The Cloak of Ever-Green-Sleeves:

Behold, adventurers, a garment spun from the very essence of the holiday spirit, imbued with magic as ancient as the winter solstice itself – the Cloak of Ever-Green-Sleeves! This wondrous cloak, fashioned from the boughs of an enchanted evergreen and adorned with twinkling lights, offers not just protection from the elements, but also a ward against evil and a touch of festive cheer.

Appearance:

Imagine a cloak that seems to capture the very spirit of a decorated Christmas tree. Lush evergreen boughs, eternally fresh and fragrant, form the fabric of this magical garment. Woven amongst the needles are tiny, ever-glowing lights that shimmer with a warm, inviting light, casting a festive glow upon the wearer. The hood is deep and shadowed, reminiscent of a mysterious forest, while the hem pools around the wearer's feet like a carpet of freshly fallen snow.

Lore:

The Cloak of Ever-Green-Sleeves is steeped in ancient lore, its origins intertwined with both the mournful ballad of Greensleeves and the enduring tradition of the Christmas tree.

Legend tells of a heartbroken bard who wandered the winter woods, lamenting his lost love, "Greensleeves" was her name. His sorrow was so profound that it infused the very trees around him, imbuing them with a touch of magic. From the boughs of one such tree, imbued with the bard's longing and the spirit of enduring love, the first Cloak of Ever-Green-Sleeves was fashioned.

The cloak's protective qualities stem from the ancient tradition of the Christmas tree, a symbol of hope and light in the darkest depths of winter. Long ago, people believed that evergreen trees held the power to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune. This belief echoes in the cloak's ability to shield its wearer from harm.

Game Statistics (D&D 5e):

Item Rarity: Rare

Armor Type: Cloak

Armor Class: +2 bonus to AC

Weight: 5 lbs

Special Properties:

Light Bearer: The cloak emits a soft, warm light in a 15-foot radius and dim light for an additional 15 feet. This light is festive and cheerful, and cannot be extinguished.

Ward Against Evil: While wearing the cloak, you have advantage on saving throws against spells and effects created by fey, fiends, and undead.

Festive Cheer: Once per day, the wearer can use an action to cast the Friends cantrip. The target of this cantrip must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 13) or be filled with the spirit of the holiday season, becoming more amicable and less likely to engage in conflict.

Curse:

Song of Sorrow: Once per day, when the wearer takes damage, they must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be filled with a profound melancholy, reducing their speed by 10 feet for 1 minute.

Roleplaying Notes:

The Cloak of Ever-Green-Sleeves is a unique and flavorful item that can add a touch of festive cheer to any D&D campaign. It is particularly well-suited for characters who are drawn to nature, music, or the holiday spirit.

The cloak's curse, the Song of Sorrow, can provide interesting roleplaying opportunities. Perhaps the wearer is haunted by a past love or struggles with feelings of loneliness during the holiday season.

Story Hooks:

The Cloak of Ever-Green-Sleeves might be discovered in a hidden grove, guarded by a spirit of the forest who seeks someone worthy to inherit its magic.

A mischievous imp might have stolen the cloak from Santa Claus himself, and the characters must retrieve it before Christmas is ruined.

The cloak could be a family heirloom, passed down through generations, with each wearer adding their own ornaments and memories to its boughs.

No matter how it is introduced, the Cloak of Ever-Green-Sleeves is sure to bring a touch of magic and holiday cheer to your D&D game!