Golden
Five or more Hall of Honour voters raise a submission to Golden.
Inspired by Ria Hawk’s Mirror of Doom, this thread is for items that could be found in a Garage Sale from Hell.
Codex introduction
History
It all started innocently enough. Ria and I were talking about one of her posts, trying to figure out how said item would effect The Lord.
MoonHunter sayeth: “Imagine all the crap a secret Evil Cultist would have. They might have some obviously “Evil” items hidden somewhere in the house. However, most of his Evil Cultist stuff would be “innocent” in appearance, but have Evil Magic properties. Then imagine said cultist dying, for some reason (an adventurer incident). What happens to all that stuff?
I mean, if the Evil Cultist was a respectable person. They would have an “estate”. After they die, many of these things would be in an estate sale was from a fine upstanding citizen like a Mayor, Guild Master, or Local Industrialist, Cousin of the King, (you get the idea). Innocent people come into possession of these things. They don’t know they are “Evil” or what magical properties they have. “
Ria: “You mean they have a Garage Sale from Hell? wahahaha… So many evil things to play with. If the people who buy these things also die, it could spread the items around, causing all kinds of chaos.”
Cue Evil Laughs
The Rules for Items in this Thread
1) The items should be something that someone should be able to innocently buy and not expect it to be Evil. So no skull cups, no blood encrusted blades, and human thigh bones.
2) The items can be cursed, “gifts” that the Evil Cultist had to further their own goals.
3) The item can be part of their “Evil Cultist Toolkit”, things the Evil Cultist had to make doing their Evil easier.
4) The item can be “left over” from an Evil Scheme, so it might have the bound demon in it, or might be something they used earlier in their career, but no longer have.
And there we go. Have Fun
Magic/Cursed Properties
Lets not go overboard with the magical powers. If the items were “SO POWERFUL” the other Evil Cultists would of scramble into the house and steal it before it could be lost to The Evil Cult.
Codex
Gathered submissions
This hub collects similar pieces — an “if you liked this, try these” shelf. Skim the summaries; open a title for a light reading preview, then follow through to the full piece to finish, award XP, or leave a scroll.
48 pieces
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Egg Cup of Summoning
This looks like an elaborately fashioned wooden egg-cup, but it is a powerful magical tool, used mainly by witches to conjure up spirits and familiars. -
Sadist Dagger
A dagger with a thirst for blood... but only a little at a time. -
Mask Cloak
Getting the favour of a Necromancer, and asking for a magical cloak? Sure, why not. -
Child-Eyed Fluffy
Another scary child's toy... -
Book of Eventful Evenings
A slightly worn looking, and rather thin book. Its cover is red, but also holds some inset jewels, and the words 'Eventful Evenings with Magic' written on the cover in gold leaf. While not a misnomer, it is interestingly deceptive. -
The Doll House
The Doll House holds what you would expect it to hold, dolls. With one minor detail. -
The Caedea
The teeth of a hungry wolf. The blood of a murderer. The cloth of a false saint's burial shroud. All of these things and more are used in the creation of a Caedea. -
Amulet of the Damned
‘I told Sir Ursus not to take the amulet, to leave it be in it's resting place. But he would not listen. We now trek to his place of hiding to remove the amulet and return it, and to destroy that which Ursus has become. ' - Arch-Danath Maccalas of the Dark Step Tribe -
The Stolen Items
'Hey! That's Mine!' 'Well, you can not prove that. However, we are selling it today.' -
Crystal of Soul Possession
This crystal looks like just another babble, like a multifaceted lead glass paperweight found in any stationary store. This hides its sinister purpose -
The Signet Ring of the House Malenti
The Signet Ring of the House Malenti (minor noble house) has more than a minor political power associated with it. It 'seals the soul' of any it touches (with intent). -
Estate Sale - Lot 14
'And now Ladies, Lords, and Gentlemen,' I bring your attention to Lot 14. This is hodgepodge of personal effects that I am sure you will find interesting. If you see anything that peaks your interest, buy it and the entire lot for cheap. Now I start the bidding at .....' -
