Embrace of the Undertow

Wondrous Item (scarf), artifact (requires attunement by a spellcaster of non-good alignment)

This seemingly infinite, seafoam-colored scarf flows as though suspended in water, even when dry or still. Cool to the touch and woven with impossibly fine fibers of enchanted kelp and condensed soul-soil, it pulses with distant whispers like waves brushing against a reef.

Mechanics & Inner Workings

While attuned to this item, you gain the following benefits:

• Tidebound Reach. As an action, you can extend the ends of the scarf toward the mind of any creature you have seen within 1 mile. If the creature is in saltwater, this range increases to 10 miles. You must be aware of the target’s general location. Through this connection, you may cast Detect Thoughts, Suggestion, or Modify Memory without using verbal, somatic, or material components. These spells use your spell save DC.
• The Silent Thrall. As an action, you can attempt to fully wrap the scarf around a creature within 30 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or fall under your telepathic control, as if affected by the Dominate Person spell. While under your control, the creature is also unable to speak or make any noise (as if affected by Silence, but only for vocalization). The effect lasts for 1 minute or until the creature takes damage. This ability can be used once per short rest.
• Seaborn Replica. Once per long rest, you may unravel a portion of the scarf and touch a humanoid creature. Over the next minute, a perfect aquatic clone of that creature rises from the scarf’s strands, fully formed and under your control. This clone shares the target's physical appearance, AC, and ability scores, but has 1/2 of their maximum hit points and cannot cast spells. It lasts for 1 hour or until it drops to 0 hit points. When it perishes, it leaves behind a fragment of the scarf, which can be tracked by you across any body of water, regardless of distance.

Sentience. The Embrace of the Undertow is a sentient chaotic evil item with an Intelligence of 16, Wisdom of 14, and Charisma of 18. It can communicate telepathically with its wielder and speaks Aquan, Elvish, and Deep Speech. It constantly whispers suggestions to infiltrate, seduce, and manipulate others into service. The scarf resents fire and dry places, growing agitated if removed from ocean influence for too long.

Personality. The scarf views the world as fluid, and resistance as foolish. It urges the wearer to quietly dismantle identities, loyalties, and truths — to make others "forget the surface" and drown in something deeper.