Wishing Bones
Consumable magic items are generally undervalued compared to their more flashy attunement counterparts. Attunement items naturally allow for more robust worldbuilding, mechanics, and flavor to accompany the item, as they possess inherent longevity and connections to established characters. However, this leaves a lot of room for a single magic item to completely take a PC to unexpected heights, throwing off an entire campaign's balance; you've heard the horror stories of DMs who hand their Barbarians the wrong Belt of Giant Strength a bit too soon. This problem does not exist within consumable magic items, a DM's close friend. Consumable items like the Potion of Luck offer interesting world-building and mechanical additions to a campaign without becoming a permanent balancing factor moving forward; a nice, uncomplicated, and potentially powerful gift for the players.
The Wondrous Wishing Bone is an uncommon consumable magic item that offers the engaging strategic question of when to use it, a (reasonably) underutilized mechanic in luck points, and a little friendly 'competition' between players over who actually gets to benefit from the item. Two creatures pull on the Wondrous Wishing Bone, each rolling 1d20 as they do so. The creature who rolls the highest has luck on their side for 24 hours, gaining a luck point that allows them to roll an additional 1d20 after rolling an ability check, attack roll, or saving throw. They can additionally reroll 1s, but beware! That good karma has to come from somewhere and in the case of the cursed Wacky Wishing Bones, that somewhere is the loser of the bone pull. The creature who loses the initial dice roll contest is cursed with bad luck at the expense of the winner's good luck for 24 hours, having to roll on a table of wacky unfortunate events any time they roll a 3 or lower on an ability check or attack roll! Unlucky!
This item offers fun and dynamic usage for a single-use consumable magic item, and that's why we enjoy it so much. DMs can find creative ways to naturally incorporate it into campaigns, such as having it be lootable from a roc's carcass or a diviner's lair. Once the players get their hands on it, they get a goofy and tide-turning tool that features prominently in a scene, maybe even an arc, and ceases to be a lingering factor that alters the entire flow of the game. We hope you have some wacky times with these wondrous wishbones, and we'll see you next time!
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Wondrous Wishing Bone
Wondrous item, uncommon
These wishbones have been extracted from avian creatures which are either innately magical or were enchanted after the fact, and are usually found in bundles of 1d6+1 bones strung on twine. Some creatures with naturally wondrous wishbones have more than one, and they can potentially be extracted from any such creature.
When two willing creatures grasp both sides of the bone and pull on it, the bone splits. Each creature rolls a d20, rerolling ties. Whichever creature rolls higher gains the following benefits for 24 hours:
When you roll a 1 on a d20 for an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll. If you are a halfling you roll with advantage.
You have 1 luck point. Whenever you make an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can spend one luck point to roll an additional d20. You can spend a luck point after you roll the initial die, but before any outcomes are determined. You choose which of the d20s is used for the roll.
Wacky Wishing Bone
Wondrous item, uncommon
These wishbones are indistinguishable from Wondrous Wishing Bones, and mischievous creatures may even string a mixture of different wishing bones into a single bundle. In addition to the normal benefits, Wacky Wishing Bones bear the following curse:
Curse. This wishing bone draws the luck it grants from the loser of its game - a creature who rolls lower in the contest gains the following determinant for 24 hours:
When you roll a 3 or lower one on a d20 for an ability check or attack roll, immediately roll on the Wacky Wishing Bone Effects table.
Wacky Wishing Bone Effects
d6 Effect
1 You suddenly trip, dropping to the ground in an impressive split. You fall prone.
2 You suddenly feel light headed and clumsy. The next attack targeting you before the end of your next turn is made with advantage.
3 A wave of lethargy rushes over you. On your next turn, you can either move or use your action, not both.
4 Your stomach rumbles, causing you to belch. You cannot speak until the end of your next turn.
5 You drop an item you are holding or carrying of the DM’s choice. It lands in a random space within 10 feet of you.
6 You slip in a puddle of grease. You slide to an unoccupied space of the DM’s choice within 15 feet. This movement does not provoke opportunity attacks.