Mixed Signals

Straight-forward gaming

This appears as a large sundial, mounted on a carved marble block, sitting in the court yard of a ruined castle. It stands over six feet tall, with it's central blade at least a foot of that height. It will radiate strong magic, if tested. Though all the time markings for the day are in a long-forg...

Not so much a cursed item as it is a largely ineffectual one, this will appear as a case of Healing Potions for Cure Serious Wounds, with a total of six bottles. The bottles are extremely fragile, so the case is made of iron bound wood, and is heavy for its size (50 pounds). Anything less protect...

D&D is often called the world's oldest RPG because, well, it literally is. With a history of over 40 years, if you're a player of D&D, you have decades of material at your disposal. Thanks to digital technology, the bulk of that history is available in electronic form, so you don't even have to r...

This appears as a finely-wrought necklace in the form of a golden spider web hanging from thin gold chain. It will radiate magic.

In testing, this will seem to allow the user to cast a Web spell 3 times per day, as if by a 10th level mage. It will have a 20 foot radius area of effect, and a ran...

If you're new to the hobby, you may not have ever heard about THAC0, or you may only have encountered it in video games like the classic Baldur's Gate. There's no real reason to know anything about THAC0 now, of course, because neither Pathfinder or 5e use it. However, if you want to turn back th...

Not a cursed item per se, this is an old magical device designed to allow rangers and woodland spies to communicate visually over long distances. Used as a regular spyglass, however, it can bring trouble to ignorant adventurers.

This appears as a small telescope of arcane construction. It is...

I grew up around games, but since I didn't use an OS that got many games, I didn't play many. But ever since it came out, I've heard about Baldur's Gate. It's a much-loved game that adhered firmly to the D&D rulebook, and now it's often referred to as an important step in the develop...

This will appear to be a magic ring, made of gold, and with some sort of ocean-themed imagery on it (sea shells, fish, octopuses, etc.). Any character entering water will find they can breathe it as normally as air. In addition, the wearer feels no ill effects from water pressure as they swim downw...

This appears as a thin 60 foot rope made from animal or creature hair. It will seem to be a magical Climbing Rope in all preliminary tests, and will display all associated powers, including the ability to snake upward and attach itself on the command of the owner, as well as the power to knot itsel...

There are said to be many of these horrible items hidden throughout the dark corners of the world. They appear as small statues of powerful animals or beasts of various kinds. On the bottom of each is a word engraved in an obscure language. If tested, they will radiate powerful magic. Cursory inves...

Possibly not a cursed item, per se, but definitely an evil one. This appears as a wide, and beautifully carved leather belt. It will radiate magic, if tested for. This belt will shrink or grow to fit any wearer.

A person wearing this belt regenerates any physical damage they may receive at a ra...

An illusory pile of treasure (**true sight** and similar negates) conceals a pressure plate which, when pressed, erects a 5 ft square glass box. The glass chamber's floor is made of coal and sulfur and catches fire, dealing 1d4 damage each minute for the first 10 minutes, then 2d4 for a minute. I...

This will appear as a 1 gallon water skin which, when filled with water or other fluid, will still be light to carry and unencumbering. In fact, the character will be able to carry up 100 gallons of water or liquid in this skin, before it is full, and it never seems heavy or difficult to bring with...

This item appears as a copper coin of human design that radiates magic if so tested. It has a depiction of an unknown king on one side, and a tall tree on the other. There are no markings or runes.

The coin will act like a beneficial +1 lucky token or charm, offering a bonus to all die rolls fo...

This will appear as an ordinary adventurer's oil lantern. When tested, it will work just like a normal one. It will not radiate magic at all, unless extensive tests are conducted upon it, at which time, it will also reveal its cursed status. When used in non-threatening circumstances, this lanter...

What music do you associate with your favourite cyberpunk RPG? When you sit down to catch up on the latest lore, or to study the latest rules, or dive deep into a new source book, what's your go-to album?

Here are our top 10 albums. See if you agree. More importantly, add your own favourites i...