Ring of Performance

Ring of Performance

Aura faint enchantment; CL 5th
Slot ring; Price 2,500 gp; Weight —

DESCRIPTION
This finely wrought ring is a masterpiece of subtle artistry, its band formed from polished electrum etched with flowing, almost musical patterns that seem to shift when viewed from different angles. Tiny inlaid gemstones - often garnet, topaz, or moonstone - catch the light with every gesture, drawing the eye toward the wearer’s hands and movements. When worn, the ring enhances the bearer’s natural sense of rhythm, timing, and presence, granting a +5 competence bonus on all Perform checks.

The magic of the ring does not create talent where none exists, but rather refines and amplifies what is already present. A clumsy dancer becomes fluid, a hesitant speaker gains confidence and cadence, and even a seasoned bard finds their performances sharpened to a razor’s edge. Observers often describe the effect as an intangible magnetism - a sense that the wearer commands attention without effort, their performance lingering in memory long after it ends.

Legends speak of these rings originating in the courts of decadent river kingdoms, where nobles competed not with blades, but with wit, artistry, and spectacle. Some claim they were first crafted by a reclusive enchanter who fell hopelessly in love with a performer beyond their reach, imbuing these rings with a fragment of that longing - a desire to be seen, to be remembered. As a result, many who wear a Ring of Performance report an almost addictive thrill when in the spotlight, as though the ring itself hungers for applause.

CONSTRUCTION
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, eagle’s splendor; Cost 1,250 gp + 100 XP + 50 gp in fine gemstones and artisan engraving tools

Common Barbarian Weapons

Axe, Bearded

Cost 30 gp
Dmg (M) 1d10
Critical 19–20/x3
Weight 7 lb.
Type Slashing

DESCRIPTION

The bearded axe is a masterwork of traditional smithing, forged through a labor-intensive process that reflects both patience and cultural pride. Its head is constructed from a body of mild steel, into which a hardened carbon steel edge is forgewelded. This ancient method requires repeated heating and hammering - sometimes over a hundred heats and thousands of strikes - to properly laminate the metals into a single, resilient blade.

Because high-quality carbon steel is rare and costly, it is reserved only for the cutting edge. This practice allows smiths to stretch precious resources while still producing weapons of exceptional effectiveness. The junction between steels is often revealed through a careful etching process, creating a visible pattern along the blade that serves as both proof of craftsmanship and a quiet mark of prestige. With time and use, the oxide darkening from the etching fades, leaving behind a smoother, battle-worn finish.

The axe’s distinctive “beard” - the extended lower portion of the blade - allows for hooking shields, weapons, or limbs, making it a favored tool among warriors who rely on control as much as brute force. Its handle is typically carved from hickory and treated with linseed oil, developing a rich patina over years of use. Each axe is paired with a thick, custom-fitted sheath of vegetable-tanned leather, ensuring both protection and longevity.

LORE

Among river clans and marshland warriors, the bearded axe is more than a weapon - it is a symbol of lineage. Many axes are passed down through generations, their etched edges telling silent stories of battles fought and survived. It is said that a well-made bearded axe “remembers the hand,” growing more balanced and responsive the longer it is wielded by a single owner.

In the port districts and humid trade cities of the south, master smiths guard the secrets of proper lamination fiercely. Apprentices may spend years working bellows and hammer before ever being trusted to lay the carbon edge. A flawed weld is considered a deep shame, and such axes are often destroyed rather than sold.

Some whisper that certain etched patterns are not merely decorative but intentional - subtle sigils worked into the steel during forging. These marks are believed to attract fortune in battle or ward against the breaking of the blade, though whether this is superstition or forgotten magic depends on who you ask.

Seax (Scramaseax)

Cost 10 gp
Dmg (M) 1d6
Critical 19–20/x2
Weight 2 lb.
Type Slashing

DESCRIPTION

The seax, sometimes called a scramaseax, is a versatile blade that straddles the line between tool and weapon. Its long, single-edged blade is mounted on a simple iron tang, which extends into a grip made from wood, bone, or horn. These grips are intentionally replaceable, allowing the weapon to be maintained and adapted over time with minimal effort.

