Lore This bizarre and unique artifact is the sole testament to the philosopher-jester Chikatsura the Spry, who, in his later years, became obsessed with the duality of divine truth. He believed that mirth and fury were two bells on the same cap, both necessary to awaken a sleeping world. He acquired the Chalice of Tempered Fury 83 from a warrior-monk order, claiming he would “teach it how to smile.”
Chikatsura, also an obscure astro-clown, possessed the Onmyodo 527 of the Laughing Constellation. He embarked on a paradoxical ritual, attempting to fuse the two items. He claimed he wanted to “drink his fury from a jester’s cap and wear his laughter as a crown.” The ritual was considered an act of supreme folly. He inverted the sacred chalice, placing it on his head as a helm, and attempted to stitch the Onmyodo cap to the celestial silver, using the chalice’s own latent heat to forge the bond.
The resulting explosion of conflicting energy—half-mirthful starlight, half-righteous fire—leveled his workshop but left the fused item floating in the crater. The result is this helm: an item that embodies a chaotic, holy foolishness, balancing profound healing with jarring, comedic aggression.
Description The Helm of the Laughing Fury 110 is a visually contradictory headpiece. The base is the Chalice of Tempered Fury 83, inverted and perfectly shaped to fit a humanoid head like a shimmering celestial silver skullcap. The chalice’s original runes are visible: the elegant, cool-to-the-touch celestial symbols of healing glow with a soft, white light, while the jagged, crimson runes of fury smolder with latent heat.
Sewn or fused directly to the silver rim of this chalice-helm are the three floppy, tri-horned “horns” of the Onmyodo 527. This indigo brocade fabric, spangled with tiny brass stars, sways with the wearer’s movements. The three celestial bells at the tips jingle, not just with movement, but in subtle sync with the wearer’s pulse or thesmoldering of the crimson runes.
Stats
- Rarity: Unique
- Level Requirement: Tier 2
- Magic Type: Duality Enchantment (Onmyodo & Celestial)
Tags Artifact of Renewal, Battle Empowerment, Benevolent Blessing, Celestial Relic, Duality, Enchantment, Healing Chalice, Holy Warrior, Martial, Offensive, Purification, Tool, Truth Revealer, Fusion, Kinetic Activation, Stunning Blow, Condition Removal, Aura, Consumable Charge, Unique, Headgear, Onmyodo, Divination, Performance-Aid, Jester-Roleplay, Mirth, Luck-Shift, Star-Charm, Astrology, Shikigami, Pentagram, Bell-Chime, Crowd-Control, Emote-Shift, Cosmic-Humor, Inverted, Fused, Paradox, Holy-Fool, Celestial-Brocade, Tri-Horn, Bell-Helm, Astro-Clown, Soporific
Multiple Passives Magic
- Aura of Tempered Mirth: A paradoxical aura merges the chalice’s resolve with the cap’s wards. The wielder and any allies within 10 feet gain a passive +1 bonus to saving throws against effects that cause fear, disease, or minor, non-lethal curses. The faint, pentatonic chiming of the bells dampens the aggression of the smoldering runes.
- Clarity of the Jester: The divine energy of the chalice and the divination magic of the cap combine. The wielder has a constant advantage on checks to see through magical illusions and passively senses the shifts in emotional “ki” (general hostility, mirth, or fear) of those within 10 feet.
Multiple Active Magics
- Blessing of Reconstitution: The wearer must remove the helm and use it as the chalice it was, filling it with water. Upon drinking, the celestial symbols glow brightly with a pure, white light. The drinker immediately restores 4d8 hit points and is cured of one ailment or negative condition. This ability can be used three times per day, regaining all uses at dawn.
- Strike of Tempered Fury: To activate, the wearer must perform a forceful strike with the helm, either by headbutting a solid surface (an attack of opportunity may apply) or striking it with their own hand. This kinetic impact causes the crimson runes on the chalice-helm to flare with intense, fiery light. For the next minute, the wielder’s weapon attacks are empowered. The next successful weapon hit deals an additional 2d6 fire damage and the target must succeed on a constitution saving throw or be stunned for one round. This ability can be used once per hour.
- Star-Fool’s Fury: The helm holds one charge of stellar essence, recharging at sunset. As a free action, the wearer can expend this charge. A shimmer of twinkling motes from the bells blinds onlookers for a heartbeat while the wearer sidesteps up to 5 feet without provoking reactive strikes. This “pratfall,” combined with the helm’s furious aura, inspires allies. The next ally within earshot who witnesses the slip gains advantage on one roll made within the next minute.
- Laughing Shikigami: As an action, the wearer can expend the helm’s single stellar essence charge (shared with Star-Fool’s Fury). This conjures a palm-sized paper sprite sporting a jaunty mask. For ten minutes, it flits about, exaggerating the wearer’s antics, granting a +2 to crowd reactions or Performance checks, but drawing equal attention.
Specific Slot Head
Item Integrity and Disablement
The Helm of the Laughing Fury 110 is a Tier 2 artifact, but its construction is a volatile paradox: a rigid, enchanted celestial silver vessel fused to soft, enchanted brocade. This makes it a bizarrely durable, yet incredibly unstable, object.
The Helm does not have traditional “hit points.” It has a Magical Integrity Threshold of 90.
Damage Threshold: The helm’s base is celestial silver, giving it a damage threshold of 10. Any single attack dealing 10 or fewer points of damage is ignored.
Disablement: Reducing the helm’s Integrity to 0 does not simply break it; it shatters the impossible fusion. The magic binding the two opposing forces (Mirth and Fury, Onmyodo and Celestial) fails catastrophically.
This disablement is a violent event. The celestial silver chalice-base would crack, the crimson runes exploding in a final, fiery, stunning burst, while the indigo brocade horns would be torn from the silver, the bells chiming a frantic, panicked peal as the starlight magic dissipates. The item would be broken into two inert, ruined components: a Cracked Chalice-Helm and Torn Onmyodo Horns. All passive and active magical abilities would cease, and the item would no longer function as a single object.
Item Repair
Repairing this item is less a task of smithing and more a ritual of re-enactment, requiring two distinct master artisans working in perfect, yet conflicting, harmony.
- Component Repair: The two broken pieces must be repaired separately, restoring their original (Tier 1) magical nature.
- The Cracked Chalice-Helm: A master Runesmith with knowledge of Divine Enchanting must mend the celestial silver. This requires a consecrated forge, powdered celestial silver, and the re-inscribing of both the healing and fury runes to re-establish its internal balance.
- The Torn Onmyodo Horns: A master Onmyodo-Stitcher or Talisman-weaver must mend the brocade. This requires silk thread dyed in starlight, new pentatonic-tuned bells, and a ritual to re-bind the Laughing Constellation’s blessing to the fabric.
- The Ritual of Paradoxical Fusion: Once both items are restored to their Tier 1 states, the original, folly-filled merging ritual must be performed again. The artisans must bring the two items together. The Runesmith must channel righteous fury and divine healing into the chalice, while the Onmyodo-Stitcher must simultaneously channel mirthful, chaotic Onmyodo energy into the cap. They must “forge” the items together—the smith with heat and hammer, the stitcher with needle and starlight—forcing the two opposing energies to find their chaotic, laughing, furious equilibrium once more.
This process is extremely expensive, requiring both masters to work in tandem, and it is just as volatile as the original creation.
