The Star of Discord
This small silver coin grows a sharp point for each divine essence it contains, becoming a shuriken. This artifact can grant and steal immortality from powerful undead, angels, demons and deities. Entire planes of existence have been obliterated over less than this priceless artifact.
True Death
When an immortal is defeated, touching the source of their power with this coin robs them of their immortality. Often, finding that source is a quest in itself. Lich philacteries are a good example. Wiser beings don't put all their eggs in one basket.
You will know when you touch the right thing when the Star of Discord grows a number of points equal to the divine essence stolen. For a deity, each essence point represents by an aspect of their portfolio or domain (War, Pestilence, Barbers, Afternoons, Snark), they are not a homogeneous resource.
Out of Your League and Into the Fire
| Divine Essence | Immortal Type |
|---|---|
| 1 | Angel, Fiend, Demon |
| 2 | Vampire Lord, Lich, Saint |
| 3 | Demigod, Avatar, Archangel |
| 4 | Minor Deity |
| 5+ | Major Deity |
Ascension
The divine essence contained in the Star of Discord can be absorbed by an individual touching a point. Only demigods and gods can absorb multiple essences. Mortals are limited to one. If a mortal is alive at the time of contact with the coin, the absorbed essence leaves an imprint of its former personality on them (subject to DM's discretion) and their body transforms into an aasimar or a tiefling. If the mortal is dead and their spirit on ethereal plane touches the coin, they are resurrected in an angel body and retain no memories of the essence's former owner.
Each corner of the Star of Discord is shiny and reflective, showing a hint of the power it contains, as a reflection of what the person will become if they touch that point.
Expanding Your Portfolio
A being with one or less Divine Essence cannot absorb any more, except with express permission of a greater power.
If you have two or more Divine Essence points, when you touch the Star of Discord, you have complete control over its contents. As a minor action, you can store some of your essence in it, or withdraw as many points as you like, or gift them to a willing creature you touch. You may also choose to adobt some of the personalities associated with those essences or you may cleanse them of such taint. This may allow you to rearrange your portfolio or even trade it with another whom you foolishly trust to hold such a thing.
Although not all essences are equally useful in all situations (Barbers, really?), some are surprisingly profitable in terms of followers and other indirect benefits.
Celestial
If you become an aasimar or a tiefling, gain their racial modifiers and other traits in addition to your own. Done!
If you become an angel or some kind of fiend, your life is a bit more complicated.
Angels Have No Free Will
If you were a worshipper in life, your deity is now your master. You'll be contacted shortly and put to work for no pay forever. For most campaigns, it means a Gate or Planar Shift out of existence and being put somewhere else. Goodbye.
Few deities leave angels going about doing anything but their god's work, because that's how baby tieflings are made. Births of tieflings and aasimar to mortal parents suggest that an angel's free will is hypothetically possible.
One possibility is a creature who is utterly godless or rebellious, denouncing any deities that come to claim them, which is a short trip to smite town.
Another is some sort of a deal that was made in life. Angels don't run around unsupervised, not since the War in Heavens.
First, you must choose one of the Divine Essences available in the Star of Discord. In addition to the boons of the chosen Divine Essence, you gain a level in Celestial class and immediately gain the following benefits.
- You have no free will unless something extraordinary says otherwise.
- You cease aging, it's just not your bag any more.
- You are a celestial outsider and your home plane is either your deity's domain or your own home. This choice is important, because an immortal with just 1 essence can be permanently killed in their home plane, even by ordinary weapons.
- You gain +2 Charisma. You gain 2 more Charisma every 4 angel levels.
- Your armor class becomes 10 + Dexterity modifier + Charisma modifier when not wearing armor, unless it's already higher.
- You gain Flight speed 25 ft (+5 ft per angel level).
- You gain Telepathy 25 ft (+5 ft per angel level).
- You gain Darkvision 30 ft (+10 ft per angel level).
- You gain advantage on saving throws vs charm and mind control effects.
- You gain 1d8 + Constitution modifier hitpoints for every angel level you take.
