12 Magic Items for the 12 Days of Christmas

Patruulus, a Ring of Verditius

The founder Verditius’ greatest creations were 5 magic rings made using a fusion of his own tradition and rune magic, like nothing made before or since. These rings are almost mythical objects in the order and especially house Verditius. After the death of the founder the rings were lost the following item represents a single ring which has in the intervening time become an awakened item.

The ring was not awakened during the lifetime of Verditius and so has no special knowledge about his life or those times. However, it does seem to have somehow absorbed some information from before its awakening as evidenced by its score in Verditius Lore. The ring may see and speak out of the cameo face on its gem.

The ring is curious and enjoys learning. It is prone to introspection and has a particular interest in the nature of magical objects and awakened items. If it can it will try and get a magus to create an enchanted item for it which will allow it to read books more easily (e.g. something enchanted with an unseen hand effect).

Depending on the needs of a saga this item may already have been found by house Verditius, or it may be yet undiscovered. The name listed above assumes the former (Patruulus means “little uncle”). If the latter is the case it will not have a name when discovered.

The exact details of the item are left somewhat open here. Two greater powers and four lesser powers are listed. The Storyguide should choose one of the greater and two of the lesser powers for the ring to have and apply whatever mastery points are left. Each power is an effect which would be unusual or impossible to hermetic magi in 1220, based on rune magic guidelines.

Magic Might: 3 (Terram)

Characteristics: Int +3, Per +1, Pre +1, Com 0, Str -1, Sta 0, Dex +2, Qik -3

Size: -12

Season: Summer

Virtues and Flaws: Magic Thing;

Magic Qualities and Inferiorities: Greater Power, Lesser Power x2; Acclimation Prone; Improved Powers

Personality Traits: Ring +3*, Inquisitive +3, Appreciates Skill +1, Philosophical +3

Soak: +0

Wound Penalties: –1 (1), –3 (2), –5 (3), Incapacitated (4+)

Fatigue Levels: n/a

Abilities: Latin (Hermetic) 5, Verditius Lore (History) 4, Artes Liberales (Geometry) 1, Philosophiae (Metaphysics) 7, Magic Lore (Magic Things) 4, Magic Theory (Enchanted Items) 2, Magic Realm Lore (Insulae) 1, Penetration 3, Concentration 2, Awareness 3, Order of Hermes Lore (House Verditius) 2

Powers:

The storyguide should choose one greater and two lesser powers from those listed below. The ring has 5 unspent mastery points (which can reduce the might cost by 1, improve initiative by +1, or add 5 xp to Penetration or Concentration) and will also be granted some depending on which powers are chosen. The number left over for each power is listed in the entry. Optionally, if the ring grows in power it might begin to display some of the other listed powers.

Greater:

My Wounds be Sealed, 4 points, Init -7

R: Wearer, D: Special, T: Individual

This power allows the ring to instantly heal all the wounds of anyone wearing it. However, the ring must be worn continuously for long enough that each wound would have had a recovery roll. If the ring is removed before this time the wound reopens exactly as it was before this power was used. This is a powerful effect and as such inflicts a point of warping.

(Based on the Berkanan 40 rune guideline, 2 mastery points left over)

Verditius’ Parma Secundus, 3 points, Init -6

R: Touch, D: Sun, T: Individual

For the duration of this effect any supernatural effect of less than or equal to level 15 which targets the target of this power is instantly dispelled. Combined with a strong parma this is an exceptionally dangerous ability – the parma protects against powerful effects with low penetration and this power protects against low level effects with high penetration. Some think this implies Verditius may have been seeking a way to create enchanted items which could grant the parma magica.

(Based on a Perth general guideline, 4 mastery points left over)

Lesser:

Blessing of Youthful Vigour, 1 point, Init -4

R: Touch, D: Moon, T: Individual

This power ensures that the target is hale and hearty for the duration – they become utterly immune to mundane illness and blight.

(Based on Jera 5 guideline, 4 mastery points left over)

Subtle Aid for the Craftsman, 3 points, Init -6

R: Touch, D: Moon, T: Individual

This power grants increased Dexterity to the target, granting them a bonus of +3 to any ability roll using Dexterity, not including attacks.

(Based on Mannaz general guideline, 2 mastery points left over)

Divine Touch of Verditius, 3 points, Init -6

R: Touch, D: Moon, T: Individual

This power must be used on a tool or similar object. For the duration all aspects of it are enhanced as it is drawn closer to its platonic ideal. The object functions as if it were of exceptional quality and botches made with it use two less botch dice. This is related to the Verditius Items of Quality mystery, perhaps an impermanent earlier version.

(Based on Othila 15 guideline, 2 mastery points left over)

Opening of the Hidden Tractatus, 4 points, Init -7

R: Touch, D: Momentary, T: Individual

This power must target an object of some kind. This object becomes a mystical repository of knowledge which can be filled by a person speaking into it over a season (this is identical to writing a tractatus mechanically). Afterwards the object appears mundane for all intents and purposes, even to intellego magics, but if studied by anyone initiated into the outer mystery of house Verditius fills their minds with the information imparted, acting as a tractatus.

If the ring possesses this power the ring itself is such a tractatus imparted by Verditius himself. The tractatus is of quality 9 and the subject is left up to the storyguide. Some suggestions are: Verditius Lore, Magic Theory, Rune Magic. It may also optionally reveal unknown facts about the life of Verditius, such as the location of Wayland’s smithy, or his unfinished projects.

(Based on Calc 20 guideline)

Vis: 1 pawn of Terram

Appearance: The ring is a finger ring fashioned from gold. Around the band are tiny scenes of life, inlaid with niello. The stone is a large garnet and is carved into a cameo. The person depicted is left for the storyguide to decide – someone important to Verditius, the founder himself, or someone else?

Where is it now?

This is left entirely up to the storyguide. If the ring has been discovered already in the saga then it will be in the hands of house Verditius, a prized heirloom of a particular lineage (possibly the primus’). If not then it could be anywhere – see HoH:MC for ideas about how to use and introduce the rings of Verditius.