| Category | Magic Items |
| Type | helm, Cairn Scythe |
| Forge | Phanêthil |
There are eleven Helms of Molakh. Crafted by the Durkoth, the helms possess an otherworldly appearance, resembling closed-face great helms. Colored in a sickly green and black hue, they feature serrated edges protruding from all parts of the design. The helm's eye sockets are fitted with a clear light blue crystal called Magiandar, causing the eye holes to glow a cold blue that sometimes ices over. These lenses grant the wearer night vision. Additionally, while donning the helm, the wearer becomes surrounded by wisps of ghostly shapes, providing a soul armor akin to the necromantic defenses used by death giants.
| It is unsettling to see spirits and ghosts in many areas of the realm, untrained animals are likely to be spooked seeing such horrid things. |
The helms were crafted by a skilled Durkoth smith named Silc-Bulas. He was a master in creating armaments imbued with the malign Maen Saetild magic. Silc-Bulas forged the Helms of Molakh for an elite guard tasked with protecting a powerful Durkoth named Molakh-Búle. When Molakh-Búle and the other Durkoth retreated into the deeps, the helms were sealed away in a vault deep beneath Phanêthil. These artifacts were later reclaimed by the First Dead Council, who employed their best generals in the Black Tide War (1465 - 1486). Six of the Helms of Molakh were lost or destroyed during the conflict, while the remaining five are said to rest in the Nîndam Vaults within Phanêthil.
The Helms of Molakh are sentient. They speak only Langurâpha, unwilling to learn other "inferior" languages. The nature of the helms varies, with some said to be insane. They experience hunger pangs, much like mortal creatures, though they do not crave water and food, but rather, souls. To them, souls are merely sustenance, and they give no thought to the fact that the souls they consume are lost forever. The helms are evil-natured only in their callous disregard for the lives they take. They are often distant and difficult to communicate with, as if they become absorbed in the dance of spirits surrounding the wearer. A helm may even hint at this by stating that it is chasing down a nearby soul. The helm's ego may come into play when it is hungry. For every drop of five points in giant strength, the helm will urge the wielder to use soul wrench. The urgings will grow stronger and may lead to an ego conflict if the wearer does not execute a successful soul wrench attack.
| Trait | Value |
|---|---|
| Alignment | neutral evil |
| Intelligence | 16 |
| Wisdom | 17 |
| Charisma | 17 |
| Ego | 26 |
| Communication | telepathy, speech |
| Languages | Langurâpha |
| Name | Description | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Giant Strength | provides 30 strength; strength decreases at the rate of 1 per 24 hours if the wearer does not soul wrench a creature | continuous |
| Soul Armor | +5 natural AC | continuous |
| Night Vision | darkvision to 90' | continuous |
| Soul Wrench | if the wearer attacks with an open hand and scores a 5 or more needed to hit then they can rip the soul from the creature and steal one attribute or ability - DM discretion (Fortitude DC27 to resist). This attacks utterly annihilates the life force of the creature and permanently reduces the wearer's comeliness by 1 point unless the wearer makes a Will save (DC25). The wearer will also taken on an aspect of the creature - such as skin color, scaly hands, etc. The aspect and stolen attribute, or ability, last until the next soul is taken. | 1/day |
| Built to Last | The helm has the power of premonition. It can see one round into the future. If it foresees destruction of itself, the item will go ethereal. This power only affects the helm. The owner of the helm cannot use this power. | continuous |
| Alien Weakness | wearer suffers -3 against charm effects | continuous |
| Linked Communication | can communicate with any other Helm of Molakh wearer within 10 miles | continuous |
Adventure Ancedote
In the Cinazan Front, a charismatic general named Phandibar Adrumul passed away. The final report he read detailed the exploits of Trauma Squad. This unit had successfully raided the Torazan Sanctum and apprehended a high-ranking member of the Eldritch Conclave. Though operating in the rear rather than the frontlines, the general recognized their heroic accomplishments. He was known to frequently remark that "the rear is just as vital as the front - they keep us provisioned and safeguard our communications."
The helm came into the Adrumals during the Black Tide War. It had been looted from a Black Tide general. At the time, an Adrumul by the name of Zagar was serving as a mercenary in the Farinteen Alliance. When that army disintegrated during the Breached Pass Campaign, he abandoned the doomed cause, made his way through the Storsalds, and then headed eastward to Grashakh and subsequently to Cinazan.
As part of his last testament, Phandibar Adrumal bequeathed a Helm of Molakh to the Trauma Squad, accompanied by a note which stated:
Take this helm, the Helm of Molakh, and may your courageous exploits continue into the hereafter