Non magical artifacts

[Ranikirn.]

The next session of my campaign will be focused on a visit to a museum during an exhibition of numerous artifacts. The PC can go around the museum to observe and read the various written descriptions on small altars that support artifacts. I've already created several artifacts but I need more, for artifacts I do not mean magical objects but historical objects like an old ceremonial knife useb by a cultist of an ancient dragon cult, an old crown of bronzewood belonged to a king of the elves of a now vanished kingdom and so on.

Post any idea you come to mind, any help would be appreciated.

[opaopajr]

Well, one of the oldest and important historical artifacts we have in art history on Earth is the Palette of Narmer, which is a palette to mix together eye makeup. It was made for the pharaoh, supposedly for the unification of Upper & Lower Egypt, having some of the earliest hieroglyphics. It also had remnants of the eye makeup, so we have an idea of the recipe. :smallcool:

So a "makeup compact" as celebratory emblem of a great war victory... and that's real. :smalltongue: So the realm of imagination is limitless; you literally will struggle trying to 'go too far'.

Go Mad Libs and knock yourself out: random adj. noun + adv. verb. Throw in backstory and, boom!, done.

[Magzimum]

You can of course add some ancient maps, where coastlines are recognizable but major cities are missing entirely because they weren't built yet.
Add some costumes, symbols, weapons or uniforms of ancient elite guards and priests. Especially priests can give you an unlimited number of artifacts.
Add also some artifacts of the war between the Giants and the Gnomes!
The chariot in which king this-and-this paraded the streets when he was triumphant.

[Unoriginal]

A sword which originally belonged to a gnoll chief. Apparently made from the sharpened remains of a metal mace.

An armor made of turtle shell, offered.

A collection of shillelagh and staves collected from the base of a now long gone circle of druids.

The pointy hat of Archmage Drumblad, inventor of the Skywrite spell.

The 78 oil paintings commemorating the peace treaties between the Drow Matron Mother Caleosil and the successive rulers of the city (the current one is in the ruler's palace).

A golden ring which belonged to Burdun, the only Hill Giant in the realm's history to obtain knighthood, along with his shield and his sword. One of his most notable feats was to hold the line during the battle of the Windmeadow by himself for nearly half an hour, allowing the realm's army to regroup for a counterattack, trapping the enemies in a pincer manoeuvre.

An horse armor made of bullette hide.

A bullette armor made of horse bones.

A dead Intellect Devourer in a sealed transparent jar.

The helmet of the famous adventurer Tom Belleame.

A mammoth, offered to the realm by the troll Gurchi to prove his qualification as huntsmaster.

[Ranikirn.]

Well, one of the oldest and important historical artifacts we have in art history on Earth is the Palette of Narmer, which is a palette to mix together eye makeup. It was made for the pharaoh, supposedly for the unification of Upper & Lower Egypt, having some of the earliest hieroglyphics. It also had remnants of the eye makeup, so we have an idea of the recipe. :smallcool:

So a "makeup compact" as celebratory emblem of a great war victory... and that's real. :smalltongue: So the realm of imagination is limitless; you literally will struggle trying to 'go too far'.

I used this idea to create bowl decorated with various runes used by a dwarf king to contain blood that he used as war paintings before a battle. looking carefully at the inside of the bowl the wood has remained impregnated with blood :smallwink:



You can of course add some ancient maps, where coastlines are recognizable but major cities are missing entirely because they weren't built yet.
Add some costumes, symbols, weapons or uniforms of ancient elite guards and priests. Especially priests can give you an unlimited number of artifacts.
Add also some artifacts of the war between the Giants and the Gnomes!
The chariot in which king this-and-this paraded the streets when he was triumphant.

I like the chariot and customes idea.
Got it :smallwink:

[nickl_2000]

-Religious idols that server a foci for famous clerics
-Bones of a severed finger of a famous adventurer
-The hand wraps of a famous monk
-Saddle of the horse a king/hero rode on while going into an epic battle
-Burned and blackened shards of the glass bottle that contained the first creation of alchemists fire
-Executioner's hood from the executions after the infamous coup at Narfhelm (or some other made up place)
-Still wriggling Illithad detached tentacle.
-beaten and damage smithing hammer from Rogar the Blacksmith, famous Dwarven smith who made the sword that the gods imbued into the first Holy Avenger
-Preserved still beating heart of an Archmage
-Rangorish the Mighty, barechest barbarian king's loincloth (ewww)
-Silver inlaid harp from Arveen Everdeep, half-elf bard to the Shou Lung Empire
-Hunting Horn of Dotsk, king's ranger in the silver age
-Manacles that once (briefly) held Ander Underbough, halfling master thief. They are left open since that was the way Ander left them after escaping withing 3 minutes of being captured.

[Ranikirn.]

A sword which originally belonged to a gnoll chief. Apparently made from the sharpened remains of a metal mace.

An armor made of turtle shell, offered.

