[Announcement] Round Zero!

[Unko Talok]

Wake up, wake up! Round Zero is upon us!

Iron DM 2022

This is the Round Zero thread, where all those who wish to partake in this year's competition can show what they have, and see if they can stand up to their fierce competitors and last year's victor, Thaco, should they return to defend their title! Come, refine each other so that the best may face off, and the greatest be crowned Iron DM of 2022!

The thread will be open for 15 days from the time this is posted (exact deadline see here). Make sure you get your entry in quickly! Once you have posted, that is it: no edits, no second posts. Breaking these most simple of rules could lead to a very early (and very embarrassing) departure from the stadium. It is also recommended that you read the general rules for the competition, though quite a few are not necessarily applicable to Round Zero (this will be clear from the context). In the case that anything mentioned in this announcement post for Round Zero contradicts anything in the rules, then this is a specific rule for Round Zero and supersedes the general rules in that particular case.

Round Zero Rules You are to describe an item that could be the focal point of an adventure of campaign. It could be something specifically useful to a player, or more of a McGuffin object. Do not include links or images in your post; the teaser should exist totally within the post itself, and should only be text and text formatting. The item can be for any setting/system you like, though even mentioning a system is not necessary! You have a hard maximum of 500 words for your description. Do not break it. This limit includes all text within the body of your post, so be careful! Do not waste words on mechanics - the focus for this Round Zero challenge is to create an interesting story or description of the teaser. You get one entry; second posts by anyone will result in disqualification. Do not edit your entry once posted. Secreting to me is sufficientSecreting and Spoilerbutton inside of the secret textspoiler-buttoning your entry is not only highly recommended, but required! The best write-ups will move through to the actual competition. It is recommended that you follow the Studio Audience Thread, as that will be where general announcements are most likely to be posted. We will not be individually contacting each participant who qualifies to let them know they did so, but rather posting a list. It is your responsibility to keep track of this and other announcements.

[bananabadger]

 

Vk-476

INTRO For centuries it has circled galaxies, appearing every 1,010 years to many worlds and civilizations, each of which have their own words for it: Silver Strand of Death, Star of the Chosen One, Heavenly Bane of Mindflayers, Celestial Frigate, Queen Melistara's Comet, Night Dragon, Beloved of Vampires, and countless other appellations. But whatever its name, this cosmic body heralds a transformation, sometimes fortuitous, other times cataclysmic. How strange, then, it began as Vk-476, just another agricultural probe from another forgotten world.

BACKGROUND The Feqquin civilization launched Vk-476 some 9,000 years ago to seed habitable planets with experimental DNA. Vk-476 continued its mission long after the Feqquin civilization collapsed and has improved its original algorithmic programming to develop new life-sparking DNA from the rare gases and subtle variations in helium and hydrogen it collects. As it passes planets, Vk-476 rains this experimental DNA to seed new life, sometimes familiar basic evolutionary forms, sometimes extraordinary novelties. When the DNA falls on populated planets, these alien proteins might trigger new evolutionary abilities or they might spur horrific degradation.

OVERVIEW AND SAMPLE HOOKS Vk-476 is adaptable for any system at any level. Here are examples: Low-Level Magic Fantasy Your ancestors called it Liberation Star. When it blazed over their tents 1,000 years ago it sent a manna of stamina that enabled them to throw off their oppressors. You are their descendants, living in the prosperous kingdom they founded. This year, your astronomers say the Liberation Star will reappear over a distant island. Your party must sail to this island, find the manna that falls from the sky, and return it so your people may enjoy another golden age. But old sailors warn this island is inhabited by snake people who will fight to keep the blessing for themselves. Vampire-Themed Campaign The 4 ruling families have prepared for the Red Rain by building a grand mansion at the mountain summit where it will fall. Each family may send 5 heirs to feast at the mansion. After the communal feast, 1 day before the rain, the killings may begin. No heir may enter or leave the mansion. Whichever family survives reaps the rain's blessings of new immunities. Space Campaign Vk-476 has gone rogue. Researchers speculate the probe populated its own cabin with experimental cyber-organic life determined to eradicate rival species. Blasting Vk-476 would only disperse poisonous strands, so your party must board Vk-476, defeat its defense systems, and override its programming in 5 days before it passes—and destroys—the peaceful civilization of aquatic mammals which has produced the universe's most revered spiritual leaders.

BEEP! BEEP! COMING TO A CAMPAIGN NEAR YOU Whichever campaign Vk-476 flies into, the consistent element is that Vk-476 will alter known life. Thus, its imminent arrival cannot be ignored and rival factions will present a party with numerous adventure hooks to anticipate this world-changing rain.