The Helm of the Laughing Fury 110 is a one-of-a-kind artifact, a Tier 2 item born from the absurd, paradoxical fusion of a sacred, high-value celestial artifact and a common, whimsical Onmyodo charm. Its value is wildly subjective: to a holy warrior, it is a desecrated and silly relic. To a court jester, it is an impractical, heavy, and overly-serious helmet.
Its true value is only apparent to a very specific and rare clientele: collectors of the unique, philosopher-jesters (like its creator), or “holy fools” who walk the line between divine purpose and chaotic mirth. The item is almost never found in a standard shop.
1. Vesperon’s Enigmatic Sanctum
Location: A high-end, museum-like sanctum in a floating metropolis, run by an ancient being who values an item’s story above its function. Vesperon, the proprietor, was familiar with the Chalice of Reconstitution and is utterly fascinated by its bizarre “evolution.”
How it is Sold: The Helm is not for sale to just anyone. It is displayed in the “Gallery of Paradoxes” on a simple, reverent pedestal, floating and chiming softly. A potential buyer must prove to Vesperon that they understand the philosophy behind the item. The sale is a long, intellectual, and philosophical negotiation. Vesperon is far more interested in the story the new owner will create with it. He would be just as likely to buy it from an adventurer for a high price, simply to add its story to his collection.
Cost: Vesperon views the item as a priceless, unique art piece. He knows the original chalice was worth over 250 Platinum, and while this fusion has “ruined” its original sacred purpose, it has created something new and arguably more unique. Asking Price: 150 Platinum (15 Rhodium). He might be convinced to accept a lower price (around 120P) if the buyer can present a truly compelling, original philosophical argument on the unity of mirth and fury.
2. The Umbral Auction House
Location: A secret, high-stakes auction house in a dark cave megacity, attended by masked nobles, guild masters, and agents of intrigue. This venue specializes in items of power whose value is highly subjective.
How it is Sold: The Helm is the star lot in an auction themed “The Divine & The Decadent.” The auctioneer, a charismatic figure, would present the item with theatrical flair. “Lot 110, gentlemen, ladies, and beings beyond! The folly of Chikatsura! Is it a helm? Is it a cup? Yes! It is the ultimate tool for the warrior with a sense of humor, the holy fool who must headbutt a heretic and then heal his allies with a drink from his own crown! Do I hear one hundred Platinum for the only one in existence?” The bidding would be fierce but niche, likely between two or three very specific, wealthy collectors or spies who see its bizarre potential.
Cost: The market is “buyer beware.” The bidding would start high, based on the known value of its celestial silver chalice component, but would likely not reach the original’s full price due to its absurdity. Final Sale Price: 80 Platinum to 120 Platinum (8-12 Rhodium), depending on how badly the bidders want its unique combination of healing, offense, and stealth-evasion.
3. The Laughing Lantern Emporium
Location: A chaotic, tent-like, and magically-infused prop house in a traveling carnival-city or a permanent performance-district in a major port. The shop is run by a high-jester named Fizzlewick, who believes the Helm is the holiest relic of his profession.
How it is Sold: The Helm is not on a shelf. Fizzlewick wears it during important negotiations. To buy it, one must first be a known and respected performer or prove their “holy foolishness.” The sale would be unorthodox. Fizzlewick doesn’t truly care about the value of the celestial silver. He values the item’s spirit. He might demand a trade or a service rather than just coin.
Cost: Fizzlewick knows it’s valuable, but he prices it for its “performance” value, not its artifact value. Monetary Price: 40 Platinum (4 Rhodium). Barter Price: 15 Platinum + a significant trade, such as “a map to the lost Jester-King’s tomb,” “a feather from a celestial griffon,” or the buyer must successfully perform a Star-Fool’s Fury slip to “pratfall” past Fizzlewick’s personal steam-powered guard-golem.
The Helm of the Laughing Fury 110 is a bizarre and contradictory item, and its roleplay use is one of shocking, absurd, and disarming duality. The wearer is a “holy fool,” a walking paradox who looks like a jester but carries the weight of a sacred relic.
How it is used depends on the user’s intent: to embrace the fury of the chalice or the mirth of the cap.
1. Environment: Tense Court or Political Summit
Scenario: The user is part of an entourage in a high-stakes negotiation that is turning hostile. A rival noble, backed by two heavily-armed house guards, is making threats.
Defensive Use (Embracing the Mirth): The rival noble snaps, “I’ve heard enough of this… jester!” He gestures, and his two guards step forward, hands on their weapons, to “escort” the user out.
The user, sensing the ki of hostility from their Clarity of the Jester passive, throws their hands up in mock surrender. “Whoa there, fellas! Don’t you know it’s rude to touch a man’s chalice?”
As the guards reach for them, the user activates Star-Fool’s Fury.
- Roleplay: It’s a free action. The user performs an impossible, slapstick pratfall. The three bells on the indigo horns chime brightly. A sudden, blinding flash of starlight motes erupts from the helm. The two guards, momentarily blinded, lurch forward into the space the user was. The user, having “slipped” 5 feet to the left, is now dusting off their shoulder. The guards, blinded and over-extended, crash into each other. The helm’s user then points to their allied diplomat. “See? They’re already falling over each other for your proposal!” The diplomat, inspired by the Celestial Punch-line aspect of the ability, gains advantage on a roll to seize this moment of stunned silence and regain control of the room.
Offensive Use (Embracing the Fury): The rival noble, enraged by this mockery, draws a decorative-but-sharp dagger. “I’ll gut you where you stand, fool!”
The user’s expression hardens. The bells stop chiming. They turn to the nearest wall, adorned with a heavy marble tapestry-holder. “You know,” the user says, their voice calm, “my headache is killing me.” They then violently headbutt the marble wall, activating Strike of Tempered Fury.
- Roleplay: The sound is a deafening, metallic CLANG that shocks the entire court. The crimson runes on the silver chalice-helm flare with fiery, furious light. The user turns back to the noble, their weapon (or fist) now wreathed in smoldering, divine fire. The noble, who was prepared to fight a jester, is now facing a holy warrior whose head just dented a marble wall and is now on fire. The noble is almost certainly stunned for a round, his aggression completely and utterly derailed by the sheer, violent absurdity of the act.
2. Environment: A Chaotic City Back-Alley Ambush
Scenario: The party is cornered in a narrow alley by a guild of thieves. One ally has been badly wounded.
Defensive Use (Embracing the Healer): The user’s friend is bleeding out, propped against a crate. The user needs to heal them, but it requires removing the helm, a moment of profound vulnerability.
The user yells, “Cover me! The fool’s thirsty!” They activate Star-Fool’s Fury.
- Roleplay: The user “slips” in a flash of starlight, disorienting the thieves who charged them. They land beside their fallen ally. In that one, crucial moment, they pull the helm from their head. The jester’s horns and the furious runes vanish. All that’s left is a sacred, glowing silver chalice. They pour the last of a waterskin into it. The Blessing of Reconstitution activates. The celestial symbols glow, purifying the water into liquid light. They have their ally drink. The wounds seal, and the ally is cured of the thief’s poison. The user then slams the helm back on their head. “Alright,” the bells chime, “playtime’s over.”
Offensive Use (Embracing the Jester): With the healer safe, the user turns to the three remaining thieves. They can’t use Strike of Fury (it’s on cooldown) and they’ve used their Stellar Charge. They need a distraction.
They activate Laughing Shikigami by using their stellar charge a second time (as it shares the same charge, this assumes they didn’t use the slip, or are using it on a different day).
