To continue with our movement-based content, we have a fairly straightforward consumable item in the Blowhard Bladder. As you might notice reading some of my other content (like the Defibrillate spell) I enjoy items, spells, and features that can be used in different ways. That variety creates more interesting decisions for players, and, I hope, encourages them to try coming up with their own uses for things as well. The Blowhard Bladder follows this trend as well, being a one time use item with a couple different ways to use it.
Details
wondrous item, uncommon
An air sac taken from an inflated Blowhard Bird, this magical, watermelon sized bag packs quite a punch, despite weighing little more than a feather. While some sages theorize that the inside of the bladder is some sort of pocket dimension akin to that of a Bag of Holding, no one has been able to nail down the exact mechanism by which the Blowhard Bird collects and stores such a vast amount of condensed air within itself. This, of course, also means that the only means of acquiring one of these items, is hunting a fully inflated bird and extracting the bladder intact.
This item is primarily used in one of two ways.
Burst
First, if the bag is thrown sufficiently hard enough against a surface, or it is struck/slashed/pierced with enough force, it will rupture, creating a powerful blast of outward moving air. Any creature within 15 feet of the bag when this happens must attempt a DC 15 Strength saving throw, and on a failure takes 4d8 bludgeoning damage and is knocked back 15 feet. On a success, the creature takes half as much damage and is only pushed back 5 feet. Regardless of whether the creature fails or succeeds on the save, if it is pushed into a wall, object, or other creature, all entities involved in the collision additionally take 2d8 points of bludgeoning damage.
Stream
The second way to use the item is to release the drawstring on the bladder’s mouth, causing a controlled stream of air to be released from the bag in the direction it is pointed. You treat this effect as if the creature holding the bag had cast Gust of Wind (PHB, pg. 248), with the following exceptions: it is not considered a spell (and thus cannot be dispelled), it does not require concentration, and the creature must continue to hold the bag with one hand to maintain the effect. If the creature drops, lets go of, or otherwise loses control of the bag, it zips off around the room harmlessly for a moment, as if you released an inflated balloon.
Don’t be afraid to use this item against your party as a DM. Using the bags to impede the progress of the party, or push them into traps can create some fun moments. If you’re party manages to circumvent the obstacle without triggering it, then they get rewarded with the Blowhard Bladder to use themselves!