Mask of the Skull - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Mask of the Skull

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
stonebasher
Apr 16, 2008 12:52:59 Was wondering, is the Mask of the Skull (DMG) an evil item? Is it an evil act to use it? It says it replicates a "Finger of Death" spell. In the "Finger of Death" spell, the spells description lists it as Necromancy(Death.) However, it makes no mention of the spell being evil, so is the item evil? Or not?

Wes
#2
Vamroc
Apr 16, 2008 15:23:22 while not "Evil" the item would be detected as Necromancy and could be viewed as both a concealed and illegal weapon. Futher more it's attack is fairly weak at low levels because it uses YOUR BASE attack bonus so unless your a fighter or mêlée who has a good attack bonus it's going to miss a lot of the time. Third and lastly any tenth level Melee type is going to almost auto make that DC20 fort save. Those are the factors I considered when I was presented with an option to buy the Item as a side note it only does damage when the person make the save which is a 3D6+13 and if he fails INSTANT DEATH.
#3
timlagor
Apr 16, 2008 16:51:10 It's not Evil.
Whether it's illegal or not will depend entirely on the jurisdiction. It is not a weapon but may be viewed as such.

For 22,000gp it's not a terribly good investment as it's really only going to be much use against enemy Arcanists.. and although it will be fairly good against them that's a hefty price for something that will only work sometimes against some enemies.
#4
mwao_dup
Apr 18, 2008 9:32:44 I think the larger issue is that you're wearing a skull on your face. Similar to the Mask of Lies in MIC not being a particularly good item.

"Hi, I'm the replacement guard."
"Why are you wearing an odd metal mask on your face?"
#5
Jay_Ibero_911
Apr 18, 2008 9:48:46
I think the larger issue is that you're wearing a skull on your face. Similar to the Mask of Lies in MIC not being a particularly good item.

"Hi, I'm the replacement guard."
"Why are you wearing an odd metal mask on your face?"

At least the mask of lies has a built in 3/day disguise self, so in that case you would probably choose to appear as if not wearing the mask....
#6
mwao_dup
Apr 18, 2008 10:12:59
At least the mask of lies has a built in 3/day disguise self, so in that case you would probably choose to appear as if not wearing the mask....

Right, but...if you're using the Mask of Lies in a way that makes sense - long-term infiltration of something, you can't do it with just that. Not to mention, Mask of Lies doesn't have the really important feature of a Hat of Disguise - which is to say, it turns into something innocuous.

Just think about how people greet each other in many cultures - with a kiss on the cheek...it might great for when you're talking to the town guard, but when you're at the swanky party, you've got a problem...
#7
Jay_Ibero_911
Apr 18, 2008 11:19:39
Right, but...if you're using the Mask of Lies in a way that makes sense - long-term infiltration of something, you can't do it with just that. Not to mention, Mask of Lies doesn't have the really important feature of a Hat of Disguise - which is to say, it turns into something innocuous.

Just think about how people greet each other in many cultures - with a kiss on the cheek...it might great for when you're talking to the town guard, but when you're at the swanky party, you've got a problem...

Nah, just play tactile defensive.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 stonebasher Apr 16, 2008 12:52:59	Was wondering, is the Mask of the Skull (DMG) an evil item? Is it an evil act to use it? It says it replicates a "Finger of Death" spell. In the "Finger of Death" spell, the spells description lists it as Necromancy(Death.) However, it makes no mention of the spell being evil, so is the item evil? Or not? Wes
#2 Vamroc Apr 16, 2008 15:23:22	while not "Evil" the item would be detected as Necromancy and could be viewed as both a concealed and illegal weapon. Futher more it's attack is fairly weak at low levels because it uses YOUR BASE attack bonus so unless your a fighter or mêlée who has a good attack bonus it's going to miss a lot of the time. Third and lastly any tenth level Melee type is going to almost auto make that DC20 fort save. Those are the factors I considered when I was presented with an option to buy the Item as a side note it only does damage when the person make the save which is a 3D6+13 and if he fails INSTANT DEATH.
#3 timlagor Apr 16, 2008 16:51:10	It's not Evil. Whether it's illegal or not will depend entirely on the jurisdiction. It is not a weapon but may be viewed as such. For 22,000gp it's not a terribly good investment as it's really only going to be much use against enemy Arcanists.. and although it will be fairly good against them that's a hefty price for something that will only work sometimes against some enemies.
#4 mwao_dup Apr 18, 2008 9:32:44	I think the larger issue is that you're wearing a skull on your face. Similar to the Mask of Lies in MIC not being a particularly good item. "Hi, I'm the replacement guard." "Why are you wearing an odd metal mask on your face?"
#5 Jay_Ibero_911 Apr 18, 2008 9:48:46	I think the larger issue is that you're wearing a skull on your face. Similar to the Mask of Lies in MIC not being a particularly good item. "Hi, I'm the replacement guard." "Why are you wearing an odd metal mask on your face?" At least the mask of lies has a built in 3/day disguise self, so in that case you would probably choose to appear as if not wearing the mask....
#6 mwao_dup Apr 18, 2008 10:12:59	At least the mask of lies has a built in 3/day disguise self, so in that case you would probably choose to appear as if not wearing the mask.... Right, but...if you're using the Mask of Lies in a way that makes sense - long-term infiltration of something, you can't do it with just that. Not to mention, Mask of Lies doesn't have the really important feature of a Hat of Disguise - which is to say, it turns into something innocuous. Just think about how people greet each other in many cultures - with a kiss on the cheek...it might great for when you're talking to the town guard, but when you're at the swanky party, you've got a problem...
#7 Jay_Ibero_911 Apr 18, 2008 11:19:39	Right, but...if you're using the Mask of Lies in a way that makes sense - long-term infiltration of something, you can't do it with just that. Not to mention, Mask of Lies doesn't have the really important feature of a Hat of Disguise - which is to say, it turns into something innocuous. Just think about how people greet each other in many cultures - with a kiss on the cheek...it might great for when you're talking to the town guard, but when you're at the swanky party, you've got a problem... Nah, just play tactile defensive.