Hi folks, DM here.
So my party is going through Goodman Games 5e conversion of The Lost City. They are level 5.
I had them encounter a random wayward rock gnome merchant, who was seeking gems. He sold the party a Ring of Mind Shielding.
One of the effects is that, if you die while wearing it, your soul becomes embedded in the ring. If there is a soul in the ring, it can communicate telepathically with its wearer.
I decided, on a lark, after they looted it, that there would already be a soul in the ring, making it a sentient item of sorts. However, when they asked me who, I stuttered for a second and named one of the “dead gods” of the campaign, Usamagarus. Who is the missing god of magic, wisdom, knowledge, etc. And, I decided to roleplay him as a senile, forgetful wizard, also on a lark when they tried to communicate with him. He claims he committed suicide voluntarily after he stopped being worshipped.
Okay, now I need ideas. You’re a senile wizardry God type character that’s been trapped in a ring for 700 years. I won’t goals, quirks, etc. assuming he has real no interest in being reincorporated.
So far I’ve mostly been pondering mannerisms, playing grampa Simpson “back in my day” stuff.
Anyway, should be fun 😊
Reminds me a bit of Fizban from the Dragonlance novels. Pretended to be an old senile wizard who couldn’t remember his spells half the time. In reality was a good god playing 5D chess to position the heroes to save the world from evil.
You could have him say a bunch of inane stuff and then throw in "Back in my day there was a powerful enchanter living that ruined castle. I wonder what happened to all the magical artifacts he made?"The heroes obviously jump at the chance for treasure but stumble upon cultists trying to resurrect an evil dead god that need thwarting.
If a player is about to die, he “remembers” a spell to help save them but needs to sleep for a few days after.
Yeah, could be a great deus ex machina opportunity. But I’d have to hold it in reserve most of the time or else the players will start doing reckless shit. :)
Let them. Just have the ring draw them into even bigger trouble every time they do. Like he saves you from being chased by a pack of owlbears by setting the forest on fire. Now you are being hunted by a circle of pissed off druids.