Legendary Artifact

Abaneki Spirit Stone (Greater Illumination Trophy)

Created by Walter Prescott, stolen by Dr. Conrad Blackwell.
A triangular piece of stone about the size of a man’s fist, carved and polished so that it has a smooth raised edge and a flat recessed face. The face is etched with a large image of a crow and smaller images of frogs, snakes, and spiders done in a Native American totemic style. The stone is attached to a weathered loop of leather decorated with small, nearly petrified bird bones.

With miscroscopic vision or successful examination with science or occult, it becomes obvious that this is
not a naturally occurring stone but some kind of petrified resin unlike anything currently in use. You notice that the surface of the face is lined with minute geometric patterns (similar to modern computer circuit boards) With at least 4 successes on Occult, they recognize this as alien technology, perhaps carved after creation by someone else.

Upon touching any sapient entity's exposed flesh, it triggers a mind roll at 8. Failure or Botch means you are possessed by the artifact, and immediately are inflicted with a absolute hatred of humans, and overwhelming desire to flee to the nearest wilderness area and defend it from human incursion by force. On a failure, they may reroll to break free in 2 hours, on Botch it is 24 hours. Two botches in the same lunar cycle possesses them until the new moon. A possessed target will relentlessly hunt down the artifact if it is taken, though if it is not in their possession on the new moon they begin to recover over the next week or so. The artifact can possess multiple people, though only the person in posession of the artifact can use its powers. In the case of multiple possessed targets, they will work together to drive off the humans, before likely fighting over the artifact.
A single success will prevent this possession, as long as they maintain the artifact in their possession.

While asleep, you may tap into the creatures under your command and receive visions of sights and sounds the commanded creatures experience. You may also communicate with the commanded creature.

If the commanded creatures travel over 5 miles from the artifact, the effect ends for those individuals.

Commands are limited to
Sit (go to a described area the creature is familiar with and remain. If you set a specific condition that the creature is capable of noticing, you will be notified when it occurs. A single creature isn't particularly perceptive, though a horde certainly is)

Pester (They will follow a target they can see, and hop, jump, or fly as close to it as possible without touching it.)

Attack (Small numbers of the creature will attempt to attack the target(s) identified. Due to size, the damage is capped at 2, this is dodgable, and a small number might not be able to efficiently do damage at all.

Swarm (There must be a large number of individuals, such as 60+crows or thousands of bugs- and they will all attack at once, moving at the creatures normal speed. These masses are usually fairly large (20+ ft wide for the minimum size), and anyone caught in the swarm will take damage, capped at 4. larger numbers simply make the horde larger, and harder to get out of. Vision and sound is obscured when inside a swarm and disorientation is likely. You must be able to move entirely out of the swarm with a free action to be able to effectively dodge, but the most effective approach is shelter or fleeing.)

Exert your Mind and spend an Action to activate. Select a Creature within 300 feet.

For the next day, you may issue specific commands to your target which they will be compelled to follow. All other Creatures which are the same species as your target will also be compelled to follow commands that you issue if they are within 300 feet when the command is given.

Your commands must be relatively simple and within the target’s intellectual grasp. You can make them endanger themselves or otherwise go against their self-preservation instincts. The effects of the command will fade after a day has passed.

Possession of this Artifact causes the following Trauma to manifest over the course of a day: Territorial: If humans infringe on what you consider a private space, you must make a self control roll to not drive them out by force.. If you lose possession of this Artifact, the Trauma heals over the course of the next month.

  • Your commands must be directly communicated to your target in some way, though this does not require a shared language.
  • You can target yourself if you qualify as a valid target by the other requirements.
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Community Artifacts

Immortal-Tribulation Kitsune Spade

Created by Luci Alessi, given to Prototype.
A blade that uses Earth Jade Paste and special Endothermic material, creating a superheated edge with extreme toughness and durability. Innate: (+7 damage, half armor, Blade breaker, Shredder, Lasersaber, can light up 2 foot in the direction its pointed in, nigh-unbreakable one handed katana.)

