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Gloves of Thievery

Gloves Of Thievery
  • Category: Wondrous Item
  • Rarity: Uncommon

These gloves are imperceptible while worn. While wearing them, you gain a +5 bonus to Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) checks.

Tactical Applications​

Combat Strategy: Provides +5 bonus to Sleight of Hand checks and advantage on lockpicking and trap disarmament. Essential for bypassing security and accessing restricted areas.

Class Synergies:

  • Rogues: Perfect synergy with core class abilities and skill specialization
  • Any Class: Universal utility for security bypass and utility access
  • Infiltration Specialists: Essential for characters focused on stealth and breaking and entering
  • Utility Builds: Excellent for characters who need reliable lockpicking capabilities

Build Considerations: Most valuable for characters investing in Dexterity and thievery skills. Significant boost to utility and infiltration capabilities.

Acquisition Methods​

Crafting Requirements: Requires fine leather, precision enhancement magic, and dexterity augmentation enchantments. Creation cost 6,000-12,000 gp and takes 8 weeks.

Common Sources:

  • Thieves' guilds and criminal organization collections
  • Treasure hoards of master thieves and infiltrators
  • Commission from enchanters specializing in precision magic
  • Found in the collections of locksmiths and security specialists
  • Rewards from grateful clients of professional burglar services

Alternative Acquisition: Sometimes discovered in abandoned thieves' dens or obtained through criminal contacts.

Value & Trade​

Estimated Value: 8,000-15,000 gp, with premium pricing in areas with complex security systems and valuable locked treasures.

Trade Considerations: May be considered contraband in some jurisdictions. High demand among professionals requiring security bypass capabilities.

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: Suggests experience with criminal activities, locksmithing, or professional thievery training.

Character Concepts:

  • Professional thief or burglar with specialized training
  • Security consultant who tests locks and security systems
  • Former criminal turned legitimate locksmith or investigator
  • Character with specialized infiltration and bypass skills

Adventure Hooks​

The Master Heist: Complex burglary scenarios where superior thievery skills enable access to otherwise impregnable security.

The Locked Mystery: Investigation scenarios where accessing secured containers and rooms reveals crucial evidence.

The Prison Break: Escape missions where lockpicking and trap disarmament provide essential freedom routes.

The Security Test: Professional scenarios where testing and bypassing security systems becomes a legitimate service.

Variants & Customization​

Greater Gloves of Thievery (Very Rare): Enhanced bonuses and includes ability to bypass magical locks and wards.

Gloves of Master Thievery (Rare): Provides expertise in thieves' tools if not already proficient.

Specialized Thievery Gloves (Rare): Optimized for specific types of locks or security systems.

Specialized Variants:

  • Burglar's Gloves: Enhanced for breaking and entering operations
  • Investigator's Gloves: Optimized for evidence gathering and forensic examination
  • Artisan's Gloves: Includes bonuses to fine craftswork and precision manipulation

Lore & History​

Origins: Created by master thieves and locksmiths who needed enhanced precision for the most challenging security systems.

Historical Significance: These gloves enabled legendary heists and the development of increasingly sophisticated security bypass techniques.

Cultural Impact: Represent the evolution of thievery from crude force to elegant precision and technical mastery.

Magical Craft: Demonstrates understanding of precision enhancement magic and the augmentation of fine motor skills.

Balancing Notes​

Introduction Timing: Appropriate for levels 5-10 when complex locks and traps become common and thievery skills are important.

Campaign Impact: Significantly improves utility and infiltration capabilities without affecting combat balance directly.

Security Consideration: Creators should adjust security challenges to remain meaningful despite enhanced thievery capabilities.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Complex security systems requiring multiple skill checks to bypass
  • Heist scenarios where superior thievery skills enable creative approaches
  • Investigation missions where accessing locked evidence is crucial
  • Infiltration challenges featuring sophisticated locks and traps

Tactical Adjustments: Security systems may need enhanced complexity or alternative protection methods.

Thievery Equipment: Thieves' tools, Ring of Invisibility, and other items that enhance stealth and infiltration capabilities.

Precision Equipment:

  • Items that enhance fine motor skills and dexterity-based tasks
  • Equipment for bypassing security and accessing restricted areas
  • Tools for professional locksmithing and precision work

Complementary Equipment: Items that enhance Dexterity checks or provide additional stealth bonuses.

Roleplay Opportunities​

Master Craftsperson: Characters develop reputation for precision work and technical expertise in security systems.

Criminal Contacts: Superior thievery skills create connections to criminal underworld and security professionals.

Ethical Complexity: Enhanced burglary capabilities raise questions about the legitimate uses of these skills and personal morality.