As per Ladocicea's suggestion, feel free to post descriptions and properties for "useless ambient loot". These items should be essentially worthless or near-worthless, but have flavorful descriptions that add to the setting. Please avoid items requiring scripting, for the sake of the scripting team who are frantically working on getting the Quest System and other major scripts up and working. :)

(alternately, feel free to send ideas to the DM GMail account)

Food. Lots and lots of food.

For people like myself, what is useless ambient loot?

Heh. I hardly described it, because I was planning on putting up an example immediately after posting-- and then promptly forgot to put up the example. Thus!

Useless, ambient loot: Loot which is useless (that is, lacking in redeeming qualities: a +1 sword is not useless, but a -2 dagger is fairly useless) and helps develop the server's ambience (atmosphere, environment).

For example, instead of finding a "rusty dagger" on a low-level creature, you could find:

Drow Sacrifical Dagger +2 Intimidate Skill Bonus -2 Attack and Damage Penalty 10% Negative Energy Damage Vulnerability

Description: "This twisted obsidian dagger is carved with crimson runes depicting large arachnids and intricate, sinister web designs. Such daggers are often used amongst the faithful of Lolth to conduct ritual sacrifices.... etc.... etc..."

(except that, ideally, you'd have a more complete description)

This thread is for submitting specific pieces of useless ambient loot that you'd like to see popping up around the Underdark. Nothing unique or powerful, just extremely weak items to add to the setting.

I feel obliged to make at least one contribution:

Ansel’s Bow

Ansel Alian, a little known Bard from Baldur’s Gate, was particularly adept with his fiddle bow in more ways than one.

After opting to accompany a particularly unsavoury band of brigands on a caravan Northward, he found himself set upon by his companions as they reached the Troll Hills. Thinking him defenceless, the thugs made no effort to conceal their motives, charging at him head on; a mistake that would cost them their lives.

Reaching for his fiddle bow, Ansel struck each of the bandits squarely in the chest with an arrow before gathering his belongings and carrying on his journey North.

The fiddle bow itself is an expertly crafted thing of beauty, though not entirely suited to firing arrows as much as playing a tune. It was lost soon after Ansel chose to venture into the Underdark and met his end at the blades of the Drow.

Ansel’s Bow:

Shortbow -1 Attack +1 Perform

Cobbled Chainmail: This chainmail looks to have been cobbled together from various sources. While it does offer some procetion the general hap hazzard construction does leave the wearer more vulnerable than a properly constructed suit of armor would. -1 AC

(Note: I just used chainmail as an example. I would think this could be applied to all armor types.)

The Way Out: This suit of studied leather armor has been dyed the darkest of browns. The symbols stiched into it seem to indicate they would grant the bearer great stealth and secracy. Unfortunantly, it has been enchanted to give off a bright light that quiet offsets any wards of secracy. It is said that this armor was worn by a skilled scout who ventured into the deep cavarns with his party. Unfortuantly they became quiet lost and soon were unable to secure any source of illumination to light their way. The party was forced to ask their clerics imbue their garments with Light itself to show the way. No doubt this caused their scout no end of troubles as he tried to remain unseen scouting the way ahead. Effect: Bright White Light

This is what I created when I fiddled around in the toolset and got bored of constructing my über elite areas.

Wizards Companion (Mage Staff) "These staves are sometimes made with shining fungi or magical crystals. This particular model seems to be using a red one and is of a very simple design.

Illuminate your foe, then hit over the head with the rest of your stick.

Light Bright (20m) Red Use Limitation: Class: Sorcerer Use Limitation: Class: Wizard"

Stonecutter (Bastardsword) "When this was a new and shiny blade it was used by a young man to try and mine ore and gems. One could ask oneself why and so did the blade. The metal being disturbed by this activity to the very core it didn't shatter but later refused to be wielded by anyone not a kindred spirit to it's first wild young master.

Attack Bonus vs. Racial Group: Construct +1 Decreased Attack Modifier -2 Use Limitation: Alignment Group: Chaotic"

Dancing Pants (Clothing, bards?) "One could say that Jorvar was the closest Sanctuary ever got to a circus performer. He was very odd, and his swaying hips weren't approved everywhere. Unfourtunatly he was also an avid gambler and now his pants have ended up in your hands, through lack of his luck or boost of yours.