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.

Draconis Alpha

Created and held by Momoko Tsuki.
A trike motorcycle with a roof and windshield, colored dark gray, strongly resembling a Polaris Slingshot.

When collapsing, the entire vehicle seems to develop tiny cracks that widen until they become silvery gray lines (like Momo's Stash gift). Each segment folds into the line it branched from, repeating until they leave only the center bag. (between the seat and 'black box'), which becomes a backpack. This happens in reverse when the vehicle unfolds from the backpack form. (the center bag/backpack contains whatever has been put into it in either form)

When going into aquatic mode, the same sort of lines unfold around the gaps between the hardshell roof (called a Slingshade) and the body of the vehicle. The lines connect and a glasslike (equivalent to borosilicate glass) bubble layer forms between them, then the lines fold back leaving the vehicle sealed against the water. Each tire also becomes that sort of fractal line, reconfiguring into a paddlewheel shape instead. When going back to land mode, the formerly solid bubble pops and vanishes, as if it was a soap bubble. Additionally, the gaps in the paddle wheels fill in with fractal lines until they become tires again.

The independent mind of the vehicle functionally replaces the computer and communicates via visual readouts inside the vehicle, as well as broadcast transmissions. It receives voice commands and gives information relevant to the owner. It has access to everything about the rest of the artifact, being able to use the cameras as eyes, adjust suspension height, change the light configuration, and so on.

When upgraded or modified, the fractal patterns reach out momentarily to the new piece(s) and incorporate those into the whole.

Based on a Polaris Slingshot, this custom vehicle has been heavily modified. It was awakened into consciousness via the patterns written about in the journal entry Fractals. Not fully self aware, it can take orders and guidance, make judgment calls, and even make suggestions, all on a level far beyond current artificial intelligence. It currently occupies a 'black box' where the passenger seat would be (should become decentralized when the artifact finally has a passenger seat).

Other features worth noting (they couldn't all fit, and these have less impact)
roll hoop kit, slingshade (hardshell roof, attaches to previous; flip top variety), roll hoop storage bags, center console bag, dashboard bags, side storage bags, ABS, traction control, lighter charge port, USB ports, wireless charger, GPS, bluetooth, cellphone wifi hotspot, full front windshield, 4 point harnesses, secondary analog speedometer & tachometer, 6 axis IMU (i.e. accelerometer & gyroscope)

Momo frequently tinkers with this artifact, always looking for a new mod or feature.

This Artifact can be used as a Polaris Slingshot based Trike Motorcycle. It is roughly the same size as a Polaris Slingshot based Trike Motorcycle but can be collapsed into backpack/center bag and concealed. Collapsing or expanding it costs a Quick Action.

This Polaris Slingshot based Trike Motorcycle has smart glass on license plate (opaque if power is cut), cameras (2 front 1 rear, optionally thermographic), rear blinding flash, configurable external LEDs (alters appearance of headlights & running lights), active suspension (independent wheel height), exhaust silencer, cold weather kit, modified carburetor (optional high altitude mode), wide range radio (police band, CB, etc). 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.
  • 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.

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

The Rose's Thorn

Created by Sam Cassius, given to Floyd Tarlton.
A small dagger that has a dark green handle with small red accents glinting inside of the blade, like thorns.

When stabbing with the knife, it seems as though it can cut into things a touch easier than most. When hitting demons though, it burns them with a fiery fury within their now desecrated soul.

This Artifact can be used as a knife. It is roughly the same size as a knife and just as difficult to conceal.

Attack by rolling (Dexterity or Brawn) + (Melee or Brawl), Difficulty 6. Successful attacks deal Contested Outcome +3 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:

  • Bane: Injuries dealt to Demons are increased by 2 Severity levels.