- Roleplay: The user plucks at one of the brass stars on the helm’s indigo fabric. “You think you’re so tough? Meet my big brother!” A palm-sized, masked paper sprite leaps from the helm. It immediately flies into the face of the largest thief, mimicking his tough-guy posture and making rude gestures. The thief, completely baffled, swats at the paper sprite. “What is this?!” This grants the user’s actual “big brother” (the party’s fighter) the opening to flank the thief and end the fight.
3. Environment: A Dark, Ancient Crypt
Scenario: The party is exploring a silent tomb. The air is heavy with dread and minor curses.
Defensive Use (Passive Warding): The party walks through a chamber where the walls are weeping spectral ooze.
- Roleplay: The user is unaffected, but their allies feel a sense of dread and a minor, sapping curse settle on them. The user’s Aura of Tempered Mirth is active. The faint, constant, pentatonic chiming of the bells on their helm is creating a 10-foot bubble of “anti-seriousness.” The allies’ dread feels… silly. The minor curse that was meant to sap their strength just makes their boot squeak. The +1 save from the helm’s passive aura is roleplayed as the holy/mirthful magic of the helm “dampening” the “seriousness” of the crypt’s magic. The user’s Clarity of the Jester also has them pointing things out: “Careful, that patch of shadow ahead? It hates us. Very bad ki.”
Offensive Use (The Holy Fool’s Charge): A large, undead Tomb Guardian, immune to fear and humor, lurches from a sarcophagus. It is covered in ancient, magical wards.
The user decides this foe is not funny. It must be broken.
- Roleplay: The user activates Strike of Tempered Fury by headbutting the Tomb Guardian’s shield. The sound is a cataclysmic GONG. The crimson runes flare, and the holy fire from the attack overloads the undead’s wards. The guardian is stunned, not from the blow (which was minor), but from the shockwave of righteous fury and divine power. The user then follows up with their mace. “Knock knock!” WHAM. The fire damage from the strike sears the undead’s flesh, and the user’s party now has a full round to unload on the stunned, smoldering monster.
Perception of Activation:
The Helm of the Laughing Fury 110 is a paradoxical item, and its activation is not a single event. It has three distinct activations, each with a unique and conflicting sensory profile.
Activation Method 1: Strike of Tempered Fury
User’s Perspective:
- Sight: The moment the helm impacts a surface, the user’s vision is flooded with a blinding, crimson flash as the jagged runes flare. For a second, the world is cast in a blood-red hue. Sparks fly from the point of impact, and the air shimmers with aggressive, visible heat.
- Sound: A sharp, metallic CLANG or CRACK rings out, immediately followed by a furious HISS, like a red-hot sword being quenched. This sound deepens into a low, resonant, and angry hum that vibrates through the user’s skull. The jester bells jingle, not with mirth, but with a frantic, discordant, and alarming clatter.
- Smell: The air is filled with the sharp, acrid scent of ozone and burnt metal. There is an undercurrent of something metallic and hot, like the smell of blood on hot iron.
- Touch: A jarring shock of impact travels through the user’s head or hand. Immediately, the entire silver helm becomes intensely hot, not enough to cause serious burns but feeling like a piece of metal pulled from coals. The heat feels angry and impatient.
- Taste: A fleeting taste of ash and copper fills the mouth.
- Extrasensory (Aura): The user is flooded with a wave of pure, cold, and focused fury. It is not a blind rage, but a divine, righteous anger that demands a target. Fear and doubt are scoured from the mind, replaced by an absolute, sharp-edged certainty.
- Extrasensory (Duality): The user feels the mirthful magic of the Onmyodo horns “recoil” or “cower,” as if the jester-spirit of the cap is terrified by the sacred fury it is bound to.
Observer’s Perspective:
- Sight: A sudden, brilliant flash of crimson light erupts from the runes on the user’s helm. The user is momentarily wreathed in a heat shimmer and appears like a holy, furious executioner, which is made utterly bizarre by the three floppy jester horns flapping wildly from the impact.
- Sound: A loud, sharp CLANG is followed by a menacing, sizzling hum that charges the air. The sound of the jester bells ringing frantically and angrily is deeply unsettling, a sound of “playtime is over.”
- Smell: A sharp scent of ozone and superheated metal emanates from the user.
- Extrasensory: Observers feel a sudden, terrifying psychic spike of pure, aggressive intent. Empaths feel a wave of “righteous rage” that is both inspiring (to allies) and terrifying (to foes). The visual paradox of a jester’s helm emitting this aura is profoundly disorienting.
Activation Method 2: Blessing of Reconstitution
User’s Perspective:
- Sight: The helm must be removed, transforming it from a “helm” to a “chalice.” As water is poured in, the elegant celestial symbols (not the red ones) glow with a soft, steady, and pure white-silver light. The water itself becomes luminous, swirling as if it holds liquid starlight. The three indigo horns flopping over the rim look absurd.
- Sound: A single, faint, and harmonious chime resonates directly within the user’s mind as they drink. The three bells on the horns chime softly, not with a jester’s giggle, but with a melodic, pentatonic scale, like a gentle wind chime.
- Smell: A clean, refreshing scent rises from the chalice, a blend of the chalice’s night-blooming jasmine and the Onmyodo’s cedar-smoke and night air.
- Touch: The silver of the chalice becomes pleasantly cool to the touch, like stone from a mountain spring. The liquid is silky and cool, and a profound, soothing warmth spreads from the chest throughout the entire body.
- Taste: The liquid tastes impossibly pure and clean, with a subtle sweetness like nectar or honeyed dew.
- Extrasensory (Aura): A profound sense of peace, grace, and calm washes over the user, silencing pain and anxiety. It is a feeling of “all is well,” of being cared for.
- Extrasensory (Duality): The user feels the smoldering, crimson runes go dormant and cold, their fury “put to sleep” by the holy and mirthful act of healing. The user feels a sense of divine absurdity—performing a sacred act of healing from a floppy-horned jester’s cup.
Observer’s Perspective:
- Sight: The user removes the ridiculous helm and drinks from it. The elegant silver runes glow with a calm, holy light, casting a serene glow on the user’s face. The jester horns dipping into the water or flopping over the user’s hand make the entire act look like a child’s tea party hosted by a god.
- Sound: A soft, melodic chiming from the bells, in perfect harmony, is audible to those nearby. It is deeply soothing and reassuring.
- Smell: A faint, pleasant floral and cedar scent may be noticed by those standing close.
- Extrasensory: Empathic observers feel a radiating wave of tranquility and compassion. All feelings of tension and aggression in the immediate area are dampened. It is a visible, tangible aura of peace, made all the more potent by its absurd presentation.
Activation Method 3: Star-Fool’s Fury / Laughing Shikigami
User’s Perspective:
- Sight: The indigo brocade fabric of the horns seems to ripple like night water. The brass stars spangled on them twinkle brightly, releasing a small flurry of blue-white starlight motes that briefly obscure vision. A faint golden pentagram (from the Onmyodo talisman) flashes in the user’s mind’s eye.
- Sound: The three bells chime in a perfect, single, crystalline chord. A suppressed giggle seems to echo inside the user’s skull, a sound of pure, chaotic mirth.
- Smell: A sharp, clean scent of cedar-smoke and cold night air flashes through the user’s senses, as if they were on a temple veranda at dusk.
- Touch: The helm hugs the scalp with a warm, tingling pressure. It feels like the anticipation before a joke, a light, ticklish sensation.
- Taste: A fleeting hint of sweet ozone, like the moment before a summer rain.
