Advice on Armor Creation

[Kryndal Levik]

I'd to introduce a specific type of enchanted armor in my campaign for a long-standing order of paladins (The Order of the Phoenix). As part of a quest, the party will be seeking out an ancient set of plate from the early days of the order, known colloquially as "Armor of Rebirth." Essentially, if a wearer dies (is reduced to less than 0 hp) the armor instantly resurrects the wearer and heals them to full health (full hitpoints). The ability can only be used once- in order for this use to function again a long and arduous quest must be undertaken.

My questions:

1. Has anyone heard of anything similar on which I can base this item? If so- what is the source?
2. If not- how the heck would you price this out? Granted, I can't think of anyone that would sell it (not the paladins in my group, at least), but just in case... Would this count as a single-use resurrection, with an additional contigency spell thrown in? Any thoughts?
3. Lastly- anyone think that this armor would be too terribly unbalancing? I'm thinking that the paladin that would eventually wear this armor would end up saving it for a specific epic battle (essentially, the end of the campaign); sure, he'd essentially have double hit points, but it could still be made challenging...
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   As always- any help/advice is appreciated!

 

[Emongnome]

I can't really respond to the pricing question and such, but I can't imagine it being terribly unbalancing. It's the equivalent of a True Resurrection spell, while 9th level, is a spell every epic single classed cleric would posess. Since we're talking about an epic level campaign and it's a one-shot non-epic spell (or feat, ability, ect. for that matter) then it's far from unbalancing, IMO. Well, one-shot is limited by the restrictions you place on "recharging" the item, of course.

Sorry I couldn't help with the first 2 questions, and my opinions are far from solid on the third, just a strong gut feeling.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Essentially, if a wearer dies (is reduced to less than 0 hp)...

That's unconcious. A Heal spell would work just fine.

You die at -10. Then you need a True Res.

-Hyp.

 

[Kryndal Levik]

...thanks- I actually use a different on death's door house rule, though. Anyone have any input on the cost/creation question?