I need some good ideas / inspiration for a custom magic item that boosts Charisma

[ChaosHarbinger]

Hey folks!

I am DMing a group that contains a really cool and complex bard character. He is basically a good guy, but his one major weakness is his insatiable lust for the best possible physical appearance. It has come to the point where his alignment is slowly shifting to evil as a result, because his normally solid morals become quite flexible when this subject pops up. His little sidequest has proven a really fun part of the story, and I'm asking for your help in designing a fitting and balanced item for him.

Things you should know:
1. He is at level 6 now, but thousands of gold pieces below the average wealth due to... reasons. This item can be very powerful, both as a reward for great roleplaying and as a way to pull him back up to (or a little over) the right powerlevel.

2. The primary effect of the item should be to boost his CHA, I think a simple headband of Charisma is a good base. It should also be an item that, without being downright evil, would be something any normal person would condemn. My goal is to set him up for further morally dubious situations.

3. I've already set him on a sidequest to acquire the item. He's found an obscure occult tome in a forgotten library that whispered to him promises of dazzling beauty. He is going to craft a mask (it will be an Oni Hannya Noh theatre mask) that will be able to, once completed and empowered with a shady ritual, fuse to his face and make him gorgeous without showing that he is actually wearing a mask. The creation of the mask is going to demand increasingly troubling acts from him (he has not yet finished translating the whole thing). Starting with stealing hairs from someone who is currently prettier than him, and maybe ending with sacrificing a cure woodland critter or varnishing the mask with blood or something.

What would be a good item meeting these criteria? Stealing the youth of NPCs? Demanding regular rituals to keep up the effect? I trust some of you will be able to come up with something wildly cool that has not even crossed my mind, thanks in advance for your help!

[The Sideromancer]

Technically, a bard can become a lich, as in the bestiary, you only need CL 11 and craft wondrous item. Immortality, and +2 CHA, in one (theoretically) attainable package.

Edit: more on topic, I keep thinking of running off with souls, adding them to his own to increase his CHA, as it is the stat most associated with the power of one's soul.

[Daedalus the Dungeon Builder]

Another possibility is an eye-slot item.
Stat-wise, your Gems of Commanding Gaze could function as your textbook Headband of Charisma (with maybe a low-level divinaiton effect thrown on as an extra reward), with the exception of their body slot.
In game?
"These blood-red gems can be inserted into a creature's eye sockets only after their natural eyes have been torn out. Once placed, they take on the appearance of the wearer's normal eyes, only more gem-like, exuding a slight hypnotic gaze at anyone who look at them even for an instant, and cause the viewer to, no matter their force of will, to be slightly more impressed and influenced by the wearer than they would otherwise. These eyes affect anything- from humans to mindless creatures to the gods themselves to the very laws of the universe- nothing escapes their charming gaze"

Perhaps throw in a gaze attack (saving grants immunity for 24 hours, to speed up round-by round) that fascinates or charms creatures, for mechanical adaptation of the rules.

Anyway, now your bard has two rubies for eyes that he inserted into his own skull after tearing out his own eyes, and let the wearer have a limited form of mind control against everything.

[ChaosHarbinger]

I kinda like the eye carving bit, but i can't seem to find Gems of Commanding gaze. What kind of item is that?

Also, It has been determined that he will make a mask (although obviously the effects can be translated). Any more cool ideas? :)

[ChaosHarbinger]

@ Sideromancer; Yes, the lich is an excellent idea! Already has craft wonderous item, too (but CL 11 is a long way off)

[NoTongue]

ChaosHarbinger wrote:

@ Sideromancer; Yes, the lich is an excellent idea! Already has craft wonderous item, too (but CL 11 is a long way off)

Lich is a terrible idea, it's not a magic item, it's template that's not intended for players. It's a straight power increase with no real item equivalent, only way I would recommend it is if you are going to give the rest of the party power upgrades vampires/werewolfs/half-fiends.

It's also extremely evil, you become undead, inherently evil and by lore must sacrifice the innocent to complete the ritual.

A good suggestion and which I'm surprised no one has suggested is the rod of splendor. A good bit above level wealth but will hardly break combat. It gives a +4 charisma enhancement while being carried freeing up the cloak slot, allows you to magically deck yourself in the finest clothes at will and once a week you can summon a huge pavillion filled with food for a large party.

[Daedalus the Dungeon Builder]

@ ChaosHarbinger; It would be an eye slot item for the gems (which were just an item I came up with off the top of my head), and a head slot for the mask. Perhaps the mask comes from a charming person's actual face, permanently changes the wearer's appearance (even if removed), and radiates necromantic energies? All kinds of ways to play off of existing items. The key for a unique item is all in the flavor- just look at Lost Treasures to see that. A few of the items aren't even magical- but they are described in such a way and have such a backstory to them that they seem as special as artifacts infinitely more powerful.

[Java Man]

How about a source for addictive, long duration eagle's splendor potions? If, big if, roleplaying out addiction corruptimg someone is right for your table.

Or an item based off of the death knell spell, but cha boosting?

Business card for a devil plastic surgeon.

[Bloodrealm]

Perhaps look into Fleshcrafting for inspiration.