Cloak of Greed 5e: A Cursed Artifact That Turns Wealth Into Temptation
- Apr 24
- 4 min read
Picture a party torn between the allure of Smaug’s treasure in The Hobbit, the corrupting pull of the One Ring from The Lord of the Rings, and the obsession-driven hoarding seen in characters like Scrooge McDuck—this is the kind of tension the Cloak of Greed brings into a Dungeons & Dragons 5e campaign. It taps directly into the fantasy of limitless wealth while quietly twisting that desire into something dangerous, making every coin feel like both a reward and a risk. Introduce the Cloak of Greed to your D&D 5e campaign—an opulent, cursed item that embodies the essence of greed, tempting players to amass wealth at any cost while adding depth and unpredictability to your game.
Have you ever wanted to incorporate the Seven Deadly Sins into your Dungeons & Dragons 5e campaigns? If so, consider introducing the Cloak of Greed—a magical artifact that embodies the very essence of greed and the desire to hoard wealth. This cursed item adds a layer of unpredictability, encouraging players to lean into their characters’ greed.
The Cloak of Greed is a strikingly ornate garment, adorned with gold lacing and intricate depictions of precious gems and stones. It exudes an air of opulence that makes it difficult to resist. Once worn, the bearer is consumed by an overwhelming urge to amass wealth, constantly battling the temptation to hoard anything of value, even at the expense of their allies. The cloak whispers insidious thoughts, urging the wearer to seize crowns, coins, and treasures regardless of consequence.
As a Dungeon Master, this magical item stands out among the Seven Deadly Sins-themed cloaks. It offers a blend of temptation and reward, allowing players to temporarily acquire valuable magical items, equipment, or rare spell components. The Cloak of Greed benefits a wide range of classes, from fighters and barbarians seeking powerful weapons, to artificers and druids needing specialized tools or materials, and rogues looking for poisons to enhance their effectiveness. It enhances gameplay without overshadowing any particular class.
Cloak of Greed (Cursed Artifact Item)
The Cursed Cloak of Greed is a malevolent artifact imbued with dark power. It allows its wearer to transform into any creature the cloak has consumed since its creation. The cloak holds a single magical charge that fully replenishes each morning. By expending this charge, the wearer may conjure any magical item, equipment, or material component—ranging from common to rare—worth up to 2,000 gold pieces.
Curse:
The cloak's insatiable hunger seeps into the minds of the entire party. All who travel with the wearer are afflicted by unnatural greed, driven to hoard wealth and treasure. The cloak whispers constantly, demanding to be fed. As a result, any gold or jewels the party acquires are halved, with the remainder vanishing to satisfy the cloak’s appetite. The more it is fed, the more demanding it becomes.
Ability:
Activation: Free Action
Charges: 1
DC: 13 + PB
Usage: Once per long rest, expend a charge and roll a D100. All items last for 10 minutes, then disappear.
Effect Table:
Gold Hoard Gamble (1–50) Gain any equipment item or component worth 250 gp or less.Visual: A flash of golden dust coalesces into an item.
Greedy Acquisition (51–80) Gain any equipment item or component worth 500 gp or less.Visual: A golden shimmer forms into the desired item.
Material Obsession (81–95) Gain any equipment item or component worth 1000 gp or less, or an uncommon magic item. Any charges the item has are halved.Visual: A gleaming construct shaped from pure avarice.
Dragon’s Vault (96–100) Gain any equipment item or component worth 2500 gp or less, or a rare magic item. Any charges the item has are halved.Visual: A vortex of coins spins into a powerful artifact.
Thought Process:
When playing as a rogue, fighter, or caster, access to useful equipment—such as traps, poisons, or armor—often feels limited. Instead of simply giving the party gold to purchase these items, this cloak introduces a more dynamic approach.
This design provides temporary access to valuable gear without granting permanent wealth. It creates tension within the party by introducing elements of greed and potential jealousy. As more cloaks are introduced, the balance between risk and reward can shift, adding depth to the experience.
In-Game Usage:
This cloak is designed to be usable by any party, but Dungeon Masters should account for its defining trait: it halves the gold awarded to the group. Adjusting gold rewards to compensate undermines the purpose of the curse and removes its intended challenge.
The cloak can be introduced at any stage of a campaign, though it works best once the party has already accumulated some wealth. It fits particularly well in mid to lower mid-tier play. Possible origins include possession by a greedy baron, a reclusive hoarder, or a compulsive gambler obsessed with lost fortunes.
Sharing player experiences and outcomes with this item can help refine its use and impact at the table.
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