A collection of shillelagh and staves collected from the base of a now long gone circle of druids.

The pointy hat of Archmage Drumblad, inventor of the Skywrite spell.

The 78 oil paintings commemorating the peace treaties between the Drow Matron Mother Caleosil and the successive rulers of the city (the current one is in the ruler's palace).

A golden ring which belonged to Burdun, the only Hill Giant in the realm's history to obtain knighthood, along with his shield and his sword. One of his most notable feats was to hold the line during the battle of the Windmeadow by himself for nearly half an hour, allowing the realm's army to regroup for a counterattack, trapping the enemies in a pincer manoeuvre.

An horse armor made of bullette hide.

A bullette armor made of horse bones.

A dead Intellect Devourer in a sealed transparent jar.

The helmet of the famous adventurer Tom Belleame.

A mammoth, offered to the realm by the troll Gurchi to prove his qualification as huntsmaster.
The giant story is perfect for my kingdom lore, got it thanks :smallwink:

[Telonius]

- The earliest recorded discovery of a Trident of Fish Command, recovered from a remote location in the Skycrag Mountains.
- A four-foot-high stack of parchment containing the acrimonious archaeological debate about just how in the world it got there.
- A plaque drawing attention to the small dent in the trident's haft. It was noticed a few days after the argument was "settled."

[solidork]

Complaint tablet to Ea-Nasir (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complaint_tablet_to_Ea-nasir)

[Vogie]

Complaint tablet to Ea-Nasir (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complaint_tablet_to_Ea-nasir)

This is a great example of what is actually in a museum - Normal things removed from context.

There's a reason most museums are filled with art, tools, vases, tea sets, et cetera - they're just normal things, removed from their location, removed from their era.

[KorvinStarmast]

1. The whalebone corset of Queen Zilia, who two centuries ago established the most genteel court ever known. People came from all over the known world to attend her seasonal events in the spring and fall. The balls, dances, and theatrical performances of her era remain legendary; the poetry, songs, dances, and ballads of that era are still the most performed pieces in public. She was a patron of the arts. Her husband, King Jyrrul, was an ambitious, and ruthless, despot who stretched the kingdom's borders to roughly what they are today.

2. Ambrose Guilfoil's battle axe. He led the counter attack that saved King Romir from capture at the famous Battle of Nine Wells, the high water mark of the invasion of the Daggerthorn League into the kingdom. The war ended a year later with the Daggerthorn League's defeat ...

3. A music box that plays a short lullaby, reputed to be the first item sold by Yelderfell, the most famous gnomish craftsmen ever to live.

4. A scrimshaw amulet once worn by the pirate Steelfinger's concubine, Felicia Seaholm, gifted to her upon the birth of their son Marley. Her later reign as Queen of the South Coast Pirates was short but brilliant. The Merchant's League finally hired enough ships to mount a naval expedition that put down the South Coast Pirates and reduced the stronghold* to rubble. (Similar to *Port Royal during Caribbean Pirate days of the 17th century).

5. A full suit of armor from the Army of Penderwall, from a century ago when that kingdom was an enemy of the realm. Include side arms and the knight's banner.

6. Wooden shoes, one cracked, worn by Elmuth Konrid. Elmuth was an acolyte of (some light domain deity) who walked the land setting up small shrines and spreading the faith two hundred years ago. (Deity) is now the most followed in the kingdom.

7. An empty wardrobe, with a small brass plaque identifying the exhibit as "The Emperor's New Clothes."

[solidork]

This is a great example of what is actually in a museum - Normal things removed from context.

There's a reason most museums are filled with art, tools, vases, tea sets, et cetera - they're just normal things, removed from their location, removed from their era.

It's also hilarious that we've got hate mail from 3000+ years ago.

[Pelle]

This is a great example of what is actually in a museum - Normal things removed from context.

There's a reason most museums are filled with art, tools, vases, tea sets, et cetera - they're just normal things, removed from their location, removed from their era.

I would say artifacts should have historical and cultural significance, otherwise it's just an item.

The pen that signed an important peace treaty, the spear that was used to slay a marauding dragon, etc. Just go through all the major historical events of your setting and represent them by something.

[Unoriginal]

I would say artifacts should have historical and cultural significance, otherwise it's just an item.

The pen that signed an important peace treaty, the spear that was used to slay a marauding dragon, etc. Just go through all the major historical events of your setting and represent them by something.

Technically "artifact" just mean it's something that's left after the fact. A broken pot from the Roman Empire is an artifact.

That being said, most museums present stuff that's interesting (or try).

[Pelle]

Technically "artifact" just mean it's something that's left after the fact. A broken pot from the Roman Empire is an artifact.

That being said, most museums present stuff that's interesting (or try).

Maybe that's an English language thing. Do you use artifact for every museum item; broken pottery and arrow heads? Sounds too fancy to me, I associate it with something more valuable. What's a better word for something of historical significance then, relic? Sounds too religious...