Items · Other · Non-Magical
The Mask of Sebak
This is a large, heavy mask of Ahursian make, made with tarnished gold and lapiz-lazuli, as well as ivory. It has the appearance of a great crocodile head.
Full Item Description
This is a large, heavy mask of Ahursian make, made with tarnished gold and lapiz-lazuli, as well as ivory. It has the appearance of a great crocodile head, and requires a harness to wear properly (i.e., without falling over). The teeth, such as they are, are made of real crocodile teeth, but many of these are missing. The one remaining eye is a ruby. Many of the slats of lapiz and ivory have been pried out at some time.
Legends attribute many abilities to the Mask, or make reference to using the Mask as focus for spells or as a component for spells. Most of these references are old.
The Mask has no magic. It was originally a relic of an obscure Ahursian cult called the Children of Sebak, who worshipped a crocodile god. The Children of Sebak were destroyed in the Ahursian War of Priests, in which cult slaughtered cult, and their holiest item, the Mask of Sebak, was stolen by marauding Gedrosi. It disappeared for 200 years.
It reappeared in the hands of the Gedrosi chieftan Monster-of-Gaddi, who wore it as his battle garb. Monster-of-Gaddi was slain on the borders of Parsis, however, and the Mask was taken to the Parsi capitol, Suza, where it mouldered among the Parsi Emperor's other countless treasures for 20 years.
It was sent as a gift to the King of Braza-Jaha in Izada, who, likewise, sent it as a gift to the King of Mysia. The Mask was then lost in the palace fire in the Mysian capitol of Hartacon.
History
In its current state, in the belongings of a former evil mastermind, the Mask is slightly smoke-stained, and needs a good cleaning and polishing. If properly cleaned, it would be incredibly valuable, despite missing jewels and overall poor condition.
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Also in
Codex hubs that gather this piece with similar work.
- Garage Sale from Hell MoonHunter
Retellings
No Retellings yet — the best compliment on the Citadel is a Retelling.
Bonds
Curated bonds across the Citadel — sign in to bind a bond. Kindred Favors are another thread in the same weave.
Links to this article 2
- Garage Sale from Hell MoonHunter linked by MoonHunter
- Legacy of the Pharaohs Wulfhere linked by Wulfhere
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I like it. I almost seems as if it cursed since it has passed through so many hands in its time. Would be interesting to see something come from that.
It would. It would also be interesting, in a world where curses occurred, if people thought it was cursed but it wasn't: they might start blaming all kinds of things on the non-existent curse.
I like it. If it was cursed what would it be, like 'doomed to not stay lost for all eternity'?
The history of this item, and the fact that it is a normal piece of treasure (even in a poor state) makes this item WAY more useful to me than many of the uber items the 5.0 harvesters post. Unfortunately it is a bit short and seems sketchy, but any GM should sense the kazillion uses this item will have. This is something WE CAN USE without fearing for the power balance. I love the ancient cultures inspiration by the way!
WHEN I use this item in my campaign, it will appear time and time again. I will have several generations of PCs spot it and some even may gain it as loot. I will use the (modified) history to its full extent. Yes!
Had you taken your time to fully flesh out this item, I would have given you 5 and hall of honour.
No doubt in my heart
Hey, that's cool, man. ;)
I never meant this for the front page anyway... I think Moon must have moved it up from the forum, that sneaky bastard.
Yes, everything is being moved from the forums. It is the new way of things around here. The creativity will be moved here it seems.
Bump, I thought this was cool...
I've always had a soft spot for masks...
Especially archaic masks with a creepy history and interesting details...
Very evocative!
I like it as well....