Shadowmail Cowl

From: Deceivers

The cowl is made from a special fabric woven with shadow essence, granting the wearer a partial invisibility effect when in dim or dark lighting conditions. This provides an advantage in Stealth and surprise situations.

Availability: Uncommon but can be used at Tier 1

Cost: 100 gold

Tags: Headgear, Partial Invisibility, Stealth, Surprise, Concealment, Ambush, Evasion, Darkness Affinity, Night Tactics, Camouflage, Infiltration, Deception, Illusion, Silent Movement

Simple passive: (Always on if worn)

Stealth Bonus: +2

Partial invisibility in Dim/Dark Lighting Conditions

Attuned passive: (May be continuing or have charges)

Advantage to skill checks in Dim/Dark Lighting Conditions

Can not be surprised

In the world of Saṃsāra, the Shadowmail Cowl is a coveted item, prized for its ability to grant partial invisibility in dark conditions. It can be found in various specialized shops, each offering different pricing based on location, rarity, and the nature of the shop’s clientele. Here’s how and where it might be bought and sold:

• Assassin’s Guild Outlets
  • Location: Hidden deep within large cities, usually beneath taverns or accessed through secret passageways. Often found in areas where political intrigue or crime is rampant.
  • Clientele: Assassins, spies, and agents of covert organizations who specialize in subterfuge, infiltration, and stealth missions.
  • Description: These outlets are dimly lit, with shelves lined with gear for stealth operations, including poison vials, lockpicking tools, and enchanted garb like the Shadowmail Cowl. The shopkeeper is usually a retired assassin, discreetly selling specialized tools to trusted customers.
  • Cost: 120–150 gold pieces.
  • Barter: Assassin’s guilds may allow customers to trade valuable information, services, or assassination contracts in exchange for discounted prices on gear, including the cowl.
• Night Market Traders
  • Location: Mobile markets that appear only at dusk in lawless regions or on the outskirts of certain towns. They are hidden from plain sight and only known to those in the underground circles.
  • Clientele: Thieves, rogues, and adventurers seeking goods that can’t be found in regular markets, including items to evade authorities or outsmart guards.
  • Description: The traders are often nomadic, setting up shop under the cover of darkness. Stalls are filled with magical artifacts, weapons, and stolen goods. The Shadowmail Cowl is considered a prized item here, valued for its ability to evade detection.
  • Cost: 90–110 gold pieces.
  • Bargain Deals: Some traders may offer a lower price in exchange for rare or stolen goods, or if the buyer promises to acquire something on behalf of the trader.
• Enchanter’s Black Market Emporium
  • Location: Secluded corners of magical academies or underground magical societies. Accessible only through contacts within the illegal enchantment trade.
  • Clientele: Rogue enchanters, dark magicians, and those who operate outside the bounds of the lawful magical community.
  • Description: The emporium is filled with magical items that would be frowned upon by official magical institutions. The shelves are lined with cursed objects, dangerous magical scrolls, and artifacts like the Shadowmail Cowl, which may be considered illegal in some regions due to its connection with deception and stealth.
  • Cost: 200 gold pieces.
  • Negotiation: Enchanters in these shops often allow trades for magical reagents or rare enchanted items, making it possible to barter for a Shadowmail Cowl in exchange for rare magical components.
• Hunter’s Camp Stores
  • Location: Remote wilderness camps, deep within forests or mountain ranges, where skilled hunters and trackers gather to rest and resupply.
  • Clientele: Rangers, scouts, and hunters who use stealth to approach dangerous game or avoid monstrous creatures in the wild.
  • Description: Hunter’s camp stores are small but well-stocked, selling gear designed to blend into the natural environment, such as camouflage cloaks, traps, and enchanted items like the Shadowmail Cowl for stalking prey under the cover of darkness.
  • Cost: 100–120 gold pieces.
  • Hunting Trade: Store owners may offer lower prices in exchange for rare animal pelts, valuable game, or services such as tracking dangerous creatures or scouting new hunting grounds.
• Elven Cloakmaker’s Workshop
  • Location: High up in the hidden elven cities nestled in deep forests or among the mountains, known only to travelers who have gained the trust of the elven communities.
  • Clientele: Elves and other forest dwellers who specialize in using stealth and the natural environment to remain undetected.
  • Description: These workshops are filled with delicate, nature-inspired clothing and gear made from enchanted materials, often blessed by the forest’s magic. The Shadowmail Cowl, woven from rare shadow essence, is one of the rarer items in the shop, and is often sold alongside other camouflage gear crafted for silent movement in nature.
  • Cost: 90–130 gold pieces.
  • Exclusive Access: Non-elven customers must earn the respect of the elven community before being allowed to purchase such items. They may need to prove their worth through tasks or services that benefit the forest or the elven people.

