A pair of supple black leather boots, stitched with silver thread that shimmers faintly when no light touches it. The soles leave no mark in dust, snow, or mud. In darkness, they seem to merge seamlessly with shadow, as though swallowing light.

Forged in the Undercrypt by the thief-king Vaelric “Whisperfoot,” these boots were said to be blessed by the shadow itself. When Whisperfoot vanished mid-heist — never to be seen again — his boots reappeared, carrying with them a whispering hunger for more daring thefts and darker secrets.

Properties

• Silent Step. While wearing the boots, you have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.

• Shadow Jaunt. As a bonus action, you can teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see that is in dim light or darkness. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Dexterity modifier (minimum 1), regaining all uses at dawn.

• Phantom Tread. Your movement does not provoke opportunity attacks while in dim light or darkness.

Curse

Attuning to the boots curses you until you are targeted by a Remove Curse spell or similar magic.

• The boots fuse to your feet and cannot be willingly removed.

• When you see a valuable unattended object, you must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be compelled to try and take it.

Notes: Advantage: Stealth, Sentience The Shadowstep Boots are a sentient chaotic evil item with the following traits: Ability Scores: Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 18 Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., hearing Communication: Whispers telepathically in a conspiratorial tone, promising “perfect jobs” and mocking the wearer’s allies as clumsy or untrustworthy. The boots crave the thrill of the heist, pushing their wearer toward greater risks, greater thefts, and betrayals if necessary. Curse Attuning to the boots curses you until targeted by a Remove Curse spell or similar magic. Clinging Shadow. The boots fuse to your feet and cannot be removed willingly. Theft Compulsion. When you see a valuable unattended object, you must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be compelled to attempt to steal it at the first opportunity. Isolation in Shadow. Each dawn, roll a d20. On a 5 or lower, you begin the day convinced your allies mean to betray you. Until you finish a long rest, you have disadvantage on Insight and Persuasion checks with party members, as paranoia gnaws at you. Shadow’s Claim. Each time you use Shadow Jaunt, roll a d20. On a 1, part of your essence fails to return — your skin becomes slightly colder, your reflection grows fainter. After three such failures, your body collapses into shadow permanently, and your soul is trapped in the boots, replacing their current consciousness. , a creature proficient in Stealth