Additionally, you must choose between Celestial Magic or Celestial Might. This choice is irreversible, because that's fun.
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Celestial Magic
- You gain +1 to existing spellcaster class per angel level, with all the benefits except hitpoints. A class is a spellcaster class if it can grant you access to damaging cantrips. Eldritch Knight is okay, Totem Warrior is not.
- You may cast the following spells, with Charisma as your casting ability:
- Mind Blank 1/day
- Raise Dead 1/day
- Plane Shift 1/day
- You may cast any spell you can cast (from any source) that normally takes 1 action by chanting and maintaining concentration on it for two consecutive actions. Doing so consumes no other resources. You may perform bonus actions and move actions while chanting.
Celestial Might
- You gain +1 to any class level per angel level, with all the usual benefits except hitpoints
- You gain +1 natural AC bonus every 4 angel levels (minimum 1)
- You gain +1d8 bonus damage on weapon attacks of the type of your Divine Essence every 2 angel levels (minimum 1)
Divine Essences
Not all of these may be present in the Star of Discord at any given time. These are merely examples.
Seraph of Mercy
- Damage Immunities radiant
Dove Wings. When you choose to show them, your wings are as white as snow.
Radiant Weapons. Your weapon attacks are magical when you choose to deal radiant damage with them.
Seek out Corruption. You gain a +2 bonus for Arcana and Investigation skill checks.
Spells
Holy Aura. 1/day
Actions
Lay on Hands. As a paladin, +5 hp/day per angel level
Seraph of Passion
- Damage Resistances fire
Fire Wings. When you choose to show them, your wings are lit.
Fire Weapons. Your weapon attacks are magical when you choose to deal fire damage with them.
Solid Form. You gain a +2 bonus for Athletics and Acrobatics skill checks.
Spells
Flame Strike. 1/day
Actions
Rage. As a barbarian, +1 rage/day per angel level
Seraph of Vengeance
- Damage Resistances cold
Owl Wings. When you choose to show them, your wings are grey with white highlights, like those of a snowy owl.
Frost Weapons. Your weapon attacks are magical when you choose to deal cold damage with them.
Best Served Cold. You gain a +2 bonus for Stealth and Sleight of Hand skill checks.
Spells
Freezing Sphere. 1/day
Invisibility 6th level, 1/day
Seraph of Whimsy
- Damage Resistances acid
Butterfly Wings. When you choose to show them, your wings are very glamorous.
Acid Weapons. Your weapon attacks are magical when you choose to deal acid damage with them.
Loose Lips. You gain a +2 bonus for Persuasion and Deception skill checks.
Spells
Glibness. 1/day
Dream 1/day
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Seraph of Pain
- Damage Resistances psychic
Bat Wings. When you choose to show them, your wings are ominous.
Psychic Weapons. Your weapon attacks are magical when you choose to deal psychic damage with them.
Like, Whatever. You gain a +2 bonus for Insight and Intimidation skill checks.
Spells
Regenerate. 1/day
Phantasmal Killer 1/day
Seraph of Death
- Damage Resistances necrotic
Crow Wings. When you choose to show them, your wings are metal. Figuratively.
Necrotic Weapons. Your weapon attacks are magical when you choose to deal necrotic damage with them.
Death Metal. You gain a +2 bonus for Performance and Religion skill checks.
Spells
Finger of Death. 1/day
Death Ward 1/day
Seraph of Perseverance
- Damage Resistances poison
Dragonfly Wings. When you choose to show them, your wings don't ever get tired.
Poisoned Weapons. Your weapon attacks are magical when you choose to deal poison damage with them.
Ear to the Ground. You gain a +2 bonus for Survival and Medicine skill checks.
Spells
Freedom of Movement. 1/day
Warding Bond at will
Seraph of Inclement Weather
- Damage Resistances lightning
Eagle Wings. When you choose to show them, your wings are dark brown.
Lightning Weapons. Your weapon attacks are magical when you choose to deal lightning damage with them.
Eye in the Sky. You gain a +2 bonus for Perception and Nature skill checks.
Spells
Storm of Vengeance. 1/day
Lightning Lure at will
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