Legendary Artifact

Flameheart's Armada

Created and held by Arthur Pendragon.

An ancient Aztec style gold coin, one side showing a skull and crossbones, the other inscribed with the words: "Cast into the sea"

A frigate style ship, fitted for war. The hull is painted black and seemingly scorched by eternal flames, it has 2 masts, and three flaming sails, painted with a red dragon. It is fitted out with 4 cannons and enough supplies for battle. The wheel and capstan are scorched black with a brand of flame on them. To finish off the looks it is adorned by a golden skeleton figurehead, with eyes of flame and holding a spear.

When you cast the coin into the sea it will sink, but soon from the depths will rise the ship in all its glory. When it rises it is fitted with a crew of skeletons to help him sail it. (Crew of One flavoring, no actual benefits from this)

What's in my pocket? Arthur found himself asking this question when he woke up one day. Upon reaching into his pocket he found a gold coin, one side showing a skull and crossbones, the other inscribed with the words: "Cast into the sea." Hesitantly he followed the instructions. When he cast it into the sea nothing happened at first. Disappointed he was about to head back when he heard a sound echo from the sea. From the sound arose a might ship, in all its glory the Blackwyche lunged out of the sea, fitted with canons and a crew of skeletons ready to sail.

This Artifact can be used as a Frigate. It is roughly the same size as a Frigate but can be collapsed into Gold Coin and concealed. Collapsing or expanding it costs a Quick Action.

This Frigate has 4 cannons, 60 cannonballs, 15 chain shot, 15 grapeshot, 5 kegs of grog, 5 gunpowder kegs, 50ft of rope, and standard living accommodations as well as barrels for storage. Any roll to pilot this vehicle receives +2 dice.

You also gain the following effects:

  • Amphibious: Your vehicle may move on land as well as under water at its normal speed. If your vehicle includes an enclosed space, it will function as an airtight, pressurized cockpit.
  • Crew of One: You alone may stand in for an entire crew if the vehicle would normally be piloted by more than one.
  • Drive-By: You may drive or pilot your vehicle as a Free Action, without taking any penalty on other Actions.
  • Steady As She Goes: The motion of your vehicle never causes your passengers dice penalties, and you do not suffer dice penalties from the unsteadiness of any vehicle you are riding in.
  • No Muffler: Any stealth rolls made to hide your vehicle automatically fail, and any rolls made to notice your vehicle automatically succeed.

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

Sparky

Created and held by Katherine DeLacey.
A customized Barret Light 50 that, instead of bullets, shoots balls of lightening.

The 255TE "Lancer" Rife fires extremely deadly balls of lightening at its targets. It comes standard with a volume control, allowing the soldier to mute its normally fearsome lightning crack report for stealth missions. When not in use, it can collapse into a small silver dogtag that can fit into any utility belt and hangs in a place of honor on Kate's neck (making this weapon a part of her standard kit.)

This weapon came as payment for https://www.thecontractrpg.com/contract/4065/

No Spoilers here, but in journal.

This Artifact can be used as a rifle. It is roughly the same size as a rifle but can be collapsed into a metallic disk and concealed. Collapsing or expanding it costs a Quick Action.

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

You also gain the following effects:

  • Infinite Ammo: This weapon never runs out of its standard ammunition.
  • Virtuoso's Vessel: When using this Device for its primary purpose, you always roll a minimum of 8 dice. Excludes Effect activation rolls.

  • If there is not enough free space to expand the object, it cannot be expanded. You cannot expand this Object as an attack.
  • Reminder: additional Weapon Damage granted by this Effect does not stack with any other bonus to Weapon Damage. Instead the largest bonus is used.
  • Rifles are +1 Difficulty to use in melee range. Sniper Rifles are +3 Difficulty to use without a tripod or in melee range. Setting up a tripod takes an Action.

Spectacle o the bunny

Created and held by J.
Spectacle glass with a blue chain wrapped to it tucked behind the person’s ear

J

Exert your Mind and spend 2 Actions. Select a target Object within 25 feet. At the end of your investigation, roll Intellect + Investigation at Difficulty 6.