Each shop reflects the world of Saṃsāra’s rich culture and economy, with varying prices and barter options depending on location and clientele. The Shadowmail Cowl remains a highly sought-after item, particularly for those who live and work in the shadows.

The Shadowmail Cowl provides both offensive and defensive advantages, particularly in dim or dark environments. Its partial invisibility and stealth bonuses allow for creative roleplaying scenarios in various settings. Below are examples of how it can be used in different environments for both defense and offense:

• Dense Forest or Jungle (Night or Twilight)
  • Defense:
    • The wearer can use the Shadowmail Cowl to blend into the shadows of the dense canopy, making them nearly invisible to patrolling enemies or hostile wildlife. By staying still in the underbrush, the partial invisibility effect hides them from sight, and with the +2 to Stealth, they can evade detection while moving silently through the foliage.
    • If an ambush or attack occurs, the wearer can quickly disappear into the dense shadows, effectively escaping pursuit or creating distance between them and the enemy. The Cannot be Surprised attunement allows the wearer to remain alert to unseen dangers, like hidden traps or sudden attacks from creatures.
  • Offense:
    • Offensively, the wearer can use the cowl to silently approach prey or enemies without being detected. This provides a great opportunity for ambushes, where they can strike from the shadows before their targets even know they’re there.
    • In a hunting scenario, the partial invisibility can be used to stalk dangerous beasts through the forest, allowing the wearer to get within striking distance without alerting the creature.
• Urban Environment (Night or Low Light)
  • Defense:
    • In an urban setting, the Shadowmail Cowl allows the wearer to blend into dark alleyways or under bridges, making it ideal for avoiding guards, criminals, or hostile factions. The Stealth bonus and invisibility in low-light conditions make it nearly impossible for pursuers to spot the wearer, allowing for easy evasion.
    • If the wearer is being hunted, they can use the dark corners and alleyways of a city to evade pursuers, slipping into the shadows and becoming invisible to those chasing them. The Cannot be Surprised feature ensures they are aware of any guards or patrols that might come too close, allowing for quick escapes.
  • Offense:
    • The wearer can use the cowl to infiltrate guarded areas, such as noble estates or treasure vaults, by moving through the shadows undetected. The partial invisibility and Stealth bonus make it easier to bypass guards or other security measures.
    • In an assassination or covert mission, the wearer could silently approach a target under the cover of night, using their enhanced stealth to get into position before making a lethal strike, then disappearing into the shadows once again.
• Underground Caves or Dungeons
  • Defense:
