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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11692 Posts |
 Posted - 31 May 2014 : 15:50:33
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Hat of the Snowman - Despite its name, this magic item can be found in multiple forms besides just a hat (other forms have included spectacles, a monocle, a corncob pipe, a scarf, a necklace, a nose ring, a tiara, a crown, helm, etc....). Even in hat form, it has been seen in knit cap, tall hat, broadrimmed hat, captain's hat, plumed cavalier's hat, bejeweled lady's cap, etc....
In all of its incarnations, the "hat" of the snowman performs its same basic function, creating a short term simulacrum of a pre-determined individual whenever the device is placed upon a snowman. This individual is "set" into the item during its creation. This item was developed by Lauzoril of Thay, the Zulkir of enchantments, as a means of quickly making short term simulacrums for use as spies without the expenditure of vast amounts of personal power (i.e. xp). However, its most famous use has been to create short term adventuring parties or small armies of powerful individuals. Creation of the magic item still requires the 12 hour casting of the simulacrum spell, the 100 gp of powdered ruby per hit die of the individual, and the piece of the creature to be duplicated (hair, nail, or the like). However, the XP cost is greatly reduced (10 XP total no matter the hit die of the individual). It should be noted that this item can only create simulacrums of beings that are type human or humanoid (not even monstrous humanoid or fey or any other similar "like a humanoid" being).
The duration of the effect is a constant 24 hours, assuming it survives the full 24 hours. Activation of the effect involves placing the item upon a freshly built snowman, though it does take 10 minutes for the effect to transform the snowman into the simulacrum of the individual. For the first minute after the simulacrum has fully formed, it will be dazed and it is during this time that the person who activated the simulacrum must establish control by stating the following, "My name is <insert name>, and I am your master. You will obey me in all matters even if it means your destruction.". If such control is not established, the simulacrum will assume its activator is its target and attempt to kill him or her, followed by a murderous spree on any other individuals it comes across during its brief existence (note, individuals... it will attempt to get people to separate from a group in order to kill them). The simulacrum created is considered refreshed and can memorize arcane spells from its own spellbook (i.e. one written by the individual from which the simulacrum was modeled), but not someone else's spellbook. No such restriction follows arcane casters who spontaneously cast spells. It should be noted though that simulacrums of divine casters created by this item are uniformly shunned by their god as soulless abominations, and all servants of said deity within a hundred miles are made immediately aware when such a simulacrum is activated via a brief glimpse of the simulacrum followed by a warning message (this has been used against priests in the past to spread suspicion).
The simulacrum is created with no clothing or other possessions, other than the item that was used to create the simulacrum (i.e. the hat, spectacles, etc...). If this item ever leaves the simulacrum's possession, the simulacrum instantly reverts to being a simple snowman/woman and the magic is terminated. If an extended seeming is cast upon the item during its creation, the simulacrum may possess pre-determined illusory clothing and items and even a different appearance. After the first 18 hours of its existence, or after the first time the simulacrum participates in sexual intercourse, the simulacrum created by this item begins to melt (note, it does not leave behind wet spots, but rather its form becomes more "soupy"). At this point and every hour thereafter, the simulacrum loses 1 hit point per hit die it possesses until it either dies or the full 24 hours pass. Also, once it has begun to melt, all spot checks made against the simulacrum to see through its disguise gain a cumulative +2 competence bonus to the spot check every hour (such that 5 hours later, this bonus is at +10).
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Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Hat of the Snowman
