Gaki Helm

Aura strong necromancy; CL 15; Identify DC 40; Slot head; Weight 2 lbs.

DESCRIPTION

This lavish, red kabuto helmet, when worn, allows the user to command ghouls, as with command undead. However, the helmet is actually inhabited by a malevolent spirit which seeks to control and defile the user. When worn, the user must succeed at a DC 17 Will save to avoid being possessed by the spirit. Success allows the user to utilize the helmet without harm for 24 hours. Failure means that the user is possessed by the spirit and loses his own free will. While possessed, the victim’s alignment is CE, gains Scent, Climb 30 ft., Str +2, Dex +4, Int +2, Wis, +4, Cha +2, and can speak Infernal. The possessing spirit has access to all of the character’s memories, and uses the victim to murder and eat other individuals. Only one character may be possessed in this way at a time, and if the helmet is possessing an individual, no other character may benefit from the ability to command ghouls. If the victim is slain before being cured, the spirit returns to the helmet, but the victim rises after 1d6 hours as a dread ghoul.

CREATION

A Gaki Helm is created when a samurai warrior dies after having eaten his own comrades. The spirit of the warrior haunts his own helmet.

CURE

Protection from evil, cast on the victim, grants the victim a reprieve from the possessing spirit for the length of the spell. To fully cure a victim it is necessary to cast protection from evil, atonement, and remove curse (DC 25) in conjunction with one another. The helmet may be destroyed through the use of break enchantment and remove curse.