    • In dark dungeons, the Shadowmail Cowl is particularly effective for hiding from lurking monsters or dungeon traps. Its invisibility effect makes it difficult for creatures relying on sight to detect the wearer, allowing them to move quietly through corridors or hide behind stalagmites and debris.
    • If the party is being pursued by dangerous creatures, the wearer can use the cowl to split off and act as a decoy, luring enemies into the shadows while the rest of the party escapes. They can then escape undetected by using the terrain and the cowl’s abilities to their advantage.
  • Offense:
    • The wearer can use the Shadowmail Cowl to scout ahead of the party, locating enemies or traps without being seen. This allows them to find advantageous positions to strike from stealth or set up ambushes for enemies patrolling the dungeon.
    • Against creatures with poor senses of smell or hearing, the wearer can use their partial invisibility to get in close for a sneak attack, using the element of surprise to gain the upper hand.
• Desert or Open Plains (Twilight or Night)
  • Defense:
    • In open plains or deserts, especially at night, the Shadowmail Cowl allows the wearer to vanish into the shadows cast by rocks, dunes, or sparse vegetation. This makes it harder for enemies or roving bandits to spot them, providing excellent cover in otherwise exposed terrain.
    • When traveling through dangerous regions at night, the wearer can use the cowl to avoid confrontations with nomadic raiders or large predators, slipping past groups undetected.
  • Offense:
    • The cowl can be used for ambushes in open terrain, allowing the wearer to hide in the shadow of a boulder or dune, waiting for enemies to pass by before striking. The Stealth bonus helps ensure that the wearer is not detected until it’s too late for the target to react.
    • If engaged in a skirmish or hit-and-run tactics, the wearer can take advantage of the open space and shadows, striking quickly from one shadowed location before retreating into another.
• Mountainous or Cliffside Regions (Dawn or Dusk)
  • Defense:
    • In mountainous regions, where there are many cliffs and shadowy crevices, the Shadowmail Cowl can be used to hide in rock formations or mountain passes, giving the wearer an advantage when trying to avoid ambushes or dangerous wildlife. The partial invisibility works particularly well in the fading light of dusk or dawn.
    • The wearer can use the cowl’s Stealth bonus to silently climb up steep mountain paths, avoiding detection by watchful eyes or creatures that lurk higher up. This is particularly useful in regions where one wrong step could lead to danger.
  • Offense:
    • Offensively, the wearer can use the Shadowmail Cowl to position themselves above or behind enemies in the mountains. By moving through shadowy ledges or rock formations, the wearer can stay hidden until the perfect opportunity arises to attack from above or catch foes unaware.
    • The wearer could use the steep terrain and partial invisibility to set up ambushes, drawing enemies into a trap where they will have the disadvantage of fighting uphill or in poor visibility.

