Gollaon said, adjusting their goggles, “I feel a bit foolish in these things.”
Voddick shrugged. “If they work as they are supposed to it will be worth looking a bit foolish.”
Gollaon stopped dead in their tracks. “Oh, they work.”
Grave Goggles
These goggles are constructed of glass from a religious site, recast in flames from a funerary pyre with fitting made from leather and metal recovered from the dead. They are always cold but condensation never collects upon them.
Gollaon watched as the merchant stacked the coins on the scale.
Voddick leaned in. “I fear they will be disappointed.”
“You noticed the debased currency from Laccini as well.”
“I did.”
Scale of Exquisite Perception
These scales are beautifully crafted, precisely calibrated and balanced. They are also fairly sizable and take time to set up or pack away for travel. These scales are welcomed by honest merchants and hated by forgers and other such criminals.
Gollaon looked over the collection of arrows with points in a variety of colors and hues.
Voddick passed his hand just over them. “Exquisite craftsmanship. I have not seen a finer collection.”
“A craft passed from mother to daughter and father to son since time immemorial,” said the Earthkine crafter.
Gollaon caught their eye and nodded.
Dragon Scale Arrows
Made from dragon scales, as you would expect, these arrows are a useful addition to any quiver be it hunters of dragons or wizards. The dragon scales used to tip these arrows are magically or alchemically hardened and supernaturally sharp so one must be careful handling them.
Gollaon watched the candy seller carefully.
Voddick watched his friend as he ate an apple. “Problem?”
“I do not think so,” said Gollaon slowly, “but I think there are going to be some very surprised parents.”
Faerie Candies
These items are manufactured by fae confectioners for ‘export’ to the mortal realm. They are designed to sow confusion and chaos but can sometimes be useful.
Gollaon watched as the jester set down the box, catching the eye of Voddick, Gollaon gestured for him to be ready for trouble.
Voddick nodded and stepped slightly closer to their charge just as the box exploded in a riot of colored lights and smoke.
Box of Surprises
It is suspected that boxes of surprises were originally created by some sort of trickster god or perhaps a mischievous fae noble but they have been reproduced by mortal hands for equally troublesome uses. The boxes range from as small as a shoebox to as large as a small chest and are always decorated in unusual patterns.
Voddick shook his head as the well-dressed dandy strode by, their clothes a riot of colors and patterns.
“A bit garish, but such is the fashion here, for the nonce,” said Gollaon.
“And among all that, a cut flower! Was there not already enough color without killing a flower?”
“Oh, that was a cunningly made künstlich flower,” said Gollaon. “I recognized the style.”
“Oddly, that makes me feel better about it.”
Fool’s Flower
Made to resemble real flowers through careful artifice and connected by a metal pipe to a reservoir of liquid. Yes, it is a magical version of the classic squirting flower.
Voddick frowned as the well-dressed man passed by, muttering loudly about how ill-mannered everyone was today.
Gollaon watched him go. “It seems that the baron finally offended someone who could strike back.”
Voddick looked to his friend. “What do you mean?
“I mean that the baron has been cursed, now his inner unpleasantness is on display for everyone . . . except himself.”
Curse of Unpleasantness
These curses are petty in nature but they can be brutally effective. They are most commonly written on a piece of paper which is then given to the victim, the curse is expressed as a single rude or discourteous thing the victim did and reading it triggers the curse (and renders the piece of paper blank).
Gollaon watched the fox-masked person dash down the hallway followed by several Ducal guards. The masked person paused and cast out a handful of marbles that hit bound and . . . became more all bouncing and skittering across the stone floor in an increasing multitude. When the guards hit them, they skidded and tumbled, crashing into each other and falling behind the masked person who vanished around a corner.
Voddick sipped at his drink. “That was unexpected.”
“My only regret was that I could not cheer them on,” whispered Gollaon to their friend.
Multiplying Marbles
Four beautiful multicolored glass marbles are the core of this magical item, the marbles that make up this set attract each other even if separated, they will eventually make their way back together, even escaping from boxes or bags to do so.
Gollaon looked at the greyish stew and the small chunk of cheese and larger chuck of bread, soon joined by another. They sighed.
Voddick nodded. “At least it is free and warm.”
“That is about the only positive thing that can be said about it.”
“Well, eat up, tomorrow we are back on our own with trail rations and what we can find.”
“That is almost a welcoming thought.”
Soldier’s Plate
These plates are usually of basic metal, such as tin, though sometimes of wood with the symbol of the organization they were made for on the bottom of the plate. They are built to be tough and survive being tossed around.
Gollaon watched as the wine was decanted with great ceremony, the shadowy purple color contrasted with the bright silver base of the crystal goblet.
Voddick whispered. “Are you sure this is wise?”
“It would be impolite to refuse to drink now,” Gollaon whispered back.
Equinox Wine
Made of a precise mix of dark winter wine and white summer wine with a slight infusion of magical herbs, Equinox Wine has a unique taste but it is only magical when imbibed with the proper ceremony at dawn or sunset on the Equinox. The wine tastes of spring growth and fall harvest, winter frost and summer warmth, it is a rare experience.
Sea of Stars RPG Design Journal 