Technology Compendium - Oddities

Overview

Explorers return from investigating ancient ruins with many treasures. Some have wondrous abilities that make the explorers more powerful. Others are traded in towns and might change the lives of those that buy them.
And then there are the rest. The weird things that no one can seem to identify, find a use for, or even understand. These are oddities. They represent the vast array of strange things recovered from ancient technologies that are just… weird. Adding them into a Numenera game provides verisimilitude (not everything is a weapon or usable gear) and conveys the flavor of the setting.
Oddities can be traded, sold, used, or given as interesting gifts. Usually, their value is around 10 shins, but some oddities might fetch as much as 50 shins depending on their potential utility.

Many oddities are numenera objects worked into ordinary Ninth World items. For example, the stuffed seskii doll is of recent origin, but the growling device inside it is not.

Many of the oddities listed here are intentionally left vague so the GM can tailor them as needed. The size, color, shape, and so on can be changed. Ninth World crafters might set some of the oddities into jewelry, on the end of a staff, or into items of clothing or armor. Many people like to incorporate oddities into their clothing, hair, or other possessions as a sign of fashion and prestige. To determine an oddity randomly, roll on the chart below, which then indicates where to roll for your oddity.

01-25 Corebook
26-50 Oddities Table 1
51-75 Oddities Table 2
76-00 Oddities Table 3

