Mbira of Strong Emotions

Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement)

This musical instrument consists of a wooden board with two dozen staggered metal tines attached to it that are plucked by the user to produce a tune. When you play the mbira using your action, you can evoke a particular emotion in creatures within 30 feet that can hear your music. You are immune to this effect, and you can designate up to four allies in the area who also are not affected. Each other creature must succeed on a DC 15 Charisma saving throw or become affected by the music (and can choose to fail this saving throw if so desired). An unwilling creature can attempt a new saving throw each round to resist the effect. If an affected creature moves farther than 30 feet away from the mbira, the effect ceases for that creature, but an unwilling creature can continue to attempt the Charisma saving throw.

Each time you use the instrument, choose one of the following emotions. Every creature that fails its saving throw, whether willingly or otherwise, is affected.

Once you have used the mbira to evoke one of the four emotions, the instrument can’t be used in this way again until the next dawn.

  • Anger. Creatures become less friendly toward other creatures in the area, not including you and your allies. Friendly creatures become indifferent; indifferent creatures become hostile.
  • Fear. Creatures become frightened by your music and try to move farther than 30 feet away from it.
  • Joy. Creatures are overcome with pleasant thoughts. Hostile creatures become indifferent; indifferent creatures become friendly.
  • Tranquility. Creatures become charmed. They stop whatever they are doing to listen quietly to your music.
Section 15: Copyright Notice

Southlands. © 2021 Open Design LLC. Authors: Richard Green with Wolfgang Baur, Basheer Ghouse, and Kelly Pawlik.

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