The Mask of the Black Harlequin is a beautifully detailed carnival mask with fine bells and ribbons, painted to amaze even master artists. From different angles it presents different styles, and exudes a sense of charm and delight in those well versed in music or performance. Its wearers caper gleefully from performance to performance.

Beneath this cheerful exterior is a sentient object so twisted and malevolent that few have experienced it's evil before. It forces the wearer to perform, a musician will play to all who will hear, a poet will uncontrollably bellow sonnets at all those passing by. The wearer must make a DC 15 Charisma saving throw to resist performing in this way. Each time the mask is resisted it becomes furious. Any who do not appreciate or reject it's gifts are driven to acts of horrendous cruelty, the mask revels in forcing those who were once good to perform these acts. After every three resistances the mask compels the wearer to search out an innocent and attempt to murder them. The mask will justify this act to the wearer each time.

For this reason it is a coveted relic of the Cult of Bhaal.

The discordant melodies of its possession mean that all who listen to listen to the bards works find them uncomfortable and unpleasant to hear, and fear that which boils forth from the hapless entertainer. The wearer and anyone allied to the wearer within 30 feet of the performance gets disadvantage on performance or persuasion based checks. The mask imbues the wearer with +3 to their Intimation and Deception checks.

The shimmering patterns of the mask will jump out during combat, allowing the wearer to cast Hypnotic Pattern as an action without expending a spell slot 2x per day.

The wearer will not voluntarily remove the mask, and it cannot be removed by force without injuring the wearer. The Remove Curse spell will break the wearers tie to the mask, attempting to remove the mask without first breaking the curse causes 1d10 Psychic damage every round that the mask is away from the wearer. They are then immune to the mask for 1 day, the mask remains possessed and can re-curse anyone after their immunity wears off. Banishment will cast the possessing force out of the mask leaving it a dull frippery with no powers. 

Notes: Bonus: Intimidation, Bonus: Deception, Disadvantage: Performance, Disadvantage: Persuasion, Bard with good alignment. Attunement is involuntary and the wearer will unattune to any other item of their choice to make room., Deception, Cursed, Headwear, Sentient, Bard