ODDITIES TABLE 1

d100 Oddity
1 Tiny lidded box that opens, revealing the emptiness of space
2 Square of cloth that changes texture and color randomly
3 Never-ending spray canister of harmless foam that evaporates quickly
4 Crystal antiprism about 4 inches (10 cm) across that is mildly repelled away from living flesh
5 Lenses that make everything appear upside-down
6 Lenses that tint everything pink
7 A pair of rose-colored spectacles that, when worn, cause everyone to appear to be in the prime of their lives or dead
8 Goggles with glowing lenses (although you can see through them normally)
9 A black box from which issue faint calls of “Hello?”
10 A bottle of clear liquid whose flavor changes to match whatever you most desire
11 A small blue stone that stays wherever you put it, even if you release it in the air, but it can hold no weight
12 A black wedge that weighs 1 pound (0.5 kg) and becomes 1 pound (0.5 kg) heavier each month it remains in your possession
13 An unbreakable clear crystal sphere filled with green smoke
14 A ceramic tile that etches itself with strange markings whenever someone speaks to it
15 A synth pyramid that gives off light for one hour at a random time each day
16 A tiny harp with strings made of glowing energy
17 A crystal that always hovers an inch above a metal ring
18 A pouch of six seeds that, when planted, grow over the next twenty days into hollow shelters large enough to accommodate one hound-sized animal each
19 A small metal box that makes a clicking noise when in the presence of smoke
20 A metal wand with a tip that glows in the dark
21 A 1-foot (0.3 m) length of silver cord with both ends neatly cut
22 A ring that makes the wearer’s fingertips glow blue
23 An oblong metal object from which issues a faint ticking sound
24 A silver needle that always remains sharp but can puncture nothing
25 A wedge of glass that shows the image of three strangely garbed children playing and one frightened child watching you
26 Shoes that fit anyone who wears them but leave bizarre, seemingly random prints behind
27 A bottle of ink that never goes dry or runs out
28 A human-faced insect trapped in a piece of amber
29 A ceramic box holding a tiny worm with a head at each end
30 A mummified nonhuman hand that twitches as if still alive
31 A glass ball filled with fluid through which swims a bloodshot eye trailing its nerve endings
32 A small metal container that keeps liquid poured inside lukewarm but makes it bitter
33 A horn that, when blown, blows bubbles instead of making a sound
34 Three glowing synth rings that orbit whatever they are placed around (like a wrist)
35 A dozen small stones in a narrow, thin box that burst with vibrant colors when tossed into a fire
36 A leather belt with metal plates that glow faintly with light
37 A set of garish clothes that never get dirty or show signs of wear and tear
38 A pouch of six pellets that, when dropped into liquid, remove its flavor and color
39 A small metal box that produces sounds of hysterical laughter when shaken
40 A large piece of fabric that does not reflect in mirrors
41 A fist-sized glass sphere that floats through the air, never straying more than 2 feet (0.6 m) from a glass token
42 A glass jar filled with an edible, creamy white substance that fills back to the top each day at dawn
43 A vial of red liquid that causes anything that touches even a drop to turn bright purple for 28 hours
44 A metal wedge that always points east when placed on the ground
45 Small pink stone that, when placed under the tongue, causes harmless vapor to spill from your mouth
46 A synth hemisphere that occasionally puffs out harmless green mist
47 A tiny synth cube with two metal prongs on one side that hum
48 A metal baton that feels as though it is filled with fluid
49 A small metal box filled with blue powder that, when snuffed, causes profound feelings of ecstasy for about a minute, followed by painful cramps that are alleviated only by a messy and noisy bowel movement
50 A mirror that shows anything reflected in it, but something is always missing
51 A pair of eyes made of bronze that appear slightly human and occasionally blink
52 An invisible, empty, hollow cylinder that is 9 inches (23 cm) long
53 A powerful magnet that appears to be in the shape of a stylized spider
54 Bit of moldable synth that generates constant, soft static noise
55 Shoes that produce sound and light with each step
56 Synth sleeves that fit over one’s fingertips
57 Cloth mask that makes each breath taste like mint
58 Small synth squares that taste good but are inedible
59 Metal sphere that floats like a balloon
60 Crystal pendant that causes the wearer’s hair to stop growing
61 Five-inch (13 cm) square of cloth that is uncannily pleasant to touch
62 Synth paper that absorbs ink (and stains) after one hour
63 Six-inch (15 cm) synth string that stretches to 8 feet (2 m) without breaking
64 Unbreakable glass pyramid filled with what appears to be ice or snow
65 Synth sphere that is always warm
66 Glass cube that is always cold
67 Synth rod that changes color based on who holds it (always the same color for the same people)
68 Metal hemisphere with a glass handle that constantly repeats words in an unknown language
69 Glass panel that appears to show the surrounding area from a high vantage, but it is always completely wrong
70 Clear synth globe with an arrow inside it that always points at the sun
71 Synth panel about 8 inches (20 cm) square that shows meaningless, complex diagrams
72 Round pendant with a blinking red light that syncs with the wearer’s heartbeat
73 Small jar that produces 1 ounce (28 g) of green paint when the sun rises
74 Synth panel that constantly shows unknown creatures cavorting in a woodland of unknown plants
75 Small metal container that produces a peculiar (but not unpleasant) odor when opened
76 Small, warm metal blade that gives a very close shave
77 Small metal disk with a crystal at its center that causes a buzzing noise in the ears of anyone holding it
78 Eight-inch (20 cm) length of synth cord that is invisible
79 Pea-sized sphere that reduces the pull of gravity within about 4 feet (1 m), just enough to notice
80 A pair of 1-foot-tall (0.3 m) metal stilts that can strap onto boots or shoes
81 A jar of putty that hardens after being exposed to air for one hour, but softens again if touched
82 A small disk that bears the image of the father of whoever is touching it
83 Six-inch (15 cm) wand of glass that can be bent and even tied in a knot
84 Small metal container that makes a loud (but brief) shrill tone when opened
85 A small sphere nested within a cube, but the cube exists out of phase and cannot be touched
86 Eye lenses that glow in the dark
87 Three shoes meant for an unknown, nonhuman creature
88 Seven-inch (18 cm) square of cloth to which nothing—dirt, muck, tar, adhesive, and so on—will adhere
89 Metal rod bent into a triangle that frightens off small animals with its mere presence
90 Glow-in-the-dark hair dye (enough for twenty uses)
91 Glove that, when worn, makes the wearer’s voice sound very high and squeaky
92 Ring that reduces the wearer’s sense of touch
93 Brush that produces a cleansing soap when used
94 Tiny box that produces a small synth figurine in the image of someone within immediate range at random times
95 Synth cup that turns any liquid placed within it purple (no other change is made)
96 Cloth mask that gives anyone who wears it itchy hives for one hour
97 Rod that projects the two-dimensional image of an unknown creature on any flat surface
98 Metal rod that makes anyone who touches it sneeze, but never more than once every few minutes
99 Two magnets that become one hundred times heavier when put together
00 Tiny glass cube that distorts visibility within 6 inches (15 cm) around it