- Extrasensory (Aura): A pulse of pure, chaotic, mirthful energy surges from the helm. The user is granted a moment of “comedic insight,” an intuitive flash of where to step to avoid harm or what to say to inspire an ally.
- Extrasensory (Duality): The user can feel the divine power of the chalice (both healing and fury) “roll its eyes” at the cap’s antics. The sacred power remains dormant, allowing the “fool” to play.
Observer’s Perspective:
- Sight: A shimmer of blue-white starlight motes erupts from the bells on the user’s helm. The brass stars on the horns twinkle brightly. The user seems to blur or shimmer, moving in a slapstick, unnatural-looking slip or pratfall.
- Sound: A clear, five-note chime cuts through the air, followed by a faint giggle that seems to come from everywhere at once.
- Smell: A brief, passing scent of burnt cedar wood or incense.
- Extrasensory: Observers (especially magical ones) feel a wave of levity and profound confusion. A “pranked” sensation washes over them. Local fortune visibly tilts toward chaos and levity for a split second. Enemies are disarmed, not by fear, but by sheer “what-just-happened” confusion.
Positives
- Unmistakable Intent: The activations are so sensorily distinct that allies (and enemies) are left in no doubt as to the user’s immediate intent: overwhelming fury, compassionate healing, or chaotic misdirection.
- Psychological Warfare: The item’s primary strength is its paradoxical nature. The “fury” activation is made more terrifying by the jester’s cap. The “healing” activation is made more disarming by its absurdity. The “mirth” activation is a perfect distraction.
- Sensory Overload: All activations are a sensory bomb, capable of disorienting foes. The Strike of Fury is a flash-bang of rage. The Star-Fool Slip is a flash-bang of mirth.
Negatives
- Impossible Stealth: This item has no “stealth mode.” Any activation is a beacon of light, sound, and magical energy that screams the user’s location and intent to everyone in the area.
- Conflicting Auras: The user must be of strong will. Channeling “fury” while wearing a “mirth” item, or “healing” from a “fury” item, can be mentally and spiritually disorienting, especially for an untrained user.
- Lack of Seriousness: A user activating the Blessing of Reconstitution may be perceived as a fool and not taken seriously in a moment of dire need, until the magic takes effect. Conversely, activating Star-Fool’s Fury in a solemn or diplomatic setting could be seen as a catastrophic, alliance-breaking insult.
Recipe: The Holy Fool’s Inversion
This is a master-level, highly volatile ritual. It attempts to fuse an artifact of divine, balanced power with a charm of chaotic, mirthful energy. The process requires inverting the sacred chalice—an act of symbolic folly—and using its own contained fury as the forge to bond the jester’s cap to it. Failure will almost certainly result in a catastrophic magical explosion, destroying both items and likely the crafter.
Items Merged
- 1x Chalice of Tempered Fury 83 (Tier 1)
- 1x Onmyodo 527 of the Laughing Constellation (Tier 1)
Additional Materials Needed
- 1 Spool of Celestial Silk Thread: A thread spun from starlight, necessary to sew into the celestial silver without being rejected.
- 1 Vial of Liquid Mirth: A rare, alchemical substance distilled from the laughter of a celestial spirit or a “holy fool.” This will be used to insulate the Onmyodo cap from the chalice’s raw fury.
- 1 “Fool’s Pardon” Talisman: A specific, high-level Onmyodo ofuda designed to placate sacred or divine spirits, essentially “apologizing” to the chalice’s celestial magic for the act of foolishness.
- 1 Ounce of Powdered Star-Iron: Meteoritic iron, ground fine. Used to create a magical-metallic bond between the silver and the fabric.
Tools Required
- Anvil of Divine Inversion: A consecrated anvil, heavily warded, with a custom-shaped depression to hold the chalice upside-down securely.
- Star-Forged Needle: A silver needle with an eyelet large enough for celestial silk, designed to pierce magically-active, enchanted metals.
- Runic Solder: A specialized alchemical tool used for applying powdered metals as a magical binding agent.
- The Crafter’s Own Pulse: The bells must be attuned to the crafter’s living heartbeat.
- A Solid, Consecrated Surface: Required for the activation strike.
Skill Requirements
- Master Divine Enchanting: To handle the sacred and furious energies of the chalice without having them annihilate the crafter.
- Master Onmyodo (Talisman Crafting): To handle the subtle star-magic and astrological alignments of the cap and prevent the Onmyodo spirit from fleeing.
- Expert Arcane Smithing: To work with celestial silver and star-iron, not to forge, but to fuse.
- Steady Nerves (Philosophical Requirement): The crafter must possess a “holy fool’s” mentality, understanding both profound reverence and chaotic mirth simultaneously.
Crafting Steps
- The Preparation of Folly: The ritual must begin at sunset, as the first star becomes visible. The Chalice of Tempered Fury 83 is placed upside-down onto the Anvil of Divine Inversion, so it rests like a helm. The “Fool’s Pardon” Talisman is placed inside the inverted chalice to placate its divine spirit.
- The Insulating Weave: The Onmyodo 527 of the Laughing Constellation is carefully deconstructed, its three horns and bells preserved. The crafter must soak the indigo brocade in the Liquid Mirth, which makes it shimmer and resist the chalice’s latent heat.
- The Furious Forge: This is the most dangerous step. The crafter must activate the chalice’s fury while it is on the anvil. They must strike the inverted chalice base with a consecrated hammer, activating the Strike of Tempered Fury. The crimson runes will flare with intense, smoldering heat. This heat will not melt the chalice, but it makes the silver rim magically malleable for the next 60 seconds.
- The Paradoxical Stitch: While the runes are smoldering, the crafter must work with inhuman speed. They must lay the horns of the mirth-soaked Onmyodo cap onto the glowing-hot rim of the chalice. Using the Star-Forged Needle and Celestial Silk Thread, they must physically sew the brocade to the silver.
- The Star-Iron Seal: As the celestial silk pierces the silver, it will try to recoil. The crafter must immediately apply the Powdered Star-Iron with the Runic Solder. The heat from the crimson runes, the magic of the starlight in the silk, and the star-iron will react, creating a permanent, magical fusion-weld that binds fabric to enchanted metal.
- The Final Attunement: As the fury-magic fades and the item cools, the Onmyodo and Celestial magics will collide. The item will vibrate violently. The crafter must place their hands on the helm and attune the jingle of the bells to their own heartbeat, forcing the two warring spirits (the Holy Warrior and the Astro-Clown) to find a single, unified rhythm.
- Success or Failure: If successful, the item will stabilize. The celestial runes will glow, the crimson runes will smolder, and the bells will chime softly in sync with the crafter’s pulse. The Helm of the Laughing Fury 110 is born. If it fails, the conflicting energies will detonate, vaporizing the components in a flash of crimson light and mocking laughter.
Scroll of Upside-Down Cup
It is known, from the crackled parchment, of the man Chikatsura. The (letters-of-old) call him the Spry, the Astro-Clown, the Holy Fool. He was a man who looked at the [world-fabric] and saw the stitches. He saw the thread of Sorrow. And he saw the thread of Laughter. And he said, “Why are these two threads? They are one thread, pulled in two ways.”
He was a great collector of [un-things], of items that should not be. He found the Chalice of Tempered Fury. It was a cup of silver, from the (sky-beings). One side was cool, and it did heal. You drink, and the [sickness-spirit] flees. The other side was hot. It was marked with (scars-of-anger). You strike it, and it gives you a hot-heart to strike your foe. It was a cup of yes and no.
