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Cloak of Displacement

Cloak Of Displacement
  • Category: Wondrous Item
  • Rarity: Rare (Requires Attunement)

While you wear this cloak, it magically projects an illusion that makes you appear to be standing in a place near your actual location, causing any creature to have Disadvantage on attack rolls against you. If you take damage, the property ceases to function until the start of your next turn. This property is suppressed while your Speed is 0 .

Tactical Applications​

Combat Strategy: Provides consistent defensive bonuses through illusion-based misdirection. Most effective for mobile characters who can maintain movement and positioning.

Class Synergies:

  • Mobile Classes: Natural fit for rogues, rangers, and other classes that emphasize movement
  • Any Class: Universal defensive benefit that scales with mobility
  • Skirmishers: Excellent for hit-and-run tactics and maintaining distance

Build Considerations: Most valuable for characters who can stay mobile and avoid being pinned down or immobilized.

Acquisition Methods​

Crafting Requirements: Requires illusion magic components, displacement enchantments, and specialized tailoring. Typically costs 12,000-18,000 gp.

Common Sources:

  • Rewards from encounters with displacement creatures or illusion specialists
  • Inheritance from rogues or illusionists
  • Commission from enchanters specializing in defensive illusions
  • Trade agreements with organizations valuing stealth and survival

Alternative Acquisition: Some spy organizations and assassin guilds create these cloaks for operatives requiring enhanced survivability.

Value & Trade​

Estimated Value: 15,000-25,000 gp, with higher demand from characters needing reliable defensive capabilities.

Trade Considerations: Highly valued by rogues, skirmishers, and anyone who frequently finds themselves in dangerous combat situations.

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: Suggests experience with illusion magic, stealth operations, or survival tactics. The displacement effect may create interesting social interactions.

Character Concepts:

  • Rogue or spy who specializes in survival and evasion
  • Skirmisher who values mobility and defensive positioning
  • Character with experience facing overwhelming odds
  • Practical adventurer who prioritizes survival over aggression

Adventure Hooks​

The Survival Mission: Characters must navigate extremely dangerous situations where defensive capabilities are crucial.

The Evasion Specialist: A mission requires a character who can avoid detection and survive attacks reliably.

The Illusion Investigation: Adventures involve illusion magic where understanding displacement becomes important.

The Mobile Campaign: Scenarios emphasize movement and positioning where the cloak's benefits shine.

Variants & Customization​

Greater Cloak of Displacement (Very Rare): Provides stronger illusion effects or additional defensive capabilities.

Combat Displacement Cloak (Rare): Includes offensive benefits when the displacement effect triggers.

Stealth Displacement Cloak (Rare): Combines displacement with invisibility or enhanced stealth capabilities.

Specialized Variants:

  • Assassin's Displacement Shroud: Enhanced benefits for stealth attacks and escape
  • Duelist's Misdirection Cape: Optimized for one-on-one combat scenarios
  • Scout's Evasion Cloak: Additional benefits for reconnaissance and survival

Lore & History​

Origins: Created by illusionists who studied displacement creatures and learned to replicate their defensive abilities.

Historical Significance: Several famous escapes and survival stories feature heroes using displacement cloaks to evade overwhelming odds.

Cultural Impact: In military and espionage communities, these cloaks represent the pinnacle of defensive illusion magic.

Illusion Magic: The cloaks reflect advanced understanding of how visual perception can be manipulated for defensive purposes.

Balancing Notes​

Introduction Timing: Can be introduced at mid-levels (8-12) when consistent defensive bonuses become valuable without overwhelming encounter balance.

Campaign Impact: Provides meaningful defensive benefits while requiring tactical movement to maintain effectiveness.

Mobility Requirement: The speed restriction creates interesting tactical decisions about positioning and movement.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Combat encounters that reward mobility and positioning
  • Situations where consistent defensive bonuses matter more than peak performance
  • Scenarios with multiple attackers where disadvantage provides significant benefits
  • Environmental challenges that require maintaining movement

Tactical Adjustments: Enemies may use area effects, immobilization tactics, or other methods that bypass or counter the displacement.

Defensive Magic: Other items that provide consistent defensive bonuses or illusion-based protection.

Mobility Enhancement:

  • Items that improve movement speed or provide positioning advantages
  • Equipment that enhances stealth or evasion capabilities
  • Tools that work synergistically with mobile combat tactics

Complementary Equipment: Items that benefit from or enhance mobile fighting styles and defensive positioning.

Roleplay Opportunities​

Tactical Awareness: Characters develop understanding of positioning, movement, and defensive tactics.

Illusion Appreciation: Players gain appreciation for the tactical applications of illusion magic beyond simple deception.

Survival Instincts: The cloak encourages development of defensive thinking and survival-oriented character traits.