The curse of poverty is very real, and sometimes you are forced to learn the error of your ways before you can break its shackles.
The Twin Orbs of Poverty and Wealth
The Orb of Poverty - Globe of the Thief - Poorest Man's Gem
The infamous Orb of Poverty is a legendary cursed object. It typically appears as a small turquoise gem, rounded and smooth, but not perfectly so. Fascinating imperfections can be found in its surface, each of them is a reservoir of images. The tiny dents and scratches, when held close to the naked eye, depict grand fortunes and vast amounts of physical wealth. One can see coins and gems of all shapes, sizes, materials and colors.
The Orb of Poverty appears to be the sole object of value within the Beggar's Temple, a ramshackle, hole-in-the-wall, soup kitchen in downtown Gheerhardt. In the Beggar's Temple, this single gem sits upon a filthy rag and is revered as a sign from the Gods that there is yet hope for them, for even this tiny gem was once part of a grand treasure and divided from the hoard it can still be beautiful in the eyes of some men.
The Orb is a relic of cosmic balance between the "Haves" and the "Have-Nots." It is said that in the days of old when a certain mortal beggar prayed to The God of Wealth for single gem, he received The Orb of Poverty as his gift. The Orb has long since been a curse and burden to its owners; only recently having found a resting place in the Beggar's Temple.
The Orb of Poverty absorbs any gem or coin carried by its possessor and is impossible to get rid of. Much like most cursed object, it will always find a way to return, so what little wealth you manage to acquire will shorty be taken into the orb and never seen again.
The Orb of the Wealthy - Thieves' Bounty - Richest Man's Gem
The Orb of Wealth lies within the godly realm of the God of Wealth, where it overlooks a grand treasure chamber, a vault of riches beyond mortal imagination, and for many years fed his coin purse with the gems and coins of the accursed "poor." This Orb appears as a fist-sized chunk of lumpy and crag-infested red and black stone that is said to have once been a beating heart inside the chest of an evil dragon.
Whenever an object of value is absorbed into the Gem of Poverty, the Orb of Wealth will pulse with life once more and out will come the purloined treasure, being deposited directly into the hoard of the God of Wealth. Wealth transported in such a manner is typically forever outside the reach of mortals and has been said to be the only way to ensure certain artifacts are never used again.
To break the seemingly endless pouring of treasure into the Wealth God's coffers, all one must do is to freely give away something of great wealth; but not of material wealth. The accursed must part with something they hold dear and in the process give something special to someone else. This could play out in a number of ways, such as performing a service of saving a relative, or even donating a family heirloom to someone in need.
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I'd like to know how they were made.
Plus: the Wealth God is stealing from one guy at a time, correct?
What I did not understand: those who can break the wealth transfer are those who currently suffer from the Orb of Poverty?
Yeah, I'm not wholly satisfied with this one. Seemed like an interesting idea that I just couldn't hammer out. You are correct on the two latter statements. As for how they were created, it seems like the kind of thing a diety could do on a whim, no? That's how I pictured it.
In any case, feel free to vote freely, I just had to get this out of my in-work box.
Actually - what if the Greed/Wealth god made multiple orbs of poverty linked to one Orb of Wealth? That would allow him to steal so much more, so much faster!
A lovely idea. I was so focused on the power of 2 sides of the same coin that I didn't even consider that. Take some xp for the thought.
A bad idea it is to steal this gem.
Plot Hook-the PCs are hired by agents of one country to break into a huge bank vault of another country and place this inside it thus emptying tbhe valut and destroying the country's ecomony.
Like your thinking there, you Man of Cheka! Great idea, great plot potential. Alas, no votes left...
Good idea. So what happens if someone gets both of them? Matter / antimatter annihilation? (just like the way that sounds, probably doesn't apply)(sorry for the aside there...)
Maybe these two orbs are 2 halves of a single orb? And if you have one you have a vague idea where the other is (and whether the other is getting closer). Thus if you've got the crappy orb, you stop every thing to find the good one to discharge the curse. Meanwhile, Mr. Lucky is doing everything he can to KEEP his orb, and getting the heck away from the other poor slob. Might make for interesting background or plots.
Simple, little flair, and a definite "Here's an idea to give to the annoying player who is greedy!" award.
Cheka had a good thought for a plot hook. How about one of the player character's picks the pocket of the owner of this unlucky gem thinking he is himself very lucky to have acquired it.
Or perhaps the players have been hired to frequent the locked stash of a local and grab a few of his belongings, one of which is the gem that they just can not get rid of. This could have not only the original owner after them but the one who hired them could also be after them for' not giving up the whole treasure so to speak.
Does this mean the meager currency of the beggars ends up in a cave full of riches? How ironic that they use it as a symbol of hope.
I like the symbolism of the rich stealing from the poor.
Oooh, I like this one a lot!! Oh, the temptation of the unguarded gem in the beggar's hall. A great 'prank' to pull on a new thief trying to enter the guild....or on a PC...or on a.....
So, a black hole that pulls only money. Quite the direct way to reduce a person's excess gold...