Most seaxes feature relatively short tangs, typically between 2 and 3½ inches, secured within the grip by friction, wedges, or natural adhesives. However, larger variants exist with extended tangs and longer grips, enabling two-handed use. These longer seaxes can reach lengths of 24 to 28 inches, rivaling short swords in size while retaining the straightforward construction of a knife.

The design favors efficiency over ornamentation. While some examples include simple metal fittings such as a pommel or guard, many are entirely utilitarian. The blade’s straight edge and angled tip make it equally suited for cutting, carving, and thrusting, ensuring its place as a constant companion for travelers, laborers, and warriors alike.

LORE

The seax is often called “the honest blade,” for it is as useful at the hearth as it is in a fight. In many cultures, carrying a seax marks one as a free individual - neither noble nor slave, but something in between. It is the weapon of those who must rely on themselves, whether on the road, in the wilds, or in the narrow alleys of crowded cities.

Because of its simplicity, the seax is rarely the work of a single artisan. Blades may be forged in one settlement, fitted with a grip in another, and repaired countless times along the way. Each replacement handle adds a new chapter to the weapon’s story, making no two seaxes truly alike.

There are tales of ancient seaxes that have outlived entire bloodlines, their blades worn thin but unbroken. Such weapons are said to carry a quiet resilience, embodying the stubborn endurance of those who wield them. In some circles, to gift a seax is to offer not just a tool, but a promise - that its bearer will always have the means to survive.

Quiver of Plenty

Quiver of Plenty

Aura moderate conjuration and transmutation; CL 9th (+1), 12th (+2), 15th (+3), 18th (+4), 21st (+5)
Slot —; Price 1,500 gp (nonmagical), 3,000 gp (+1), 8,000 gp (+2), 20,000 gp (+3), 46,000 gp (+4), 100,000 gp (+5); Weight 4 lb. (full)

DESCRIPTION

This finely crafted leather quiver is reinforced with subtle arcane stitching and lined with a thin layer of alchemically treated silk. Its interior never seems to empty, and faint whispers of duplication magic ripple across its surface when an arrow is placed within.

When a single arrow is placed inside the quiver, the item attunes to that arrow and begins producing identical duplicates. These duplicates appear instantaneously whenever the wielder reaches into the quiver, effectively granting an unlimited supply of that specific ammunition. Only one arrow type may be attuned at a time. By speaking a command word, the wielder may end the effect and retrieve the original arrow, at which point the quiver becomes inert until a new arrow is placed within.

The most basic version of a quiver of plenty can only duplicate nonmagical arrows. More powerful versions are capable of replicating enhancement bonuses of up to +1 through +5, depending on the quiver’s strength. However, only the enhancement bonus itself is duplicated - special abilities that require stored energy or charges, such as those found in spell storing arrows, are not copied. Any magical arrow created by the quiver loses its magical properties 1 minute after being removed, reverting to a mundane arrow thereafter.

LORE

Among traveling archers, scouts, and mercenaries, the quiver of plenty is often referred to as “the patient hunter’s companion.” It is said to have first been devised by a reclusive circle of elven fletchers who grew weary of resupplying their warriors during prolonged forest campaigns. Rather than crafting arrows endlessly, they turned to magic to make a single perfect arrow suffice for an entire war.

In more civilized regions, particularly within river cities and trade hubs, versions of this quiver have found their way into the hands of bounty hunters and professional marksmen. Some guilds quietly commission higher-grade quivers capable of reproducing enchanted ammunition, though such items are carefully regulated - not out of concern for balance, but for profit. After all, a quiver that removes the need to purchase arrows is one that threatens an entire industry.

Rumors persist of darker variations crafted in shadowed workshops, where assassins bind a single cruel arrow into the quiver - one designed not merely to wound, but to deliver lingering suffering. These versions are often keyed to barbed or alchemically treated ammunition, allowing their wielders to rain down relentless volleys without pause. In your setting, it would not be surprising if certain factions tied to Kelwyn’s more… entrepreneurial circles have taken a particular interest in refining such tools.

