| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| TheIriaeban |
Posted - 31 Oct 2022 : 14:34:31
So, while putting together the burial rites for Waukeen, the idea occurred to me that she would very likely have a divine curse for grave robbers of certain types of burials (the types are all on a scale based on the lifetime amount of donations/tithes to her church; it is very transactional as would be expected for the god of trading). Below are the two versions that I have come up with. Which one is worse?
Curse of the Grave Robbers:
Version 1: Anytime the person touches a coin or even an object containing coins, the coins all loudly and repeatedly shout "THIEF!" until the individual stops interacting with them.
Version 2: Every time the person takes possession of (not just touching it but actually becomes the owner) an object made of precious metals or gems or of extraordinary value, that item is turned into obviously worthless wood and glass. This includes coins, trade bars, etc. There is no saving throw for normal items. Magic items get to save vs disintegration.
Now, the curse is a divine curse backed by Waukeen so only a god of intermediate rank or higher can remove it. The afflicted individual can get it removed by giving the Church of Waukeen an amount equal to 10 times the amount that was stolen (for the individual suffering from version 2, devalued objects are returned to normal only after being given to the church). |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 04 Nov 2022 : 18:18:47
The individual cannot "let go" of the object. They CAN cut off their own hand to get rid of it, but the hand stays attached. Few people will accept the treasure with a decomposing hand attached. Regeneration magics will not work on the individual for the next year, as the stump itself acts as a small area effect anti-magic effect for magics of that specific type. This antimagic effect also prevents the wielder from activating any magic item held in the hand. |
| TheIriaeban |
Posted - 04 Nov 2022 : 02:47:53
quote:
Originally posted by bloodtide_the_red
My version of the Worst Curse of Waukeen: The Loss. The victim looses all sense of value, worth, cost, price, numbers, wealth, fortune, capital, quality, or importance. A jeweled goblet and a clay mug look exactly the same to the victim. They don't know that ten is more then two. They can't even tell that a loaf of bread is better to have then a rock. They can't even tell that giving someone in trouble help has the value that they might very well help you back someday.
In effect, the victim could never function in any "modern" or "primitive" social system, though much more any based on value or money.
That is brutal. I would think something like that would be reserved for a member of the clergy who becomes a traitor to the faith. |
| TheIriaeban |
Posted - 04 Nov 2022 : 02:45:12
quote:
Originally posted by RandoTheCat
Version 2, I think. With version 1 I would probably hire a reputable holder for all my money (Maybe a Tortle, as they have no need for money). Maybe for a 3rd version, any time an individual tries to buy/sell an item, a loud buzzer would sound, telepathically reaching out to all clergy of Waukeen in a 1km radius, as well as being heard in normal earshot distance.
That 3rd version might actually work as a spell for the Waukeenar. The Church of Waukeen can be hired to find a stolen item. Perhaps that spell could be how they do it (in the city I am writing up, the Church of Waukeen has a deal with the local thieves' guild for the return of stolen items they have been hired to find; in return, the Church acts as a "fence" for stolen items). |
| bloodtide_the_red |
Posted - 04 Nov 2022 : 01:01:22
My version of the Worst Curse of Waukeen: The Loss. The victim looses all sense of value, worth, cost, price, numbers, wealth, fortune, capital, quality, or importance. A jeweled goblet and a clay mug look exactly the same to the victim. They don't know that ten is more then two. They can't even tell that a loaf of bread is better to have then a rock. They can't even tell that giving someone in trouble help has the value that they might very well help you back someday.
In effect, the victim could never function in any "modern" or "primitive" social system, though much more any based on value or money. |
| RandoTheCat |
Posted - 03 Nov 2022 : 20:02:13
Version 2, I think. With version 1 I would probably hire a reputable holder for all my money (Maybe a Tortle, as they have no need for money). Maybe for a 3rd version, any time an individual tries to buy/sell an item, a loud buzzer would sound, telepathically reaching out to all clergy of Waukeen in a 1km radius, as well as being heard in normal earshot distance. |
| TheIriaeban |
Posted - 03 Nov 2022 : 15:15:04
Thanks for the feedback. In case anyone is curious, this is what I came up for burial options for the faithful of Waukeen:
Waukeen: The Church of Waukeen offers many different types of burials. Which one depends on how much the individual donated to the Merchants’ Friend’s church over their lifetime. The different burials offered are:
• Refusal: If the individual has not tithed or donated the required minimum amount to the church, their remains are refused and sent to the Church of Kelemvor for a common burial.