Then he had the Onmyodo Cap. The one of the Laughing Constellation. It was a silly hat. It was indigo cloth, like the (skin-of-night). It had three horns, like a jester. It had bells. It had stars. It made a man lucky in his jokes. It let him slip sideways, like a star-mote.
Chikatsura, the Holy Fool, he held the holy-angry-cup in one hand. He held the silly-lucky-hat in the other. He said, “The gods drink their healing. The warriors drink their fury. But who drinks the joke? I will make a thing for the (holy-fool). I will wear my healing as a helmet. I will drink my jokes from a cup of fury.”
His [students/friends] said, “This is folly. You will break the magic.”
Chikatsura said, “It is already broken. It is in two pieces. I will make it one.”
So he did the ritual. The scrolls are (burnt) here, the words are ash. It says he took the Chalice. He put it upside-down. He made the cup a helm. This was a great [insult/truth]. Then he took the hat. He did not wear it. He sewed it. He took a (star-needle) and he stitched the indigo horns, the floppy ones, to the rim of the sacred silver. He used the heat from the fury-runes as his forge. He used the jingle of the bells as his hammer-song.
There was a sound. It was not a good sound. It was the sound of a god laughing. It was the sound of a demon praying. The workshop… it was gone. A bright light. A (sound-of-bells-and-burning).
When the smoke was gone, Chikatsura was gone. But in the crater, the thing was there. It was not a cup. It was not a hat. It was the Helm. The Helm of the Laughing Fury 110. It was floating. The white runes did glow with peace. The red runes did smolder with anger. The bells did jingle with jokes.
The story of the helm begins after the fool.
It was found by a woman. Her name is (lost-to-dust). Let us call her the Mother. Her village was sick. A gray-cough had come. And the village was also afraid. A warrior, a (grief-lord), had come. His heart was broken, so he broke all other things. He sat in his stone-house and demanded tribute-of-tears.
The Mother, she found the Helm in the crater. It was beautiful and stupid. She put it on her head. It was heavy. The bells did jingle. She felt… not-afraid. And also silly. A strange (mind-feeling).
She went to her daughter, who had the gray-cough. The girl was dying. The Mother wept. She needed to give her daughter water. She had no cup. All cups were broken by the Grief-Lord. She looked at the Helm. It was a helm. But it was shaped like a cup.
She did the thing of folly. She took the Helm from her head. She turned it right-side-up. She poured water in. The holy-marks, the white ones, they did glow. The water became… starlight. She gave it to her daughter to drink. The girl drank. The gray-cough was gone. The Blessing of Reconstitution was done.
The Mother knew: This is a holy thing.
She put the holy-helm back on her head. She went to the Grief-Lord’s stone-house. The guards, in their (iron-shirts), they saw her. They saw the cup-helm with the floppy-horns and the bells. They began to laugh. “The village sends a jester! A fool-woman to pay the tear-tribute!”
The Mother was afraid. Her heart was a (fast-drum). She could feel the ki of their hate. The Clarity of the Jester did warn her. The guards moved to grab her. She flinched. She tried to duck.
JINGLE-FLASH. The Star-Fool’s Fury did activate.
The Mother… she slipped. The bells chimed. Starlight motes did (burst/pop). She was not where she was. She was five feet to the left. The guards, they grabbed the air. They fell over each other. They were confused. Their laughter died. They looked at her. She was not a fool-woman. She was a (star-witch).
The Grief-Lord, he stood. He was not laughing. He was angry. “Witch! Sorcerer! You mock my grief with this… clown-magic!” He pointed. “Kill her!”
The captain of the guards, a big man, he raised his (great-sword). He swung it at the Mother’s head. The Mother, she was not a warrior. She could not dodge. She could not slip. She had no time. She did the only thing she could. She headbutted the sword.
CLAAAAANG.
The sound was… terrible. It was a scream of metal. The Strike of Tempered Fury was activated.
The red-runes on the silver helm did flare. A fire-light exploded. The great-sword glowed-red. The captain screamed. The fire-magic did sear his hands. The fury-magic did (stun/freeze) his soul. He dropped the sword. He fell to his knees, stunned.
Now, there was quiet. The guards were on the ground, confused by the star-magic. The captain was on his knees, stunned by the fury-magic.
The Mother stood alone. The silver helm did glow with white-light of healing. The red runes did smolder with hot-anger. The three bells did jingle with soft-laughter. She was a healer. She was a warrior. She was a fool. All at once.
The Grief-Lord looked at her. He saw the healing that saved her child. He saw the fury that stunned his captain. He saw the jester-hat that made him a fool. He saw his own grief, which was a (war/sickness/joke).
He looked at the Helm of the Laughing Fury. And for the first time in [years/eons], the Grief-Lord… he smiled. The curse was broken.
Moral of the Story: The man who is only a warrior can be broken. The man who is only a healer can be killed. The man who is only a fool can be ignored. But the man who is all three… he cannot be (understood/defeated). He is the one who changes the world.
Suggested conversions to other systems:
Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)
The Paradox-Crown of the Laughing Saint Type: Mythos Artifact (Unique)
Description: A bizarre, paradoxical artifact that appears as a shimmering, inverted celestial silver chalice, perfectly shaped to be worn as a skullcap-helm. Fused to its rim are three floppy, indigo-colored horns, like those of a jester’s cap, spangled with brass stars and tiny bells. The silver helm is etched with two sets of runes: elegant, cool-to-the-touch celestial symbols and jagged, crimson runes that smolder with latent heat. The bells chime faintly, in sync with the wearer’s pulse.
Game Mechanics: The artifact is worn on the head. Its conflicting nature is taxing on the human psyche.
- Passives:
- Aura of Tempered Mirth: The wearer and all allies within 10 feet gain a Bonus Die on POW rolls to resist fear and on Luck rolls to avoid minor, non-lethal mishaps or curses.
- Clarity of the Jester: The wearer gains a Bonus Die on Psychology or Spot Hidden rolls made to see through illusions. The wearer also gains a vague, instinctual sense of the dominant emotions (fear, hostility, mirth) of others within 10 feet.
- Actives:
- Blessing of Reconstitution: (3 uses per day) As a full-round action, the wearer can remove the helm, fill it with water, and drink. This costs 1 Sanity point. The drinker immediately heals 1d10+2 Hit Points and is cured of one physical poison or disease. All uses recharge at dawn.
- Strike of Tempered Fury: (1 use per hour) As an action, the wearer can strike the helm (or headbutt a surface). This costs 1d3 Sanity points and 2 Magic Points. The wearer’s next Fighting attack (Brawl or Melee) within the next minute deals an additional 1d6 damage. The target must also succeed on a Hard CON roll or be stunned for 1 round, losing their next action.
- Star-Fool’s Fury: (1 use per day, recharges at sunset) This ability has two linked parts.
- Star-Fool Slip: As a free action, the wearer may expend the charge to “pratfall” when targeted by an attack. The wearer moves 5 feet, and the triggering attack receives a Penalty Die.
- Celestial Punch-Line: When Star-Fool Slip is used, one ally within sight who witnesses the absurd act gains a Bonus Die on their next skill roll.
- Laughing Shikigami: (1 use per day) As an action, the wearer may expend the Star-Fool’s Fury charge. This summons a tiny, masked paper sprite that obeys simple commands. It can scout, distract, or carry small objects. It lasts for 10 minutes and has the statistics of a Tiny Creature (MOV 10 flying, 1 HP, Dodge 50).