[Seeks]

[PapaHuck]

[Homestarbaby]

[orcbane]

 

Anaxiela’s Signet Ring

The signet ring contains no magical properties nor interesting artifice. It is merely the ring Princess Anaxiela uses to seal the wax on letters. It is quite small, fitting upon her delicate pinky finger. The rose gold contains no gems. The signet depicts a Harshills Moth flying the Pyramid Moon.

Given the Princess’ lack of authority to command any sort of official decree, the ring's inherent purpose relates to the purchasing goods and services and bestowing of the honor of her correspondence.

It is, however, missing.

Certainly, fraudulent purchases and ill-gotten honors could prove troublesome for Crown and Country. However, the larger concern relates to the potential for the public to discover its absence and to ask exactly how the ring came to be separated from her royal presence.

Speculation would run rampant!

Perhaps the Princess, seen by many to be the grandest of all marriage targets for high-ranking nobles and foreign princes, allowed it to be taken from her by some unscrupulous man in her bed chambers. Perhaps it is all part of a greater plot to defraud distant trade partners their due. Perhaps the Princess has gone altogether mad and is actively secreting the Royal Family’s fortune in the dirt of the castle gardens or swallowing their grandest treasures squatting them into the cesspits below.

Or perhaps it is just the first sign that some mighty warlock has placed on curse on her, the Royal Family, or the Kingdom entire. What other occurrences might serve as confirmation of this curse?

All told, it would be best for the ring to be recovered quickly, quietly, and without many knowing of its absence. Surely, managing this feat would return a great reward and put those who achieved it in a place of trusted standing with the Crown.

[Tysyacha]

[Silent Rain]

 

Crown of Mordan Faen

Wondrous Item, artifact (requires attunement by a creature wearing the crown), Cursed

When the war with the Fae ended, and the creatures of fairy were imprisoned within the confines of the Fae Wood, several of their most powerful artifacts were left behind in the lands of men. One of the most dangerous, was the Crown of Mordan Faen. As powerful as it was treacherous, none who adorned the metal crown were long for this world.

When first placed upon the head, the crown alters itself to fit snugly around the wearer's brow, before tiny metal claws that run its circumference, bite into the skull, making plain its cursed nature. From there the crown's true insidiousness is revealed as the will and desire of all those who perished under the metal crown bring their intentions to bare, each fighting for dominance over the wearer's mind.

Should the wearer manage to stave off the unrelenting will of those who came before, even then, the crown still consumes the very life essence of those who don it, until nothing is left but a shriveled husk. Until then however, those who master the crown's will have at their disposal every bit of experience and knowledge possessed by those previously consumed by the crown.

When the wearer finally dies, the crown releases its hold upon its wearer and clangs to the floor.

Atunement The crown requires attunement as soon as it is placed upon a creature's head, and does not require the normal short rest. If the creature already has maximum attunement, then a random item already attuned by the creature becomes unattuned.

Cursed The crown cannot be removed until the wearer dies. Each day, the creature must make a DC10 Con save or permanently lose 1 point of Constitution.

Fae Thoughts The dark and twisted thoughts of the previous wearers begins to taint the creature's mind, causing permanent alignment shift in the direction of chaotic evil, by one step. In addition, the will of the previous wearers may (DM's discretion) attempt to alter the wearer's actions, and requires a DC10 Wisdom save to resist.

Knowledge of the Ages If performing a skill check with an Intelligence or Wisdom-based skill you are not proficient in, you are now. If you are already proficient, then you make the check with advantage.

See Through the Mist The wearer can always see invisible creatures and know when they are being deceived or lied to.

[97mg]

[Loun]

[Auron3991]

 

