Abyssal Recreations

Few artifacts blur the line between whimsy and horror as completely as the Abyssal Recreations.

At first glance, the gloves appear simple—soft black leather, thin as a whisper, cool to the touch. But in darkness, faint movement betrays them: shadows ripple across their surface, writhing as though something beneath is trying to remember how to exist.

Origins

Legends trace the gloves to a forgotten tiefling performer known only as Velkari the Hollow Mime. Velkari wandered from court to court, entertaining nobles with intricate shadow plays cast by candlelight. Yet those who lingered too long noticed something unsettling—the puppets did not always match the hands that made them.

Some whispered Velkari had made a pact not for power, but for audience. A being from the Abyss—bored, ancient, and hungry for novelty—granted the mime the ability to give shadows form. In exchange, every performance fed the entity fragments of emotion: laughter, fear, wonder… and eventually, despair.

One night, Velkari’s show ended with thunderous applause—and silence. When the lights rose, only the gloves remained on the stage, still twitching, still performing.

Nature of the Item

The Abyssal Recreations do not create illusions. They create echoes—flattened, two-dimensional manifestations drawn from shadow itself. When worn, the user’s hands seem slightly delayed, as though their shadows are deciding whether to obey.

When the wearer forms a shape—a wolf, a blade, a writhing horror—the shadow stretches unnaturally, peels away from surfaces, and becomes real in a thin, ink-like plane. These creations slide along walls, floors, and even the air, striking with eerie precision.

However, they are never entirely under control.

Behavior and Quirks

• Shadows created by the gloves sometimes act out extra movements, as if improvising.
• They occasionally form shapes the wearer did not intend—especially during moments of stress.
• In complete darkness, the gloves may begin “performing” on their own, projecting silent, unknowable scenes.

Those attuned to the gloves often report hearing faint applause in empty rooms… or worse, criticism.

Hidden Truth

The entity behind the Abyssal Recreations still watches.

Each use of the gloves is not merely a summoning—it is a performance. The more dramatic, creative, or violent the shadow puppetry, the more “pleased” the unseen patron becomes. Should the wearer grow repetitive or dull, the shadows may begin to embellish… or escalate.

Some believe that if a truly unforgettable “final act” is performed, the gloves will vanish—returning to their unseen master—leaving behind only darkness and the echo of clapping.

Proficiency with a Longsword allows you to add your proficiency bonus to the attack roll for any attack you make with it.

Notes: Versatile, Sap