, sinister hissing sound accompanies the visual, enhancing the eerie atmosphere.
As an attack comes towards Lucas, the cape responds by flaring out, the spectral teeth gnashing more fiercely. The attack is visibly absorbed by an invisible barrier that forms around Lucas, the impact creating a ripple effect through the darkened fabric. Observers would see the attacker’s blow deflected and feel the supernatural force of the cape’s defense.
Expend a point of Battery and spend an Action. Roll Dexterity + Alertness at Difficulty 6.
If you succeed, you create a barrier around yourself, which absorbs the next Outcome + 4 Damage. The Damage reduction from the barrier is applied before Armor. This Artifact may only have 1 active barrier at a time.
The barrier will fall after two hours, or if it absorbs the full amount of Damage. When a barrier falls, you cannot use this Effect again for a minimum of 2 Rounds.
The plunger’s head sticks to the control mechanism of the vehicle, such as handlebars or a gearstick.
You gain the following benefits as long as you are wearing this Artifact and you are piloting any vehicle.
You receive +2 dice to any rolls to pilot a vehicle.
Possession of this Artifact causes the following Trauma to manifest over the course of a day: Free Bird: You must roll Self-Control each time you could drive erratically and dangerously, and must do so on a failure.. If you lose possession of this Artifact, the Trauma heals over the course of the next month.
You also gain the following effects:
The plunger appears to blur as if it was spinning. When it unblurs, the plunger takes on the form of the chosen firearm.
This Artifact can be used as a Handgun. It is roughly the same size as a Handgun and just as difficult to conceal.
Attack by rolling Dexterity + Firearms, Difficulty 6. Successful attacks deal 1 Weapon Damage +2 Bonus Damage. The target's Armor is fully effective against this damage.
This item is a living thing. It counts as a Creature when targeted. If destroyed or abandoned for more than two days, it dies and becomes unusable.
You also gain the following effects:
As Jonathan strikes the target, The targets feet become plungers and are stuck to the ground, rendering the target unable to move
Exert your Mind and spend an Action to activate. Select a target within arm's reach. Roll Dexterity + Drive at Difficulty 6. may resist by rolling Mind at Difficulty 7.
If you succeed, your target will be restricted at their location by an intangible, ethereal binding. They cannot move to a new location, and any physical actions they take suffer a dice penalty equal to twice the contested Outcome from the Effect activation, except attempts to escape or break the binding, which only suffer half this penalty.
Restricted targets may attempt to break the binding and escape by spending an Action and rolling Mind at Difficulty 7. Breaking free requires a total cumulative Outcome of twice the contested Outcome on the Effect activation.
Jonathan is lifted off the ground, revealing more and more of a Louie C as he rises.
Exert your Mind and spend one minute to activate.
Summon a single Louie at your location. They will last until they are destroyed. They are controlled by the GM but will follow any commands you give. You may have at most 3 minions active at a time.
Minions have 4 Body and can make ranged attacks at targets up to 30 feet away with 5 dice to attack and +1 Damage. Your minions can move 20 feet per Round as Free Movement, and double that when performing an all-out Sprint. They cannot dodge or Defend. They have dog-level intelligence, and cannot communicate back to you. Any Perception checks they make are rolled with 3 dice.
Your minion is able to drive with a 7-dice pool.
After you finish activating this Effect, you cannot move quicker than a walk (max 15 feet per Round) for one minute and suffer a -1 dice penalty for an hour.
When drawn, the sword's edge begins to glow brightly, allowing cuts to be made through force alone, rather than the sharpness of the edge. When swung at a target from a distance, a wave of energy will strike them in the blade's place.
This Artifact can be used as a sword / axe. It is roughly the same size as a sword / axe and just as difficult to conceal. Unless you are considerably enraged, this Artifact behaves as its mundane counterpart.
Attack by rolling Brawn + Melee, Difficulty 6. Successful attacks deal Contested Outcome +4 Weapon Damage.
You also gain the following effects:
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, regardless of it being held within a body
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:
As the activation ritual is performed, the origami wings unfold from the user's back and extend ten feet on all sides. Due to their modular structure-- being composed of countless amounts of paper sheets and feathers-- the wings are effectively immune to damage, as they repair themselves with replacement feathers the moment they are destroyed.
The calibration sequence to connect the wings to the user requires them to extend their arms to the side (reaching their wingspan) and read aloud a pangram (ex: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog").
The wings connect themselves to the user's inner Source or Mind to power their movements through the calibration sequence. Basically just imagine the wings the paper girl from Naruto uses (Konan).
Exert your Mind and spend two Actions performing the following ritual: activating and calibrating the wings with the user. You must maintain Concentration while activating this Effect, and it fails if you are interrupted. This Effect remains active for two hours.
As long as you are conscious, you are immune to falling Damage. Additionally, you may glide as you fall, traveling 35 feet horizontally for every 10 feet you fall. While gliding, you fall at a minimum speed of 10 feet per Round.
You may ascend into the air and fly using your origami wings. You require 10 feet of clear space on all sides to fly. You may add 50 feet to Movement you take while flying.
You are subject to the following effects while gliding or flying:
The mad scientist can craft steel helmets that protect their wearers from mental influence and attack.
You gain the following benefits as long as you are wearing this Artifact.
You get +0 dice to any Mind resistance rolls you make. You also gain the following effects:
This device is a piece of chrome the size and shape of the back of a spoon. When placed against the skin, small hypodermic needles sprout from the device and attach it to the user's bloodstream. There, it filters and releases lifesaving drugs into the bloodstream, granting complete immunity from contracting new diseases and added resiliency in all other cases.
WARNING: The immunizing drugs have been shown to reduce inhibitions in test subjects.
You gain the following benefits as long as you are wearing this Artifact.
You get +2 dice to any Body resistance rolls you make. You also gain the following effects: