So this is an item, or really a type of item, I’ve been struggling with.

So this is an item, or really a type of item, I’ve been struggling with.

So this is an item, or really a type of item, I’ve been struggling with. It still needs a lot of work. And I thought I’d see if anyone here had advice. Looking for a better name too.

Elemental Skull

Elemental Skulls are small skull shaped carvings made of exotic materials like onyx, marble, jade, or obsidian. The skulls have hinged jaws which open and will hang open unless held shut. When open a small torrent of either water, fire, sand, or air is released. Each skull produces a specific element. However, it is difficult to tell which element a given skull produces and how much it produces without first opening it. Further, the jaws are often held closed by flimsy clasps which have a tendency to break.

Custom Move

When you open a skull who’s element you are unaware of roll +WIS. On a 10+ choose from water, fire, air, or sand. A small amount of the chosen element is released without incident. On a 7-9 choose from water, fire, air or sand. A problematic amount is released. The GM will describe the trouble it causes. On a 6 or less the latch breaks and a random element streams out in a torrent filling the immediate area.

When you open a skull you are familiar with roll +WIS. On a 10+ the skull disgorges a small amount of its element. On a 7-9 choose 2:

The skull’s latch does not break

The skull does not attract attention

The skull releases the needed amount of its element

If a character is carrying an element skull on their person. The GM gains this additional Dungeon Move:

•The latch on the elemental skull breaks or comes loose

2 thoughts on “So this is an item, or really a type of item, I’ve been struggling with.”

  1. Cool item Josh Harden !

    I really dig the concept. Esoteric skulls perhaps?

    ANyways, rather than define the miss, give the players options, it makes them squirm a little. Save the miss for a GM hard move.

    For instance:

    When you open an esoteric skull for the first time roll +WIS. On a 10+ choose 2 On a 7-9 choose 1

    ?The element is______  water, fire, air, or sand.

    ?A small amount of the chosen element is released without incident.  

    ?The latch isn’t broken beyond repair

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