Helm of Darkness

This steel helm is ornately crafted to present a fearsome, cold visage--which is all the more set off by the aura of darkness it can generate when needed.

Until activated, its magic is not obvious, even under close magical scrutiny. Only those well-versed in magic of the Shadow Weave will recognize its nature.

Powers

• Item Type: worn (head)
• Special Powers:
  • Detect Life and Death: Constant; while wearing the helm, you detect the aura of life or undeath on all creatures within your field of vision, including those benefiting from concealment (but not cover). This effect penetrates illusion spells, except those specifically meant to fool Shadow Weave magic. It shows you the auras of living or undead creatures in the Border Ethereal.
  • Eyes of Darkness: Constant; while wearing the helm, you may see through darkness. If you already possessed this ability, you may see through even magical darkness and concealing fog effects.
  • Dark Presence: At-will, free, emanation 10, sustained; you generate a cloud of magical darkness around yourself, through which you may see without difficulty. This does not confer such ability to your allies.
  • Soul Decoys: The helmet is studded with 20 tiny black gems, each of which has a special enchantment: to divert attacks on your soul or life energy. Whenever you are subject to a soul-binding, soul-stealing, or necromantic death effect, one of the gems (if any are left) crumbles to dust, and you avoid the effect entirely. The gems can also absorb energy drain, at a cost of 1 gem per level drained. The gems are not effective against ability damage.