Worn like a spine-mounted exosuit fused to the back via surgical hooks and leather webbing, the Marionette Spine is a Cannith-engineered relic originally designed for Dolls performing high-society assassinations. Its metallic limbs hiss with steam and its tubes pulse like arteries, giving it the nickname “The Hanging Angel” among rebels.

The launchers resemble elongated ribcage braces, and its twin grappling needles are fired from syringe-like barrels lined with runic filaments. Its movement is fast—but always looks puppeted, jerking with elegant brutality.

Features

Aether Hook Launchers (30 ft):

As a bonus action, you may fire a hooked cable to a surface within 30 ft and instantly reel toward it, flying in a straight line (no movement cost).

• If the path is obstructed by a creature, you can make a melee weapon attack using Dexterity. On a hit, deal 2d10 piercing + 1d10 thunder damage and knock them prone.

• You may make an additional melee weapon attack as part of this movement against any creature you pass through.

You may use this feature a number of times equal to your Dexterity modifier (min. 1) before requiring a Steam Reset (see below).

Steam Propulsion Surge

As a reaction when you fall or are pushed, you may activate the pressure jets:

• Cancel all falling damage.

• Land on your feet.

• Choose one creature within 5 feet: they take 3d10 fire damage from the burst exhaust and are pushed 10 feet away.

⚔️ Dagger Tracks (Bonus Action):

You may integrate one finesse weapon (dagger, short sword, etc.) into the side limbs. While grappling or flying, you may make one melee weapon attack as a bonus action on each turn.

This attack deals an additional 1d6 piercing if you moved at least 15 feet before striking.

Steam Reset & Maintenance

The gear requires 2 small water vials (made with a glassblower’s kit) or immersion in a body of water for 10 minutes to recharge all uses.

If used without resetting after depletion, it explodes violently the next time you activate it. All creatures within 10 ft (including you) must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or take 6d10 fire damage and be knocked prone.

Upgrades (Modular Slot System):

The Marionette Spine has three mod slots. You may install upgrades with artisan downtime, such as:

• Hollow Veins: Allows movement in silence (advantage on Stealth).

• Needle Flare: Your next hook shot deals fire damage instead of piercing.

• Mask Memory Link: Can mimic the movement style of anyone it sees within 60 feet (gain 1 unique maneuver for 1 hour).

Cursed Feature – Puppeteer’s Legacy

Every time you use the gear to kill or severely wound a target, roll a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, you see yourself as a puppet dangling from invisible strings for 1 minute. During this time, your movement becomes involuntary (DM describes your movement cinematically, but you retain agency over actions).

After failing 3 saves this way, the Marionette Spine imprints a violent behavioral loop onto your nervous system—you become obsessed with executing "perfect kills" and must make a DC 18 Wisdom save to not use it lethally, even on allies.