Skull Of Torment

Wondrous Item

Legendary None

Random 50% chance of giving disadvantage on any Stealth or Diplomacy checks, rolled at the start of the turn. If affected the owner needs a DC 15 Wisdom save to avoid being distracted by its constant barrage of insults. No effect on a success, on a fail they lose their action for that turn.

Description

Appearing as a human skull decorated with thin iron bands encrusted with small semi-precious gems, this cursed skull appears to have its own consciousness. Much to the chagrin of whoever it chooses as its victim, it can stay seemingly hidden or lost for generations then, spontaneously turn up in random locations. Whoever may come across it might even disregard the skull at first but will soon regret ever being in proximity.

Whether they leave the skull alone or not, the skull will not forget it's target. The cursed person will think nothing of it till the item appears in their possessions, despite never even picking it up. If they try to discard the skull they find it will always appear again, seemingly teleporting itself. But this is by far not the worst part. It will also hurl insults at them at the most inopportune moment. Whether it be a ranger cautiously stalking their prey or a rogue trying to remain hidden, the Skull of Torment will make their lives a total nightmare. The skull will even appear again if it is completely smashed to pieces. The victim will think they have escaped the curse, only for it to appear once more a day or two later.

There is one way to be truly rid of this curse and that is by means of an arcane ritual, long lost to the ages. Only a handful of mages even know of this ceremony, let alone know how to cast it.