Requesting idea: Magic Masks

[Nebrok]

Ok, I tried to ask for ideas before and got no responces... so I'll try one more time.

I am requesting ideas for magic masks so I can fill up a merchants invantory with interesting masks for the characters to buy. The basics of masks as I have ruled them is that they encompass (more or less) the qualities of appearance and powers that would be attached to the head.

For example theres the Vampire mask, which grants a gave the dominates others. Or the dappleganger mask which give a player the ability to alter self like a doppleganger. Not all masks have to be tied or releted to a monster however. Some grant the ability to detect magic auras or seee invisibility.

Masks take up the same slot as goggles or some such on the head, but leaves no room for a helmet. This being the case a mask should have powers that make it worth sacrificing two magic item slots for. (although in my game strings I don't often see too many players actualy use helmets a lot)

So help me out, gimme some ideas. I would like a broad and creative selection.

 

[Oryan77]

You should check out the Magic Item Compendium. There are a bunch of masks in there and most of them are illustrated.

 

[el-remmen]

A fearsome mask that causes fear
A placid mask that allows the user to detect thought
A mask that allows for undetectable lying
A mask that changes alignment
An eagle's head mask that grants special or enhanced vision
A mask that grants mindblank
A mask that detects scrying
A mask that makes the user blind, but also blinds everyone in a burst around the wearer (great for a monk with flair)
Funeral Mask that casts gentle repose if put on a corpse.

 

[Oni]

Well animal mask that turn you into the animal in question (i.e. fox, crow, frog et c.) Whether they always come off like they ought to...well who knows.

Mask causes the wearer to seem dead (or undead if they're running about).

Mask that stores the soul of the visage inscribed on its face a desperate form of immortality, they take possession of the wearer.

Giants mask makes the wearer larger and more intimidating.

A demonic visage that instills fear in those that view the wearer, but each time it is used there is a chance it permanently bonds to the wearers face, removal might kill and definately scars.

A kingly mask that grants the wearer delusions of granduer, he can take it off but he might not want to.

A mask that when put on others allows you to control them.

A blank mask that makes the wearer utterly forgettable beyond the present moment.

A collection of mask whose visages bear different expressions, the moods shown become those of the wearer.

Cheap looking mask that prompts people to give you things when you say "trick or treat".

Bull or ram mask that allows you charge headlong through doors and other barriars or foes.

A smiling carefree visage that makes people trust you.

A mask of great beauty that makes the wearer very appealling to those that view him, but causes a rotting disease making the wearer hideous should he ever be without his mask.

The timid goblin mask causes those that can see it to attack you last in combat unless you've just hit them.



Well that's all I can come up with off the top of my head.

 

[Walknot]

A mirrored mask. When you put it on, there is a whirl of smoke which obscures you and the person next to you for only a few seconds. That dissipates and you not only appear identical, but your position is scrambled, and you have some +++ for impersonating. That one is for use in battle, versus the leader, or some other mischief.

Junk sculpture mask. Seems very ungainly, with all sorts of articulated projections bearing lenses and calipers you can peer through, if you hold your head just right. Allows you to us a "squish your head" attack. Has some other use critical to the adventure. But is over complicated, with unwanted and unpredictable effects like growing or skrinking things accidentally, or making things slide closer or farther when least convenient.

Explosive chimera mask. Appears to be the same as some other mask it is with. Wearer is almost certainly unable to remove it, usually is unable to communicate with it on, but knows immediately that it will explode. This one turns into a skill challenger for the team - how to A) figure out what is going on and B) remove the mask safely? Explosive ending!

 

[Jane Schwartz]

In my campaign I DM, for a necromancer they defeated was wearing a mask and off the top of my head I gave it all the properties of the Ring of Mind Shielding, and ended up having a real awesome part of the mystery as they had to deal with the soul in the mask, and having it be a mask definitely helps imply that having a soul in the mask can eventually lead to the madness of the wearer.

And of course the other properties for a the ring of mind shielding make for a magical Magneto helmet

 

[Guest 6801328]

A Guy Fawkes mask that lets you cast Counterspell 1/day.

 

[Sunseeker]

A Guy Fawkes mask that lets you cast Counterspell 1/day.

What, it doesn't let me blow up Parliament?

@OP I recommend Goosebumps: The Haunted Mask for inspiration.