Estate Sale - Lot 15
'And now Ladies, Lords, and Gentlemen,' I bring your attention to Lot 15. This is nice collection of goods that I am sure you will find interesting. If you see anything that peaks your interest, buy it and the entire lot for cheap. Now I start the bidding at .....' -
A Class Ring
The ring was an item he was always wearing; innocuous enough that no one would question it. It became his perfect tool of power. -
The Guilded Crucifix
The crucifix (or insert holy pendant of your good mainstream religion of choice) is fairly old, more elaborate than normal, and would usually only be worn by someone of great piety or a female of some piety. -
The Mask of Sebak
This is a large, heavy mask of Ahursian make, made with tarnished gold and lapiz-lazuli, as well as ivory. It has the appearance of a great crocodile head. -
Pillow of Sleep
It is a nice fluffy pillow, filled with soft down, covered in a soft, nice fabric. It is soooo comfortable. *yawn* You could just nod offffff when layyyying on .......... *snore* -
Chamberpot of Holy Blessings
Nobody calls it a Chamberpot of Holy Blessings. It is just another chamberpot. It is a secret item, nobody actually knows it exists. -
The Cutting Board of Decay
The cutting board is made of wood and there are pictures of apples etched to the corners. This item is somewhat cursed -
A Lucky Piece
Note From MoonHunter: I finally found the one piece we have been missing from the Garage Sale from Hell thread this entire time. A magic item that every covert Evil Cultist and Demon worshiper must have... a lucky piece. -
Statues of Calvinus
Calvinus was one of the finest sculpters known to history. While he performed many an exceptional pieces of historical figures, he is best known for his 'inspired' pieces - pieces he created out of his own memory. He said he would go into his studio alone, then just 'bang out' a piece without break. This process explains his prodigeous output. There are several dozen exceptionally lifelike women (and a few men). Most are beautiful and scantily clothed, but his 'Old Washer Woman' is a master piece. Many countries consider Statues by Calvinus to be national treasures. -
Cameo of the Circle's Queen
'This? It is pretty isn't it? No it is not new. My mother had it.' -
Riding Crop of Command
'He looks so regal in his riding gear, carrying his riding crop.' 'He looks good without it. He always carries his crop too. He just loves riding.' -
Pet's Collar
'Heel!' 'Roll over!' 'Sit!' 'Sit Up!' 'Beg!' 'Speak!' Cue Evil Laugh. -
Knife of Meat-Loving
A well crafted but otherwise ordinary steak knife. It makes the cutting of meat sooooooo easy. -
Vridian gold
'Gold. GOLD. GOLD! Beautiful, wonderous, Gold! I am Rich I tell you. I am the luckiest man alive!' -
Retirement Plan Ring
Being alligned with Evil does tend to make the afterlife a little less appealing. Unless one can somehow claw their way up the heirarchy immediately, one should be looking towards a long, long, long, time of torture and servitude to greater spirits, before any chance of reincarnation will occur. One of the first things Smart Evil Cultists and Priests learn is how to avoid final death. -
Mask for the Theater of Cruelty
Will the mask smile for you or frown? Do you know who you are? Do you really? -
Locket of Will Capture
'It is just a locket for portraits of loved ones. It is quite old, but I will sell it to you for cheap. ' -
A Holy Book - 1
It appears to be a very nice holy book of the dominant good faith, the kind that his passed down from generation to generation. The binding is leather and quite plain, but the inside is nicely scribed and occasionally illuminated. A pity that it will lead you down the Path of Darkness the moment you understand its secret. -
Doorman's Tapestry
It appears to be an older, above average quality taptestry. The subject is unimportant, so some are religious, others are landscapes, others portaits of kings/ queens, some portray ancient cities. However, you can lose yourself in one. -
An Old Codex
This Codex is sealed in either a tube or box, containing some works of great age. The scrolls and papers will be of a language of great antiquity. These scrolls are cut up and pressed flat into a leafed book, called a codex. While the works are not magical, they might as well be, for they can change the world. -
Chess Journal
'It is your move.' -
The Tube of Red Lipstick
It is just a tube of make up. Why is it in a locked chest? -
