D&D Next - 5e Discussion

2925 readers

1 users here now

A place to discuss the latest version of Dungeons & Dragons, the fifth edition, known during the playtest as D&D Next.

Join our discord! https://discord.gg/dndnext

-- Rules --

Be Civil. Unacceptable behavior includes name calling, taunting, baiting, flaming, etc. Please respect the opinions of people who play differently than you do.
Use Clear, Concise Titles.
Limit Self-Promotional Links. External links to blogs, kickstarters, storefronts, YouTube channels, etc, must be related to DnD and posted no more than once every 14 days. Affiliate links are never allowed.

This is a new community and the rules are in flux. Please bear with us (and give your feedback!) as we navigate building this new community. Thank you!

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

eerongal@ttrpg.network

SkyyHigh@ttrpg.network

A Ring of Mind Shielding with a god trapped inside? (lemmy.ca)

submitted 2 weeks ago by troyunrau@lemmy.ca to c/dndnext@ttrpg.network

24 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hi folks, DM here.

So my party is going through Goodman Games 5e conversion of The Lost City. They are level 5.

I had them encounter a random wayward rock gnome merchant, who was seeking gems. He sold the party a Ring of Mind Shielding.

One of the effects is that, if you die while wearing it, your soul becomes embedded in the ring. If there is a soul in the ring, it can communicate telepathically with its wearer.

I decided, on a lark, after they looted it, that there would already be a soul in the ring, making it a sentient item of sorts. However, when they asked me who, I stuttered for a second and named one of the "dead gods" of the campaign, Usamagarus. Who is the missing god of magic, wisdom, knowledge, etc. And, I decided to roleplay him as a senile, forgetful wizard, also on a lark when they tried to communicate with him. He claims he committed suicide voluntarily after he stopped being worshipped.

Okay, now I need ideas. You're a senile wizardry God type character that's been trapped in a ring for 700 years. I won't goals, quirks, etc. assuming he has real no interest in being reincorporated.

So far I've mostly been pondering mannerisms, playing grampa Simpson "back in my day" stuff.

Anyway, should be fun 😊

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] nocturne@piefed.social 8 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

My first thought is the Dungeon Master as inspiration. Give him lucid moments, and senile moments. The players have to decide which is which.

[–] I_am_10_squirrels@beehaw.org 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I second this.

When the god is lucid, is it benevolent or vengeful? If there is a magic user in the party, does Usmag want to help them learn and grow, or do they channel their despair at the lack of worshippers into that person?

I would also try to add a dash of bursar for flavor. Maybe some Malkavian Dementation - if the god was depressed or insane, can that be transmitted to the ring bearer telepathically? Osmotically? Usamagarusly? Maybe Usmag went insane and believed no one was worshipping them, killed itself, then people stopped worshipping because their god is dead?

[–] troyunrau@lemmy.ca 4 points 2 weeks ago

He actually still has a cargo cult of worshippers who are blindly going through the motions, enacting banal (non magical) rituals, etc., but they're largely being used as a power play by the current leader rather than actually worshipping him.

It would be a fun development if the wizard attuned to the ring were to usurp the cult, take upon the role of high priest, and convert them to actual worshippers or something. Then convince Usamagarus to depart the ring.