You learn all the following information about your target:

  • Determine if this target is Alien in origin or whether it has any Alien energy or outside influences. You receive information about the type of energy, including the name of the relevant Source pool or equivalent.
  • You learn the object's intended function and how to use it for its intended purpose, though not necessarily the ability to do so.
The quality and specificity of information gained depends on your Outcome.

You cannot investigate the same target more than once per day.

  • 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.

Frangiclave

Created and held by Rasmus Kovacs.

The key is inserted into the closed/locked object and turned, causing it to open. The key fits even if it shouldn't and, if there is no keyhole at all, it slides into a seam of violet light at the target's surface.

The Frangiclave is a legendary key that is the physical manifestation of the concept of "opening." It is capable of opening any lock or door, any many other things besides depending on its user's knowledge and creativity. It cannot be stored away, and must be kept in the hand or under the tongue.

Spend an Action. Select a Non-Alien door, container, knot, or lock within 20 feet. This Effect cannot be used unless it is to unlock/open the target and any locks are destroyed.

You may lock, unlock, and/or open your target.

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.

The wielder swipes at their target with the Frangiclaive and the target opens in ways that they're not supposed to.

Exert your Mind (unless you win a coin flip) and spend an Action. Select a target within 45 feet. Roll Intellect + Occult Difficulty 6. The target may contest by rolling to Dodge or Defend as a Reaction, Difficulty 6.

If the Contested Outcome is positive, the target takes that much Damage plus 4. Armor is fully effective against this Damage.

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.

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.

  • 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 Vanquisher

Created by Luci Alessi, given to Prototype.
Morita XXX Sniper Rifle (https://imgur.com/a/q2Y5XVc)

A manifestation of the user's regret and shame, per the Maddening on Umbra's Spite, is cultivated and weaponized. It pools from the hands and infests the next shot in the chamber of the gun. It wraps around, subsumes, and completely coats the round until it's barely recognizable- only as a silhouette of its former self.

The bullet becomes so changed that it will no longer be capable of dealing damage, but instead becomes a compressed round of pure emotion. When it hits a target, that emotion suddenly rushes directly into the target's mind, projecting one or more of the user's regrets, shames, and most disappointing moments. The sheer quantity of information overloads the brain or processing center and forces it to essentially reboot, temporarily forcing a few moments of paralysis in which the target is unable to move or resist.

Regrets Include: the creation of Umbra, the multiple times she's been kidnapped, etc.
Shames Include: having to cover herself in shit to shield her scent from hunting dogs, being kidnapped by Paula and stuffed in her trunk, etc

Exert your Mind and spend an Action. Select a Living or Animate target within 300 feet. Roll Perception + Firearms at Difficulty 6. Affected targets may resist by rolling Body at Difficulty 6.

If you succeed, your target becomes drowsy for the next 3 Rounds, during which time they suffer an additional -2 dice Penalty to all Actions. At the end of their drowsiness, they fall into a state of sleep paralysis for Outcome x 3 rounds. During this time, they remain fully conscious and aware of their surroundings but are incapable of taking any actions.

Sleeping targets will not prematurely wake up on their own, but may still be woken up by sudden loud noises, being jarred or splashed with water, taking Damage, or similar rousing events. They will also awaken before dying of hunger, thirst, or suffocation. Drowsy targets always fall asleep, regardless of what happens while they are drowsy.

An affected target's dreams while they are asleep will involve you in some way, and will reveal you as the source of their sleep as well as reveal secret information about yourself to them.

