Magic Item - Random Wondrous Item

Helm of Darkness

This shadow magic item looks like a normal helmet. Even when new, it seems worn or a little battered. It takes its true form and manifests its powers when the user dons it. Made of blackened silver and steel, a newly created helm of darkness is set with thirty-six black opals along its lower edge and a great black sapphire in the front. The helm is self-identifying, though it does not reveal that it is a shadow item. It has the following powers.

• With a command word, the wearer can bring forth a deeper darkness effect. (The helm imparts the command word to the wearer.) The power issues from the sapphire, which can generate ninety-nine such effects before crumpling to useless dust.
• Whenever the wearer fails a saving throw against any death effect, one black opal crumbles and the effect is negated. In addition, the helm negates energy drain attacks. Each time the wearer would receive one or more negative levels, a black opal crumbles to dust, negating the negative level. (An attack that bestows two negative levels consumes two opals.)
• Each round, the helm absorbs the first 30 points of cold damage the wearer would otherwise take. This protection does not stack with similar protection from other sources, such as endure elements.

As long as the helm contains at least one intact gem, the wearer is immune to fear effects and can see through any form of darkness as though it were daylight. The wearer can use the following spell-like effects on command: speak with dead once per day, chill metal three times per day, and pass without trace at will. (The helm provides the command words.)
Once all its jewels have lost their magic, the helm loses its powers and the gems turn to worthless powder. Removing a jewel destroys it.
Caster Level: 13th
Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, chill metal, deeper darkness, pass without trace, negative energy protection, protection from elements, speak with dead, spell immunity
Market Price: 157,000 gp; Weight: 3 lb.