Lover's Dichotomy

A pair of earrings believed to have been crafted by Valereth's own hands, Lover's Dichotomy is both a testament to the power of love and companionship as well as the strength of illusions. Lover's Dichotomy was wielded by Valereth's high priestess during the Reckoning to aid in the evacuation of countless innocents before the onslaught of the Obsidian Lords' armies. With the earrings and her goddess' blessing, the high priestess shadowed those escaping from countless battles and often times charmed her enemies into killing one another during her retreat.
Eventually, after countless escapes and heroic misdirections, the high priestess was slain by a devotee of Ix'kythael, the wielder of the Broodmother's Fangs; however, Valereth ensured Lover's Dichotomy would not be taken and perverted, causing the earrings to disappear as the high priestess' soul was ferried away by Laianath and cast out into the night sky. Since then, the moon-shaped earrings have yet to be found.

The Legend

When the Obsidian Lords began the Reckoning with their surprise attack on the very walls of Yathra Silthame, countless innocents were butchered as the defenders struggled to hold back the onslaught of invaders. Valereth watched as the followers of the Children of Yamma were slaughtered, helpless until the gods themselves came down to Emaxus to trade blows with their ancient enemies. When the siege of Yathra Silthame was broken, Valereth gathered what remained of their followers and bestowed upon their high priestess, Alyndra, a pair of crescent moon, silver earrings inlaid with amethysts: Lover's Dichotomy. With the left earring, she could meld shadows and create illusions, while with the right she could charm her foes and play tricks on the mind.
With Lover's Dichotomy, Alyndra would go on to save hundreds, if not thousands of people. Heading across Iotura and even greater Emaxus in the early years of the Reckoning, Alyndra went to battlefields where innocents were caught in the crossfires and used the earrings and her own powers from Valereth to cloak those trying to escape, and even cause the followers of the Obsidian Lords pursuing them to kill one another. These constant annoyances for the Obsidian Lords eventually drew the ire of Ix'kythael, who sent an assassin wielding the Remnant known as Broodmother's Fangs to slay Alyndra. Though the assassin was successful, when Valereth arrived to ferry away Alyndra's soul to safety, the god also hid Lover's Dichotomy to keep the earrings from falling into the hands of the Obsidian Lords.

The Remnant

earrings, legendary, requires attunement
In their centuries of disuse, Lover's Dichotomy has lost much of the luster and and power it once held. But, if the earrings were to be once more donned by someone who could use their powers of illusion and charm to sow chaos among evil, then they could one day return to the strength the Lover initially bestowed upon them.

Dormant

Lover's Dichotomy is now almost indistinguishable from a finely made pair of crescent-moon earrings. The silver is faded, and the amethysts have lost most of their glimmer.

Properties

• The wielder gains +1 to Wisdom, Intelligence, and Charisma saving throws while wearing Lover's Dichotomy.
• Lover's Charm. The wielder can cast charm person (spell save DC 13), but the verbal component of the spell is the phrase "Walk unbridled and untethered." The wielder cannot use this ability again until they finish a short rest.
• Lover's Shadow. The wielder can cast disguise self (spell save DC 13). The wielder cannot use this ability again until they finish a short rest.

Awakened

The shine has returned to the amethysts, and the luster to the silver. The faintest signs of magic course through the inlaid gems.

Properties

• The wielder gains +2 to Wisdom, Intelligence, and Charisma saving throws while wearing Lover's Dichotomy.
• Lover's Charm. The charm person ability is now cast at 3rd level, and the spell save DC is increased to 15.
• Lover's Shadow. The spell save DC of the disguise self ability is increased to 15.
• Weave the Shadows. The wielder can cast major image (spell save DC 15) using Lover's Dichotomy. The wielder cannot use this ability again until they finish a long rest.
• Wax and Wane. When in bright light, the wielder has advantage on all Wisdom (Perception) checks. When in dim light or darkness, the wielder has advantage on all Dexterity (Stealth) checks.

Exalted

The silver of the earrings is as perfect as the day they were created, and the amethysts are clear and their deep purple is entrancing. Within the amethysts, the shifting shadows of magic move about.

Properties

• The wielder gains +3 to Wisdom, Intelligence, and Charisma saving throws while wearing Lover's Dichotomy.
• Lover's Charm. The charm person ability is now cast at 5th level, and the spell save DC is increased to 17.
• Lover's Shadow. The spell save DC of the disguise self ability is increased to 17. Additionally, the wielder can cast mislead (spell save DC 17). The wielder cannot use this ability to cast this spell again until they finish a long rest.
• Weave the Shadows. The spell save DC of the major image ability is increased to 17.
• Wax and Wane. When in bright light, the wielder has advantage on all Wisdom (Perception) checks. When in dim light or darkness, the wielder has advantage on all Dexterity (Stealth) checks.
• Valereth's Guile. Once per long rest, the wielder can cast seeming (spell save DC 17), but they can only target hostile creatures. Additionally, any hostile creatures that fail the save are changed into their allies' worst enemies. Any hostile creature that fails that save must then behave towards any other hostile creature that failed the save as though under the effects of the crown of madness spell.