Roleplay Focus: The Shadowmail Cowl encourages stealth-based, tactical roleplay, where players use their environment to maximize the item’s potential. Whether it’s setting up ambushes, evading detection, or scouting in dangerous territory, the cowl allows for creative approaches to combat and exploration, making the wearer a master of shadows. The cowl’s effectiveness in both offensive and defensive scenarios depends largely on the player’s ability to use the environment and darkness to their advantage.

Perception of Activation: Shadowmail Cowl

• Sight
  • Visual Shift: Upon activation, the cowl seems to shimmer as if it merges with the surrounding shadows. The wearer’s body gradually becomes translucent, fading into the environment. This partial invisibility is most prominent in dim or dark lighting conditions. The edges of the wearer blur, making it difficult for enemies to focus on them.
  • Faint Glow: Silver stitching around the edges emits a very faint, almost imperceptible glow that pulses softly. This glow enhances the cowl’s magic in darkness but disappears entirely in bright light.
  • Positive: The wearer becomes hard to track visually, blending into the environment, especially in shadowed areas or dimly lit spaces.
  • Negative: In well-lit or highly illuminated environments, the subtle shimmering effect becomes more noticeable, potentially drawing unwanted attention.
• Sound
  • Auditory Dulling: When the cowl is activated, it dampens surrounding noises. The wearer perceives a muffled effect on their movements, making their footsteps and gear sound distant and faint.
  • Enhanced Hearing: Sounds from the environment, like distant footsteps or subtle rustling, become more pronounced to the wearer. This heightened sense of awareness improves the wearer’s ability to detect nearby threats.
  • Positive: The wearer moves more quietly, with sound reduced to a near-whisper, enhancing their ability to remain unnoticed during stealth.
  • Negative: Sudden, loud noises, such as shouts or explosions, can become disorienting due to the contrast with the muffled surroundings.
• Smell
  • Neutral Scent: The fabric of the cowl absorbs any strong scents from the wearer, making it harder for enemies to track them by smell. The air around the cowl takes on a neutral, cool, earthy scent, similar to damp stone or a quiet cave.
  • Positive: Enemies with strong olfactory senses, such as animals or monsters, have difficulty detecting the wearer by scent.
  • Negative: The neutralization of scent could dull the wearer’s own sense of smell, making it harder to detect dangerous environmental odors, like fire or poison gases.
• Touch
  • Cool and Weightless: When activated, the fabric of the cowl feels lighter, as if the shadows themselves are lifting its weight. A cool, almost refreshing sensation spreads over the wearer’s body, creating a sense of comfort even in extreme environments.
  • Subtle Vibration: The edges of the cowl hum faintly with magical energy, noticeable only to the wearer. This slight vibration signals that the invisibility and stealth effects are active.
  • Positive: The wearer feels lighter and more agile, making it easier to move stealthily and react swiftly in combat.
  • Negative: Prolonged exposure to this lightness can cause a sense of physical detachment, leading the wearer to feel slightly disoriented or ungrounded after removing the cowl.
• Taste
  • Metallic Aftertaste: As the cowl activates, the wearer may experience a faint metallic taste in the back of their throat. This is a common side effect of being immersed in the cowl’s shadow essence, though it is harmless.
  • Negative: The taste can be distracting in intense situations and may cause slight discomfort during long periods of use.
• Extra-Sensory Perceptions (ESP)
  • Shadow Awareness:
    • Positive: The wearer develops a heightened awareness of shadows and dimly lit areas. They instinctively sense where shadows shift and can predict how light might move in their environment, allowing them to position themselves for maximum concealment.
    • Negative: Over time, the wearer may develop a sense of discomfort in brightly lit environments, as if they are too exposed, leading to paranoia or a need for darkness to feel secure.
  • Tension in the Veil:
    • Positive: The wearer feels attuned to an invisible veil between worlds. They gain fleeting glimpses of motion within the shadows, helping them to detect hidden enemies or anticipate sudden movements. This can provide a sixth sense when navigating dangerous environments.
    • Negative: This heightened perception can sometimes lead to phantom visions or hallucinations, as the wearer might catch false glimpses of movement or threats where none exist, creating moments of disorientation or hesitation.
  • Invisibility Aura:
    • Positive: The wearer exudes an aura that subtly influences nearby enemies, causing them to overlook or underestimate the wearer’s presence. This creates a slight mental fog for enemies, reducing their focus when trying to detect the wearer.
    • Negative: Prolonged use of this aura may cause the wearer to feel isolated, as if they are fading not just physically, but from the minds of others, leading to a sense of detachment from allies or companions.
• Overall Positives: The Shadowmail Cowl significantly enhances stealth and concealment, providing physical and extra-sensory advantages in dim or dark environments. Its ability to reduce sound and scent, combined with partial invisibility, makes it an ideal tool for evasion, reconnaissance, and surprise attacks.
• Overall Negatives: The cowl’s effects are less effective in bright environments, where the shimmering and sensory enhancements can become liabilities. Prolonged exposure to its magical effects may result in sensory disorientation, phantom perceptions, and a feeling of detachment from surroundings or allies.

