[C&C / Any] New Magic Item -- Natal Chart

[serleran]

When a highborn lady is blessed with motherhood, prior to giving birth, many undergo a ritual to ensure their child is favored by the gods. To do this, they first seek a wise lady (sometimes called a witch or a midwife) who has not been with child and prostrate themselves, beseeching profusely, many times offering valuables or other favors. Should the midwife find appeasement, she will offer a satchel, this often a deep purple or black, and always of a soft material such as velvet or doeskin; inside are twelve stones, each a different type, size, and color (one of them is always white, another always black) - she further offers instructions to its use: the expectant mother must, each week of the final trimester, consume one of the stones; the order is not important, but the day is... if the first is taken on day one of the week, each subsequent must also. Once the baby is born, it must be swaddled in the satchel at delivery and let to lie for three nights; the fabric must not be exposed to daylight. Should one inspect the inner lining of the cloth, it is clearly visible that several curving lines intersect and bisect the area, much like a circular grid. After this is done, a hidden enchantment activates, the stones (which have been passed mother through child) interacting with the cloth to form an item commonly known as a natal chart. The chart acts as a magical vessel to guide the newborn, bestowing an array of useful abilities which are retained for life, available only to the fortunate person (or a witch) for whom it was created. Firstly, the satchel can be opened and rolled flat, the stones which came with it cast upon to reveal the general distance and relative position to the place of birth, effectively acting as a know direction or limited find the path spell; secondly, one night each week, by mentally projecting a question and casting stones, the natal chart will reveal an answer, much like an augury effect; thirdly, for one week each month, a natal chart may bestow a star-sign blessing as explained below, being either the same as that of the child or a different one - the same effect may not be generated again for twelve (12) months (that is, each effect is usable but once per year.) Lastly, for as long as the child lives, the natal chart grants a small bonus based on the rising star when, and where, the child was born, which is why mothers are willing (and sometimes even expected) to seek out those who know the rites to have a natal chart made - there are twelve (12) star signs, these being generic representations (this means you should feel free to change or modify them to fit your campaign world):

Anvil - laborious and prone to overwork, yet strong and stable, those born under the Sign of the Anvil are fastidious and often gruff. They tend to see everything as a work-in-progress and have several projects in various stages of completion; when focused, they can produce much and can be as steadfast as the most stubborn mule. Drawn to the art of crafting, the Sign of the Anvil grants an ongoing ability to determine comparative quality between forged items - for example, if presented with two swords, one with Anvil influence could tell which was superior, even if condition might indicate differently.

Bird - gregarious and freedom-loving, often enjoying the outdoors much more than the trappings of urban life, those influenced by the Sign of the Bird are typically carefree and flamboyant, colorful in both speech and presentation. They tend to make friends easily but can annoy those who do not know them well. Usually vocal, those born under this sign make excellent orators or bards, and are known for their love of sound, music, and language - so much so, in fact, that those with this advantage gain an additional known language.

Coin - greedy and frugal, often displaying an insatiable lust, one born to the Sign of the Coin is usually a master of economics or mercantilism, able to sell or obtain at the best ratio, retaining funds where others would be awash. They tend to dislike spending money, but do not necessarily hoard it - what they buy, they buy for a reason, whether that is one-upmanship or out of need, leading many to a merchant life; wealth has a tendency to follow and a person influenced by the Sign of the Coin is rarely without means. There are two common ways for this blessing to manifest: a reduction in costs, such as -5 to 10% or in a sudden string of luck, where the fortunate person is able to discover, even after having spent all available monies, that they still have 2d6 silver pieces (this possible but once per week.)

Dog - loyal and protective, generally well-liked and well-groomed, those influenced by the Sign of the Dog tend to lead happy lives, surrounded by others whom they love, willing to lay down life in service to defend them. These individuals often follow militaristic careers, being soldiers or knights, but many also profess legal occupations and many a judge and gaoler has been born under this Sign. It is not as if war is a sought commodity, but one recognized as necessary. The blessing of the Sign of the Dog bestows two (2) additional Hit Points.

