Resonant Artifacts = Magic items

The following is a list of Resonant Artifacts from all over the web, with some being converted to the Liminal Horror system (and starting their file out as magic items for another ttrpg).

RESONANT ARTIFACTS

Resonant Artifacts are seemingly mundane objects that are imbued with paranatural power. Within the fiction, these might also be referred to as arcane objects, relics, or “magic” items, but their unifying property is that they are intrinsically strange and dangerous.

Creating a custom Resonant Artifact is a simple process, as they only require a basic description, a means of activation, and an effect.

Description: What does it look like? Most artifacts appear as mundane objects, but rare or more powerful ones could be strange and otherworldly. The form will affect how the object can be used and whether or not it can be concealed.
Activation: How do you use it? Activation triggers are usually something simple that can be completed within the timeframe of a standard action, but they may not always be intuitive. This could be something physical (shaking, twirling, etc) or a command word/phrase that must be spoken out loud.
Effect: What does it do? A typical artifact will have some utilitarian effect, allowing an Investigator to do something beyond their normal capabilities or enhancing their natural abilities. This can be related to the normal function of the object in some manner, but that’s not required. These abilities should be somewhat limited, as objects of this nature can only contain so much power, but the key is to give them something that allows for creative application by the player.

If you need to create a quick custom Resonant Artifacts just identify an item (anything in your periphery at the time is probably fine), pair it with an effect from one of the Rituals, and give it a simple activation. Alternatively, pilfer and steal magic items from the other RPGs on your shelf and give them a modern reskin.

EXAMPLE RESONANT ARTIFACTS

Here are some example Resonant Artifacts we’ve included with an open license (CC-BY 4.0). Use them as a reference point when creating your own:

METAL CUBES

A pair of shiny metal cubes with strange symbols scratched onto their faces.

Activation: Fidget with the cubes, turning them around in your hands.
Effect: All small untethered objects within 20 feet of the user slowly rise into the air, continuing to rise as long as the cubes are handled.

TERRACOTTA BRACELET

Small red beads on a thin hemp string.

Activation: While wearing, rub the beads between the thumb and forefinger.
Effect: When used your body can disassemble. Each part can move on its own and fully articulate. If the bracelet is removed before reassembly, they remain separated.

WIRE-FRAME GLASSES

A pair of worn glasses, the lens chipped and fogged.

Activation: Wear as normal.
Effect: Memories of the user fade from those that look at them, as long as they wear the glasses.

SILVER FLASK

Branded with a Seal of Solomon and an inscription that reads “Everything has a cost.” It contains enough liquid for d6 swigs.

Activation: Pour a swig from the flask into the mouth of someone recently deceased.
Effect: It will restore life to the dead body. The power for the resurrection is syphoned from 13 innocent souls, each 13 miles away from the flask.

TARNISHED GOLD COINS

Six gold coins with intricate geometric patterns pressed on one side. Worth a small fortune. A faint whisper, begging to be spent, can be heard by those who hold the coins.

Activation: Spending the coins.
Effect: You are immediately cursed with a Fallout.

PALE CANDLE A taper candle of white wax. Only four inches remain.

Activation: Light the candle and drip the wax between two objects.
Effect: The wax will bind the two objects together, forever.

Obsidian Pyramid Paperweight.

Activation: invert, pointing the tip to the ground.
Effect: Allows user to levitate at the pace of a brisk walk for one minute.

“Panic Paul” Squeeze Toy.

Activation: Firmly squeeze, then release.
Effect: User violently surges 30’ forward in the direction they were facing, dissipating kinetic energy on any solid object that blocks the path.

Drinky bird.

Activation: Place on a level surface. Dips back and forth exactly every three seconds.
Effect: Follows the user, consuming an Inventory Slot, and turns up at inopportune times. Only stopped by convincing someone else to set it up.

Small Globe.

Activation: Rotate counterclockwise.
Effect: Attracts nearby small objects and pieces of detritus that orbit the user. Rotate clockwise to release the objects.

Teal Thermos.

Activation: Fill with liquid and close lid.
Effect: Heats internal liquids to scalding hot temperatures.

Letter Opener.

Activation: Swirl in freshly-spilled entrails.
Effect: Omens are presented to the user, hinting at what is being searched for (item, passageway, artifact, person).

Zephyr Lighter.

Activation: Ignite the flame.
Effect: Causes a d6 blast of fire manifested at a target. On a roll of 1, suffer a Wound.

Stress Ball.

Activation: Squeeze the ball while eating.
Effect: The user can consume ANY material, but craves stranger substances after each use.

