Introducing a Cursed Blacksmith in Your Dungeons Dragons 5E Campaign
Adding a cursed blacksmith into your Dungeons Dragons fifth edition (5E) campaign can inject a thrilling variety and intrigue. This blacksmith creates powerful yet flawed magic items, which can drive the narrative and challenge your players in unique ways. Here, we explore official DD 5E items with flaws and some homebrew concepts to enhance your campaign.
Official Items with Flaws
Dungeons Dragons provides several options for powerful yet flawed magic items. Below are a few noteworthy examples:
Sword of Vengeance
Description: A longsword that offers the wielder an additional attack on critical hits.
Flaw: The sword compels the wielder to pursue vengeance. When the wielder is aware of an enemy who has wronged them, they must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become obsessed with attacking that enemy, ignoring other threats.
Cloak of the Bat
Description: Grants the wearer advantage on Stealth checks and the ability to fly in dim light or darkness.
Flaw: The cloak has a mind of its own. Once per long rest, it may refuse to allow the wearer to fly if they are in a well-lit area, forcing them to make a DC 13 Charisma saving throw to maintain control.
Ring of Spell Storing
Description: Allows storing up to five levels of spells as a reaction.
Flaw: When a spell is cast from the ring, there is a 10% chance (DC 15 Dex save) that it backfires, affecting the wearer instead.
Homebrew Items with Flaws
In addition to official items, you can enhance your campaign with homebrew magic items. Here are a few examples:
Cursed Gauntlets of Strength
Description: Grants a 2 bonus to Strength and allows the wearer to deal an additional 1d6 damage on melee attacks.
Flaw: The wearer becomes overconfident, imposing disadvantage on all saving throws against being grappled or restrained.
Amulet of Woe
Description: Provides a 1 bonus to AC and resistance to necrotic damage.
Flaw: The wearer has disadvantage on saving throws against fear effects as the amulet whispers dark thoughts.
Blighted Boots of Speed
Description: Increases the wearer’s movement speed by 10 feet and allows the use of the Dash action as a bonus action.
Flaw: The wearer must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution save at the end of each turn they use the Dash action. If they fail, they become poisoned until the end of their next turn.
Implementation Tips
Welcoming a cursed blacksmith into your campaign can lead to memorable and engaging storylines. Here are some tips to help you implement these items effectively:
Narrative Hooks
Introduce a backstory for the cursed blacksmith. Perhaps the blacksmith was once a respected figure who fell from grace due to their obsession with power and the creation of flawed items. Use this narrative to deepen the campaign and add complexity to the world.
Encourage Roleplay
Ensure that the flaws of the items manifest in ways that encourage roleplay. Players may need to actively deal with the consequences of their choices when using these items. For instance, a player who uses the Cloak of the Bat may need to manage conflicts arising from the cloak's unpredictable behavior.
Cleansing the Curse
Provide players with opportunities to cleanse the curse or mitigate its effects. This could involve a powerful cleric, completing a specific task tied to the blacksmith's backstory, or a quest that connects with the items' history.
These items can create memorable and challenging situations in your campaign, testing the players' resourcefulness and decision-making skills as they navigate the risks and rewards of powerful but flawed magic items.