Legendary Utility Items
Discover the real and mythical origins behind items of mundanity!
In roleplaying,combat items of legendary origins often cross the paths of adventurers. Yet, once in a while, they might just encounter particular items whose use are completely commonplace but nevertheless have whimsical, controversial or unexpected origin(s) that are either real or attributed to them through folklore and gossip. This is the compilation of such humble but unusual items, of which an excellent example can be found here
To maintain consistency of format between posts, the following structure is suggested:
Name of item (type of item if not obvious from name or if name unknown)
Description- physical description, aura, reputed powers
The Origin(s)- preferable if put in one blockquote
Current whereabouts
Placeholder-will add several items this week
The Needles of Zhi and Wu (Acupuncture Needle)
Description:
A set of acupuncture needles ordinary in every way except that they are of a green colour as if made of jade, rumoured to be so potent in healing properties that even revival of the dead are achievable.
The Origin:
These needles are the tools of trade of Bian Que, the miracle doctor of the Era of Spring and Fall. It was rumoured that Bian Que is in fact the offspring of the Goddess of Mercy and is a divine entity himself. According to such sources, these needles have developed direct healing qualities themselves as a result of prolonged contact with Bian Que with his godly presence pervading this set of tools.
Current whereabouts:
Unknown- Immediately following the end of the Era of Spring and Fall comes the Period of the Warring States, a time of turmoil accompanied by many refugees of wars fleeing the Dragon Empire for more peaceful outlying regions. It was speculated that Bian Que and his family might have been among such refugees.
Note: This is historical fiction since it is genuinely recorded in Chinese history that there was a miracle working doctor known as Bian Que active during what is known as the Spring and Autumn and the Warring States Period.
The Comb of Banafrit
Description:
A finely crafted comb made of a single palm-sized seashell, overlaid with specks of coloured stones. Small cracks along the teeth provide signs of frequent usage.
The Origin:
This item was commissioned by King Amenemhat and presented to his beloved Queen, Banafrit, as a birthday gift. According to folklore, Queen Banafrit has a particularly lustrous mane of hair that King Amenemhat lovingly brushes for her every morning, with this particular comb.
Current whereabouts:
Buried with Queen Banafrit in the royal tomb
The Goblet of Victory
Description:
One of the cursed items recorded in the Annuals of History and Lost Artefacts, described as being surrounded by a dark forbidding aura. In appearance, this is a goblet shaped much like a Viking helmet, with two horns protruding out from the sides. Each of these horns carries a sheath made of silver.
The Origin:
Originally the heirloom of the royal line of Hampstead, this goblet was taken as one of the spoils of war by King Knut I of Stormhenge. This is also the infamous goblet that King Knut IX choked to death on while drinking a toast of celebration over victory at the Campaign of Roxwell.
Current whereabouts:
Unknown- One tale has it that the goblet vanished mysteriously after King Knut IX’s death. Another source is certain that the goblet is now in safe-keeping in the Temple of Zorn, the All Wise and Merciful. There are also periodic rumours of it being seen in all places around the world.
Thimble of Hesrovinth
Description
Made from the finest silver and speckled with many tiny flakes of amethyst, flakes so small, that they only appeared as a purplish glow whenever the thimble was held to the light.
Origin
The thimble belonged to young Queen Hesrovinth, but was originally given to her by a hedge-witch, when Hesrovinth was only a little girl. She was told by the witch that the thimble belonged to past queens, and would serve her well in life as well. Many years later, Hesrovinth's royal marriage was arranged and she wed King Svanilmar Long-Hair, becoming queen of the realm. She never did do any sewing, but always kept the thimble, considering it a charm of good fortune. Legend has it that the thimble's magic power was such, that whichever queen owned it, she would always outlive her king-husband.
Current Whereabouts
The thimble currently resides inside the intestines of a particularly loathsome troll named Spullosh. The thimble is lodged in his small intestine, and he can't quite get it out.
Trying to add one more and its not letting me. So before I lose this altogether...
Old Blind Roo's Whistle
Description
A small tin-and-brass whistle hanging on a plain leather band, meant to dangle from one's neck. The whistle is shaped in the form of a tiny bat, wings outstretched.
Origin
The whistle once belonged to Old Blind Roo, a dwarf so old, that even other dwarves thought him ancient. Old Roo served aboard the infamous dwarven war-ship known as Qysa's Tomb. A non-combatant, Old Roo proved his worth with his rather unique skill. Old Roo raised and trained bats, communicating with them and issuing simple commands via his whistle. The bats echolocation was somehow used by the dwarves to their advantage, particularly in night-time raids and attacks. Whether Old Blind Roo had some kind of telepathic connection with the bats or if the whistle was indeed magical, is not currently known. Old Blind Roo died many years ago, and Qysa's Tomb no longer plies the Seas.