ODDITIES TABLE 2

d100 Oddity
1 A small cloth sphere that one can thrust a hand through to put things in the inside. The hole made always instantly repairs itself.
2 A metal cube that, when touched, turns to thick liquid for one minute
3 A ball of unbreakable twine that, when fully unraveled, is 100 feet (30 m) long
4 A tiny box with a button that makes a faint chiming noise when pressed
5 Twenty red cigarettes that, when smoked, let you exhale monstrous shapes
6 A coin stamped with the profile of a man that changes each month
7 A bag that always has twenty-seven marbles inside, no matter how many are removed
8 Small metal half-ring that forces anyone touching it to say “Fanoshil”
9 Device that makes everyone within immediate range experience the last one to two seconds again, though nothing can be changed
10 Silver pendant with an invisible chain
11 Small sphere that always remains 1 inch (3 cm) from the tip of a short rod, even though they are not physically connected
12 Crystal that pulses in time with the heartbeat of anyone holding it
13 Glowglobe that, if taken underwater, is never moved or disturbed by currents
14 A 1-inch (3 cm) square of folded black paper that can be unfolded until it becomes a 10-foot (3 m) square of paper
15 A black diamond that causes erotic dreams when it is placed under a sleeper’s head
16 A box of twenty oddly shaped stones in different shades of red that can be used like chalk but never run out
17 A box of toothpicks that each have a different and sometimes strange flavor
18 A pouch of powder that can be sprinkled over rotten meat to freshen it and make it safe to eat
19 A cube of ice that never melts
20 A wooden ball that cannot be burned, but freezing it turns it to vapor
21 A plate of glass that turns frosty in freezing temperatures and sometimes shows handprints in the frost
22 A monocle that shows different colored auras around people depending on the time of day they were born
23 A metal box with a glass panel in the center that displays different undecipherable symbols each sunrise
24 A quivering mass of gelatin that hardens whenever it is about to storm
25 A 6-inch (15 cm) metal bar that is impervious to all damage
26 A fist-sized hunk of wet flesh that never dries out and makes a purring noise when stroked
27 A vial containing six droplets that, when added to a pile of excrement, turn it back into what it was before it was digested (though the droplets don’t restore life to something that was killed by being eaten)
28 A metal ring that issues a faint ringing noise when rubbed
29 A dark glass trapezohedron that, if held behind someone’s head, makes him state his name, even though he is unaware that he did so
30 A glass box containing a living, beating heart wrapped in a golden mesh of wires
31 A piece of flexible plastic that emits soft blue, green, or pink light when worn around the ankle or wrist
32 A clear elastic sheet, 7 feet (2 m) wide and 2 feet (0.6 m) long, of unknown waterproof material that sparkles under starlight
33 A rubber ball that, when thrown with any strength at all, flies for 1 mile (2 km) or until it comes into contact with a solid object and then falls
34 An oblong metal plate covered with strange inscriptions and diagrams
35 A fist-sized metal object filled with holes that gives anyone touching it a brief glimpse of an endless sea
36 A crystal that prevents the person holding it from perspiring
37 A glass ball that, when placed on the ground, rolls around in a circle until it’s picked up
38 Shoes with such slippery soles that they are impossible to walk in
39 A tiny square of foil that always feels warm to the touch
40 A small metal box that changes the color of anything placed inside it
41 A sponge that can absorb up to 10 gallons (38 L) of liquid
42 Five synth-sealed edible bars that provide nourishment for seven days each
43 A porous stone that can be used like soap and has a fresh smell
44 A hat that disappears when the wearer wishes, but returns in a few hours
45 A cup that turns any liquid poured into it into alcohol
46 Oddly shaped plastic box with a button on one side that, when depressed, causes a random word in the viewer’s language to appear in a tiny display
47 A rubber ball that, when thrown against a hard surface, creates a second rubber ball that lasts for a few minutes before disappearing
