Helms of Valor

This item appears as a typical elven winged helm, but will radiate enchantment/charm if a detect magic spell is used on it. Originally inspired by those battle leaders who walked unflinching through hails of enemy arrow fire, a helm of valor enables its wearer to ignore missile fire. However, in order to do so, the users of such helms must have implicit trust in both themselves and their helm.

When a wearer first tries to use a particular helm, he or she must make a successful Wisdom check to attune with it. In unsuccessful, that helm will not function for the user until the individual's Wisdom score has changed for either better or worse (thus allowing another check).

A user who succeeds at the Wisdom check may then attempt to harness the helm's powers. The next time someone successfully attacks the wearer with a missile weapon, he or she may make another Wisdom check to avoid all but 1 point of damage, no matter the usual damage of the missile.

If this second Wisdom check fails, the wearer suffers the maximum damage the missile can inflict. This check is made for every missile fired at the wearer during this combat, and the modifiers listed below do not apply until the next combat.

If this second Wisdom check is successful, the wearer gains a +1 to the Wisdom check for the next combat. Note: This applies only to the next combat in which enemies attempt to harm the user. The helm does not work during sparring practice or training. A user who fails a Wisdom check picks up a –1 penalty for the next three combats, while he or she learns to trust in the powers of the helm again. No matter how often the user succeeds in the Wisdom check, the bonus can never exceed 19; a roll of 20 always fails.

Helms of valor provide no defense against melee weapons (although hurled daggers, axes, and other propelled melee weapons count as missile weapons), nor do they offer any protection against spells such as magic missile. Magical missiles, including enchanted arrows, affect the Wisdom check by –1 per +1 of the enchantment.

The helm is usable by warriors, priests, and psionically empowered individuals. As with all helms, it is not usable by either wizards or thieves who wish to practice their crafts.

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