The Running Curse

The Running Curse is a powerful modification of the transmutation spell “Animate Object” that is imbued in a small object that can house a large amount of magical energy such as a gemstone, statue, or skull of a magic-user. Theorized to have been created by the Sorcerers and Hags of the southern Clansplains, The Running Curse is utilized when an inanimate object containing the curse is affixed to another, larger inanimate object. The initial cursed object acts as an engine, imbuing whatever it is attached to with dark energy that courses through its parameters and sprouting two 14 foot tall, humanoid legs and two 10 foot tall humanoid arms complete with 7 digits on each appendage. These arms and legs are comprised of pure magical energy and look as if they are made of shadows. They have no weight and have a constant strength regardless of the object the curse embodies. Attacking or attempting to harm the shadowy appendages results in what looks like a successful hit, but the Running Curse can only be harmed if the Running Curse engine object is destroyed.
The Running Curse obeys the will of whoever placed the spell into the engine object, but if the caster is dead or relinquishes ownership of the curse, it may take orders from whoever touches the ‘engine object last.

The placement of a Running Curse engine object requires a large amount of magical energy as well as very dexterous hands. One wrong movement or incorrect incantation normally results in the destruction of the Running Curse engine object.

The Running Curse has existed for many Eras, with first usage recorded in the Era of Order by the Night Hag Bhur Zilbulda of The Clansplains who would challenge Tabaxi youths to races against her Giant Snail Familiar. While young Tabaxi are quick and nimble, and Giant Snails are quite slow, a Giant Snail’s Shell with an imbued Running Curse gemstone can run quite far and never tire. Tales of Bhur Zilbulda traveled all throughout Dioya, making her a celebrity among Hags who flocked to join her Coven. Bhur Zilbulda’s popularity died with her when Paladins of Bayva, Eternal goddess of Justice attacked the coven and spread the surviving hags all across Dioya. The Running Curse has since been a sought after tool in any Hag’s arsenal, so long as they are powerful enough to use it. Hags who make their homes into walking buildings and objects with the curse are called House Hags/Witches or Yyagas in the dead language of the Hag.
There has only been one recorded attempt and success of imbuing a living creature with a Running Curse engine object. During the Era of Change around the 3 year period of The Great Disturbance, a Tabaxi known as Four-Chains had a Running Curse imbued skull successfully placed in his chest by the Lavender Witches of the Midvail Kingdom of Chilved. While the arcane operation was successful, the psychological effects of the curse left the Tabaxi with an altered, demented state of mind.

RUNNING CURSE STATS:
STR 16 (+3) DEX 18 (+4) CON 5 (-2) INT 6 (- 2) WIS 8 (-1) CHA 5 (- 2)
HP: 20 (Running Curse Engine Object Only)
AC: 10
ATK: A Running Curse object can attack twice
Shadow Claw: +6 to hit 2d8+6 Slashing Damage
Shadow Stomp: +8 to hit 3d8+4 Bludgoning Damage

Rarity

Very Rare

Length

Various

Speed

35 Miles per hour / 56 Kilometers per hour

Cargo & Passenger Capacity

Various ranges on the enchanted object