A Large Wood Jewelry Box with NickNacks in it
'Where do all those marvelous toys go?!' -
Legends of "On True Power"
Exerpt from the Introduction: I know the ultimate weapon. Humans commit folly after folly because they are afraid. Fear was once Humankind's most powerful ally, giving enormous potency to the instinct for suvival. Now, fear has become Humankind's greatest enemy, and such is the obtusemenss of my species that is members do not realize it is the most powerful element of Human existance. -
A Box of Children's Toys
It is a box of fairly standard children's toys. There are dolls, blocks, carved knights and animals. Everyone will think, 'Oh I had one of those when I was young.' -
Memory Book
It is a personal journal tucked away in an library. It appears as an ordinary journal or diary from the outside and inside. In the spine or binding there is always a tiny strip of metal that other components and symbols are attached. Yet there is more, if you read carefully. -
Cloaks of Misfortune
At the estate sale of one wealthy merchant, a seamstress found several lengths of black silk cord, the kind that is used for trim and piping. A local seamstress purchased those odd lengths and the remaining bolt cheap and turned out two or three cloaks using the thin black silk cord as trim. An evil seems to follow them, though nobody knows it. -
Beautiful Hair Ribbons
These simple ribbons caused the near destruction of an entire town. And, the ribbons did nothing wrong. -
Ring of Procrastination
It is a good looking ring. It is handsome and worth quite a bit. -
Bit and Bridle of Horsemanship
It was a fine harness and reins. The leather was soft and well tooled. The bit was so shiney one thought it could be silver. It looked like no bit and bridle that he had ever seen. Yet, it seemed familiar, like he had heard stories about this before. -
Sekkitan blood diamonds
'In the Black, dead souls creep Seeking vengence without sleep. Sacrificed for precious stones, Rend they now flesh and bones. Bloody staind and drenched in tears, Stones cry out to one who hears, ‘Treachery has sown the seeds! Now you'll be the one who bleeds! Wear us well, you who brave, Next you'll be in the grave!'' - Tas-Vessina's curse -
The Mourner's Cloak
None could deny that the Torner the Fearless' heartbroken widow did mourning well. -
Blissmort Toxin
The drink was a rare vintage with a light, fruity aroma, but one glass was not enough. It left the drinker craving something more... -
The Vintage of Despair
The Connoisseurs of the land would remember Vigo Telaggio's masterpiece, but not in the way he'd intended... -
Devouring Beds
A handsome bed set, obviously expensive and likely both old, and imported. -
One man's plush toy...
Buttons, how could you?
Also in
Codex hubs that gather this piece with similar work.
- The Waresian Armoire Scrasamax
- School Of Banewrights valadaar
Scrolls
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Discussion
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Bonds
Outbound links for this Codex live in the gathered list above. Bind as Codex to add another piece to the shelf after you sign in. Kindred Favors gather here too.
Links to this article 12
- 30 Merchants Alongside valadaar linked by valadaar
- 30 Types of Ink Alongside Cheka Man linked by Cheka Man
- Chrisia's ShadowShop MoonHunter linked by MoonHunter
- Dalme The Tinker MoonHunter linked by MoonHunter
- Hanserd of the Silver Hand Scrasamax linked by Scrasamax
- Markov's Ring of Obedience Cheka Man linked by Cheka Man
- Mug of Blood Pieh linked by Pieh
- Not Sure What To Do? Alongside Strolen linked by Strolen
- School Of Banewrights Alongside valadaar linked by valadaar
- The Mourner's Cloak Wulfhere linked by Wulfhere
- The Waresian Armoire Alongside Scrasamax linked by Scrasamax
- Tower of Inversion Iain linked by Iain
Favored by Kindred Readers 1
Use alongside
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The sea is calm, the morning mists clear, the seagulls cry out, and land comes into view
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The Keep Beneath the Dusky Star
From that silent place fear flows in unseen waves, like white fog. The shadows are many, and the wind breathes cold through the broken battlements and casements…
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The 30
The 30: The thirty miscellaneous people who are part of some group. These are drop and play personalities for a given group.