CONSTRUCTION

Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, greater magic weapon, minor creation; caster level must be at least three times that of the quiver’s maximum enhancement bonus;
Cost 750 gp (nonmagical), 1,500 gp (+1), 4,000 gp (+2), 10,000 gp (+3), 23,000 gp (+4), 50,000 gp (+5)

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Bracers of the Grove

Bracers of the Grove

Aura moderate transmutation; CL 7th
Slot wrists; Price 12,000 gp; Weight 1 lb.

DESCRIPTION
These supple bracers are formed not from dead plant matter, but from living ivy that coils and weaves itself into a resilient, ever-growing lattice. Tiny leaves unfurl and recede with the wearer’s pulse, and faint motes of green light drift from them in dim natural settings. When worn by a druid, the bracers subtly root themselves against the skin without causing harm, creating a constant, symbiotic connection to the natural world.

Once per day each, the wearer may cast command plants and speak with plants as spell-like abilities (caster level 7th). In addition, while worn, the bracers grant the user a +2 competence bonus on Handle Animal and Survival checks made in forested or overgrown environments, as the surrounding flora subtly aids and guides the wearer.

If worn by a non-druid, the ivy becomes inert and brittle, losing all magical properties until removed and donned by a suitable wearer.

CONSTRUCTION
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, command plants, speak with plants, creator must be a druid; Cost 6,000 gp, 480 XP, plus freshly harvested living ivy from an untouched grove worth at least 200 gp

LORE
The first Bracers of the Grove are said to have been cultivated rather than crafted, grown over the course of a full turning of the seasons by a reclusive circle of druids who refused to shape nature by blade or fire. Instead, they sang to the ivy, whispered to it, and fed it with water drawn only from sacred springs. When at last the bracers formed, they were not tools, but willing partners - an extension of the grove itself.

Among druidic circles, these bracers are often given as a mark of trust rather than achievement. To wear them is to be recognized as one who listens as much as they command. Many stories tell of would-be wielders who sought to dominate the wilds, only to find the ivy withering at their touch, rejecting arrogance as surely as fire.

In darker corners of the world, however, there are rumors of corrupted versions - ivy blackened and thorned, grown in blighted soil where nature has turned spiteful. Such bracers do not guide or commune - they bind and compel, forcing the will of twisted groves upon the living. Druids speak of these in hushed tones, for they are not merely items… but warnings of what happens when the balance is broken.

Lute of the Spirits

Lute of the Spirits

Aura moderate conjuration; CL 5th
Slot —; Price 1,800 gp; Weight 3 lb.

DESCRIPTION

This finely-crafted lute appears unremarkable at first glance, fashioned from polished mahogany with silver-stringing and subtle inlays along its neck. When played, however, faint echoes seem to accompany each note, as though unseen performers linger just beyond the veil of hearing.

A lute of the spirits grants its wielder a +3 competence bonus on Perform (string instruments) checks. In addition, five times per day, the wielder may use ghost sound (caster level 5th). When activated through performance, these sounds typically manifest as eerie but harmonious accompaniment - distant drums, soft flutes, whispering choirs, or low chanting - perfectly synchronized with the user’s music.

The conjured sounds are not random; rather, they seem to “know” the melody being played, enhancing the performance with an uncanny awareness. Many bards claim the instrument does not merely create sound, but channels something older - an echo of performances long past.

CONSTRUCTION

Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, ghost sound;
Cost 900 gp, 72 XP, plus 50 gp worth of rare woods and silver stringing

LORE

No two lutes of the spirits are ever said to sound exactly the same, and many scholars insist this is because each instrument is subtly attuned to a different lingering presence. Some believe these lutes capture fragments of performances from beyond the mortal world - echoes of ancient courts, lost festivals, or funerary dirges that refuse to fade.

Among traveling performers, possession of such a lute is often considered both a blessing and a quiet burden. While the instrument can elevate even a modest bard to greatness, there are whispered accounts of musicians hearing their spectral accompaniment continue long after they have stopped playing - faint notes drifting in the silence, as though the spirits were unwilling to let the song end.

In certain circles, particularly among those who traffic in the arcane or the occult, these lutes are believed to serve as subtle bridges between worlds. Whether they draw upon harmless echoes or something more aware is a matter of debate - but seasoned performers know better than to ask what, exactly, is playing along with them in the dark.

