Item: Mask of the Mantis
The traditional headwear for the Red Mantis assassin is the mask of the mantis. Most of these masks are constructed from hard leather helmets that serve to obscure the assassin's identity and give them the appearance of possessing a mantis's head. Some variants, however, consist only of the mask itself, and are meant to be worn over the face. Regardless of the shape and style, all masks of the mantis function the same.
Members of the Vernai can use any mask of the mantis to enhance their frightening presence—something they often do simply to reveal their standing in the society without speaking a word, as detailed fully in the entry for Vernai's Ire activation below.
While wearing a mask of the mantis, you gain a +1 item bonus to Perception checks.
Activate—Enhance Vision 2 (concentrate, manipulate)
Frequency once per day
Effect You cast either Darkvision or See The Unseen on yourself.
Activate—Vernai's Ire 1 (concentrate)
Requirements You are a member of the Vernai
Effect You cause the mask of the mantis's eyes to shimmer with crimson light, granting yourself a far more harrowing visage. This light creates illumination equivalent to that of a candle. You can use this ability again to extinguish the frightening glow, but as long as Vernai's Ire remains active, you gain a +1 item bonus to Intimidation checks.
Trait Effects
Invested: A character can invest only 10 magical items that have the invested trait. None of the magical effects of the item apply if the character hasn’t invested it, nor can it be activated, though the character still gains any normal benefits from wearing the physical item (like a hat keeping rain off their head).
Magical: Something with the magical trait is imbued with magical energies not tied to a specific tradition of magic. Some items or effects are closely tied to a particular tradition of magic. In these cases, the item has the arcane, divine, occult, or primal trait instead of the magical trait. Any of these traits indicate that the item is magical.
Related Items
| Name | Level | Rarity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adamantine Echo | 5 | Rare | - |
| Aeon Stone (Agate Ellipsoid) | 5 | Uncommon | 130 gp |
| Aeon Stone (Preserving) | 5 | Uncommon | 150 gp |
| Armory Bracelet (Lesser) | 5 | Common | 150 gp |
| Avernal Cape | 5 | Unique | - |
| Boots of Elvenkind | 5 | Common | 145 gp |
| Boots of Free Running (Lesser) | 5 | Uncommon | 135 gp |
| Boozy Bottle | 5 | Common | 140 gp |
| Bravery Baldric (Fleet) | 5 | Common | 150 gp |
| Cape of Illumination (Lesser) | 5 | Uncommon | 135 gp |
| Conundrum Spectacles | 5 | Uncommon | 150 gp |
| Corpseward Pendant | 5 | Uncommon | 150 gp |
| Diplomat's Badge | 5 | Common | 125 gp |
| Dreamer's Butterfly | 5 | Common | 150 gp |
| Empty Hand Marking | 5 | Rare | 135 gp |
| Furnace of Endings | 5 | Uncommon | 160 gp |
| Homeward Swallow | 5 | Uncommon | 150 gp |
| Horn of Rust | 5 | Unique | - |
| Hydration Cloak | 5 | Common | 150 gp |
| Kalmaug's Journal | 5 | Unique | - |