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> Tools of Darkness, Share your Infernal Sorceries
Ancient History
post Jul 21 2005, 01:25 AM
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Orpheus' Needle
This is a somewhat archaic syringe, dental-grade steel and glass. Unlike the normal tools of chemical addicts, the device is clean and unblemished. The more martial-minded might note that it seems sturdy enough to use as a stabbing weapon.

Of unknown origin and purpose, this device has facilitated the death of dozens or even hundreds of metahumans during its long career. When claimed by a new owner (usually by theft or after the death of the previous owner), it forms a subtle mental link with their consciousness, insinuating thoughts and cravings into their dreams and waking desires. Soon, the victim, if not already a junkie, begins craving something unknown...something that the needle can provide. The spirit within the needle uses its Wealth power to produce any sort of injectible drug-heroin, cocaine in a solution of sterile water, distillate of stone toad skin, elven adrenaline, steroids, rare blood types...anything the user can imagine or desire. With the careful prompting of the spirit, those imaginings and desires can grow very great indeed.

Anyone may freely use the needle, but must pay its price: for each dose injected, the spirit drinks one karma point from the user. Often, the maddening tauntings of the spirit, coupled with the chemical addiction, lead the users to untimely deaths. At other times-when the victim has no karma, for example-the spirit uses its Accident power to cause an immediate overdose.

In the unlikely event the needle is ever used as a weapon, the needle binds itself to the target, usually at a major vein, and injects a horrible drug or poison. Should the victim be unarmored, it inevitably influences its wielder to stab it into the heart and begins to greedily drink the victim's karma, not stopping until the target is exhausted.

While the spirit within the needle is a corrupt shadow, it was not always thus. Forensic magicians with Lonestar believe it was originally crafted for a unique magical tradition that utilizes psychoactive drugs to achieve states of altered consciousness.

Orpheus' Needle is a unique, free ally spirit bound into the form of a hypodermic needle. It has a Force of 8, 7 karma, and the following powers, which are somewhat limited:
Accident (only when someone without karma uses the Needle)
Binding (only when used to attack another)
Influence (only with someone who has claimed the Needle)
Karma Tap (only when someone uses the Needle, or strikes an unarmored target)
Thought Link (only with someone who has claimed the Needle)
Wealth (drugs and injectable substances only)

The spirit's only skill is Pharmacology: 8.
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JongWK
post Jul 21 2005, 01:27 AM
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I love you man. Really. :notworthy:

(Though I wish you were a ravishing blonde) ;)
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Ancient History
post Jul 21 2005, 02:55 AM
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Heh. Red-head not good enough for you, eh?
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Jrayjoker
post Jul 21 2005, 01:54 PM
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Well, there goes my fantasy. I thought he was a ravishing blonde.

The Nurses Handbook
The Nurses Handbook is a small, black book that is often found in the possession of the unfortunate owner of Orpheus' Needle.

The knowledge contained in the book, as published, is typical fare for nurses from the pre-awakened world (i.e. drugs not to be combined with each other, directions for triage and emergency care, etc.). However, some unscupulous soul has since added their own commentary in the margins and even in invisible ink across the printed text (seen with backlights or UV vision mods). The commentary appears to be as illegible as any doctor's prescription, but in fact it is in latin shorthand and has changed the books nature to a much more sinister prupose.

Those able to descipher the script find many useful chemicals that provide the release they seek from Orpheus' Needle, which when in proximity to the book can produce the chemicals as described.

An additional effect of this unique tome is that it prolongs the life of the addict by some unknown means, allowing Orpheus' Needle to draw 2d6 additional Karma from an unknown source through the unfortunate user. The cost is high, however, because the channeling of additional Karma is painful in the extreme after the drugs have worn off. The result is a period of 1d6 hours of incontinece and dementia followed by 1d6 hours of soul crushing depression. Perhaps the book manufactures the Karma it channels from the addicts suffering.