48 A piece of cloth that polishes any metal object it touches
49 A synth dodecahedron that allows one to see for about two seconds through the eyes of a person touched
50 A pomander that always smells of freshly baked bread
51 A metal rod that quickly melts ice touched to it, despite its cool temperature
52 The face of a person stretched and pressed between two panes of glass
53 A long piece of cloth never moved by the wind
54 A synth torc that makes the wearer so dizzy that it’s almost impossible to walk a straight line
55 A metal sphere the size of a pebble that weighs 50 pounds (23 kg)
56 A ball of fur that squeals when submerged in water
57 A floating orb that removes all odors from the air for a few minutes
58 A crystal that creates a tiny flame when rubbed
59 A bottle of pills that have no nutritional value but take away feelings of hunger
60 Synth full helmet with six eyeholes and a buzzing sound within
61 A metal octahedron that, when held, causes the user’s voice to change pitch
62 A synth bowl that nothing adheres to, so it’s always dry and clean
63 A 1-foot (0.3 m) bar that has the weight of steel but the flexibility of rubber
64 A synth sphere that always displays the current temperature with a moving set of lines
65 A metal ring that grows warm in cool temperatures or cool in warm temperatures
66 Synth heptahedron that, when touched to other synth, makes everyone in an immediate radius very hungry
67 A device that fits over your ears and plays strange noises that sound like atonal, mostly unpleasant music
68 A pair of multifaceted lenses set into leather goggles that make the wearer see things as an insect would
69 An orange contact lens that occasionally lets you see a person’s spoken words float above his head in written form
70 An asymmetrical polygon about the size of a fist that spins whenever placed on the ground with a particular side down
71 A gyroscopic toy top that spins indefinitely if undisturbed
72 A copper ring about the size of a bracelet. If spun around a small shaft (like a finger or a pen), it spins indefinitely.
73 Three separate silver lozenges about 1 inch (3 cm) long that attach to flesh (and can be pried off with difficulty), but only if all three are on the same creature
74 A slab of clear synth that encases a dozen items, most of which appear to be fossils of some kind. There is writing in an unknown language beneath each item.
75 A coated piece of paper about 1 foot (0.3 m) square that folds itself into a different complex design each day
76 A knitted square that adds a new row of stitches on its own
77 A synth honeycomb about 3 inches (8 cm) square that produces a tangy blue syrup
78 A small marble that howls in response to the sounds of laughter
79 A miniature ball on a chain that hovers in the air
80 Purple goo that sometimes shows a lit map of unknown constellations
81 A chime of synth objects that sounds like people talking
82 A belt made of unknown leather and metal that makes you feel full all the time
83 A glass prism that provides a kaleidoscope of scents
84 An incredibly soft pillow that sometimes cuts your hair while you sleep
85 An ankle bracelet that sometimes eases muscle aches
86 A needle with thread that never runs out but constantly changes color
87 A mass of gel that vibrates in time to any sound
88 A synth box that shows a new image of a place in the Ninth World every couple of days
89 A hairpiece that does not seem to have been made for humans
90 A tiny mirror that reflects your face exactly as it looked yesterday
91 A small grey bottle with a screw-off lid that looks like a piece of rock
92 A ceramic bird with a razor-sharp metal beak
93 A piece of felt that expands into a large, flat waterproof bowl
94 A piece of waterproof paper that can’t be crumpled and shows a map of somewhere unknown
95 A clear synth hole punch that will make a tiny circular hole in almost any thin material
96 A stronglass shell that sometimes has a ghostly visage of a crab inside it
97 A ring that erases most scratches, scuffs, and ink when passed over them
98 A tube of purple smoke that changes to a liquid when exposed to sunlight
99 A lock of hair that whispers constantly
00 A bottle of liquid that releases bubbles that glow in the dark

