As part of the Inspiration app, I’ve varied treasure by writing up alternate versions of the 350+ SRD magic items. I’ve come up with something like 2000 variants.
My magic item variants can be divided into 3 types:
Here are some examples of my magic item variants, for the amulet of proof against detection and location, broom of flying, and holy avenger.
amulet of proof against detection and location variants (roll 1d6)
1: a heart-shaped locket scribed with the phrase “thinking of you.” It contains a portrait of the last person to try to magically detect or locate its wearer
2: a necklace with a pendant that looks like an open eye. When found, the necklace’s power is inactive. If the Thieves Cant slang for “night” is spoken, the eye closes and the power activates. The Thieves Cant word for “day” deactivates the necklace and opens the eye.
3: a necklace of 10 glass beads: one bead shatters each time it blocks a scrying or divination attempt. The necklace is nonmagical after all the beads are broken
4: an ostentatious signet ring which once belonged to a princess who disappeared a generation ago
5: a black hooded cloak
6: [miscjewelry] bearing the sign of the god of trickery. This item can also be used as a holy symbol by devotees of that god
In the above examples, I include an item with an extra story power (the locket which identifies the culprit behind divination attempts), and a re-skinned item (the cloak). I didn’t include a cursed version because the Amulet is only useful in a limited number of stories anyway; no need to make it any less attractive. However, since the Amulet is essentially a narrative item, I did include a variant with extra story hooks (the signet ring).
A note on the holy symbol: My app replaces the tag [miscjewelry] above with a random type of jewelry, so you could potentially find an earring or bracelet of proof against detection.
broom of flying variants: roll d8
1: hobby horse with a unicorn head
2: umbrella: its power operates when it is opened
3: articulated brass hang glider
4: winged crown
5: flying horse statue which is activated by turning a brass key. The key may be hidden nearby or in the possession of a nearby monster
6: variant: flying wild boar statue, as above
7: flying shield that the owner surfs on
8: flying throne
I like the broom of flying’s power just as it is – I didn’t include any cursed or extra-powerful versions for this item, just reskins. It’s great seeing an armor-clad fighter astride a broom, but even better than that is seeing the entire party flying cross country via a motley collection of different flight methods – the wizard with a fly spell, a guy with boots of levitation who’s being towed by a griffon rider, and other party members on a broom, a hang glider, winged boots, and maybe Baba Yaga’s mortar. Flying is a cool mid-level power and there’s room for a lot of ways to get it.
holy avenger variants (roll d8)
1. named Gentle Correction. Once per day, as part of a hit with this weapon, the wielder may cast Command, DC 17, on the target
2. named Angelis. This sword has a white hilt with an angel-wing crossguard. 1/week, the wielder can cast Conjure Celestial
3. named Vow of Poverty. The blade resembles stained glass, and depicts knights giving money to the poor. When the wielder draws this weapon, all the coins they are carrying disappear, distributed among the poor of the world
4. its name Blazing Justice is written in glowing gold on the blade. on a Smite, it does 3d6 extra fire damage and bursts into Continual Flame until sheathed
5. named Crusader. This sword is sentient (Int Wis and Cha 16), telepathic with its owner, and hates demons. If the sword helps slay a demon of CR 10+, the sword learns how to cast level 1 Cure Wounds 3/day on its owner.
6. black-bladed sword named Blackbane that exudes an evil aura. Attunable only by blackguard paladins, it does +1d10 necrotic damage on every hit, +3d10 slashing damage to celestials, and doesn’t do extra damage to fiends and undead
7. named Cloudwalker; decorated with angelic symbols. An attuned wielder can cast Fly, self only, 3/day
8. named Honor Bright and covered with binding runes and holy symbols: 1/day, if someone touches the weapon and makes a promise, that promise becomes a Geas
With the holy avenger, I leaned hard into unique variants with extra powers. The holy sword is an integral part of the paladin’s story; a paladin doesn’t want an off-the-rack holy avenger, but a unique sword that was destined for the paladin’s hand. Since it’s a late-game, legendary item, I’m not too worried about slathering on some extra powers.
A few of these variants, like Crusader, are inspired by historical D&D modules. Others are original. Vow of Poverty is drawn from my home game; as a DM, I’ve had a lot of fun with its associated “curse” (or convenience? depends on the paladin).
Crusader is a really neat way to make the agenda of sentient weapons more easily felt by the player. I’ll definitely keep that one in mind!
Super cool concepts here!! I really dig the amulet’s variants, personally.