As this book is a unique artifact its game statistics are only as described above, and only apply when in the presence of Orpheus' Needle.
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Jrayjoker
post Jul 21 2005, 01:56 PM
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I have no idea where that came from...well the book was in Pulp Fiction, but not as described...
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nezumi
post Jul 21 2005, 02:20 PM
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Oh man... I can already imagine shooting myself up with chocolate milk. Does it come with a straw too?

(Oh wait, it has to be unknown, not what you're already addicted to...)
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Edward
post Jul 21 2005, 02:33 PM
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You don’t know it wasn’t as described, in pulp fiction he bnever found the book
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Nikoli
post Jul 21 2005, 02:35 PM
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mmm, caramel injections...
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Jrayjoker
post Jul 21 2005, 03:00 PM
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I could have sworn he found it and it described plunging the adrenalin syringe into the heart.
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Nikoli
post Jul 21 2005, 03:04 PM
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I think that was reading the label on the syringe
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Aku
post Jul 21 2005, 03:08 PM
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yea, that was in the scene where the girly OD'd and to have any chance of bringing her back he had to inject something directly into her heart.

As an aside, the sound of that needle hitting has to be one of the BEST sound effects i think i've heard...
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Nikoli
post Jul 21 2005, 03:09 PM
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It was definitely cool.
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Ancient History
post Jul 21 2005, 04:09 PM
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One needle giveth life, and the other taketh it away...hmm, maybe it simulates the Fist of God rule.
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JongWK
post Jul 21 2005, 04:22 PM
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QUOTE (Ancient History @ Jul 20 2005, 11:55 PM)
Heh. Red-head not good enough for you, eh?

Red-heads are fine, it's just that I'm straight. :rotfl:
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Jrayjoker
post Jul 21 2005, 05:26 PM
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So, did I add or subtract from the cool factor?
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Ancient History
post Jul 21 2005, 05:40 PM
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No idea. Ask me after I have a nap.
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Ancient History
post Jul 22 2005, 03:22 AM
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Are y'all tired of all thes uber-artifacts and books of forbidden lore? Seriously.
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Eldritch
post Jul 22 2005, 03:24 AM
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No.

:)
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Mortax
post Jul 22 2005, 03:30 AM
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Hell no, kep em comming. :-)
Already tied two or three of them into my meta plot I"m using.

Any of my players, no peaky!!
[ Spoiler ]
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DocMortand
post Jul 25 2005, 09:40 AM
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Yeah, keep 'em coming - they're great :) I've printed out a few of 'em just in case I need something to throw my players off balance if they've got my plot derailed...

The Dead Man's Book and a couple others are already in my campaign or soon will be...

I swear, what would the stats on the Broodwich be? It'd have to involve metaplanar gateways and disembodied voices... "The Broodwich can not be taken apart OR disassembled!"
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Mortax
post Jul 26 2005, 01:34 AM
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but I don't like sun dried tomatoes. :-)
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DocMortand
post Jul 26 2005, 11:49 PM
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*does free brain surgery on Mortax*

Now eat 'em.

[edit] Talk about a wierd metaplane that would be...everything is abstract simplistic art...and an oval with one eye, one leg and an axe wants to kill you.
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Bandwidthoracle
post Aug 16 2005, 07:57 PM
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QUOTE (Mortax)
but I don't like sun dried tomatoes. :-)

The broodwich <b>Cannot</b> be disassembled.

I once threatened one of my players that Carl would end up his landlord if they let me choose their lifestyle for them.
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Ancient History
post Aug 16 2005, 08:45 PM
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Oh hey, forgot about this one. Remind me to share my latest Magic Idea some day.
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PBTHHHHT
post Aug 16 2005, 09:12 PM
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QUOTE (Ancient History)
Oh hey, forgot about this one. Remind me to share my latest Magic Idea some day.

Here's your reminder. Now share. :P
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