Blades in the Dark
The Weeping Fool’s Helm Type: Wondrous Item, Arcane, Sacred Tier: III
Description: A unique, paradoxical item. The base is a fine silver chalice, inverted and worn as a helm, its divine and furious runes smoldering. Fused to this are the three-horned indigo remnants of a jester’s cap, its bells chiming with a strange, cosmic mirth.
Game Mechanics: This item takes 1 Load.
- Passive Abilities:
- Aura of Tempered Mirth: When you Resist a consequence from fear, poison, or a minor curse, you gain +1d to your roll.
- Clarity of the Jester: You can sense the “emotional vibe” of a room (hostile, tense, amused). When you Survey a social situation or Attune to pierce an illusion, you gain +1 Effect.
- Active Abilities:
- Blessing of Reconstitution: (2 uses per score) As an action, remove the helm and drink from it. You or an ally you are next to can clear 2 Stress or reduce the severity of one level of Harm (e.g., Level 3 to Level 2).
- Strike of Tempered Fury: (1 use per score) As an action, slam the helm against a surface (or headbutt someone). Take 1 Stress. Your next Skirmish or Wreck action gains +1 Effect and is Furious (e.g., it stuns the target, shatters their armor, or clears a path).
- Star-Fool’s Fury: (1 use per score) As a free action, you may spend 1 Stress to perform a “pratfall.” You avoid a source of harm and shift your position (e.g., from Desperate to Risky). When you do, choose an ally: they clear 1 Stress from witnessing your “joke.”
- Laughing Shikigami: (1 use per score) As an action, spend 1 Stress to summon a tiny, masked paper spirit. It can perform one simple task for you (e.g., Prowl to a nearby room, Finesse a key, or Sway a simple-minded guard as a distraction). It has 1 Effect for this task.
Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)
Helm of the Laughing Fury Wondrous Item, Legendary (requires attunement)
Description: This bizarre headpiece appears to be a shimmering, celestial silver chalice that has been perfectly inverted to be worn as a helm. Fused to its rim are three floppy, indigo brocade horns, each spangled with tiny brass stars and a single celestial bell. The chalice-helm is etched with two sets of runes: elegant celestial symbols that glow with a soft, white light, and jagged crimson runes that smolder with a constant, latent heat.
- Passive Abilities:
- Aura of Tempered Mirth: While wearing this helm, you and friendly creatures within 10 feet of you have advantage on saving throws against being frightened, diseased, and curses of 6th level or lower.
- Clarity of the Jester: You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) and Intelligence (Investigation) checks made to see through illusions. You can also use an action to sense the emotional state (such as hostility, fear, or mirth) of creatures you can see within 15 feet.
- Active Abilities:
- Blessing of Reconstitution: The helm has 3 charges. As an action, you can remove the helm, fill it with water, and drink from it to expend 1 charge. You regain 4d8 + 8 hit points, and you are cured of one disease, one curse, or one condition afflicting you (from: blinded, deafened, frightened, paralyzed, or poisoned). The helm regains all expended charges daily at dawn.
- Strike of Tempered Fury: (1/Hour) As a bonus action, you can strike the helm against a solid surface (or headbutt a creature or object). The next time you hit a creature with a weapon attack within the next minute, the attack deals an additional 2d6 fire damage. The target must also make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the end of its next turn.
- Stellar Charge: The helm has 1 Stellar Charge, which recharges daily at sunset. You can expend this charge to use one of the following two abilities:
- Star-Fool’s Fury (Reaction): When you are targeted by an attack, you can expend the Stellar Charge as a reaction. You teleport up to 5 feet to an unoccupied space you can see, and the triggering attack has disadvantage. Additionally, one ally you can see within 30 feet who witnesses this gains advantage on their next attack roll, ability check, or saving throw made before the start of your next turn.
- Laughing Shikigami (Action): You can expend the Stellar Charge as an action to summon a Laughing Shikigami. This functions as the Find Familiar spell, but the familiar is always a Celestial (a tiny, masked paper sprite) and disappears after 10 minutes or when it drops to 0 HP.
Knave (2nd Edition)
Holy Fool’s Chalice-Helm Item: Holy Fool’s Chalice-Helm Slots: 1 (Worn, Head) Tags: Magical, Worn, Unique, Divine, Chaotic, Jester’s, Healing
Description: A silver chalice worn as a helmet, with 3 floppy indigo horns and bells sewn to it. It is both sacred and absurd, glowing faintly with white light, smoldering with red embers, and chiming softly with your pulse.
- Passives:
- Aura of Mirth: You and allies within 10ft have Advantage on Will saves vs. Fear and on Con saves vs. Disease.
- Jester’s Clarity: You have Advantage on Will saves to disbelieve illusions. You can always sense the general “mood” (hostile, friendly, etc.) of a room.
- Actives:
- Blessing: (3 uses per day) As an action, remove the helm and drink from it. You heal 2d8 HP and are cured of one poison, disease, or curse.
- Fury: (1 use per hour) As an action, strike the helm. Your next attack this combat deals +1d6 damage, and the target must make a Con save. On failure, they are stunned for 1 round (cannot act).
- Star-Fool’s Fury: (1 use per day) As a reaction to an attack, you “pratfall” 5ft. The attack misses. One ally who sees this gains Advantage on their next roll.
- Shikigami: (1 use per day) As an action, summon a tiny, flying paper sprite for 10 minutes. It can obey simple commands (scout, fetch small item). It has 1 HP.
Fate Core
The Paradox Helm of the Holy Fool Type: Extra (Wondrous Item)
This item is a unique, sentient, and powerful Extra, representing the chaotic and divine fusion.
Aspects:
- High Concept: A Paradoxical Holy Fool’s Helm
- Trouble: Bells Chime and Runes Smolder… Never Subtly
- Function 1: A Jester’s Cap Fused to a Sacred Chalice
- Function 2: Mirthful Healing and Comedic Fury
Stunts:
- Aura of Tempered Mirth: Because I wear the helm, allies in my zone (including myself) gain a +2 bonus to Defend against attempts to create fear, disease, or minor curse-based Aspects.
- Clarity of the Jester: Because I wear the helm, I gain a +2 bonus to Overcome any magical illusion. I can also use Empathy to passively sense the general emotional state (hostility, mirth, fear) of a scene without a roll.
- Blessing of Reconstitution: Three (3) times per session, as an action, I can remove the helm and drink from it (requires water) to begin recovery from a physical Consequence. This immediately downgrades a Mild Consequence to a temporary Aspect, or a Moderate Consequence to a Mild one.
- Strike of Tempered Fury: Once per hour (or once per session), after I strike the helm, I gain a free invocation on the Aspect Righteous, Fiery Fury. The next Attack I make can use this; if successful, I can also force the target to Defend against a Stunned Aspect as if I had succeeded with style on a Create an Advantage roll.
- Stellar Charge: The helm holds one Stellar Charge, which recharges at sunset. I can spend this charge to use one of the following:
- Star-Fool’s Fury: As a reaction to being targeted by an Attack, I can spend the charge. I use Athletics to Defend. If I succeed, I create a boost: Hilarious Pratfall!. I can give this boost to any ally in the scene.
- Laughing Shikigami: As an action, I can spend the charge to Create an Advantage, summoning a Jaunty Paper Sprite with two free invocations. It can be used for distraction (Provoke) or scouting (Notice).
