Tuesday Magic Item – Tactician’s Helm

Tactical Pawn

The Mercenary-Tacticians of Yolm work in units of four, selling their services at advisers and trainers but never as combatants.   They can pot out a campaign in minute detail in a minimum of time.  On occasion, these highly skilled specialists have been found working on both sides of a conflict, performing professionally for both sides.

Those who deal directly with the Mercenary-Tacticians often find them cold and unwelcoming but undeniably efficient.

 Tactician’s Helm

These helms are made of the finest steel, reinforced and lined with silk padding.  Traditionally, they are engraved with a chessboard on the interior and some mark of rank on the exterior.  The helm provides adequate protection but not at the expense of vision or hearing.

The tactician’s helm imposes cold calculation and logic upon the wearer, they become immune to emotion-based effects (including negating the ability to rage).  The wearer gains a +3 competence bonus to Diplomacy and Intimidate in military situations and a +5 competence bonus to Profession (commander) checks.  When directing others in combat, his allies gain a bonus to their initiative equal to the wearer’s Charisma bonus (minimum +1).

Aura moderate abjuration; CL 9th
Slot head; Price 10,000; Weight 4 lb
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, dominate person, eagle’s splendor, fox’s cunning, owl’s wisdom, creator must have 5 or more ranks in Profession (commander); Cost 5,000 (+400 xp for D&D)

Notes: Something useful for a military commander’s aide, the bonus to profession can be changed to whatever you need to affect battles.

Photo from Alan Cleaver and used under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.