So to explain the situation simply; among the magic bric-a-brac I've gained in one form or another since my attempt at learning coherently my grandfather gave me two Imp Jars. I'm considering finding some way to create a legitimate routine from it and the effect being what it is, I felt weaving a fun story about capturing a mischievious spirit/imp/djinni/what have you within the jar could be worked out. I'm even considering getting some paint or some other product and recoloring the jar itslf to give it an older appearance.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone here has done something similar with this? Someplace for me to get started with a few ideas, more or less.

Do you know the Stevenson'story 'The Bottle Imp'?

Why not write yoru own?

What is the effect of the bottle imp?
How would your character react if he saw it do what it did?
How would your character introduce the bottle imp?
how would he handle it?
How would he put it back away?
Why would the bottle do what it did?

(I don't know the effect of the bottle imp, and it works in my advantage now, so I can help you ask the right questions).

Have you seen Barrie Richardson's Rice Jar?

I'm afraid the answer to both of these is 'no'. I'll certainly have to look into them.



I am working my way to that with any luck. My problem is so far the story I've come up with is frightfully generic. Depending on the character I employ (ranging from a 'Gentleman Adventurer' of yester-century who or a more typical 'Collector of curios and stories' type of character or even just a card player who continuously has brushes of the strange to his unending frustration.

All of them are characters I've dabbled with but haven't fully solidified in my mind, but all of them have a different enough outlook to have encountered the 'puzzle' of the jar in different range, from curiosity to concern to a simple acknowledgement that it exists.

You need a character that you can do your whole act with. Mine is that of a wizard.

Well, the one that I'm primarily developing is something along the lines of The Crypt Keeper (although not quite as... boney). Sort of an anthologist who, as mentioned, collects curios and stories and for a price, be it the time of the listener, or even a cheap drink, will regail you with the tale behind one of his more amusing acquisitions.

However, as I find myself now reading 'The Bottle Imp' I am getting some fun ideas and must thank the poster who brought it up. That would certainly make for a unique 'first acquisition' for this character.

When I consider using an item, I open my notebook, get a pen and brainstorm. What is the purpose of the item. What can it do, what are the possibilities?

A jar:
It is a container, things go in it, things come out of it.
Things that go into it vanish, are altered, become something else, are transported elsewhere...
Objects I use vanish and can be found in the jar.
This goes on for a couple of pages, some general, some specific ideas.

After I have a list, it does not matter if I know how to accomplish them or not, I see what might fit me and what I want to present, then I play.

Great thread - loved reading it, thanks guys.
Pure gold.
Bravo all, on all levels.
:)