Numenera & Cypher System
The Celestial Jester’s Helm Type: Artifact Level: 6 (1d6+5) Form: An inverted silver chalice worn as a helm, fused with three-horned indigo fabric and bells. Runes glow with white and red light. Effect (Passive): The user’s tasks to resist fear, disease, and minor curses are eased. The user’s tasks to see through illusions are eased. The user can sense the dominant emotion of any creature within immediate range. Effect (Active – Blessing of Reconstitution): As an action, the user can remove the helm, add water, and drink. This restores 6 points to one Pool of the user’s choice and cures one disease or poison. This can be done three times per day. Effect (Active – Strike of Tempered Fury): As an action, the user strikes the helm. Their next successful weapon attack in the next minute deals an additional 4 points of damage (bypassing armor). The target must also make a Level 6 Might defense roll or be stunned, losing their next turn. This can be done once per hour. Effect (Active – Stellar Charge): The helm holds one charge, which it regains at sunset. This charge can be used in one of two ways:
- Star-Fool’s Fury: As a reaction (spending the charge), when the user is targeted by an attack, the attack is hindered. The user also teleports up to a short distance away. One ally who sees this has their next task eased.
- Laughing Shikigami: As an action (spending the charge), the user summons a Level 3 automaton (a paper sprite) for 10 minutes. It can fly a short distance each round and perform simple tasks as directed (scouting, distraction). Depletion: 1 in 1d20. (If depleted, the magical fusion fails catastrophically, and the item breaks into its two inert, original Tier 1 components, both ruined.)
Pathfinder (2nd Edition)
Helm of the Laughing Fury Item 8 Unique, Magical, Divine, Evocation, Illusion, Headwear, Invested Price: 450 gp Usage: Worn headwear; Bulk: L Description: This bizarre headpiece appears to be a shimmering, celestial silver chalice, inverted and perfectly shaped to fit a humanoid head. Fused to its silver rim are three floppy, indigo brocade horns, spangled with brass stars and bells. Elegant celestial symbols on the silver glow with a soft, white light, while jagged crimson runes smolder with latent heat.
Passive: When you Invest the item, you gain its passive abilities.
- Aura of Tempered Mirth (Aura, Divine) 10 feet. You and all allies in the emanation gain a +1 item bonus to saving throws against disease, fear, and curse effects.
- Clarity of the Jester: You gain a +2 item bonus to Perception checks to see through illusions and Will saves against illusions. You also gain a vague sense of the emotional state of creatures within 10 feet (as Detect Emotion, but only sensing the presence of hostility, fear, or mirth).
Activate [one-action] (manipulate) Frequency 3/day; Effect You remove the helm, fill it with water, and drink, activating its Blessing of Reconstitution. You regain 4d8 Hit Points and can attempt to counteract one curse or disease afflicting you (Counteract Level 4, Counteract Modifier +16).
Activate [one-action] (manipulate) Frequency 1/hour; Effect You strike the helm, activating its Strike of Tempered Fury. The next time you hit with a Strike before the end of your next turn, you deal an additional 2d6 fire damage. The target must attempt a DC 24 Fortitude save.
- Failure: The target is Stunned 1.
- Critical Failure: The target is Stunned 2.
Activate (Stellar Charge) Frequency 1/day (recharges at sunset); This activation has two modes:
- Star-Fool’s Fury [reaction] (concentrate) Trigger You are targeted by an attack; Effect You expend the Stellar Charge. You Step 5 feet and gain a +2 circumstance bonus to your AC against the triggering attack. One ally who sees this gains a +1 circumstance bonus to their next roll (attack roll, saving throw, or skill check) within 1 round.
- Laughing Shikigami [two-actions] (concentrate, summon); Effect You expend the Stellar Charge to summon a Laughing Shikigami. This functions as a 1st-level Summon Construct spell, but the shikigami is a Tiny flying construct that lasts for 10 minutes and can use the Distract action.
Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)
The Holy Fool’s Crown Type: Worn Magical Item (Head) Weight: 2 Description: A bizarre, inverted silver chalice worn as a helm. Fused to its rim are three floppy, indigo jester’s horns with chiming bells. Sacred white runes glow, angry red runes smolder, and the bells chime with the wearer’s pulse.
Powers: This item grants access to the Healing, Stun, and Summon Ally powers. It contains 10 Power Points (PP) that can only be used for these powers or its other abilities. The PP recharge daily (at sunset, when the first star is visible).
Passive Abilities:
- Aura of Tempered Mirth: The wearer and all allies within a Large Burst Template centered on the wearer gain a +1 bonus to Spirit rolls to resist Fear and Vigor rolls to resist Disease or Curses.
- Clarity of the Jester: The wearer gains a +2 bonus to Notice rolls to see through illusions and can sense strong, dominant emotions (hostility, joy, fear) from those in melee range.
Active Abilities:
- Blessing of Reconstitution: (3/day) As an action, the wearer removes the helm and drinks from it. This is a use of the Healing power (cost 1-3 PP) with a +2 bonus to the arcane skill roll (Spirit). It can be used to remove one Condition (such as Fatigued, Poisoned, or Diseased) instead of healing Wounds.
- Strike of Tempered Fury: (1/hour) As an action, the wearer strikes the helm (cost 2 PP). The next successful weapon attack by the wearer within 3 rounds deals an additional +2d6 fire damage. The target must also make a Vigor roll (at -2 if the attack roll was a Raise) or be Stunned.
- Stellar Charge: (1/day) The helm holds one Stellar Charge, which recharges at sunset. This charge can be used in one of two ways:
- Star-Fool’s Fury: As a reaction to being targeted by an attack, the wearer can expend the charge. They immediately move up to their Pace (this does not count as movement) and the attacker’s roll is made at -2. One ally who sees this gains a Benny.
- Laughing Shikigami: As an action, the wearer can expend the charge (cost 3 PP from the helm’s pool). This summons a Laughing Shikigami using the Summon Ally power (use the Flying Warrior, Minor profile, but describe as a paper sprite) for 10 minutes.
Shadowrun (6th Edition)
Chikatsura’s Paradox-Crown (Artifact) Type: Magical Artifact / Focus (Unique) Availability: 25R Cost: Priceless (Black Market value: 2,000,000¥) Essence: 0 (Magical)
Description: A unique, powerful, and deeply baffling artifact that defies simple classification. It appears as an inverted celestial silver chalice (Orichalcum/Silver alloy) worn as a helm, its surface covered in runes that glow with serene (white) and furious (red) light. Fused to its rim are three floppy, indigo-colored horns, like those of a jester’s cap, spangled with brass stars and bells that chime softly. It is a powerful, dual-natured focus, radiating conflicting auras of divine magic and chaotic, trickster magic.
Game Mechanics:
- Passive Abilities:
- Aura of Tempered Mirth: The wearer and all allies within 5 meters gain a +1 dice pool bonus to resist Fear (Intimidation) and Disease/Toxin effects. The bells also provide a +1 dice pool bonus to resist minor curses (e.g., Curse spell).
- Clarity of the Jester: The wearer gains a +2 dice pool bonus to all tests to resist Illusion spells. The wearer also gains a constant, passive ability to sense strong emotional auras (hostility, fear, joy) within 5 meters.
- Active Abilities:
- Blessing of Reconstitution (3/day): As a Complex Action, the wearer removes the helm, adds water, and drinks. The wearer immediately heals 6 boxes of Physical damage or 8 boxes of Stun damage. This action also cures one ongoing Toxin or Disease. This ability can be used 3 times per day.