Crafting Recipe: Shadowmail Cowl

• Materials Needed:
  • Shadowweave Fabric (5 yards): A rare cloth spun from the essence of shadows, harvested in regions of permanent twilight or from creatures of the Shadow Plane.
  • Essence of Night (3 vials): Distilled from pure darkness, collected during the deepest hour of night, often near sites of shadow magic or naturally dark places like caves or ancient ruins.
  • Silver Thread (10 feet): Infused with moonlight, this thread binds the fabric together and channels the magic of invisibility. It is crafted from silver soaked in alchemical moonlight baths.
  • Whisper Silk Lining (3 yards): A lightweight material known for its ability to muffle sound, sewn into the cowl to enhance the wearer’s stealth.
  • Shadow Crystal (1 small): A rare crystal that amplifies the shadow essence, embedded in the cowl’s seam to activate its magical properties.
  • Darkwood Buckle (1): A small, enchanted clasp made from darkwood, which locks the cowl’s magic into place and allows the wearer to attune to its abilities.
• Tools Required:
  • Tailoring Kit: Includes needles, thread, and fabric scissors for working with the delicate Shadowweave fabric.
  • Enchantment Quill: Used for inscribing magical runes onto the cowl, channeling shadow magic.
  • Alchemist’s Kit: For mixing and handling the Essence of Night, and ensuring it is properly infused into the fabric.
  • Moonstone Basin: Used to soak the silver thread in moonlight-infused water for enchantment purposes.
  • Gem Cutting Tools: For shaping the Shadow Crystal and embedding it into the cowl without damaging its magical properties.
• Skill Requirements:
  • Tailoring (Advanced): Required to work with the delicate and rare Shadowweave fabric, ensuring the cowl maintains both durability and flexibility.
  • Enchanting (Intermediate): Needed to imbue the cowl with its magical properties of partial invisibility and stealth, using the Essence of Night and Shadow Crystal.
  • Alchemy (Intermediate): For distilling and safely handling the Essence of Night and ensuring its magical properties remain intact when infused into the fabric.
  • Gemcrafting (Basic): To shape and set the Shadow Crystal into the cowl without disrupting its natural magical alignment.
• Crafting Steps:
  • Preparing the Shadowweave Fabric
    • Step 1: Lay the Shadowweave Fabric across your worktable. Using your Tailoring Kit, cut the fabric to the shape and size needed for the hood and neck covering. Ensure the material retains its flexibility and natural shimmer by handling it carefully.
    • Step 2: Line the interior of the cowl with the Whisper Silk Lining, ensuring that it is tightly sewn into place. This will amplify the stealth properties of the cowl by muffling sound during movement.
  • Infusing the Silver Thread
    • Step 3: Place the Silver Thread in the Moonstone Basin, soaking it in a solution of moonlight-infused water. Allow it to bathe for at least 24 hours to absorb the moon’s magical properties.
    • Step 4: Once infused, thread the silver through the edges of the cowl, using your Tailoring Kit to stitch it securely along all seams. This will help channel the enchantments during the final steps.
  • Alchemical Infusion
    • Step 5: Using the Alchemist’s Kit, carefully open the vials of Essence of Night. Slowly pour the liquid over the Shadowweave Fabric, allowing the essence to soak into the cloth over a few hours. This step binds the darkness to the fabric, imbuing it with the ability to merge with shadows.
    • Step 6: Allow the fabric to dry naturally in a dark, quiet place. Exposure to light during this stage could weaken the shadow magic.
  • Embedding the Shadow Crystal
    • Step 7: Using your Gem Cutting Tools, carefully shape the Shadow Crystal into a small, polished gemstone. It should be cut in a way that allows it to channel shadow magic efficiently.
    • Step 8: Embed the Shadow Crystal into the seam of the cowl’s hood, ensuring that it aligns with the silver-threaded runes. This crystal will serve as the core of the cowl’s magic, activating its stealth abilities.
    • Step 9: Attach the Darkwood Buckle at the base of the cowl, securing its magical properties and allowing the wearer to attune to the item once completed.
  • Enchanting the Cowl
    • Step 10: With your Enchantment Quill, inscribe runes along the edges of the cowl, focusing on areas where the silver thread runs through. These runes channel the power of the Essence of Night and the Shadow Crystal, granting the cowl its stealth and invisibility properties.
    • Step 11: Once the runes are inscribed, hold the cowl over a source of dim light (such as a shadowy candle or moonlit window) to activate the runes. The cowl will shimmer briefly, indicating that the enchantment is complete.
  • Final Testing
    • Step 12: Wear the cowl in a dim or dark environment to test its abilities. Ensure that the partial invisibility activates as intended, blending the wearer into the shadows. Check for the enhanced stealth and sound-dampening properties.
    • Step 13: Adjust any imperfections in the stitching or enchantment by reinforcing with additional Essence of Night or silver thread as needed.
• Crafting Time: The entire process takes about 7 to 10 days, depending on the availability of materials and the skill level of the crafter. The alchemical and enchanting stages require patience and careful attention to detail to ensure the magical properties are properly imbued.