Decreased Saving Throws: Universal -1 Skill Bonus: Perform +2"

The Feared Stalker Gown (Clothing, Monks?) "This very light garment was used by a feared stalker on the night, a cutthroat that went under the nickname "Stalker". He donned large metal gloves with his dark clothes and warded of attacks using them for blocking. He finally met his end at the end of a minotaur fist. (It was clearly large than his blocking gauntlets.)

AC Bonus vs. Damage Type: Slashing +1 Damage Vulnerability: Bludgeoning 50% Damage Vulnerability"

I am bound to come up with more, but now I need sleep.

Fitzdidget’s Goggles

After spending several months on solving what he thought surely was the ultimate problem with a venture to the Underdark, gnomish tinkerer Fitzdidget struck gold. He had long pondered the dangers of Beholders and their frightful gazes, when one day he flung out with his arms in frustration, and promptly knocked his finest goggles into a bucket of black paint. At first he tore his hair in frustration of ruining his most valued possession, but after a while he realized the potential of not being able to see when faced with a gaze that, in fact, affected the eyes first and foremost. Happily, now that this the most troubling of questions had been answered, he packed his bags and kissed his loved ones goodbye, for being known as a fearless explorer of places where the sun does not shine had always been his goal with life. And sure enough, in a cavern many miles below the surface, a Beholder floated into the dim circle of light cast by his grandfather’s magical ring. Faster than he thought possible, he placed the goggles before his eyes, and then wandered unworried past the monstrosity, which he now neither saw nor, as he was sure, was threatened by. Unfortunately, due to his temporarily blindness, neither did he see the vast chasm that split the cavern only a few steps ahead of him. The last thought that crossed his mind as he plunged through the darkness was that surely, he should have used mirror glass instead.

Base Item: Helmet On equip: Blindness Spell Immunity: Gaze attacks

MacFergusson's mace

"When old MacFergusson's beutifull wife died to somekind of illness, he decided to leave the surface and go to underdark. There he found a cave and started to create statues from his beutifull wife so he would never forget her. These statues are attractive and are not made to fight, thats why many adventurers who have found this kind of mace or club, has felt to his death. etc...."

Weopon: club or mace. -4 to concentration -1 attack bonus +2 to persuade +2 to bluff (can you make use limitations to sex, cause then this would be only for male :D)

Wooden (Melee Weapon) (Any melee weapon. All colors of the weapon should be 3 [brown]) This (melee weapon) made of wood is commonly used for practicing one's skills, or by young children dreaming of becoming heroes. It is not meant for true combat. Attack and Damage Penalty: -3

An example: Wooden Longsword This longsword made of wood is commonly used for practicing one's skills, or by young children dreaming of becoming heroes. It is not meant for true combat. Attack and Damage Penalty: -3

Disgusting Ooze Ring This ring is the failed attempt of infusing the regenerating body fluids of a troll to create a trinket that would heal the wearer as soon as they became injured.The ring is covered in an ooze seemingly coming from within the ring. It smells awful, and those around the wearer can easily smell it. Cast Spell: Stinking Cloud (5) 1 Use/Day Decreased Ability Score: Charisma -4

Blast9thewarrior Wooden (Melee Weapon) (Any melee weapon. All colors of the weapon should be 3 [brown]) This (melee weapon) made of wood is commonly used for practicing one's skills, or by young children dreaming of becoming heroes. It is not meant for true combat. Attack and Damage Penalty: -3

An example: Wooden Longsword This longsword made of wood is commonly used for practicing one's skills, or by young children dreaming of becoming heroes. It is not meant for true combat. Attack and Damage Penalty: -3

I'd go with the No Damge property. While it still applies STR bonuses, it makes the weapon useful for practicing. Maybe even add a -5 dmg property or so. Certainly shouldn't go with "-3 enhancement" since it would (I think) by pass DRs, counting as a magical weapon. At least it used to.

Hmm, wouldn't wood be rare 7 miles below the surface? Maybe fungus weapons instead? From some exotic hardened fungi.

Halfling prison clothes.

Bright light (20 meters) orange. bluff -2 (orange coloured garments) Only usuable by: Halfling.

Created by a underdark goblin shaman, to be used on his halfling prisoners. The halflings the shaman usuable bought to dig his tunnels, had a tendensy to bluff their way out of their slavery by being so dirty that they looked too much like the shamans own people. To make up for this, he made these orange garments, so that his guards would always spot them.

He forgot however, that the halflings could just remove the garrments if they wished to try their luck in escaping...