- Strike of Tempered Fury (1/Encounter): As a Minor Action, the wearer strikes the helm, suffering 1 box of Physical Drain (resisted). The wearer’s next successful melee attack (this Combat Turn or the next) deals +4P bonus damage and counts as a “Called Shot: Stun.” The target must resist a Stun DV of (User’s Magic x 2) or be Stunned (loses their next Major Action).
- Stellar Charge (1/day): The helm holds one Stellar Charge, which recharges at sunset. This charge can be used in one of two ways:
- Star-Fool’s Fury (Reaction): When the wearer is targeted by an attack, they may expend the charge. The wearer gains +3 dice to their Defense test. If the test is successful, the wearer may “Shift” (move) 1 meter as part of the action. One ally who sees this immediately gains 1 point of Edge.
- Laughing Shikigami (Complex Action): The wearer may expend the charge to summon a Laughing Shikigami. This summons a Force 3 Spirit of Man (Entertainment) for 10 minutes. It cannot attack but can use the Concealment, Confuse, and Distract abilities.
Starfinder
Helm of the Celestial Jester Level: 8 Price: 9,800 credits Type: Wondrous Item, Magical-Technological Slot: Head Bulk: L
Description: This bizarre headpiece appears to be a shimmering, inverted chalice made of an unknown, celestial silver alloy, shaped to fit the head. Fused to its rim are three floppy, indigo horns of a synthetic brocade, spangled with tiny brass stars and micro-sonic bells. The chalice-helm is etched with two sets of runes: elegant celestial symbols that glow with a soft, white light, and jagged crimson runes that smolder with latent heat.
Game Mechanics:
- Passive Abilities:
- Aura of Tempered Mirth: The wearer and allies within 10 feet gain a +1 morale bonus to saving throws against fear, disease, and curse effects.
- Clarity of the Jester: The wearer gains a +2 insight bonus to saving throws against illusions and on Perception checks to pierce illusions. The wearer can also, as a move action, sense the emotional state (hostility, fear, joy) of creatures within 15 feet.
- Active Abilities:
- Blessing of Reconstitution (3/day): As a standard action, the wearer can remove the helm, fill it with liquid, and drink. The wearer regains 4d8 Hit Points and is cured of one of the following conditions: blinded, confused, deafened, diseased, frightened, paralyzed, or poisoned.
- Strike of Tempered Fury (1/hour): As a standard action, the wearer strikes the helm. The wearer’s next successful weapon attack within 1 minute deals an additional 2d6 fire damage. The target must also succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 18) or be stunned for 1 round.
- Stellar Charge (1/day): The helm holds one Stellar Charge, which recharges at sunset. This charge can be used in one of two ways:
- Star-Fool’s Fury (Reaction): When targeted by an attack, the wearer can expend the charge. The wearer teleports 5 feet to an unoccupied space. The triggering attack is made with disadvantage. One ally within 30 feet who sees this gains a +2 circumstance bonus to their next d20 roll (attack, save, or check) within 1 round.
- Laughing Shikigami (Standard Action): The wearer can expend the charge to summon a Laughing Shikigami. This functions as Summon Creature I, but it summons a Tiny CR 1 Construct (use Exocite stats, but with a fly speed of 30 ft.) that lasts for 10 minutes. It can only take the Distract or Guarded Step actions.
Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)
The Jester-Saint’s Paradox Helm (Artifact) Tech Level: 17 (Precursor/Ancients) Mass: 1 kg Cost: 2,000,000 Cr (Black Market) Legality: Forbidden
Description: A unique, inexplicable artifact that appears as an inverted chalice of unknown, shimmering silver alloy, shaped to be a helmet. It is fused with three indigo fabric “horns” and “bells” that chime softly. Its internal power source is unknown, and its runes (one set cool and white, one set hot and red) defy analysis. It appears to be a sophisticated psionic, nanite, and dimensional tool.
Game Mechanics:
- Passive Abilities:
- Aura of Tempered Mirth: The wearer and allies within 3 meters gain DM+1 on all checks to resist fear (e.g., Morale checks) and checks to resist disease or minor psionic curses (e.g., Telepathy).
- Clarity of the Jester: The wearer gains DM+2 on any check (e.g., Recon, Electronics) to defeat a hologram, illusion, or Telepathy-based deception. The user also passively senses strong, hostile emotions within 3m.
- Active Abilities:
- Blessing of Reconstitution (3/day): As a Significant Action, the wearer removes the helm, adds water, and drinks. The user’s nanites are activated. The user immediately heals 2d6 characteristic damage (from any physical characteristic) and is cured of one poison or disease.
- Strike of Tempered Fury (1/hour): As a Minor Action, the wearer strikes the helm. The user’s next successful melee attack within 1 minute deals +1d6 damage (AP 4). The target must also make an Endurance (Difficult -2) check or be stunned for 1d3 rounds (unable to take any action).
- Stellar Charge (1/day): The helm holds one charge, which it regains at sunset.
- Star-Fool’s Fury (Reaction): When targeted by an attack, the wearer may expend the charge. The user gains DM+4 on their Evade check or forces the attacker to take a Bane die. The user may also “blink” (move) 1m. One designated ally gains DM+1 on their next skill check.
- Laughing Shikigami (Action): As a Significant Action, the wearer may expend the charge. This deploys a tiny, flying TL 17 drone (Stats: as a standard Recon drone, but with 1 HP and the “Distract” ability). It lasts for 10 minutes.
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (4th Edition)
The Paradoxical Crown of the Holy Fool (Relic) Type: Magical Artifact (Headwear) Encumbrance: 10 Availability: Unique Price: Priceless (A subject of intense theological and magical debate)
Description: A bizarre and unique helm believed to be a Cytharai (Elven Jester-God) artifact, or perhaps a human relic that mocks the gods. It is an inverted silver chalice, its original runes of Isha (healing) glowing white, and its runes of Khaine (fury) smoldering red. Fused to this are the three floppy horns of an indigo jester’s cap, complete with bells.
Game Mechanics:
- Passive Abilities:
- Aura of Tempered Mirth: The wearer and allies within 6 yards gain a +10 bonus to Cool Tests (to resist fear/intimidation) and Endurance Tests (to resist disease). The bells also grant a +10 bonus to resist Petty Magic Curses.
- Clarity of the Jester: The wearer gains a +20 bonus to Perception Tests to see through illusions (or Willpower Tests to disbelieve them). The wearer also gains the Detect Artefact (Emotion) talent, but it is always active for free, limited to 6 yards.
- Active Abilities:
- Blessing of Reconstitution (3/day): As an Action, the wearer removes the helm, adds water, and drinks. The user immediately heals 1d10+4 Wounds and removes one Poisoned, Diseased, or Frightened Condition.
- Strike of Tempered Fury (1/hour): As an Action, the wearer strikes the helm. Their next successful melee attack within 1 minute gains the Damaging (+2 SL), Flaming, and Stun Qualities. The target must make a Challenging (+0) Endurance Test or gain one Stunned Condition.
- Stellar Charge (1/day): The helm holds one Stellar Charge, which recharges at sunset. This charge can be used in one of two ways:
- Star-Fool’s Fury (Reaction): When targeted by a melee or ranged attack, expend the charge. The wearer immediately Disengages (moves 1 yard) and the attacker’s roll suffers a -2 SL penalty. One designated ally within 6 yards immediately gains 1 Advantage.
- Laughing Shikigami (Action): As an Action, expend the charge. This summons a Laughing Shikigami. (Use the stats for a Faerie, Sprite, but with 1 Wound and the Distract ability). It lasts for 10 minutes and obeys the user.