Upon completion, the Shadowmail Cowl will be fully functional, granting the wearer partial invisibility, stealth bonuses, and the ability to evade surprise in dark or dimly lit conditions.

Legend of the Hood Woven from Night’s Breath

Long ago, when the earth was not as it is and shadows walked as freely as men, there was the first Cowl of Shadows, known to all and none. It is said this cowl was made from the night itself, stolen by hands that could not be seen. The people of the old ways whispered of it in their quiet tongues, but their words, like smoke, were lost to time.

In the days of forgotten light, there lived a deceiver by the name of Zhul-Ashtar, whose true form was never known, for no eyes ever beheld his face. Zhul-Ashtar was a shadow-walker, one who moved between the breaths of the world, unseen and unheard. He sought not gold nor power but the Veil of the Eternal Night, a thing spoken of in riddles by those who saw the dark as their friend.

The ancient ones, now dust, spoke of the Veil being crafted from the sky when it was first torn apart by the night’s endless hunger. It was said the Veil could hide even the sun’s eye, for within it was woven the essence of all shadows that had ever been and ever would be.

Zhul-Ashtar, with feet lighter than whispers, journeyed beyond the land where day dared not go, where the wind itself was afraid to blow. There, in the heart of the mountain where shadows slept, he found the Weaver of the Void, an old creature with no name, older than memory, who spun the threads of shadow and light alike.

“I seek the cloth that hides the world,” said Zhul-Ashtar, his voice barely a murmur in the endless night.

The Weaver did not answer, for no answer was needed. Instead, it spun, its hands neither fast nor slow, but beyond time. From its loom came a thread, darker than the space between stars, softer than silence. With that thread, it began the creation of the Cowl of Shadows.

Many lifetimes passed in a single breath, and the cowl was done. Zhul-Ashtar took the cowl and placed it upon his head, feeling the night embrace him. He became as the wind in the trees, as the breath in the dark, unseen by any eye, even his own. With this, he was not known to man or beast. He passed through the lands of kings without shadow, and none could stop him.

But the cowl was not without hunger, for it too was made from the night that devours. Zhul-Ashtar, in his pride, did not see this. The more he wore the cowl, the more the world forgot him. His name, once spoken in fear, was soon forgotten by all, until even the shadows ceased to know him. He became nothing more than a breath between breaths, a thing neither living nor dead, forever lost in the folds of the night.

It is said the Cowl of Shadows still wanders, carried by those who find it, but all who wear it are destined to become as Zhul-Ashtar—lost to time, unseen by the world.

Moral of the Story: The shadows may hide you from the world, but they will also take you from it. To seek invisibility is to risk becoming invisible even to yourself. Beware the things that promise to conceal, for they may conceal more than you wish.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

Shadowmail Cowl

• Description: A hooded garment woven from shadowy fabric, granting partial invisibility in dim light and shadowed areas. Its mysterious origin hints at eldritch connections.
• Stats:
  • Skill Bonus: +10% to Stealth when in low-light or dark conditions.
  • Sanity Cost: 1d2 Sanity points upon first wearing, as the wearer feels reality slipping slightly around them.
  • Partial Invisibility: When in dim or dark environments, the wearer gains a bonus die to Stealth rolls.
  • Negative Effect: Prolonged use (more than 1 hour) causes the wearer to begin experiencing hallucinations, hearing whispers from unseen sources. Roll against POW; failure results in a temporary bout of insanity.