Egg - sheltered and fragile, yet possessed of great creativity, those whose life follows the Sign of the Egg are often artistic and arrogant, aloof to the ways of the world, perhaps even studious; they tend to shun labor as beneath their station, instead preferring to contemplate which in turn generally inhibits their physical maturity. These people generally exhibit a weaker physical frame but a strong mind, typically taking jobs such as scribe, vizier, or court wizard. Blessed with insight, the Sign of the Egg grants a boon in the form of one (1) daily casting of the prestidigitation spell.

Finger - defiant and lazy, but well-versed in practiced skill, especially those of a dexterous nature, those born to the Sign of the Finger typically want more than they have, not necessarily caring whether they must hurt another to obtain it. Many become thieves and scoundrels but some work less-tasking careers becoming locksmiths and the like; some try athletic endeavors as well, but their dilatoriness often prevents them from achieving their due. The bestowed blessing is a +1 bonus on a single ability check which must involve manual application, such as pick locks, pick pockets, or climb.

Girdle - supportive and tolerant, but knowing when to say enough is enough, those born under the Sign of the Girdle often show wisdom and restraint, able to withstand temptation more readily than not. Many undergo religious indoctrination though some also become counselors, witches, or other careers. The blessing granted serves them well, allowing them a +1 bonus to one saving throw per day.

Hyena - jocular and jovial, full of mirth and enjoying the largess of indulgence, those born under the Sign of the Hyena are typically the center of attention, wanting to be around as many people, and around as much temptation, as possible, and they dislike the uncivilized wilder lands but ironically feel compelled by wanderlust to explore them. If a new experience can be found, these individuals will be the first to do so. They have few common occupations, each as unique as the next, often combining several paths into a distinct choice. The blessing of this Sign reveals daily as the use of a singular influence spell.

Iris - mysterious, paranoid, often considered crazy, those born under the Sign of the Iris are thought to be gifted with sight beyond sight, prone to knowing what ought not to be known, and even if they do not, they tend to portray themselves as if they do. Many lean toward the selfish side, but some do proffer skill for good will, when they have it and the recipient is willing; this causes more than a few of these individuals to become outcasts and loners. A few druids are counted in their kind, but there are far more illusionists. The Sign of the Iris endows a daily use of the detect magic spell.

Juniper - enduring and grounded, well-rooted to the traditions of their society, those born under the Sign of the Juniper are often considered the heir-apparent, greatly desired for the firstborn; they tend to be haughty and egotistical but capable of putting their people first, seemingly contradicting the notion they are selfish. These fortunate people are usually revered by their parents and given great leeway in choice of career, if such is even considered, and so many dabble in a variety of fields. The blessing bestowed unto those born to this Sign is a +1 bonus to a single Charisma-based ability check, such as disguise or those which sway moods.

Knife - quick-witted and sharp, often overlooked as cowardly or misbegotten, those born when the Sign of the Knife rules are possessed of many talents which they are often forced to display, not having the luck to choose a career - indeed, being born to this Sign is considered an ill omen and many children are abandoned or misplaced, and so expectant mothers who determine their child will suffer this fate often look for alternative answers such as abortion or magical manipulation. As such, those who survive an early ordeal typically become rangers or assassins, culled from a lifetime of solitude and hatred for settlements. These individuals are blessed with a +1 damage bonus when using a singular weapon type, which must be edged, such as dagger or short sword.

Lion - proud and strong, filled with self-confidence, those born under the Sign of the Lion are generally physically intimidating and capable individuals; they are prone to careers where brute muscle, such as mining, laboring, and the like are keys to success; despite being hardworking people, there is a streak of laziness amongst the male Lion who will often use his strength as domination. The benefit of this Sign produces a +1 bonus on a single Strength-related ability check, such as that for lifting or climbing.

A natal chart loses its potency if it is exposed to natural daylight: one power prevented from manifesting for each day until, after the fourth day, the item is rendered nonmagical. It is possible, and it is a favored tactic of vindictive hags, to produce a cursed natal chart which has all the same basic functions as the standard kind, but with reversed purpose - rather than using augury, for example, to lead to success, it leads one to doom.