The Deep Tome The Deep Tome is a large book formed of gray pages bound in a purple-blue leather. The cover and pages always feel wet, but the words of a long-forgotten language contained on them remain undamaged. Its actual creation is a mystery even the most ancient of beings don't know. This, combined with its habit of disappearing into and out of private collections lead many to believe it is just a myth. The stories claim it contains knowledge meant only for the divine, as any believed to have studied it began hearing voices, speaking in strange phrases and eventually went insane. The truth behind the Deep Tome is it's the mind and memories of Armaros, an ancient aboleth. It was created by Armaros using eldritch means to clone its genetic structure and forming the result into the Tome. The script itself is a written approximation of the language they used before they gained telepathic capability. The Armaros can telepathically communicate with anyone reading the book and attempt to get the reader to act on its behalf. It isn't necessarily malicious to those it speaks to, but its almost alien perspective often results in very poor advice. It will do everything possible to remain unknown to other aboleths, if they are even still alive, as they would destroy it to keep the secrets hidden within the genetic memory. Plot Hooks A well-known scholar is murdered and his home ransacked just a week after purchasing a book matching the description of the Deep Tome. A tag of three letters were stricken into their door: a green D, a yellow F, and a blue A. Rumors circulate that the Keeper of the Void Library is offering a reward of one secret, any held within the Library to someone who can procure the Deep Tome for them. If someone attempts to read the book, Armaros will request they bring it to Kirinc, a brass dragon contemporary to discuss the success of the Tome.

[O2CXt3]

 

A crow’s leg A crow’s leg hung out of the dog’s mouth. The black and white dog, one of the shepherd's herding dogs, didn’t seem to notice that it was there. The dog panted expectantly, with its tongue lolling from its mouth. The crow's leg drooped and bobbed with its breathing, and the little forked, black fingers hung limply below the dog's chin. Maybe it was stuck between the dog’s teeth? The dog winked an eye and coughed, but continued panting. It coughed again, then retched like it was about to vomit something up, but went back to its cheerful panting with the crow’s leg still hanging from its mouth. The bony black toes of the crow’s foot began to slowly bend. The tiny ridged knuckles flexed and the sharp black talons curled inward, as though the foot were trying to grasp something. The dog's panting grew faster and it began to cough again. Soon, it was overtaken by a coughing fit, intermixed with more retching. Foam formed on the dog’s lips. The dog spread its legs and continued coughing, but the retching grew more violent. The dog began to bite at the air below its knees. The crow’s leg whipped about, but stayed in the dog’s mouth. With a final yelp of pain, the dog fell to the ground and lay still. Its eyes rolled back in its head, looking vaguely upward. The crow’s leg, still caught in its foamy mouth, rested on the ground. Slowly, the smooth black talons and ridged knuckles began to unclench, scraping tiny channels in the dirt, until the crow’s foot was wide open. It flexed once more, relaxed, and then lay still. The dog lay glassy eyed in the road leading to the shepherd’s house with the crow’s leg in its mouth.

[Leviticus]

 

Digbie's Golden Opal Cufflinks
655 BC - A young poet sits with his back against the wall, quill in one hand and a half-finished piece of parchment in the other. He’s fallen asleep and his nose begins to bleed, running over onto the parchment and staining his shirt. An angel steps out onto the mortal plane beside the man and grasps the parchment, pulling it slowly out of the dreamer’s grasp. A few minutes later and the parchment is given back, completed without the use of ink. It is written in the young man’s blood, and signed, Homer.

315 BC - The Indian king Porus, once an ally of Alexander The Great, is finally killed by Eudemus, a general of Alexander’s army. Porus is stabbed with a knife fashioned from an ancient quill said to be touched by God. Porus didn’t see it coming. One of his wives had drugged his wine that evening. The king was dreaming when it happened. He dreamed of a white figure that appeared next to him in the shape of a woman.

253 AD - A fleet of 150 Roman war ships is wrecked on the voyage from Sicily to Rome. There was a massive lightning storm that drew up out of nowhere. A lone hermit watched from the cliffs. The hermit held a staff that was said to contain the blood of a Greek God and the downfall of an Indian King. It was called the staff of fire.

800 BC - Prince Ealhmund is put to death by hanging for treason. He is later revered as a saint. Prince Ealhmund carried with him the wood of fire and blood, passed onto him by his father, and so forth as far as his family can remember. The accusations of treason were false. His killers took the holy relic with them after paying their respects.

1200 AD - A young Temujin, known later as Genghis Khan, unites Mongol clans under his leadership and wit. The young man is gifted with a golden chalice that he drinks from nightly. It is said to have held the blood of God, the death of an Indian king, the drowning of a roman army, and the death throes of a Christian saint.

Present Day, East of London, below ground - A man that has been homeless for the past three years takes the last drag of his life. An empty pill bottle is open on the ground beside him. Certainly a lethal dose, he thought. John dreams of a white figure that crouches beside him. The figure places something into John’s hand and then walks away.

John Digbie wakes to the smell of his own vomit on his shirt and beard. His right hand is holding tightly to what appear to be cufflinks made from golden opals. He dreamed of battles long ago, of God-touched poets, saints, and leaders that were great beyond all comparison. John is ready. John is awake.