• Shared Crypt: If the individual has tithed or donated at least 2,500 gps, their remains are embalmed and interned with little fanfare in one of the shared crypts the Church has in the Iriaebor Cemerery.
• Individual Crypt: If the individual has tithed or donated at least 5,000 gps, the resulting burial is very similar to the Crypts burial performed by the Church of Tymora.
• Sarcophagus: If the individual has tithed or donated at least 12,500 gps, their remains are magically preserved, and an ornately carved casket and sarcophagus are prepared. The burial ceremony is akin to a wake ending with a parade (carrying the casket) down to the cemetery where their remains are laid to rest.
• Shared Mausoleum: If the individual has tithed or donated at least 25,000 gps, everything is the same as a sarcophagus burial except that the sarcophagus etal. are placed in a shared mausoleum.
• Individual Mausoleum: If the individual has tithed or donated at least 50,000 gps, everything is the same as the shared mausoleum except for their remains being the only remains in the new, ornate mausoleum.
• Small, Shared Tomb: If the individual has tithed or donated at least 250,000 gps, an elaborate ceremony is held with the individual’s casket being on display at the temple for five days (“lie in state” in modern terms) prior to the wake and parade to the shared tomb. In areas without land features that would be conducive to creating an underground tomb, burial mounds, ziggurats, or even pyramids may be used.
• Small Tomb: If the individual has tithed or donated at least 500,000 gps, everything is the same as the small, shared tomb except for their remains being the only remains in the new, small tomb.
• Resurrection: If the individual has tithed or donated at least 1,000,000 gps, the individual will be given the Marker of St. Mangarca. The Marker is a tattoo-like mark that is about the same size and appearance as the Coin of Wakeen on the person that shows that the individual will automatically be resurrected at the time of death. The individual will come back to life (naked) at the nearest temple to Waukeen. Any remains left at the site of the death disintegrate completely. One thing to note is that the Marker is offered for each million donated, so it is possible for someone to die, donate another million, and then receive another Marker (the very rich endeavor to always keep a Marker on themselves).
At the Individual Mausoleum level and higher, the contents of the mausoleum/tomb are protected by Waukeen’s Cointrader’s Curse. For those that rob a protected resting place, they then behave as if under the effects of a brooch of number numbing. This curse is a divine curse so only a god of intermediate level or higher can negate it. To get it removed, the cursed individual must atone to the Church of Waukeen by completing a quest of the Church’s choice.
|
| TheIriaeban |
Posted - 01 Nov 2022 : 15:41:13
Yeah, that's the problem with the second one but I am trying to figure out a way so that the thief cannot benefit from the robbery nor gain wealth while under the effect of the curse. The Pharoh's Curse would actually kill the person, but I really would rather not follow a real-world example. I could go the way of Curse of the Aztec Gold and anyone possessing the item would be affected until it is returned but again, I would rather have something original.
Maybe something more subtle? How about the being cursed with the effect of the brooch of number numbing. Here is the relevant part of the description:
"The victim forgets the relative value of numbers and cannot remember if five is greater than three or if tens are smaller than hundreds. Furthermore, the victim does not recognize his or her inability to remember the values of numbers. While under the influence of the brooch, the victim thinks that all numbers are pretty much the same. He or she accepts any claim pertaining to numbers and accepts almost any financial deal."
Now, that is something solidly within Waukeen's portfolio and power. It could be lifted the same way as before: by donating to the Church 10 times the value of the items stolen. Or, the person would have to atone themselves with the Church of Waukeen by completing some quest as dictated by the Church (this is probably better since it leads to an adventuring hook if a PC falls under the curse.) |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 31 Oct 2022 : 16:24:41
I would go for something similar but not quite the same -- because I don't see Waukeen destroying wealth. So I'd have anything of value that the person touched appear worthless while they were touching it and for a short time after. It punishes them, but doesn't destroy anything. |
| TheIriaeban |
Posted - 31 Oct 2022 : 15:20:07
I discussed this with my wife after I made the posting, and she thinks the second one is worse. She did ask something that lead to this new consideration: is the second curse overpowered for a lesser god? |
| Delnyn |
Posted - 31 Oct 2022 : 15:05:28
Possible version 3: Thief slowly transmutes into the precious substance that was stolen. Victim must both save vs. petrify/polymorph and make system shock rolls once per turn. Ten successes end that trial. But then the thief has a permanent mark of "LUCKY THIEF" that requires divine intervention to move.
Otherwise, I choose version 2. |
|
|
