Altair_the_Vexed
2006-07-31, 05:49 AM
In the ancient, long-lost kingdom of Maaskani, the devout followers of Tahy'at the Winged Serpent knew that their fate was to live in paradise after their mortal death. Great temples they built, and complex funerary rites they performed, even for the lowliest of bonded men. With these rites, the soul becomes Ka, and travels to the homeplane of Tahy'at, where the Ka of the dead were judged.
Central to the rite is the preservation of the body and the ritual preparation of the Vessel of the Ka. Often, the Vessel was merely a blessed jar, sealed after death and buried with the deceased. Recognising a Vessel of the Ka requires a Knowledge (History) check or Bardic Knowledge check, both DC 25. This check does not reveal any magical properties of greater Vessels - although any subsequent checks to identify a magical Vessel are at a +2 circumstance bonus if the purpose of such Vessels is known.
The great City Kings of Maaskani had magical Vessels, such as the one described below.
Vessel of the Ka
Taking the form of a lidded jar covered with intricate symbols, precious metals and jewels, often with chariot wheels or a boat motif at its base, the Vessel of the Ka is made to contain the soul of a dead person and protect it on its mystical journey to the afterlife.
A sealed Vessel of the Ka Consecrates a 10 foot radius area, centred on the Vessel, otherwise acting as per the spell. The Vessel is not considered a permenant fixture.
Removing the seal on a seal Vessel of the Ka may (if the Vessel is placed randomly as part of a treasure, 20% chance) release an incorporeal undead. This undead will be angered by its imprisonment and will most likely attack those nearby before fleeing the area around the Vessel. Select an appropriate undead, or roll 1d6
1= Wraith
2= Spectre
3= Allip
4= Ghost (apply template to randomly generated NPC)
5= Shadow
6= Greater Shadow
An unsealed Vessel has no magical properties if its Lid is destroyed or removed more than a mile away. Both the Lid and the Vessel radiate Consecration in a 5 foot radius, centred on the Vessel and the Lid, as above. If the lid is returned to the opening of Vessel, any incorporeal undead (or soul of a deceased person, as intended by the priests of Tahy'at) within the Consecrated area (now 10 foot radius) must make a Will save DC 17, or be trapped in the Vessel. A trapped undead or soul cannot be communicated with while in the Vessel.
If no undead or soul of a deceased is present when the Vessel is closed, the closest living subject must make a Will save DC12, or have her soul trapped in the Vessel. Her body falls into a death trance and will die within 3d6+Con modifier rounds. If the Vessel is opened again during this time, the soul returns to the body.
In ancient times, the souls of the devout worshippers of Tahy'at were brought within their Vessel of the Ka to the realm of their god by his angels, as part of the funerary rites.
Price: 257 000 gp
Cost: 91 000 gp
Aura: a Vessel of the Ka radiates strong Enchantment and Conjuration.
Caster Level: 13th
Prerequisites: Worshipper of Tahy'at, Bless, Consecrate, Refuge.
EDIT: Range of soul trapping given.
Central to the rite is the preservation of the body and the ritual preparation of the Vessel of the Ka. Often, the Vessel was merely a blessed jar, sealed after death and buried with the deceased. Recognising a Vessel of the Ka requires a Knowledge (History) check or Bardic Knowledge check, both DC 25. This check does not reveal any magical properties of greater Vessels - although any subsequent checks to identify a magical Vessel are at a +2 circumstance bonus if the purpose of such Vessels is known.
The great City Kings of Maaskani had magical Vessels, such as the one described below.
Vessel of the Ka
Taking the form of a lidded jar covered with intricate symbols, precious metals and jewels, often with chariot wheels or a boat motif at its base, the Vessel of the Ka is made to contain the soul of a dead person and protect it on its mystical journey to the afterlife.
A sealed Vessel of the Ka Consecrates a 10 foot radius area, centred on the Vessel, otherwise acting as per the spell. The Vessel is not considered a permenant fixture.
Removing the seal on a seal Vessel of the Ka may (if the Vessel is placed randomly as part of a treasure, 20% chance) release an incorporeal undead. This undead will be angered by its imprisonment and will most likely attack those nearby before fleeing the area around the Vessel. Select an appropriate undead, or roll 1d6
1= Wraith
2= Spectre
3= Allip
4= Ghost (apply template to randomly generated NPC)
5= Shadow
6= Greater Shadow
An unsealed Vessel has no magical properties if its Lid is destroyed or removed more than a mile away. Both the Lid and the Vessel radiate Consecration in a 5 foot radius, centred on the Vessel and the Lid, as above. If the lid is returned to the opening of Vessel, any incorporeal undead (or soul of a deceased person, as intended by the priests of Tahy'at) within the Consecrated area (now 10 foot radius) must make a Will save DC 17, or be trapped in the Vessel. A trapped undead or soul cannot be communicated with while in the Vessel.
If no undead or soul of a deceased is present when the Vessel is closed, the closest living subject must make a Will save DC12, or have her soul trapped in the Vessel. Her body falls into a death trance and will die within 3d6+Con modifier rounds. If the Vessel is opened again during this time, the soul returns to the body.
In ancient times, the souls of the devout worshippers of Tahy'at were brought within their Vessel of the Ka to the realm of their god by his angels, as part of the funerary rites.
Price: 257 000 gp
Cost: 91 000 gp
Aura: a Vessel of the Ka radiates strong Enchantment and Conjuration.
Caster Level: 13th
Prerequisites: Worshipper of Tahy'at, Bless, Consecrate, Refuge.
EDIT: Range of soul trapping given.