Blades in the Dark

Shadowmail Cowl

• Load: 1 (light, easily hidden)
• Tier: 2 (Standard for stealth operatives or shadowy figures)
• Effect:
  • Partial Invisibility: While wearing the cowl, you gain +1d to Prowl rolls in dim or dark conditions, blending into the shadows.
  • Surprise Resistance: The cowl grants you the ability to avoid surprise attacks. Once per score, negate an ambush by rolling a Prowess resistance test.
  • Echoes of the Void: After wearing the cowl for extended periods, the user may start hearing voices from the void, causing a Stress cost of 1 each time this happens. This may occur at the GM’s discretion after a prolonged stealth mission.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

Shadowmail Cowl

• Wondrous Item, uncommon (requires attunement)
• Stats:
  • Armor Class: None (considered light gear)
  • Stealth Bonus: Grants a +2 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks when in dim light or darkness.
  • Partial Invisibility: While in dim light or darkness, you are considered partially invisible. Creatures have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks to detect you if you are hiding.
  • Attunement Effect: You cannot be surprised while wearing the cowl, granting immunity to surprise rounds in combat.
  • Curse: Prolonged attunement (more than 1 week) leads to strange nightmares. After each long rest, roll a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, you gain a level of exhaustion.

Knave

Shadowmail Cowl

• Usage Slots: 1
• Effect:
  • Partial Invisibility: When in darkness or low light, you become hard to spot. Gain +2 to Stealth rolls in these conditions.
  • Cannot Be Surprised: While wearing the cowl, you are always alert to nearby enemies, and cannot be surprised.
  • Dark Affinity: Prolonged use of the cowl warps your mind. After using the cowl for more than 8 hours, make a Will check to avoid hearing whispering shadows, which might lead to unpredictable behavior or madness if failed.

Fate Core

Shadowmail Cowl

• Aspect: “Cloaked in Shadows”
  • This aspect can be invoked to gain stealth advantages or avoid detection in low-light or dark environments. The wearer blends into the surroundings, moving unseen.
• Free Invokes: 2 per session
  • Partial Invisibility: Invoke the aspect to gain a +2 bonus on Stealth rolls or to create an advantage in shadowy areas.
  • Surprise Resistance: The wearer cannot be surprised by enemies when in dim light or darkness. Use this to negate ambushes by making a Notice check.
• Compel: Prolonged use of the cowl may lead to whispers from the darkness. This could cause the wearer to make poor decisions or act recklessly due to paranoia, allowing the GM to compel the aspect.

Numenera & Cypher System

Shadowmail Cowl

• Level: 4
• Form: A hooded garment made from shadow-infused fabric that grants partial invisibility and stealth advantages.
• Stats:
  • Stealth Bonus: The wearer gains an asset on any Stealth tasks performed in low-light or dark environments.
  • Partial Invisibility: When in dim light or darkness, enemies must succeed on a Level 5 task to detect the wearer. This effect applies as long as the wearer is in motion.
  • Surprise Immunity: The wearer cannot be surprised, allowing them to react before enemies can take action.
• GM Intrusion: After prolonged use, the GM may introduce hallucinations or paranoid thoughts as the wearer becomes attuned to the shadows. This can lead to misinterpretations of events or poor decisions in critical situations.

Pathfinder 2nd Edition

Shadowmail Cowl

• Item Level: 5
• Price: 200 gp
• Bulk: L
• Usage: Worn; requires 1 hour of attunement to gain its full effects.
• Stats:
  • Stealth Bonus: Grants a +2 item bonus to Stealth checks when in dim light or darkness.
  • Partial Invisibility: While in low-light or dark environments, creatures have a -2 circumstance penalty on Perception checks to detect the wearer.
  • Surprise Resistance: The wearer cannot be flat-footed or surprised in dim or dark conditions, and automatically gains initiative in a surprise round.
• Curse: If worn for more than 24 hours consecutively, the wearer must succeed on a DC 15 Will save or begin hearing voices in the shadows. Failure results in a -1 status penalty to Perception and Will saves until the cowl is removed.

