A Handful of Magic Items 9

Posted on August 28, 2018 by Robb

dmitry-desyatov-mad-king-jpg — *Picture Credit: Dmitry Desyatov*

We’re almost to the double digits with the 9th installment of A Handful of Magic Items! Today we have portable portals, a ring that gives and takes, and the (potentially cursed) crown of an insane monarch. Let’s dive in!

Gatestone Portal
As an action, a creature holding the Gatestone can target any point within 60 feet of their location and drop the Gatestone onto the ground. At both the chosen point and the current location of the Gatestone a portal opens leading to the other for a duration of 1 minute. The gates can only be entered from one side, show a blurry image of what lies on the other side, and will not transport projectiles or magic targeted through the portal. Creatures attempting to stop halfway through the portal are pushed back out to the side they came from.

The portals closed after 1 minute or until someone picks up the Gatestone. The Gatestone cannot be picked up through the portal as to be retrieved on the other side. Once the Gatestone has been used, it cannot be used again until dawn of the next day.

This palm-sized metallic sphere opens into a magical portal with a border of light and a blurry view of the other side.

Bloodgiver Ring (requires attunement)
As an action, a creature wearing the ring can touch a friendly creature and choose to lose hit points in increments of 5. For every 5 hit points lost this way, the friendly creature gains 1d8 hit points, to a max of 10d8. A creature wearing the ring cannot choose to reduce themselves below half their total hit points. This ring only functions again after a short or long rest.

A band of platinum and a band of obsidian twist over each other. Small rubies cover the obsidian band while small sapphires cover the platinum band.

Mad King’s Crown (requires attunement)
The Mad King’s Crown holds 4 charges. It regains 1d4 charges at dawn. As an action, the wearer may cast the vicious mockery (DC 14) cantrip at will. The wearer may also spend 2 charges to cast Tasha’s Hideous Laughter (DC 14). As a reaction, when the wearer is a target of a melee weapon attack that misses, the wearer may spend 1 charge as a reaction to cast Tasha’s Hideous Laughter at the creature that missed them. Whenever Tasha’s Hideous Laughter is cast from the crown, roll a d20. On a 1, the spell targets the wearer instead of the original target.

Whenever the Mad King’s Crown reaches 0 charges, roll a d10. On a 1, the spirit within the Mad King’s Crown is loosened enough to curse the crown. Until the curse is lifted, the wearer refuses to give up the crown and has disadvantage on all attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws. If the crown is forcibly removed from the cursed wearer, they immediately suffer Tasha’s Hideous Laughter (no save) indefinitely until the crown is returned or the curse is lifted. Once the crown is cleared of the curse, it goes back to functioning how it did originally with the same chance of becoming cursed again.

This crown is a mangled mess of sharp iron bent and twisted into hideous shapes. Dried blood permanently stains various parts of the crown and the once pristine jewel refuse to shine.

Hey, I finally made a cursed item! As is usual, I made an item that helps with mobility. I find these items get a lot of creative use in game, as they allow for different tactics that certain characters or parties would otherwise be able to execute. I also created a ring that drains and then gives life, not always in equal measure. And lastly, the cursed crown is just fun. Tasha’s Hideous Laughter is something of a favored spell of mine, and I have been itching to make it a part of a magic item, especially a cursed one.

First, for the Gatestone Portal, I was looking for something that was more interesting than just a teleportation effect. Having the two way portal means that enemies can cross through or you can cross back after getting where you need to go. It can be used as a getaway car of sorts when used right, or can be used to misdirect enemies. I added the caveat that the Gatestone needs to be picked up at the original location to help stop any shenanigans that might happen otherwise.

The Bloodgiver Ring is homage to a concept I adore in gaming of all kinds- using hit points or life as a resource to get things done. It plays on the risk factor of giving up hit points to help out a friend, and that sacrifice may pay dividends or it might not. I originally didn’t have the 10d8 cap on this, and even without it based on the math I wasn’t too worried about this. With maybe a specific situation here or there as outliers, a Cleric will outshine the ring, and so they don’t need to be worried about giving the Barbarian the ability to heal others.

And lastly is the Mad King’s Crown! As I mentioned, I wanted to make a cursed item and I love Tasha’s Hideous Laughter, so why not combine them? I included vicious mockery as a non-threatening use of the crown that can’t backfire and could still be useful while under the curse within. If you wanted to DM it so that the curse can be completely lifted, so be it! Or better yet, make it a quest to find the lingering ghost of the Mad King and slay him to remove the curse from the crown. I’ll leave it up to you if the curse is detectable before the spirit within is unleashed. Also, for when your players do end up cursed and without the crown, remember DMs, you can’t eat, breathe, or drink while under the effects of Tasha’s Hideous Laughter, and your muscles will certainly be in a bit of pain after not too long.

Let us know what you think of these items, and how you would improve them or change them to fit into your campaign! Be sure to join in the discussion over on our Discord channel where we talk tabletop!

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