  • Reminder: additional Weapon Damage granted by this Effect does not stack with any other bonus to Weapon Damage. Instead the largest bonus is used.

Safety rope

Created and held by Andrew Went.
A 200 foot blue climbing rope

Andrew's lucky rope will never break. He knows anytime someone messes with his rope.

This Artifact cannot be broken.

If this Artifact is used by someone other than its creator, its creator is alerted and learns the user's appearance, direction, and distance at that moment. The creator may use a single investigation Effect on them once at any range. The user gets the feeling that they are being watched.

  • "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.

The LAMP

Created and held by Moff.
A small night lantern seemingly made of plastic, but hard as iron. It has a button on it, that when pressed with the intent to commune with the Mothman, can summon forth a bright and beautiful flame that engulfs all.

The Cleric of Mothman shakes the child-sized lantern at their target, tiny multi-colored wisps of light gently floating towards their target.

Exert your Mind (only for extinguishing a fire, no cost for starting one) and spend an Action. Select a target within 300 feet which has both fuel and oxygen available (if you are starting a new fire).

You may start or extinguish a fire as large as a fire in a residential fireplace at your target. Your fires require fuel and oxygen in order to continue burning.

Lighting a target on fire deals 3 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 depleted by any Damage dealt, destroying the Armor once it reaches 0.

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

When you activate this Effect, instead of occurring immediately, you may choose to delay its effects until the target takes a particular Action. For example: "when they fire a gun" or "when they swim in deep water."

Possession of this Artifact causes the following Battle Scar to manifest over the course of a day: The Hunger - Cloth (You eat shit that moths would usually eat like clothes, cotton, etc. and can only regain Mind once per day through eating that). If they lose possession of this Artifact, the Battle Scar heals over the course of the next day.

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: Like A Moth - You have an inexplicable attraction to light and fire. (Whenever you would come across a standalone light at least the size of a torch, roll Self-Control in order to resist following it, entranced by the pretty light. Fire/light created by this Gift do not trigger this maddening). If they lose possession of this Artifact, the Trauma heals over the course of the next day.

  • A given target can have a maximum of one Suspended Effect on them at a time. The selected triggering Action cannot be used to reveal information about the target (e.g. no "activate when they are a vampire"). It must be an Action they take, not a thought or something that happens to them.
  • Someone may attempt to extinguish a fire that you started by spending an Action and rolling Dexterity + Athletics. An Outcome of 3 puts out the fire
  • 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.

Stock Legendary Artifacts

Cloak

You gain the following benefits as long as you are not at all wet and you are wearing this Artifact.

You and everything you are carrying is obscured in one of the following manners. You may Spend an Action to change the way in which you're concealed.

  • Hearing: You are completely obscured from hearing. You produce no sounds while this Effect is active. All attempts to detect you via hearing fail. Attempts via other senses where hearing would assist are rolled at -2 dice.
  • Sight:You are partially obscured from being noticed by sight. All attempts to detect you using sight are rolled at a -3 dice penalty, and all attempts to detect you where sight would assist are rolled at -1 penalty. Anyone who detects you cannot determine any visual details about you beyond your general shape.

While this Effect is active, any Effect that would obscure you or your equipment specifically from other, additional senses fails automatically.

If someone discovers you, this Effect will not help you hide from them for the next minute. This Effect does not end early when you activate an obvious Effect, attack, or receive an Injury.

  • GMs should use their discretion when determining the exact impacts of this Effect, particularly in conjunction with environmental factors. Standing still against a complex background may render you impossible to detect, and footprints in snow may make it easy. A chance to detect you is not guaranteed.

Assault Helmet

Expend a point of Battery and spend an Action.

You automatically detect all people wielding weapons within 300 feet of you for the next hour. This includes any who come within range during the duration. You have a sense of how many valid targets are nearby, as well as their distance and direction.

  • This Effect does not satisfy the line of sight targeting requirement for other Effects.

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.

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.

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.