Care to wager
Hidden within the veiled chapters of Ertha’s history lies one of its most enigmatic and dangerous artifacts: Death’s Game Dice. Crafted from the remains of a primordial Leviathan and infused with necromantic energy, these dice symbolize both ambition and ruin. Held by House Daemnos-Phtagroar, the Artifacts Guild, they are preserved with care and fear. Meanwhile, House Lyema-Tzatz, the Magical Research Guild, delves into their arcane properties, collaborating with House Pleayashayne, the Legends and Lore Guild, to uncover their origins and the deep lore tied to their existence.
The Bone Dice have inspired countless tales, whispered among adventurers and scholars alike, for they offer a chance to cheat Death. But to play Death’s game is to wager more than just one’s life—it is to gamble with one’s very soul.
Origins of Death’s Game
The Bone Dice trace their origins back to the First Age, though their exact creation remains a mystery. Most legends point to an ancient Leviathan, a creature predating even the cycles of Ertha’s five seasons. Its bones, imbued with a mysterious vitality, were said to be harvested by Death itself, transformed into dice capable of shifting the balance between life and death.
Death’s penchant for games of chance is well known in Ertha’s lore. According to House Pleayashayne, these dice became the ultimate instrument of Death’s whimsy. When the correct words are spoken, and a mortal’s soul is sufficiently “young,” Death may appear to challenge them. The stakes? A chance to postpone Death’s grasp or risk eternal damnation.
The rules of the game are simple yet cruel. A roll of the dice determines the victor. If the challenger wins, Death departs, granting reprieve. But if they lose, their essence is consumed, and their very bones are reshaped into the dice.
The Role of the Guilds
House Daemnos-Phtagroar safeguards the physical artifact, ensuring its containment and preventing its misuse. The guild classifies Death’s Game Dice as a “World-Shaper Artifact,” acknowledging their ability to influence the fate of all who encounter them. Their vaults are protected by ancient wards and loyal guardians to prevent unauthorized access.
House Lyema-Tzatz, the Magical Research Guild, works tirelessly to decode the dice’s enchantments. Their studies suggest that the necromantic energies binding the artifact are not mere magic but a force tied directly to the cosmic balance of Ertha. The guild has documented the dice’s peculiar behavior, noting their sentience and tendency to manipulate events around their bearer.
In partnership, House Pleayashayne investigates the lore surrounding the dice. Chroniclers have gathered stories from across Ertha, tracing the artifact’s appearances through the ages. From daring kings to desperate beggars, those who have wielded the dice share a common fate: their lives irrevocably altered, their choices haunting the annals of legend.
The Properties of Death’s Game
The Bone Dice are more than relics; they are entities of power. According to the findings of House Lyema-Tzatz, the dice possess unique properties that make them both alluring and terrifying:
The dice are imbued with necromantic resonance, drawing upon the life force of those who roll them. Each roll creates subtle ripples in Ertha’s cosmic balance, affecting not only the wielder but the fates of those around them. The artifact’s sentience manifests as a subtle influence, nudging its bearer toward situations where its use might become necessary.
The artifact’s thirteen-roll limit reflects its binding enchantments. On the thirteenth roll, a player must face a 1d20 fate roll. A result of 19 or 20 spares them, but anything less delivers the caster to Death’s grasp.
The Cost of the Gamble
The lore preserved by House Pleayashayne frames Death’s Game Dice as a stark reminder of mortality’s fragility. To roll the dice is to wager one’s life and the life of another. Whether challenging Death itself or another mortal, the stakes are absolute.
Those who win against Death may gain temporary reprieve, but they rarely emerge unscathed. The dice leave a mark, a lingering connection to Death that manifests in whispers, shadows, and a chilling aura. Those who lose are consumed entirely, their essence fueling the dice’s continued power.
The dice are not passive tools but active agents of destiny. House Lyema-Tzatz theorizes that they are bound to Death’s will, ensuring that no mortal can truly escape the inevitability of their fate.
GM Tips
For Game Masters seeking to bring Death’s Game Dice into their campaigns or the world of Dicesongs, this artifact offers unparalleled narrative depth and tension.
Introduce the dice as a rare and heavily guarded artifact, perhaps during a heist, where the party must infiltrate the vaults of House Daemnos-Phtagroar. Alternatively, let the dice come to the players through chance—perhaps unearthed in an ancient ruin or gifted by a mysterious benefactor.
Highlight the artifact’s moral complexity. The dice are as much a burden as a boon. Encourage players to wrestle with the ethics of their use. Will they roll to save their own life, knowing it comes at the cost of another’s?
The collaborative efforts of House Lyema-Tzatz and House Pleayashayne can serve as plot threads, offering insights into the dice’s origins and potential. These guilds may task the players with recovering lost lore or assisting in the artifact’s containment.
The dice’s thirteen-roll limit adds a layer of suspense. Each roll brings the bearer closer to the final gamble, creating opportunities for tension-filled moments. Use the dice sparingly, ensuring that every roll feels momentous and fraught with consequence.
Finally, Death itself should be a character of intrigue. Whether as an impartial arbiter or a figure of shadowed humor, Death’s interactions with the party can define the tone of the campaign. Let the dice serve as a catalyst for exploring themes of mortality, ambition, and the cost of defiance.
In the hands of a skilled GM, Death’s Game Dice become more than a tool—they become the linchpin of unforgettable stories, where every roll brings players closer to their ultimate fate.