Mirror of Reason

"I am a looking glass, with a reflection dark and misty. I grant great knowledge, but at a cost so risky. I am sought after by the wise and the bold, But only the strongest can withstand my hold. What am I?"
Answer

The answer to the riddle is the Mirror of Reason. This powerful magical artifact appears to be an ordinary looking glass, but upon closer inspection, one can see that its reflection is tinted with a swirling dark blue, purple, red and black mist. The Mirror of Reason is said to grant boosts in intelligence to those who gaze into it, but the more one uses the Mirror, the greater the toll it takes on their physical and mental health. Only the strongest and most determined individuals can withstand the effects of the Mirror, and many who seek its power are left drained and weakened.

The Mirror of Reason was crafted by Icetooth Hobgoblins during the Age of the Ancients. The Hobgoblins were known for their incredible intelligence and cunning, and they crafted the Mirror of Reason as a tool to further enhance their already formidable mental abilities.
At first glance, the Mirror of Reason appears to be an ordinary mirror, but upon closer inspection, one can see that its reflection is tinted with a swirling dark blue, purple, red and black mist. This mist is the source of the Mirror's power, and it is said to be made up of the essence of pure intelligence.
Gazing into the Mirror of Reason is a dangerous proposition. The mirror will trade the physical and mental health of the individual who peers into its glass for a permanent boost in intelligence, and the more one uses the Mirror, the greater the toll it takes on their health and mental well-being. Eventually, the Mirror will no longer work for the individual, leaving them drained and weakened.
The Princess of Reason, ruler of the underwater city of Kitezh, is the current holder of the Mirror of Reason. She has used it so often that it no longer grants her any benefits, but she continues to gaze into it longingly, hoping that it will once again grant her the intelligence she craves. The Princess is rumored to be a brilliant strategist and a master of magical arts, but her reliance on the Mirror has left her fragile and vulnerable.
Those who seek the Mirror of Reason do so at their own peril. Its power is great, but the cost of using it may be too high for some to bear. Only the most intelligent and determined individuals should attempt to wield the Mirror of Reason, for it is a dangerous and powerful tool.

Item type

Unique Artifact

Current Location

Kitezh

Current Holder

Princess of Reason

Related Materials

• Smoke Ice

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Mechanical Effects

The Mirror of Reason is a dangerous item, trading the physical health and mental health of the individual who peers into its glass for pure intelligence. Each time a creature with an Intelligence of 3 or higher looks into the glass, it may benefit from the effect of a single Legend Lore spell, with an instantaneous casting time and duration, rather than a casting time of days. The creature also permanently gains 1 point of Intelligence, however it must also make three saves:

• Failing a DC 25 Fortitude save removes 1 point from a physical stat of the creature's choice (Str or Con) to a minimum of 3.
• Failing a DC 25 Will save removes 1 point from a mental stat of the creature's choice (either Wis or Cha) to a minimum of 3.
• Failing a DC 25 Reflex save removes 1 point of Dex from the creature.

The mirror has no effect on a creature whose Str, Dex, Con, Wis and Cha are all less than or equal to 3. A Greater Restoration spell can restore the afflicted creature back to its original state. If the creature succeeds a DC 30 Will save, its Intelligence score remains unaffected.
The mirror can affect any number of creatures, but each creature may only be affected by the Mirror of Reason once per day.