The Amulet of Unmasking's name was originally meant as a trap by a coven of particularly vengeful hags that created it. Seeking revenge on a paladin of Bahamut for slaying their sister, the hags named the amulet thus in hopes of appealing to the paladin's desire to "seek justice through the bringing of truth". Assuming the amulet's power lay in wearer attaining the ability to reveal a person's "true self", the paladin placed the cursed object around his neck. Falling victim to their plan, he was lost forever to its curse.
A beautifully ornate, small, platinum medallion in the shape of a full face mask with only one eye socket, which has been inlaid with a small ruby. Where the other eye should be is nothing but smooth, polished platinum. It is strung on a long, fine, braided chain of platinum.
When worn, the wearer must make a DC18 CHA check, or be body swapped with another PC in the party. The swap is random, chosen by die roll of the DM.
Upon a successful save, nothing happens and the wearer is immune to the effects of the amulet for 24hrs.
Upon a failed save, several things happen.
- PC "swaps" all physically related stats with the randomly chosen PC(STR, DEX, and CON), along with all other physical stats and abilities(magic, etc), just as if the chatacters' souls swapped bodies**.)
- PCs keep their "personality" and non-physical stats(INT, WIS, CHA, and memory).
- Each swapped PC has disadvantage on each of their first STR, DEX, CHA and attack rolls/checks/saves(including spellcasting).
- If a magic user and a non-magic user swap(i.e. a barbarian swapping with a wizard), the PC now inhabiting the magic user has disadvantage on any spell with a verbal or somatic component.
**DM's NOTE: I encourage my players to embrace this misfortune and roleplay as the PC who's body they now inhabit, taking on any accents the actual player uses, but maintaining their original character's physical manerismsmlm.
While the initial effects of the amulet are unsettling, the truly insidious nature of the object isn't revealed until the PC attempts to undo the curse. If the amulet is worn by another PC NOT currently effected by its curse, that PC now swaps bodies with the PC that initiated the first swap. This effect can snowball ad infinitum.
For example, in a party of 6, if Lotho puts on the amulet and fails his save, the DM would give each player a d6 value and roll(rerolling if Lotho comes up). Whichever player it lands on swaps bodies with Lotho. So Lotho and Syraf swap bodies. Lotho takes off the medallion. It immediately compels the rest of the party to, "try me on. I can do amazing things for you." Gorjek fails his save and puts on the amulet. This time, instead of randomly swapping, Gorjek's spirit swaps bodies with Lotho's spirit. So now, Lotho is in Gorjek's body, Gorjek is in Syraf's body, and Syraf is in Lotho's body.
To reverse the effects of the medallion, one must backtrack through the succession of each of the body swaps, casting remove curse on each PC. The original body & soul must both be in the same plane of existence to be successful.
Amulet has no effect on Elementals.
A DC 12 Arcana Check reveals the item to be Transmutation magic. DC 15 reveals it must be worn to activate, but only a DC 20+ reveals it to be cursed, due to almost imperceivable markings along the ridge of the medallion.
Notes: Disadvantage: Ability Checks, Disadvantage: Ability Checks, Disadvantage: Ability Checks, Disadvantage: Melee Attacks, Disadvantage: Ranged Attacks, Disadvantage: Spell Attacks, Cursed, Necklace, Jewelry
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