dimensional shackles, leveled

This entry is part 10 of 13 in the series wondrous items, leveled

Dimensional Shackles of Oppression: Once a day, the holder of the key of the Shackles of Possession may give the shackles a simple order (such as “attack anyone who enters this room” or “follow and protect me”). The shackles will force their prisoner to follow the order. While actively following orders, the subject is Dominated and is not immobilized or restrained. Whenever action is not necessary to follow the order, the subject is not Dominated and is again immobilized and restrained.

My old houserules for leveling magic items mean that every piece of magical treasure has the potential to gain power in ways that the players can’t predict.

While some items may get mechanically better (for instance, a +1 sword becomes a +2 sword), it’s more challenging to improve items that don’t have numeric bonuses. I thought I’d go through the Wondrous Items in the 4e Player’s Handbook and give examples of how each could gain powers that reflect their history.

A second order in the same day will have no effect.

If the subject is bloodied or forced to do something against his nature, he gets a saving throw. If he is successful, he cannot be Dominated for the rest of the day.

Devils often use Shackles of Oppression to force their captives to defend their lairs. Many devils are protected by shackled and despairing unicorns, heroes, and even good angels.

Dimensional Shackles Forged in Life: If someone is wearing these shackles while they die, their ghost cannot leave the world until someone removes the shackles from the body. The ghost cannot stray far from its body, and, with the right ritual, may be questioned. It’s easier to resurrect someone whose spirit is trapped by the Shackles Forged in Life.

Dimensional Shackle Jewelry: The shackle looks like normal ring or necklace: its wearer is unaware of it and cannot remove it (though others can). When the captor puts it on, they can give the victim a one-sentence restriction: for instance “don’t tell anyone about the murder”, “don’t pick up any weapons”, “don’t wear that ugly hat”. The victim will follow the restriction. Victims with a Wisdom less than 13 will not be aware of the restriction: those with a high wisdom will be aware that something is modifying their behavior, but they will not know what it is.

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2 Responses to “dimensional shackles, leveled”

  1. Claire claire says:

    creepy!! I like the shackles forged in life, for obvious Marley reasons. I wonder if there’s a way to make a guy forge his own shackles. I guess you getting involved, rather than God or the demigod Ghosts, makes it more of a terrifying spectral Saw movie.

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