Anyone who witnesses you during this Effect's activation will almost certainly be disturbed to see an unfavorably presented echo of the user's past. The user may be able to control how this power interacts with their target, but the runoff that results from firing this weapon always has a random negative effect on those unseasoned in the supernatural world. Anyone that witnesses this power activation will very briefly gain a context-less supposition of the user forcefully downloaded into their head based on the user's regrets and shames. For example, if the user once had to kill a child for whatever reason (even if it was completely justified), normal passersby will gain an impression of that knowledge (typically a biased one against the user) and will tend to react negatively toward them; usually with fear, outrage, or disappointment. This impression can take the form of memory flashes or may simply manifest as inexplicable emotional sensation.

  • When narrating disturbing content, be cognizant of your group's tone and accommodating to those who would like to "fast forward" through the description.
  • The target is aware than the secret information about you which was revealed in their dream is true, even if the rest of the dream may be written off as just a dream.
  • For targets where "sleep" does not make any sense in terms of flavor, they will power down, freeze, etc, whatever state they can be in which is analogous to sleep.
  • 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.

Luci communicates her desire to augment an item through visual art, using the surrounding shadow and darkness to help form the swirls of pure energy that infuse themselves into the items she desires.

On firearms, her shadow will slink along the barrel and firing mechanism, making it far more efficient and adding its own kick to the fired bullet, making it deadlier while also assisting to manage recoil.

On melee weapons, the shadow slinks along the weapon with either barbs or thorns.

On other mundane items, their shadows become slightly more pronounced and may even shimmer if looked at closely enough. This improvement strengthens the bonds of the item with more supernatural or mundane energies, allowing it more freedom, efficiency, and durability.

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.

  • "Destroyed" in this context means "prevented from functioning for its primary purpose", so for instance, an upgraded land mine would still explode as normal if triggered, even though it cannot be "destroyed" and a car's windows may still be broken.
  • Reminder: additional Weapon Damage granted by this Effect does not stack with any other bonus to Weapon Damage. Instead the largest bonus is used. The same is true for extra dice.
  • Extra dice from this Effect do not apply to Gift activation rolls.

The shadow of the user's regret and shame, per the Maddening on Umbra's Spite, is cultivated and weaponized. It pools from the hands and infests the next shot in the chamber of the gun. It wraps around, subsumes, and completely coats the round until it's barely recognizable- only as a silhouette.

The bullet becomes so changed that it will no longer be capable of dealing considerable damage, but instead had become a darkbang. It shares the traits of a flashbang- discombobulating and stunning adversaries.

It blinds them with darkness instead of light and smoky black tendrils will manifest and effectively act as a spider web, making any actions more difficult for the target. Inhaling it produces a similar effect mentally- fogging up the target's mind.

Exert your Mind and spend an Action to activate. Select a Animate target within 300 feet. Make a Trauma roll when you activate this Effect. Roll Perception + Firearms at Difficulty 7.

If you succeed, the target will suffer a dice penalty equal to the Outcome for the next 1 Round. Dice pools may be reduced all the way down to 0 by this penalty. This breaks Concentration.

After the Effect ends, the target will be at -1 dice to all actions and cannot move faster than a walk or Concentrate for the next minute.

You may only use this Effect once per day.

  • This Penalty is not removed if a character Exerts their Mind to ignore penalty.
  • If a character has a dice pool reduced to 0, they cannot attempt that action.
  • 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 guiding hand that knows all things from the Umbral Plane assists Luci, mostly in regards to her aim while altering the actual trajectory of her bullets with what is essentially an aimbot.

You gain the following benefits as long as you are wearing this Artifact and engaged in combat with firearms.

+2 dice to all firearms rolls.

Possession of this Artifact causes the following Trauma to manifest over the course of a day: The user hallucinates the shadows of their regret, shame, and disappointment related to her own actions and those she has killed. She will need to roll self control to not wash that that from the user's hands whenever the opportunity presents itself. If you lose possession of this Artifact, the Trauma heals over the course of the next month.

You also gain the following effects:

  • Bullet Parry: You may Defend against any attack in range of your attacks. Defending this way still costs a Reaction.
  • Point Control: Called Shots that you attempt only require a Contested Outcome of 2 for small targets and 4 for tiny targets.

