Items · Other · Non-Magical
Metal Mask of Maeschnarr
A horrible torture device. Not for the squeamish.
Maeschnarr's Terrible Metal Mask
The Metal Mask appears as a small Iron Maiden of unpolished, and often blood-stained, iron. It is made to wrap around a victim's head, piercing their tender facial flesh with hundreds of thick needles.
The device includes a number of special 'optional use' features, a few of which are listed below:
Quick Scalper - There is a metal razor that runs through the mask across the brow of the victim. With a rough slide of the bar, to the back of the device, you can instantly remove a victim's scalp. It includes a latch for opening the top of the device to remoive the scalp without removing the mask.
Eye Impaler - Like the wings of a demon, these two metals bands, tipped with large iron spike, extend from the side of the helm. Once moved forward, they can be locked together, and slid back... into the eye sockets of the victim.
Drink of Blood - A water-tight seal can be formed at the neck. This will cause the mask to fill with blood, and, over time, the victim will drown in their own crimson leakings.
History of the Metal Mask
Maeschnarr was an expert torturer and 'information gatherer' for the Kingdom of Voelam. He was good at it, too good. His work drove him mad. He toiled night and day on captured enemy spies, squeezing them for every last bit of information, necesarry or not. This mask was a device he had comissioned from the royal iron-smith. Several Metal Masks exist, the use of them is currently outlawed after a case of 'mistaken identity' that lead to Maeschnarr murdering a high-born and being executed uncerimoniously.
In certain dark circles, he is revered as The Torture Father. A mystical god-like being with the power to inflict tremendous pain. Whether it is Maeschnarr himself, of they simply attach that name to The Torture Father has yet to be revealed.
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I think this is well written and an interesting beginning but I honestly…
I think this is well written and an interesting beginning but I honestly can't see how to use this as an encounter in a campaign. Did you have any ideas for that? Otherwise a fun cosmetic addition to a game, nice submission.
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hmm..it could do with a little more detail.
3/5
Fairly disturbing... but all in all a plain jane submission. I can't see using it on the PCs and I lack the blood lust to see my PCs using it on NPCs or worse each other. The torture father is a decent plot seed.
Ok, but seems a little rushed. It need spell-checked as well.
The NPC is as Regre mentioned, more interesting then the item, but you've offed him way too soon.
This makes me think of something that is used more for intimidation, an implement to sit on a shelf looking at an interrogation victim while the interrogator explores other methods, a sort of ace sitting in the open
I can't see any of my good aligned PC's using this device but like Scrasamax noted, a great intimidation device that can be hinted at while an interrogation is taking place.