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

Shadowmail Cowl

• Type: Gear (Magical Item)
• Cost: $400
• Weight: 2 lbs.
• Durability: Toughness 8 (resistant to wear and tear, but prolonged exposure to sunlight may reduce effectiveness).
• Stats:
  • Stealth Bonus: Gain a +2 bonus to Stealth rolls in dim light or dark environments.
  • Partial Invisibility: While in dim light or darkness, enemies suffer a -2 penalty to Notice rolls when attempting to spot the wearer.
  • Unseen Reflexes: The wearer cannot be surprised while in shadowy environments, and may take a free action to reposition before combat begins.
• Drawback: Prolonged use (over 4 hours) causes mild paranoia. The wearer must make a Spirit roll or suffer a -1 penalty to all Notice and Persuasion rolls for the next hour due to unsettling whispers and shadowy visions.

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

Shadowmail Cowl

• Device Rating: 3
• Cost: 5,000¥
• Availability: 8R (Restricted, due to its stealth-enhancing properties)
• Stats:
  • Partial Invisibility: In dim or dark environments, the wearer benefits from -3 to Perception tests to detect them.
  • Stealth Bonus: Gain +2 dice to Sneaking rolls when moving in low-light or shadowy conditions.
  • Surprise Resistance: The cowl prevents the wearer from being surprised in ambush situations, providing a +2 bonus to Initiative in the first round of combat.
  • Glitches: If the cowl’s enchantment is disrupted (such as by high levels of ambient light or magic interference), roll a Glitch Die. On a roll of 1, the cowl’s invisibility fails entirely for 1d6 rounds.

Starfinder

Shadowmail Cowl

• Level: 4
• Price: 2,500 credits
• Bulk: Light
• Usage: Worn; 10 charges; 1 charge per activation, lasting 1 hour.
• Stats:
  • Partial Invisibility: Grants partial concealment (20% miss chance) when in dim light or darkness.
  • Stealth Bonus: Gain a +2 insight bonus to Stealth checks while the cowl is active.
  • Surprise Resistance: The wearer is immune to surprise rounds and always acts during the surprise phase of combat.
  • Charge Depletion: When the cowl runs out of charges, it must be recharged with a solar battery or similar energy source (1 hour of charging restores 2 charges).
• Special: Prolonged use can cause mild hallucinations as the wearer becomes attuned to the shadows. After 4 hours of consecutive use, the wearer must succeed on a DC 15 Will save or suffer a -1 penalty to Will-based saving throws until the cowl is deactivated.

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

Shadowmail Cowl

• TL: 12
• Cost: 12,000 credits
• Weight: 1 kg
• Stats:
  • Partial Invisibility: In low-light conditions, the wearer gains +2 DM to Recon or Stealth checks as they become hard to perceive.
  • Surprise Immunity: The wearer is immune to being surprised and always acts first in a combat round if they succeed on a Recon check.
  • Tech Dependency: The cowl’s invisibility effect is powered by an advanced battery, which lasts for 24 hours of continuous use. After that, it requires 2 hours to fully recharge using a Tech Level 10+ power source.
• Drawback: Prolonged use of the cowl causes sensory disorientation. After wearing the cowl for more than 12 hours consecutively, the wearer must make a Sanity check or suffer a -1 DM to Perception and Investigation tasks for the next 6 hours.

Warhammer 40k: Wrath & Glory

Shadowmail Cowl

• Tier: 3
• Price: 8 Wealth
• Rarity: Rare
• Keywords: Stealth, Infiltration, Archeotech
• Stats:
  • Partial Invisibility: While in shadows or dim light, enemies take a -2 penalty to Awareness tests to detect the wearer. This effect is passive and does not require activation.
  • Stealth Bonus: The wearer gains a +2 bonus to Stealth tests while in shadowed environments.
  • Surprise Resistance: The wearer cannot be surprised while wearing the cowl and may add +1 to Initiative rolls when ambushed or initiating combat in dimly lit areas.
• Drawback: Prolonged use may result in whispers from the Warp or lingering paranoia. After 4 hours of continuous use, roll a Corruption test. On failure, the wearer gains 1 point of Corruption, as the cowl subtly draws on warp energies for its power.