  • Reminder: Bonus Damage stacks with Weapon Damage, but does not stack with any other Bonus Damage. Instead, the highest Bonus Damage is used.

Luci's firearms are typically very overturned and overdesigned. She's secretly a huge comic book fan and her new revelations in regards to her ability to create items using the energies of the Umbral Plane have opened up the ability for her slightly childish imagination to go wild with possibilities.

Luci takes an exceptional amount of time sketching out a full blueprint for the weapon of her desire- typically inspired designs from comics or movies that she personally finds cool. And per her own Fabricate power, she spends time manifesting the item through the use of her own shadows, however she takes extra time to refine the details and give the firearm its own personality. Each and every single one of these has a little bit of Luci and her creative intent inside of them.

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

Attack by rolling Dexterity + Firearms, Difficulty 6. Successful attacks deal 3 Weapon Damage +0 Bonus Damage. The target's Armor is fully effective against this damage.

You also gain the following effects:

  • Infinite Ammo: This weapon never runs out of its standard ammunition.
  • You may spend a Quick Action to change this firearm's base stats into those of any other basic firearm.
  • Silencer: Shots you fire can be made silent at will.

  • Changing this weapon's base type affects its range, Weapon Damage, concealability, and roll. Other mechanics of the chosen base firearm (such as the tripod requirement for sniper rifles) apply.
  • 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.
  • Rifles are +1 Difficulty to use in melee range. Sniper Rifles are +3 Difficulty to use without a tripod or in melee range. Setting up a tripod takes an Action.

Atlantian Grimoir

Created and held by Mina Patina.
This ancient spell book is written in an ancient language known to only a few, and the knowledge contained within is transmitted into the reader as it's read.

This ancient book contains a massive amount of spells, if one takes the time to learn them. A magic sigil on the book protects it from harm, and binds it to the mage who has mastered the spells inside.

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.

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.

Stock Legendary Artifacts

Umbrella Identification

This Artifact can change its appearance. When not transformed, it is roughly the same size as a passport and just as difficult to conceal.

Exert your Mind and spend an Action to activate. This Artifact changes its appearance into an Object within the category of forms of identification. 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.

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.

255TE "Lancer" Rife

A metallic disk that, with the press of a button, expands into a futuristic-looking rifle.

This Artifact can be used as a rifle. It is roughly the same size as a rifle but can be collapsed into a metallic disk and concealed. Collapsing or expanding it costs a Quick Action.

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

You also gain the following effects:

  • Silencer: The report of any shots you fire may be made silent at will.

  • If there is not enough free space to expand the object, it cannot be expanded. You cannot expand this Object as an attack.
  • Reminder: additional Weapon Damage granted by this Effect does not stack with any other bonus to Weapon Damage. Instead the largest bonus is used.
  • Rifles are +1 Difficulty to use in melee range. Sniper Rifles are +3 Difficulty to use without a tripod or in melee range. Setting up a tripod takes an Action.

Lightning Bracers

A pair of bronze bracelets that glow with golden energy.

This Artifact produces ephemeral projectiles that can be used as a javelin.

Attack by rolling Brawn + Athletics, Difficulty 6. Successful attacks deal Contested Outcome +3 Weapon Damage.

You also gain the following effects:

  • Chain Lightning: You may Exert your Mind to perform a chain lightning attack. If your attack succeeds, All targets within 5 feet of your primary target take full Damage. The Damage can “jump” up to 5 times. Each target can be hit only once.
  • Magic Quiver: Instead of throwing this Artifact, it is an object that produces an endless supply of temporary throwable objects. For example, bracers that allow you to throw ethereal javelins, or a sack of throwing rocks that doesn’t shrink when you withdraw one.

  • If there is not enough free space to expand the object, it cannot be expanded. You cannot expand this Object as an attack.
  • Created projectiles last only until they strike their target and cannot be shared or stockpiled.
  • Reminder: additional Weapon Damage granted by this Effect does not stack with any other bonus to Weapon Damage. Instead the largest bonus is used.