Thumb Tacks.

Activation: Push a tack into the forehead of a dead body.
Effect: User can puppet the dead body (HP 2 Maim: d4). Gives an instance of Fatigue. Voices of the dead whisper in the back of their mind.

Pad of Sticky Notes.

Activation: Place a sticky note.
Effect: Creates a hole in any inorganic material the size of the note.

Employee of the Month Award.

Activation: Receive damage over your HP.
Effect: Instead of suffering damage to STR the user phases out of existence for 1 minute. Gain an instance of Fatigue.

Phylactery.

A heavy, tarnished locket. Locked.

Activation: Place around neck.
Effect: The wearer may survive an otherwise fatal blow, wherein the locket will pop open, revealing a portrait with a blank face. When the wearer reaches 0 CTRL, the phylactery captures their soul, leaving a husk of a body behind and filling the portrait inside with their face. one charge per soul.

Cryptozoological Evidence.

A plaster casting of a large hominid footprint. Tufts of hair and black, tar-like substance can be seen in the cracks of the plaster.

Activation: Allow the tar to come in contact with skin.
Effect: When in darkness, the user can see clearly and move silently.

Antique Instant Camera.

Activation: take a picture. Always produces the same photo; a desert with blood red sand and dark pillars.
Effect: Anyone who looks at the photo must make a CTRL Save or suffer Fallout.

Red Stapler.

Activation: Pierce skin with a staple.
Effect: The next unarmed attack the user makes is Enhanced (d12), the next attack against the user is also Enhanced (d12).

Gold Watch.

Activation: Twist the crown.
User ages in correspondence with the winding of the watch.

“This Meeting Sucks” Mug.

Activation: Speak the phrase.
Effect: The user is teleported to the nearest adjacent room.

Plastic Pink Flamingo.

Activation: Plant firmly in ground.
Effect: Becomes a point of fascination to those that see it. CTRL Save or spend d6 turns staring, entranced. Suffering damage breaks the trance.

Maglight.

Activation: Press button.
Effect: Extinguishes nearest source of light, then sticks to the user’s hand. 1 HP to remove.

Wire-frame Glasses.

Activation: place on head.
Effect: Memories of the user fade from those that look at them, as long as they wear the glasses.

Regency Corset.

Activation: Wear as normal.
Effect: Grants +1 Armor, but constricts the user after being harmed. For every 2 STR lost, 1 DEX is lost as well.

“Coldwater Lake” Hat.

Activation: Place on head, brim backward.
Effect: Causes user to oscillate slightly, allowing them to phase through solid objects. Costs d4 HP.

Piggy Bank.

Activation: Place coin in slot.
Effect: Generates an oinking sound that grows increasingly loud and distorted. Lasts d4 minutes.

Puzzle Cube.

Activation: Pivot internal mechanism.
Effect: Gravity within a room shifts along the same plane as the cube. Lasts d6 minutes.

Pet Rock.

Activation: Continued contact with your skin.
Effect: Over d20 hours a new body forms out of a tumor on your side. If taken to term, roll new stats (4d6 for abilities, 2d6 for HP, dropping lower dice for each). Be warned: there can only be one.

No. 2 Pencil.

Activation: Press tip into target.
Effect: Both user and target are immobilized for as long as the pencil remains in contact. User may make a CTRL Save to break contact.

Chalk.

Activation: Draw an item.
Whatever is drawn becomes real.

Road Flare.

Activation: Close all doors and ignite.
Effect: As long as smoke fills room (1d12 hrs), nothing can open the closed doors. Each use makes your color drain, eventually leaving you monochrome gray.

Baroque Recorder.

Activation: Blow into the mouthpiece.
Effect: Produces a calming tone. +1 Stability to those that can hear. Only lasts as long as the tone is played.

Snow Globe.

Activation: Place on unconscious or willing victim.
Effect: The victim’s essence is extracted into the snow globe. Can be transferred to a new host body.

Smoking Violin.

Activation: Run a bow across the strings.
Effect: Produces a nauseating sound, no matter the skill of the user. Attacks are Impaired for all who hear for as long as the violin is played.

Leather-bound Tome.

Blank interior.

Activation: open.
Effect: Records the users thoughts in a fancy script.

Moonlight Spark.

A small glass bottle with a cork stopper. Suspended in a metallic liquid is a small flame. The threads of connection are quick and strong.

Activation: Spend an hour gazing at the flame.
Effect: Whatever is inflicted upon the bearer is also reflected back (damage or effect/positive or negative) upon whomever the bearer is focused on.