April 15th Writing Prompt: Armor
There has long been a rumor that a magical suit of armor exists in the crypts beneath the ruins of a nearby old castle. This armor is supposed to be able to reflect spells back at their casters. Unfortunately, those same rumors talk of a hideous beast that guards it. An adventurer appears, willing to brave the dangers…
Ideas and questions:
Perhaps the adventurer or explorer in your story who goes to find it isn’t the first to try retrieving the armor. They could find the remains of other treasure hunters, and perhaps their spirits linger as well.
The beast guarding the armor could be more than just a mindless monster. Perhaps it was once human—or once wore the armor itself—and now protects it out of penance or obsession.
Maybe the armor chooses its wearer. If the armor was sentient, it could have reasons to reject someone. Perhaps that sentience also leads to how it was able to get a monster to protect it.
Who placed the armor in the crypt, and why was it hidden rather than used? Was it out of reverence for the person who was interred along with it, or is it because there may be a darker responsibility that comes along with the use of the armor?
Are spells the only thing that are reflected back at casters? Or does the armor work on natural magic, too? Could it deflect the fire from a dragon, or protect its wearer against water that flows from a magical spring? What are its limitations?
Challenge:
Write a story about the armor not being a blessing to be found, but a curse. Whether the adventurer realizes this before or after donning it, explore how the power emanating from the armor tries to corrupt the adventurer and use it to find its way into the overworld.