Thursday, August 5, 2021

RPG-a-Day #5: Throne

Continuing with the RPG-a-Day Challenge... while detailing another trophy from the Love Collection.

THE THRONE OF JUDGE MARSTON THE MERRY
In late 1927, silent movie star Bessie Love, in her secret life as a warrior against supernatural evils, squared off against and defeated a cult leader who not only trying to recruit Hollywood studio bosses to his twisted cause, but also tried to eliminate Bessie before she became a threat to his goals--and that was his mistake. From the ruins of his hideout, Bessie and an ally salvaged the ridiculously high-backed upholstered chair he had sat in while commanding his followers. Due to the presence of arcane symbols subtly included in the design of upholstery, Bessie was certain the chair held powerful magic. Although it radiates very faint magic, 
   Bessie was not able to discern the chair's purpose until after she had moved to England, where an occult historian recognized the chair as the creation of Judge Edward Marston, a judge from a rural part of Northern England who lived from 1802 to 1873. He held his judgeship from 1844 through 1860. Common history records him as a fair-minded man who put the law ahead of such things as wealth or accidents of birth and the social status and clout that came with it, as well as a man who enjoyed parties--both hosting and attending. Secret histories record him as a skilled artificer, who created, among other things, objects to help him excel as a lawyer and judge. Few details are known about his creations, and even fewer are known to still exist. (Aside from the chair, Marston is known to have created a magic gavel and judge wig, the purpose of either of which is unknown.)
   The Throne of Judge Marston the Merry was so nicknamed by close friends. Marston first created it when he was named judge, and he always sat in it while presiding over his court and passing. After he retired, he reupholstered the chair, and it then sat at the head of the banquet table in his manor's great hall--and just as he had presided over his court from it, he spent the rest of his life celebrating with his friends from it. 
   Marston died childless and his will divided his holdings and property among 12 different families of close friends or individuals he thought worthy. It is unknown how the Throne of Judge Marston the Merry ended up in the United States, let alone in Hollywood.
   Bessie Love initially had kept the Throne with most of the artifacts and magical souvenirs she collected during her adventures, but once it had been determined it was basically harmless, she moved it to her dining room.

Powers of the Throne of Judge Marston the Merry
When a character is seated in the throne, he or she gains a +10 bonus to Sense Motive skill checks, as well as a +10 bonus to Fortitude saves made to resist all resist all toxins and poisons.

Drawbacks of the Throne of Judge Marston the Merry
None.

Bessie Love, seated in the Throne of Judge Marston the Merry

After the Throne of Judge Marston the Merry became a fixture in Bessie Love's dining room, the small-framed Bessie delighted in having drinking contests with men and women who should be able to keep their liquor far better than she (because, as the saying goes, if you're not cheating, you're not trying). She would also tend to question suspicious characters in that room, while seated in the chair.
   After Bessie Love's death in 1987, the Throne of Marston the Merry returned to the United States and it presently stands in the study of a New York City-based mystic who is known as the Sorcerer Supreme.

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