Current Whereabouts
The whistle hangs on the wall beside the desk of one Kleg Ajaryan, Harbormaster of Liar's Bay. He has no particular use for it, but keeps it as a souvenir and bauble, and shows it to those who ask him to relate tales of the legendary Dwarven drommond, known as Qysa's Tomb.
Old Blind Roo’s Whistle
Description
A small tin-and-brass whistle hanging on a plain leather band, meant to dangle from one’s neck. The whistle is shaped in the form of a tiny bat, wings outstretched.
Origin
The whistle once belonged to Old Blind Roo, a dwarf so old, that even other dwarves thought him ancient. Old Roo served aboard the infamous dwarven war-ship known as Qysa’s Tomb. A non-combatant, Old Roo proved his worth with his rather unique skill. Old Roo raised and trained bats, communicating with them and issuing simple commands via his whistle. The bats echolocation was somehow used by the dwarves to their advantage, particularly in night-time raids and attacks. Whether Old Blind Roo had some kind of telepathic connection with the bats or if the whistle was indeed magical, is not currently known. Old Blind Roo died many years ago, and Qysa’s Tomb no longer plies the Seas.
Current Whereabouts
The whistle hangs on the wall beside the desk of one Kleg Ajaryan, Harbormaster of Liar’s Bay. He has no particular use for it, but keeps it as a souvenir and bauble, and shows it to those who ask him to relate tales of the legendary dwarven drommond, known as Qysa’s Tomb.
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? Responses (11)
No starters to get us moving?
Can't just lead us to water, gotta show us how to drink.
Its a great idea for a scroll! I am always fascinated by any non-weapon item, with a more-than-meets-the-eye back story. Will add.
Update: Promoted again to normal status since this is quite an interesting Wiki or at least 2 ppl thought so :) and ppl might want to contribute to it
Needs some more meat on the bones, but gave me the kick to post a new submission. Come on people, surely you can find some minor magic to add.
Is this supposed to be a scroll or a wiki? My understanding is anyone should be able to edit the body of the sub, and so be able to put in the new items to appear as one big sub?
Otherwise I miss the point of doing it in this style.
This is supposed to be a Wiki to the extent I thought this will be a fun submission that everyone can contribute items towards if they want to so putting it as a Wiki is just a way of throwing the sub 'open' so to speak. Since you are able to put in that two lines into the sub, it seems that the 'anyone can edit and have it appear as 1 seamless sub' part does work.
As to why this is currently in 'scroll' format, maybe it's because Muro and I used the 'add an idea' button to add our items (actually I couldn't remember what I did exactly but seeing the 'user submitted ideas(2)' header I speculated what's what we did)?
Personally I actually thought the 'scroll' format suits this submission more since it's gonna be a list of items (with short descriptions) and if the format is just one big sub without line breaks it's going to be very hard on the eyes.
Ok. This idea is more suited to a scroll then a wiki anyway. I was interested in why it was selected.
Would work as a wiki if folks put there stuff in the main content area. Good experiment to see how the wiki would work since nothing else has really caught on yet.
Trying to add one more and its not letting me. So before I lose this altogether...
Old Blind Roo's Whistle
Description
A small tin-and-brass whistle hanging on a plain leather band, meant to dangle from one's neck. The whistle is shaped in the form of a tiny bat, wings outstretched.
Origin
The whistle once belonged to Old Blind Roo, a dwarf so old, that even other dwarves thought him ancient. Old Roo served aboard the infamous dwarven war-ship known as Qysa's Tomb. A non-combatant, Old Roo proved his worth with his rather unique skill. Old Roo raised and trained bats, communicating with them and issuing simple commands via his whistle. The bats echolocation was somehow used by the dwarves to their advantage, particularly in night-time raids and attacks. Whether Old Blind Roo had some kind of telepathic connection with the bats or if the whistle was indeed magical, is not currently known. Old Blind Roo died many years ago, and Qysa's Tomb no longer plies the Seas.
Current Whereabouts
The whistle hangs on the wall beside the desk of one Kleg Ajaryan, Harbormaster of Liar's Bay. He has no particular use for it, but keeps it as a souvenir and bauble, and shows it to those who ask him to relate tales of the legendary dwarven drommond, known as Qysa's Tomb.
Nice ideas.
