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The Whispering Hat

Environments Designed by Bard & Raven • Art by Tara Quinn

At a glance

Tier
2
Type
Social
Difficulty
15
Impulses
Test the Intruders Share Memories Build Empathy

Environment overview

A tattered old pointed hat of unknown origin. Once placed on a head, the wearer hears whispers before they are getting sucked into the illusiory world of the hat.

Potential adversaries

Features

Passives

passive
  • Enter My World

    PCs that don the hat will get sucked into a dimension of memories. They are only able to leave at the Whispering Hat's discretion or after finishing the Trials of Forthrightness feature. The hat will show the PCs visions of their former wearers' feats, battles and adventures.

    Questions
    • How does it feel getting sucked into the hat?
    • What does your character think of this experience?
  • Trials of Forthrightness

    Once a PC enter the hats' dimension, start two decreasing Countdowns, one representing Friendship (6), the other Aggression(4). During each of the hats' memories, it will test the PCs in a puzzle or challenge, aimed to understand their alignment. A successful corresponding Action roll will finish this test. When this action was done in a faithful, empathetic or trust-building manner, tick down the Friendship Countdown. When this action was done in an apathetic, belittling or disrupting manner, or when the PCs ignore the trial and try to forcefully leave the vision tick down the Aggression Countdown (1 for a Success w. Fear, 2 for a Success w. Hope, 3 for a Critical Success).

    Questions
    • What do you think about the unfolding scene?
    • How will your character face this trial?

Actions

action
  • Tangible Shades

    The otherwise immaterial memories become hazardous for just a moment. The PCs must succeed on an Instinct or Presence Reaction Roll or mark a Stress. Spend a Fear to increase the severity of the sudden hazard. PCs who fail the Reaction Roll suffer 2d6 direct damage instead of marking Stress.

    Questions
    • What do you think is the cause of this sudden danger?
    • How does it feel getting hurt this way?

Reactions

reaction
  • A New Friend

    Once the Friendship Countdown reaches 0, the trials conclude and the PCs are leaving the hats' memory dimension.
    As the PCs have gained its trust, the Whispering Hat transforms in the "Knowing Cap" wearable item.

    Questions
    • Which emotions do you feel leaving the hats' world?
    • What does the transformation look like?
  • Lost Faith

    Once the Aggression Countdown reaches 0, the trials conclude and the PCs are leaving the hats' memory dimension.
    The Whispering Hat has lost its last bit of faith towards mortals and transforms into the "Maddening Hollow" wearable item.

    Questions
    • What does it feel leaving the vision and entering reality again?
    • How does the transformation of the hat appear to you?

About this environment

Eons ago, in a kingdom long forgotten, there lived a powerful wizard who unintentionally awakened their pointed hat. Though an accident, it proved a boon in disguise. Together they became legendary: the sorcerer and their magical hat, preventing disasters of both magical and natural origin, saving countless lives in the process.
Eventually, the sorcerer died, but the trusty hat remained. It searched long for a worthy new wearer, yet found none.
As the hat could not be worn against its will, it was cast aside and ultimately forgotten.

Until one day, its brooding silence was interrupted. And it was picked up once more.

The Whispering Hat

Tier 2 Social

A tattered old pointed hat of unknown origin. Once placed on a head, the wearer hears whispers before they are getting sucked into the illusiory world of the hat.

Impulses: Test the Intruders, Share Memories, Build Empathy

Difficulty: 15

Potential Adversaries:

Features

Enter My World - Passive: PCs that don the hat will get sucked into a dimension of memories. They are only able to leave at the Whispering Hat's discretion or after finishing the Trials of Forthrightness feature. The hat will show the PCs visions of their former wearers' feats, battles and adventures.

  1. How does it feel getting sucked into the hat?
  2. What does your character think of this experience?

Trials of Forthrightness - Passive: Once a PC enter the hats' dimension, start two decreasing Countdowns, one representing Friendship (6), the other Aggression(4). During each of the hats' memories, it will test the PCs in a puzzle or challenge, aimed to understand their alignment. A successful corresponding Action roll will finish this test. When this action was done in a faithful, empathetic or trust-building manner, tick down the Friendship Countdown. When this action was done in an apathetic, belittling or disrupting manner, or when the PCs ignore the trial and try to forcefully leave the vision tick down the Aggression Countdown (1 for a Success w. Fear, 2 for a Success w. Hope, 3 for a Critical Success).

  1. What do you think about the unfolding scene?
  2. How will your character face this trial?

Tangible Shades - Action: The otherwise immaterial memories become hazardous for just a moment. The PCs must succeed on an Instinct or Presence Reaction Roll or mark a Stress. Spend a Fear to increase the severity of the sudden hazard. PCs who fail the Reaction Roll suffer 2d6 direct damage instead of marking Stress.

  1. What do you think is the cause of this sudden danger?
  2. How does it feel getting hurt this way?

A New Friend - Reaction: Once the Friendship Countdown reaches 0, the trials conclude and the PCs are leaving the hats' memory dimension.
As the PCs have gained its trust, the Whispering Hat transforms in the "Knowing Cap" wearable item.

  1. Which emotions do you feel leaving the hats' world?
  2. What does the transformation look like?

Lost Faith - Reaction: Once the Aggression Countdown reaches 0, the trials conclude and the PCs are leaving the hats' memory dimension.
The Whispering Hat has lost its last bit of faith towards mortals and transforms into the "Maddening Hollow" wearable item.

  1. What does it feel leaving the vision and entering reality again?
  2. How does the transformation of the hat appear to you?

Discussion

Be thoughtful and kind.

Remember to be respectful. Comments are moderated and should add to the discussion.