Golden
Five or more Hall of Honour voters raise a submission to Golden.
In the darkness in the south transept of the Cathedral of Isielles stands the resplendent Clock of Shadows. It tells more than just the time of day...
The Clock of Shadows was created by the skilled horologer Jeresiah in the twelfth century. He was a mysterious character, who dabbled in the occult and was as famous for his uncannily accurate horoscopes as he was for his fantastic clocks. He was alone in the cathedral when he set the Clock of Shadows in motion. Noone has ever seen him since.
Some say he gave his life force to the clock to make it work. Others say he had a pact with the devil which allowed him to make this perfect clock and that at the appointed hour of its inauguration he was to be taken off to hell. Others say the clock devoured him. We will never know.
The Clock was built during the reconstruction of the Cathedral in the aftermath of the earthquake, its purpose to please god and avert his wrath. It succeeded. The only sound to disturb the peace of the Cathedral since has been its incessant tick.
Perhaps the Clock of Shadows inherited some of its sinister gothic charm from its maker. Its austere face is filled with intricate designs, symbols of the planets, sun and moon with hands to show their movements and the passage of the zodiac as well as the usual hours, minutes and seconds. It is surrounded by a mane of golden baroque sculpture, gargoyles and biblical scenes.
In 1602 the clock was to be cleaned for its 500 year anniversary. Its ponderous pendulum was stopped and a workman was left to do the work. When people returned, they could heard the beat of the pendulum. The Clock of Shadows was running exactly to time, but there was no sign of the workman.
Obviously the clock has acquired a degree of mystique and it is veiled in rumour and hearsay. People come daily to see it, but not to read the time, rather to read their own fortunes. It's said that every individual who looks up at the ornate clockface will see some portent. Maybe a man is unsure in love. He will visit the Clock of Shadows and maybe he will see two tiny statues of a bride and groom amongst the myriad that crowd the clockface. Or maybe he will see a weeping face. He will go home and he is decided on his course of action.
Only one thing is certain about the Clock of Shadows. That if one day you consult its face and see a particular figure, you will not see that same figure again, no matter how hard you try.
Magical Properties:
The Clock of Shadows reveals hints about the future. The figures one sees amongst its decoration are portents, and will only be seen by the individual for whom they are intended. Once you look away from a figure you will never be able to find it again.
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This is more of a place than an item, I would think. Other than that, it adds a bit of spookie charm to any place it might be. (Hmmm. I think I found a town clock for a city in Everwinter.)
That's up to you, Anon. It is an enigmatic beast and nothing is entirely certain, so you may well be right...
ephe!
Ephemeralstability! You are my hero. I love this thing. I have often thought about clocktowers myself, and included them in some games. Clocktowers are awesome: From the tales about Jews hiding from nazi soldiers in clocktowers, the only sounds the ticking of the clock and the germans shouting below, to the stories about the Kievan Prince's family hiding in the Church tower of Kiev during the Mongol sacking in 1240... Well, this clock tower here has a timeless feeling as those I mentioned. It... It is legendary.
I know the item is sparsely described, but people: Imagine the possibilites. Imagine the rich detail provided. Ephemeralstability says more BETWEEN the lines than on them. Hmmmm... Perhaps I should post some of mine too?
Ephe! You are original and inventive. I like that.
and 5/5 on AG's comment!
man, I just love the atmosphere this sub engenders! Sublime.
There I was minding my own business, when I saw your clock. NOW I've got to figure out how I can fit it into a game soon. Making all that extra work for folks by posting stuff we can't resist using... Hmph!
5/5
I'd like to view that clock. 5/5
Nice and creepy, like a good 19th century horror story...gothic, dark, Lovecraftian, Doylesque, POEtic (got that one?) and brilliant.... Deserves to seen! /David
POEtic, good one:)
Surprise BUMP!
Great BUMP, MJS! This is an awesome submission!
Depending on the religion in order, I would see many advocates for the destruction of this evil device (from an inquisitory point of view).
I could also imagine that access to this powerful artifact would be drastically limited.
I my gosh, this sparks so many ideas! I see at least an NPC or two, and myriads of plot hooks. I can't afford the time to write down an NPC just now, so...
Plot hooks:
The current leader of the faith and/or ruler of the land see images they interprete as themselves being dethroned be someone who may or may not be identifiable. Work in you PC group from here, as supporters or opponents. Maybe one of them can be identified as the "crown thief"?
The leaders of the church have changed, and the new, overly conservative regime wants to destroy the Clock
The neighboring land want to get hold of this item of miraculous power.
AG nailed it. Simple, concise and awesome - what a sub should be!