Divine Tests
Trials may come when deceivers lure one away from what's wholesome.
Trials may come when deceivers lure one away from what's wholesome.
1-11. Who will maintain the apples? The priestess is unable to cast some of her spells (50% chance for each one), possibly including her turn ability. Roll 1d6 to determine what she must do to be able to use every one of them again.
[1] Collect 3d6 apples, preferably from a new location.
[2] Engage in a youthful game or other activity with at least 2d6 other participants, and it should last at least 3d6 turns.
[3] Warn a stranger about a poor health choice. Unless a follower of Idunn or similar divinity, they likely won't take it too well. Some of Idunn's husband's skaldic skill may be needed to remedy the situation.
[4] Offer an apple to the next person she sees. If they eat it, then they will experience a random Idunn spell effect, as if cast on them. If not, then they will experience the opposite of one.
[5] Engage in an act of fertility, whether to nourish a body or to conjoin with their husband.
[6] The priestess's next healing spell or act won't go too well. It will either do the opposite of what's intended or not work at all. Most won't like those apples.
[1] Loki's mischief steals, causing the priestess to lose 1d4 x 25% of her possessions. She will have to negotiate with one of his followers to get them back if she doesn't wish to replace them herself. Followers of Bragi can assist her in any case.
[2] Thiazi wants the priestess for himself. Until she can speak with a Norse cleric-type of 1d4 levels higher than herself and tell them of her situation, she cannot use any of her magic unless a giant or other tyrant allows her to first.
[3] Skadi seeks recompense for the slaying of her father. At the earliest opportunity, the priestess will have to spend 2d3 hours in the cold and/or mountains, or at least find a maiden cleric of Skadi a suitable husband.
[4] One is left alone in the end. Idunn's bounty tempts Loki's trickery, which brings Thiazi's brutality, then Skadi's revenge, and finally Njordr's isolation. The priestess is obliged to find a lone one who has been needing healing of the heart and/or body for at least 1d20 days, and give it to him. All her magic will be at half strength until she does so, unless it is used to locate and aid him of course.
[5] Few expect the charlatan to be oneself. The priestess will start demanding payment for her healing skills, far outside what she would normally need. Many won't appreciate being charged 100 gps per spell level cast and similar healing, especially if she will only chastise the patient and complain of her own woes 50% of the time instead. This situation continues until the priestess experiences another #12-17 or higher test, and comes back to her senses.
[6] Springtime, everywhere is springtime. Youthful joy is obvious in the priestess now, making those who are not young at heart have to save vs. spell/ make a Will save DC 15 or be unable to respect what she says or does, nor gain benefit from her healing for the next 1d3 days.
18+ The great eagle swoops in, abducting the priestess, just as Thiazi snatched Idunn. She will be gone for 1 day per divine test result over 17. During that time, all Norse cleric-types within 1d3 miles will suffer a -1d3 to all rolls since their gods need Idunn's apples to stay vigorous. A quest can be undertaken to retrieve her sooner (an example here- link), though in any case, the priestess might be returned as a nut (a 10% chance per day gone), and would need additional restorative magic then.
Folk Variations
Guidelines, magical side-effects, divine tests, and spells of similar divinities can be substituted for and with those of Idunn to provide additional options.
Eir: Frigg's handmaiden, she focuses on healing itself.
Demeter: Greek, granting the harvest, including juicy fruits.
Demeter: Greek, granting the harvest, including juicy fruits.
Lada: Slavic, she embodies spring and fertility.
Sif: Thor's wife, instead emphasizing the bounty of the land.
Sif: Thor's wife, instead emphasizing the bounty of the land.
For example, a priestess of Idunn could have some of the same magical side-effects, tests, and spells as Lada, and vice versa.
Apple Slings
Just as normal slings can hurl stones, those employed by followers of Idunn and similar divinities can hurl apples. Treat them as slings, except that those hit by them only take 1d3 subdual damage, with those reduced to zero hit points falling unconscious instead.
What is more, different types of apples can have different effects on those they hit, which can be counteracted via a save vs. death/ Will save DC 10 if the target so wishes. Each effect otherwise lasts for 1d2 rounds, unless a natural 20 is rolled to hit, in which case the target has swallowed the apple and the effects last for 1d2 minutes instead.
Crab apples: suffer a -1 to all rolls.
Golden apples: enjoy a +1 to all rolls.
Red apples: either suffer -1 to all rolls if not healthy or youthful, or the reverse if healthy or youthful.
Next week: spells of Idunn and an Idunn encounter!
RPG srd Old School 1st ed D&D Idun
