I'm planning on starting my CC campaign soon and my players have been pestering me about intelligent or unique items. I'm also looking for a way to integrate AA better in the AP and I hit upon an idea.
Basically I'd like them to find (early on) some item that allows them to commune with AA, a divination gadget of sorts that levels up with them (going from simple empathic grunts to powerful divinations). A spirit planchette would do nicely.
Of course the crux is that the item in question is tied to AA and is a way he's keeping tabs on them (and Kendra). I figure he's insane enough to actually help them get to him only to defeat them properly.
The thing is that I don't know how to make the mechanics work. I'm thinking either in the line of a Legacy item or simply have the character managing it put ranks in UMD to unlock its powers.
It would be nice to give the thing some personality (having it mock them or so), but that shouldn't come out until it is able to communicate properly.
Anyone have any ideas?
Basically I'd like them to find (early on) some item that allows them to commune with AA, a divination gadget of sorts that levels up with them (going from simple empathic grunts to powerful divinations). A spirit planchette would do nicely.
My first thought is that the spirit planchette you mention is perfect. You have 3 variations to choose from as it is, but for a special item, I would combine the 3 variations into a single item, and let it scale with the PCs as they level.
In other words, levels 1-4 it behaves as a brass planchette. At 5th-8th level, it has the properties of a cold iron planchette, and at 12th level and beyond it has the properties of a silver planchette.
The work is already done for you. Planchettes are intriguing items PCs are likely to hold on to, they already have intelligence (or, at least, the spirits they commune with do), and you can tailor an interesting guiding spirit as you see fit as use of the item continues. Maybe someone who has died at the hands of the Whispering Way.
And of course you can make this a planted item by Adivion. He's communing with the very same spirit via necromancy, right? He's probably torturing it or bent it to his will, so he's able to learn all about the PCs and the sorts of questions they are asking. Maybe he even has the original body tied to the spirit that enables him to do this (via speak with dead, or whatever), and you could reveal everything in Renchurch when PCs find that rotten body among a bunch of necromantic tools, the planchette starts shaking and freaking out, and they realize that Adivion has been listening in all along!
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of course you can make this a planted item by Adivion. He's communing with the very same spirit via necromancy, right? He's probably torturing it or bent it to his will, so he's able to learn all about the PCs and the sorts of questions they are asking. Maybe he even has the original body tied to the spirit that enables him to do this (via speak with dead, or whatever), and you could reveal everything in Renchurch when PCs find that rotten body among a bunch of necromantic tools, the planchette starts shaking and freaking out, and they realize that Adivion has been listening in all along!
Oh very nice touch Maestro Hodge!
Thank you, that is excellent advice. I do like the flavor of the planchettes. Also, my compliments about Shadows of Gallowspire, which I look forward to running. It reads like one of the best AP ends, with tons of flavor.