Soul coins are minted in the Nine Hells from infernal iron; this one comes from Avernus. Each coin weighs one-third of a pound, and is about 5 inches across and an inch thick--but their true weight is measured not in temporal terms but in metaphysical ones, for each coin contains within it an imprisoned soul. Because each soul coin has a unique soul trapped within it, each has a story. A creature might have been imprisoned as a result of defaulting on a deal, while another might be the victim of a night hag's curse.
Carrying. To hold a soul coin is to feel the soul bound within it — overcome with rage or fraught with despair. An evil creature can carry as many soul coins as it wishes (up to its maximum weight allowance). A non-evil creature can carry a number of soul coins no greater than its Constitution modifier without penalty. A non-evil creature carrying a number of soul coins greater than its Constitution modifier has disadvantage on its attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws.
Using. A soul coin has 3 charges. A creature carrying the coin can use its action to expend 1 charge from a soul coin and use it to do one of the following:
- Drain Life. You siphon away some of the soul's essence and gain 1d10 temporary hit points.
- Question. You telepathically ask the soul a question and receive a brief telepathic response. which you can understand. The soul knows only what it knew in life, but it must answer you truthfully and to the best of its ability.
- Just Chat. This doesn't expend any charges, and the soul isn't bound to answer you, but whoever's stuck in there has probably been alone for a really long time. Why not make a friend?
Freeing a Soul. Casting a spell that removes a curse on a soul coin frees the soul trapped within it, as does expending all of the coin's charges or simply destroying the coin itself. The coin is destroyed either way once the soul is released. A freed soul travels to the realm of the god it served or the outer plane most closely tied to its alignment.
The soul coin has AC 19, 1 hit point for each charge it has remaining, and immunity to all damage except that which is dealt by a hellfire weapon or an infernal war machine's furnace.
Hellish Currency. Soul coins are a currency of the Nine Hells and are highly valued by devils. They are used for goods and services, infernal deals, dark bargains, and bribes.
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