ODDITIES TABLE 3

d100 Oddity
1 A small stamp that creates a bizarre design on anything edible
2 A small ring that can be scanned over anything and becomes the color of the item scanned
3 A metal disk with a hole in it that reveals shapes in the clouds when you look through it
4 An antler from an unknown creature that continues to slowly grow
5 A clock face that marks the passage of time with unreadable and unsolvable equations
6 A wooden tube with a creature carved inside it. Every few days, the creature moves into a different position
7 A ring that vibrates when the sun rises in your location
8 A hat that rests just on top of your head but never blows or falls off
9 A 3-inch (8 cm) tall tornado that never stops moving when you hold it in your hand
10 Two small blue disks that seem attracted to your skin and are hard to pull off when they come in contact with you
11 Teardrop-shaped object that forms salt crystals along the bottom surface
12 Button that seems to fit through any buttonhole
13 Living orange and green frog encased inside a clear stronglass bubble
14 Necklace that, when worn, temporarily turns your hair grey
15 Unbreakable stemmed glass that always looks empty, even when it’s full
16 A petrified anomalous octopus with multiple branched arms
17 A can of liquid propellant that turns all dust in the air into rainbow colors
18 An empty hinged box that sounds like it’s full of rocks when shaken
19 A tiny tube that, when blown through, produces small pebbles (and sometimes a surprisingly large rock)
20 An egg-shaped stone that, when cracked open, squeals and then puts itself back together
21 A bag of small green scales that sometimes seem to mold themselves into a tail
22 A bizarrely shaped paintbrush that, when licked, becomes coated with a sparkling clear substance that smells like the sea
23 A tube of lip gloss that temporarily makes the user’s lips invisible
24 A winged circlet that whispers endlessly about jumping when worn
25 A leather headdress that turns your eyes black when worn
26 A small round mirror that reflects nothing during the day and reflects only the moon at night
27 A small, ornate bead that adjusts to fit over any diameter of rope or string
28 A mesh teabag shaped like a star that can be used over and over and never seems to get used up
29 A tiny tiara that seems too small for even a newborn baby
30 A tiny synth mouth that spits out words all day long, at random
31 A handful of small blue stones that randomly turn into sacs full of water. They appear to be drinkable if you open them while in their liquid state
32 A long-handled spoon that brings everything in it to the perfect eating or drinking temperature
33 A living plant that turns into a different type of edible herb each night
34 A length of chain that glows blue if touched by sweat or salt water
35 A teardrop-shaped bauble that always leans to the south
36 A leaf pin that gradually turns different colors as time passes
37 A glob of chewing putty that never loses its flavor or texture
38 A slab of petrified wood that glows with a soft green hue
39 A preserved flower that lights up when you blow on it
40 A 5-foot (2 m) length of string that hangs perfectly horizontal without being tied to anything
41 Small stone that sings a lullaby in an unknown tongue when you rub your thumb over it
42 A small colored-glass sculpture of a bird that flaps its wings in sunlight
43 A net with holes so large you can’t imagine what it’s designed to capture
44 A leather mask that, when worn, causes you to hear meaningless voices in your head
45 A jar of face paint that starts out black and changes color to match your mood while you wear it
46 A feather necklace that seems to attract all small birds in the area to you
47 A small square of cloth that is always clean, cool, and slightly damp
48 A square of ice 3 inches by 3 inches by 1 inch (8 cm by 8 cm by 3 cm) that never melts, never feels cold, and cools liquids
49 A bit of yeast in an inflatable synth packet that occasionally expands. When placed in the sun for a day, it turns into a fully cooked loaf of bread. If eaten, a new bit of yeast appears inside the packet.
50 A glass pentagonal cupola 2 inches (5 cm) wide that makes one’s hair stand on end if touched
51 A self-stick bandage that changes size to fit any wound up to 4 inches (10 cm)
52 A pair of black and blue feathers that float on the wind and flap in the presence of varjellens
