Mask of Stability

The Mask of Stability is a magical mask created by Vadu, lord of crafts, as a gift for Meretsi, princess and later High Raj of the Harataran Empire. Used as a symbol of office by Meretsi, it became the most iconic part of the royal regalia of Haratara under her successors.
The mask consists of a metal band around the forehead inscribed with flowing patterns, holding up a similarly inscribed visor covering all of the wearer's face save the eyes. Two large horn-like prongs rise from the top of the band on either end of the wearer's forehead. Like most divine artifacts, it resists most attempts as scanning, but the metal it is made of visually resembles brass.

Mechanics & Inner Workings

The Mask of Stability bears a powerful enchantment, containing both divine magic of Vadu and a small amount of power stolen from Belodil during their fight. The wearer of the mask is partially protected from the ravages of time and decay.
The wearer of the mask will tire more slowly, and while diseases and poisons will still affect them the damage will occur far more slowly. Even time itself will not effect them quite as strongly, as the bearer of the mask ages at half the normal speed. Thanks to Vadu's magic, this stability enhancement stretches to the wearer's possessions as well-their equipment will automatically repair over time and is impervious to most forms of degredation. Despite not seeming to cover the eyes, the Mask changes the wearer's sight, making them able to detect the weak points in any sort of physical object.
While not accesible to the average wearer, a user attuned to Vital Magic would be able to use the mask as a powerful focus, as would one attuned to Craft Magic.

History

During the early days of the Harataran Empire, in the reign of Sekenpashet, Korisgana was menaced by the decay goddess Belodil, who caused widespread famine that led to the collapse of Rik Holo'o. Sekenpashet's daughter Meretsi gathered together a group to fight against Belodil, eventually luring her into a sacred forest and summoning the god Vadu to defeat her. Afterwards, Vadu presented a series of gifts to the members of the group- and to Meretsi he gave the Mask of Stability.
Later in his reign, Sekenpashet was wounded in battle and for the last few years of his reign he wore the Mask almost constantly to stall his condition. When her father died, Meretsi elected to use the Mask of Stability as her crown to honor him. During her rule she used the mask's power to great effect in conquering Adurata, and when she eventually died, she passed it on to her successor. The Mask became part of the standard royal regalia under the next three High Rajs: Pulekat, Kalasef, and Hotamelaya.
Under Hotamelaya, Adurata broke off from the empire, and he personally led the campaign to retake it, wearing the Mask his great-grandmother had worn when conquering the territory, however he was killed in battle and the Mask lost. Hotamelaya had no heirs, and the dispute over his succession ended the Harataran Empire. The location of the Mask after this is unknown, but it is believed to have been bought and sold several times by different Aduratan nobles and likely still resides in the collection of one of them.

Item type

Unique Artifact