Ring of Diplomacy

Ring of Diplomacy

Aura: Faint Enchantment

Caster Level: 5th
Slot: Ring
Price: 2,500 gp
Weight: —

Description

This finely crafted ring is typically forged of polished gold or electrum, its surface adorned with delicate filigree patterns resembling intertwined hands, olive branches, or abstract knotwork symbolizing unity and accord. At its center rests a modest but brilliantly cut gemstone - often sapphire, rose quartz, or pale emerald - chosen to reflect clarity, empathy, or harmony.

When worn, the ring subtly enhances the bearer’s ability to navigate social interactions, lending their words a natural cadence and persuasive warmth. The wearer gains a +5 competence bonus on Diplomacy checks. This effect manifests not as overt magical influence, but as heightened intuition - a knack for choosing the right words, reading subtle cues, and presenting arguments in the most agreeable light.

The magic does not compel or charm; rather, it refines the wielder’s presence into something disarmingly reasonable. Even hostile listeners may find themselves pausing, reconsidering, or at least hearing the bearer out before drawing conclusions.

Construction

Requirements: Craft Wondrous Item, eagle’s splendor
Cost: 1,250 gp + 100 XP

Optional Ingredients (Setting Flavor):

• A drop of oil taken from a ceremonial peace offering
• A written treaty or contract willingly signed by both parties
• Powdered gemstone worth at least 50 gp, symbolizing clarity of intent

Lore

Rings of Diplomacy are most often associated with envoys, guild negotiators, and clergy tasked with mediating disputes between rival factions. In your world, they are particularly prized in cities where tension simmers just beneath the surface - places where a single conversation can prevent bloodshed… or ignite it.

Many such rings are commissioned not by individuals, but by institutions: merchant houses, noble courts, or shadowy organizations that prefer words to blades - at least until words fail. Some bear tiny engraved mottos along the inner band, phrases like “Speak softly, but be heard” or “Peace is a weapon of its own.”

It is said that the most famous of these rings once belonged to a mediator who ended a decades-long feud between two powerful families - only to later discover that both sides had secretly conspired to manipulate the outcome. Whether the ring failed… or succeeded exactly as intended… remains a matter of quiet debate among those who study such things.

Ring of the Snake

Ring of the Snake

Aura faint transmutation; CL 3rd
Slot ring; Price 1,500 gp; Weight —

This unassuming gold band is shaped into the subtle form of a serpent coiled once around the finger, its head resting gently against its own tail. The craftsmanship is intentionally minimal - the snake’s features are suggested rather than defined - giving it an almost symbolic quality rather than a literal one.

When worn by a druid, the ring awakens to its true purpose. The wearer’s damaging spells carry a faint echo of primal venom, enhancing their potency. Any spell cast by the wearer that deals hit point damage instead deals an additional +1 point of damage per die rolled (for example, a flame strike dealing 6d6 damage instead deals 6d6+6). This effect applies only while the wearer maintains a connection to nature sufficient to cast druid spells.

Construction Requirements
Feats Craft Wondrous Item
Spells magic fang or produce flame
Cost 750 gp + 60 XP + rare serpent scale or fang worth 50 gp

Lore

The Ring of the Snake is said to originate from ancient circles of druids who revered serpents not as symbols of deceit, but of renewal, patience, and quiet lethality. In these traditions, the snake was seen as a teacher - a creature that struck only when necessary, but with perfect efficiency. The ring embodies this philosophy, rewarding restraint and precision with subtle but reliable power.

Legends speak of a reclusive druid known only as Ssil’vara, who crafted the first of these rings deep within humid, moss-covered ruins where serpents gathered in unnatural numbers. It is said she learned to weave magic not through force, but through observation - mimicking the way venom spreads through the body, slow but inevitable. Her rings were gifts to those who proved they could respect the balance between life and death.

Over time, these rings have found their way beyond druidic circles, though they rarely function for those outside that calling. Some claim the ring itself “knows” whether its wearer understands the deeper rhythm of nature. In certain regions, particularly those steeped in swampy mysticism or serpent-worship traditions, possessing such a ring is seen as a sign that the wild itself has taken notice of you - for better or worse.