53 A handheld rake that scratches only synthetic materials. If used on dirt or rock, it softens in your hands.
54 A piece of strong paper full of written symbols. Every few days, one of the symbols rises off the paper, becoming three-dimensional, and disengages from the paper. A new symbol appears on the page to take its place.
55 A jar full of glitter that always goes back into the jar in the morning, no matter what you used it on
56 A pillow in the shape of a creature’s face that never bites you while you sleep
57 A skull of an unknown creature that is covered in ornate tattoos, one of which shows the face of someone you used to know
58 A small handheld box that projects a series of shadows on a flat surface. The shadows seem to be asking for help.
59 A wire sculpture of a flower that releases petals when you blow on it. The petals “grow” back eventually.
60 A crystalline stellated dodecahedron that changes color based on how much numenera is nearby (more numenera makes it redder)
61 A stub of paper with writing on it that says something different to everyone who looks at it
62 A metal bell that releases the scent of animal dung when you ring it
63 A synth bracelet with a tiny pocket that manufactures potable water every time it rains
64 A charm bracelet that randomly adds new charms (and occasionally shins)
65 A soft, big-brimmed hat that sometimes drips water when it’s not raining
66 A rolled-up piece of synth that plays music when it gets warm
67 A scarf that releases a soothing odor when you’re scared or hurt
68 A piece of natural stone that, when you press your ear to it, makes noise that sounds like people screaming
69 A pair of glasses that purr and coo softly when you breathe rapidly
70 A double-handled mug that appears to be made for nonhuman hands
71 A fossilized curled shell that sometimes uncurls
72 A sticky piece of synth that shows a series of bones and adheres to almost anything
73 A crystal that sometimes attracts living things, such as insects and plants, to its surface. The living things appear to be unharmed, and eventually they are released.
74 A tiny cage in which different things appear, sometimes living, sometimes not. There appears to be no way to open or break the cage.
75 A bit of synth that is full of holes. The holes collect and hold fluid, despite the fact that they go all the way through the material.
76 A synth star about 3 inches (8 cm) across that allows one to levitate about 1 inch (3 cm) for about three seconds, usable at random intervals (about once a day)
77 A mask with a set of eyes drawn on the outside. The eyes blink rapidly in bright sunlight.
78 A heart-shaped piece of synth that you can smoke through, and it always tastes faintly of wood
79 A pyramid made of heavy metal that always stands straight up from its narrowest end
80 A synth ball that perfectly camouflages itself to whatever it’s touching. It turns white when you whistle at it.
81 A flexible synth mold of a creature you’ve never seen before, except in your dreams
82 A piece of lavarock that is cool to the touch but never stops flowing with bright red lava
83 A ceramic cup that lights up when it’s full of liquid
84 A handheld shredder that seems to work only on plants
85 A synth flower that stays mostly in bud form but blooms when you place it under certain people’s chins
86 A tiny hose made of rubber that squirms around, as if it’s trying to connect to something
87 Two metal rings that sometimes become one
88 A tiny stuffed seskii doll that growls when you kiss it
89 A set of tassels that attach to your clothing and flutter when you’re near someone you love
90 A set of stick-on nails that were clearly created for someone with much larger hands than a normal human
91 A stone with a mouth carved into it that sometimes has a pinkish tongue
92 A stone snail that grows edible mushrooms instead of a shell
93 A black metal box that makes the sound of a broken hound when you shake it
94 Shoes that make the ground ripple like water when the wearer walks
95 A mask made of a long jaw and sharp teeth. When you wear it, it makes your tongue numb.
96 A jar of oil that, when spread on metal, makes the metal glow with a faint radiance
97 Metal boots that sizzle and steam as if very hot, although their temperature is normal
98 Metal wristband that smells strongly of sugar
99 Rhomboid of solid stone that sometimes turns to liquid, but always reforms
00 Glowing, 6-inch (15 cm) elongated teardrop made of synth that seems to have no weight and very little substance