Eraamion Hmm, wouldn't wood be rare 7 miles below the surface? Maybe fungus weapons instead? From some exotic hardened fungi.

I think smoking mushrooms would be the way to go.

Rocks... the underdark should be full of rocks: Rocks for throwing at people Rocks for spell components Rocks for making stuff Rocks just because they look neat and everyone likes to pick up a cool rock once in a while

Food is good too: 'Shrooms cave crickets - crunchy on the outside, gooey in the middle! grubs worms

Underdark Ring

These rings were enchanted by the curiously adventurous halfling wizard Bogai, whose eyesight had grown quite dim in his long life (for a halfling). The wise idea to venture into the underdark wandered into his mind, inspiring him to create such an item that would allow him to more closely scrutinize the wonders of the underdark under a veil of a light. Taking an opportunity to make a few coings, Bogai enchanted hundreds of the rings and sold them to his fellows before starting his journey into the underdark. However, the little wizard never once thought that though he would be able to see more clearly, the dangerous beasts of the underground would see him more clearly as well.

Light: White, normal -15 hide +5 spot

That is truly nice ring, but it certainly isn't useless. Fighters do not need hide, so they get ultravision and +5 spot. This is very useful item.

On an unknowing note, it is useless with the ultravision, permanent light cancels it out.

Fear the awesome, awesome Belled Boots (I want a pair :cry: ) :

Archibald Armstrong's Belled Boots The hunter known as Archibald Armstrong wore exotic slippers with bells on their curled tips as a testament to his abilities. He could easily track, stalk and strike his prey without making a sound. Such exceptional skill earned him a fearsome reputation, and the clinking sound of the bells on his shoes was well known about the towns he graced, with those in audible range of the charms widely regarding the noise as a good omen.

Unfortunately, Archibald was killed when stalking a Drow who had lost the tips of his ears during slavery, and had consequently learned to detect his opponents using only his eyes. Archibald Armstrong's Belled Boots: Boots - 20 Move Silently + 2 Intimidate

Well, I was thinking about more mundane and ambient things:

Mushrooms

These mushrooms, while clearly not luminescing, smell of damp and mould. However, they taste exceptional and provide a variety of nutrients.

Special Item / 1 time use. (eat mushrooms)

Does nothing but fill your belly! :D

Alchemist's Mineral Acid

Created from different combinations of mineral salts and chemicals, the resulting acid is a sticky substance that can dissolve rocks, minerals, and other types of earth.

Throwing Weapon / 1 use (throws acid flask to dissolve rock/ damage earth-related creatures 1d6 damage)

Orog Whip

These whips are of a cruel design - three long strands ending in leather studs. They are used by the Orog's to discipline poorly behaved slaves (though they are known to be used on any slave). The lashes are known to leave horrible scars.

No real use, or maybe a 1d6 damage.

Drueger Gloves

These gloves are heavy, thick and have a musky odor. From the hairs on the gloves, you discern that they seem to have been fashioned from a make-shift leather, possibly from a Minotaur or some other creature. They are exremely durable and protect the wearers hands from and sharp edges.

No special bonuses.

Orog boots

You are reluctant to wear these boots, since they are extremely heavy, thick and tight. They have a nauseating odor, even from a distance. They do, however, protect the wearer from the jagged edges of rocks and keep the wearer dry, though some would rather go barefoot than wear them.

No special bonuses.

The story goes.......

Zane was your average pixie playfull, intelligent, mischievious, and curious. She however had an thirst for jokes or pranks and it seemed nothing could quench that thirst. Zane was in the service of a wizard named Thrallzanar. Thrallzanar treated her more like a bought slave than a friendly familiar. He had a sincere determination towards his arcane studies and displayed little or no patience for the jokes that Zane was infamous for. Usually, Thrallzanar made requests for Zane to fetch and retrieve things, simple tasks, or mundane errands which she found herself bored quickly with. Nevertheless, the wizard was a devout master and defended his little pixie whenever she bit off more than she could chew with her pranks-which seemed to be all the time as far as he was concerned.

