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When the Sky Falls
mask. It can also be killed. If the object is killed, the mask slips off and cannot be used again for one week. If the controller of the mask-animated object is killed, the mask slips off and the object no longer remains animated. Each of the two types of nightstrider masks known to exist emulates the power of a Dark Plea creature—a hungry dreamer and a cruor (see Chapter Seven). Other masks could exist, given the existence of other Dark Plea-born creatures; two additional creatures are described as beasts of the id in Mindscapes: the mournwrath and the xenocrysth. Caster Level: 17th; Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, greater planar ally; Market Price: 144,000 gp; Weight: — Star Body Gauntlet. This gauntlet allows you to benefit from the effects of the Star Body feat for one full hour per day instead of 4 rounds per day. You must have the Star Body feat to gain any use from this gauntlet. Caster Level: 13th; Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, protection from plasma†, stoneskin, Ten’s transformation; Market Price: 110,000 gp
Artifacts Staff of the Dark Plea: This oily metallic staff was recovered not long ago from near the crater of a recent meteorite strike. This staff apparently served as a potent tool for one of the Dark Plea’s lieutenants. Whoever holds the Staff of the Dark Plea may use nightsnare† at will. Also at will, the wielder of the staff may flick a drop of the viscid oil that coats the staff. On a successful ranged touch attack, the creature struck is infested as if by a cruor’s infest ability (see Chapter Seven). Once per day, the wielder may flick a drop of oil at a target, and on a successful ranged touch attack the target is infected as if by a cruor’s infectious extermination ability: The victim must make 1d4 Fortitude saving throws (each DC 25) or take 1d4 points of Constitution damage per failed save. A victim reduced to Constitution 0 by this attack transforms internally into a cruor. Such a victim remains under the control of the staff wielder for as long as 10 days, or until the wielder uses this attack to form another cruor. Stone of Durkon’s Demise: Legend has it that this hallowed chunk of meteoritic iron fell from the sky, burst through Durkon the Dominator’s stronghold, and struck him dead as he lay asleep in bed. Durkon had always been considered lucky, but that day his luck died with him. Durkon’s lieutenants, fearing the same fate might befall them, shied away from taking command of Durkon’s evil empire. As a result, the forces of good were able to overrun Durkon’s soldiers and reclaim the Northlands. The Stone of Durkon’s Demise is roughly 6 inches in diameter, obviously of meteoritic origin but otherwise unremarkable in appearance. By some unknown means, a bit of Durkon’s power passed to the stone in the instant of his demise. If it is gripped in at least one hand, the Stone grants the bearer damage reduction 10/– and allows the bearer to reroll one dice roll per day.
