Bell's Palette of Identity: This device offers protection against polymorph spells and other magical effects that change a person's physical appearance.

The item is an artist's palette covered with bright, mystical paints. To use the item, a person must paint a self-portrait. The painting does not need to be created with any expertise, but the painter must believe that the portrait is accurate.

Any time a character carries his self-portrait on his person, the portrait suffers the effects of unsuccessful saving throws for him when massmorph, polymorph other, polymorph any object, or seeming spells are cast on him. The portrait also suffers the effects if a character steps in front of a mirror of simple order.

The character's saving throw is made normally. If successful, the spell simply fails. If the saving throw is unsuccessful, the portrait is altered, reflecting the effect of the spell, but the character is unharmed. Once the portrait suffers these effects, it no longer can offer protection for the person it represents.

A person on the plane of Hades carrying a picture made from Bell's palette of identity is protected from the effects of fading on this plane. It is the picture that slowly fades to grey while the person retains all of his color. After two weeks in Hades, a character makes a saving throw against being trapped in Hades. If the saving throw is unsuccessful, the portrait becomes useless to the person who painted it.

There is always a risk that some denizen of Hades will discover a baneful use for a discarded painting. Travelers are wise not to leave such personal effects behind on this plane.

A single Bell's palette of identity can be used to paint 2-5 portraits.

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