As time went on, Zane found herself growing more and more fearless about the reprecussions that almost always ensued from her pranks on other people because Thrallzanar would always come to her rescue; red faced and scolding his pixie all the way home. Then came the time when the wizard found himself in the company of a large group or party setting out to possibly locate some of the treasures held within the Undermountain. Zane didn't care about treasure. She didn't care about exploration. The group set up camp at the nearby inn and began to formulate their strategy. The hours passed. Then days passed. Then weeks passed. This of course bored poor little Zane beyond her measure. While her master poured over plans with the others, Zane found herself drifting away from the inn. She wandered outside. She knew what she wanted. She was in search of a good prank to play on someone to help ease the boredom that seemed to engulf her. Yes a prank! She drew forth her magic dagger. The dagger had been given to her by Thrallzanar as an aid to keep her safe in the event he could not come to her resuce fast enough. Zane however, used the enchanted blade more as a tool to make her jokes much more exciting.

Zane found herself at the mouth of a dark cave. Peering inside she scanned the area for signs that someone was inside. Then she heard a deep rustle. A rumble along the cavern floor. Footsteps! They must be footsteps she was thinking. With anticipation and excitement the sounds began to grow louder. Whoever was in the cave was coming to the mouth. What luck! Zane positioned herself to the left of the caves mouth remaining as silent as she could be. A snout poked out, then a head, then a massive body. It was a bear. The bear, it appeared, had made the cave his home. Well this was not a person but the bear would have to do. Zane could not control herself any longer. With a quick thrust from her hidden perch, she pricked the massive bear right in the hindquarters with her dagger trying to scare the beast into a panic. Zane began to laugh out loud thinking the bear would turn and run scared. Instead the bear whirled around angry beyond anger and looked her square in the eyes. To the pixies dismay she stood a bit confused and a little frightened. Her eyes peered everywhere assuming Thrallzanar would come around the corner like he always did and save her. No dice. Not this time. She was too far off and the wizard was still unaware that she had strayed. Her little heart began to race. Her pulse went out of control. Her tiny lips began to quiver and in an instant the angry bear opened his massive maw and swallowed poor little Zane in one gesture. She was no more. The bear looked for a brief moment to the spot where poor Zane was just standing and looked puzzled at the dagger that lay on the ground. The dagger she was just holding. The dagger she used on the bear. The magic dagger that was a gift from her master. The bear blinked and sniffed the blade. With a shrug he waddled back inside his cave and The Pixies Middle Finger remained there, on the ground....as far as anybody knows.

The Pixies Middle Finger -Dagger+1/1d6Piercing Dmg -Invisibility Once per Day (lvl6) -Taunt +3

A Good Pair of Eyes

Just your basic glass eyeballs, good for scaring children. Belonged to once famous halfling, who lost his real eyes after being caught watching priestess taking a bath. Maybe you could use them for marbles.

The Chicken Sword

It takes a great man to do the chicken dance and this is just the sword for such man. +1 Hide +1 Perform (optional) -4 Saves vs. Fear

Duck and cover:

A charred blanket with some burned feathers.

This blanket used to belong to a silly little gnome adventurer, Elsie, who had a pet duck. While adventuring with her friends, she ran in to a red dragon and as one of her companions realized, the dragon was about to use it's breath on them, he yell "Duck and cover". Poor Elsie was confused and resoluted in taking the duck of hers in her hem and covering herself with her blanket. The charred blanket and the feathers are all that is left of the poor Elsie and her duck.

Base item: Cloak (black) -4 reflex save 2/- DR vs. Fire

Smith's hammer

A hammer of a blacksmith, apparently of dwarven making. While it's not generally a weapon, it can be used as such, though less efficiently than a warhammer.

Base item: Light hammer +2 to crafting (armor-, black- and weaponsmithing) -1 to hit

Dwarven Stone Armor

Heavy and cumbersome, this full plate created from stone rather than metal provides exceptional protection, despite its weight.

Base item weight +100% -3 DEX +2 AC

CheshireCat Dwarven Stone Armor

Heavy and cumbersome, this full plate created from stone rather than metal provides exceptional protection, despite its weight.

Base item weight +100% -3 DEX +2 AC

Actually, there is the Stonemail in the Underdark supplement with following stats:

Stonemail

This armor is made of interlockin stone plates, cunningly carved for both thinness and strength. A layer of cured hide underneath the stone prevents chafing and cushions the impact of blows. Several layers of stone plates usually hang over vital areas and most of the armor's weight hangs from the shoulders. The suit includes hide gauntlets with tiny stone plates sewn onto them. Stonemail does not violate a druid's spiritual oaths.

Price 180gp Armor Bonus +5 Max Dex +2 Armor check penalty -5 Arcane Spell Failure 30% Speed 20 ft. Weight 35 lb.

And that would be a heavy armour.