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Grey Reaver
'It was just after nightfall when it came; a horrible, rotten mass of bone and flesh, with a voice that was like a thousand screams braided together. I only sur…
The Garage Sale from Hell thread is one of my favourite threads on the forum.
I love this topic but it is surprisingly hard to come up with anything...
Tariel, I know what you mean. It is hard to create items that look innocuous but were secretly used by Evil Cultists.
We have been misquoted
http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=56339&page=1&pp=20
This is the yard sale of evil thread from RPG.NET. It is being played for laughs, rather than a serious concept. Their yard sale is obviously from an Evil Being, rather than ours which is from a secretly Evil Cultist.
I like this one from their list...
A cardboard box full of assorted old computer parts: a monochrome monitor, a 300 baud modem, a dot-matrix printer, a tape drive, a cassete tape labelled 'DO NOT PLAY'. Each piece comes from a different computer system. However, when assembled, the franken-system immediately dials out on the 300-baud modem and connect to a mysterious remote system. The next day, when you return from work, the system has newly installed pieces, each as old and odd as the first. If you try to unplug the computer, you are electrocuted. If you use the computer, you find files of secret surveillance photos of you in the bathroom or your girlfriend's house, or your parents having sex. Even if you smash the computer with a baseball bat and throw it away, when you return home the next day it is visibly repaired and returned to your home, now with even more parts. Eventually, the computer takes over your entire home and begins to assemble a robot body.
There are many good ideas in the original forum thread that were 'too short' or 'too incomplete' for me to transfer. If you posted one of those ideas, feel free to go look for it and submit a 'beefed up' version.
Well, those could be posted as Scroll entries.
Actually I would prefer not. Most of the available and suitable 'scroll' entries are actually in the various 'lots' (14 and 15). Those were all the really good, non silly ideas (rubber chicked, my parents went to hell and all I got was a t-shirt, and a few others that were deleted). Lets see if we can get people to make more minor magical items (or even some major ones) that fit the thread.
This certainly deserves a BUMP, considering the recent uptick in talented, newly-joined Citadelians, who might not have come across this gem yet. Look at all those linked entries. Stupendous!
Every time I see this, I want to start a game modeled after the old 'Friday the 13th' TV series (Not the lame slasher films of the same name). I can see the Player Characters stumbling onto information that a number of items, scattered after their owner died, are spreading chaos in every corner of the land.
Been there, done that, great idea. Though my inspiration for the game was the old TV show 'IN SEARCH OF', it is a great format for a game. The team investigates looking for evil things all in an attempt to save a loved one AND prevent the world from coming to an end by reducing the amount of Evil Magic in the world. Fun.
Used the old Bureau 13/ Tri-tac system (like a good employee).
http://www.bureau-13.com/
This is one of the best Codices on this website! 5.0
This submission is great. Nuff said.
Great collection. Trying to add my latest item ( # 6090 ) to this, but I can't figure out how.
I know an item of mine or two were linked back to this years ago but I never really came here to look at this until now. I wish I had. Now I have a bundle of goodies to use to throw in bedside table drawers and office desks that no one would even think of. Marvelous.
I have been linking this on other sites, because it is so topical for an Urban Fantasy or straight Fantasy campaign.
This is an amazing codex with lots of nifty items. There is no reason for it to remain static either! Bring on your cultish paraphernalia!