Looking for input on an item. Don’t know if it has been done before, but I liken to the idea.
Coin of Duality
When palmed by a holy man, spend one charge to change a an instance of healing into an equal amount of damage.
Do one truly selfish or evil deed, gain one charge.
Starts with 3 charges.
I really like that. If you wanted to, you could add some “vague specifics” about who created it and what holy order used it to bring some interesting bits of setting into the game. Nothing that invalidates what’s already in peoples games, but little tidbits to spark ideas.
Needs more flavor but works fine stats wise.
Hmm, what about a human wizard who can heal? Perhaps removing the “holy man” part and changing “instance of healing” to “healing spell” or something.
Aaron Griffin depends on the flavor I think. Might actually need holy “energies” when it is of divine/hellish origins.
Right. I don’t like the “holy man” caveat, otherwise it’s cool. The coin should have a tell and an effect on possessors. Like “The coin always depicts the face of the current ruler, whatever country you are in, but there is a certain and indefinite air of decrepitude and decadence in the likeness when compared to other coins bearing the same image. If you keep the coin to long in your possession, roll+CON. On a 10+ you are fine, though have more bad days than good, moodwise. On a 7-9, choose 1 that you have not chosen previously: You betray a loved one. Your eyes turn red and secrete grayish fluid. The tips of your fingers turn dark and numb/cold. You covet your friends possessions. Bones speak to you, but you cannot understand them (yet).”
“Duality” doesn’t seem like the right name for this, since it performs a negative effect and is powered by evil. Also, is it meant to be able to corrupt any healing performed in the bearer’s presence, or only the holy man’s own healing? If the former, it’s a nice, stealthy, potentially-lethal attack.
Ray Otus I love your bearer move.
colin roald Thanks. And yeah, I don’t love the “duality” moniker. Maybe “The Copper of Corruption” or “The Slaver’s Silver” (with a notion that it was once owned by a rich slave merchant with a taste for the black arts? — but also a notion that it makes of its bearer a slave). If you go with the latter, add a move like: When you try to get rid of the coin, roll+WIS: on a 10+ you can pass it on or even destroy it. On a 7-9 you may pass it, but you give it to an innocent person or a friend. (On a 6- you must keep it.)
I agree that the mechanics are fine-not that some of the other ideas aren’t good too! For color why not call it a Sin-eaters’ coin or Pardoner’s coin and reference the rich mythology around those dubious figures (adapted to your dungeon world, of course!)