That cute star etched onto the amulet is good news for once.

Okay, easy mnemonic for those who don’t know: If the point is up, it’s a pentacle.  If the point is down, it’s time to frown (pentagram.) That’s how I learned it, anyway. Pentacles are generally associated with good things. Learn more about real-world definitions of pentacles in this Wikipedia article.

For our purposes here, I’m going to move a tiny bit beyond just the amulet definition and also include beneficent use on tarot cards, scrolls, and even chalk circles on the ground wherein the point faces North. (*If we really wanted to go completely off topic, we could talk about the similarities between the pentacle and Tesla’s Torus and how it could be an ancient expression of the Toroidal Field, but…)

5 uses of pentacles in Shadowdark RPG in no particular order.

  • Amulet of Protection: This ancient bronze pentacle radiates protective magic. When worn it provides +1 AC and adds 5 hit points while worn. This item is never found in a cursed state.

  • Portable Circle of Protection: This ordinary looking parchment scroll unrolls to reveal a pentacle with protective glyphs all around it. When unrolled and the command phrase is spoken aloud, it expands to fill a 10ftx10ft square on the ground.

    When standing within the circle, all occupants are immune to possession, mind control, and other mind altering effects. Additionally, demons, devils, ghosts, wraiths and other chaotic beings may not enter or attack anyone within the circle. However, if one of the occupants steps out or physically interacts with creatures outside the circle, the protection is dispelled for 24 hours.

    The pentacle drawn on the scroll provides dim light within Close range for one hour when first activated. A simple command word causes the circle to return to parchment size. Many creatures, such as dragons, are  able to enter the circle/attack the occupants at any time.

  • Copper Plate of Summoning: This copper plate 6 ft tall by 5 ft wide by one inch thick with a pentacle clearly etched onto it can summon any one creature or person provided their true name and precise location is known. Summoning requires a 10 minute ritual outlined in a book or scroll that usually accompanies the plate as well as fresh white candles, sage, and five pieces of uncommon crystals worth 20 Silver each. All components are consumed in the casting. The creature or person being summoned may resist with a DC 14 WIS check.

  • Blessed Ace of Pentacles: When pulled from a tarot deck, this card grants Advantage on ONE Carousing roll of the recipient’s choosing. Afterward the card magically returns itself to the deck.

  • Pentacle Blessed Dagger: This long dagger is etched with a  pentacle with the point facing the blade. It is +1, +3 vs Spellcasters Once per day it can Detect Magic as the spell and cast Light.